The word gothic may conjure seventies glam-rock nostalgia for some, or memories of teenage angst expressed through back-combed hair and heavy black eyeliner for others. Kemptown’s The Gothic Crab, however, is applying the term to an altogether alternative seafood fairground.
A Total Vibe
The décor nods to a The Cure concert circa early nineties: rich velvet, dark greens and ornate chandeliers. Look closer, and the place reveals its sense of humour – a nifty lobster-topped telephone; monocled, top-hatted crab branding; and gold-leaf patterning glistening under low, amber lighting.
Drinks with Bite
The Gothic Crab launched in early 2025 and is now enjoying a refreshed incarnation, with seafood supremo Jake Puddy at the helm. Ruggedly handsome and visibly passionate about shellfish (and all things extraordinary), he’s injecting some decadent mussel (sic) into the carefully curated array of dishes and drinks.
He won’t reveal the secret additions to the dirtiest Martini we’ve tried in some time – though there’s certainly a ‘coastal’ note – while his Bloody Mary claws its way to stardom with crabby accompaniments.
Why You’ll Love It
- A tongue-in-cheek setting that feels like a night out, not just a meal.
- Properly punchy cocktails
- Snackable seafood that’s made for sharing (or not)
- Big confident flavours without fuss
- A fresh team led by a true shellfish obsessive
Aperitifs to Warm Your Cockles
Popcorn versions of little gorgeous things are in vogue, and this Kemptown spot delivers with lightly dusted, fried cockles: pea-sized gems spritzed with chilli vinegar that are designed to disappear sharpish. They pair dangerously well with those Martinis and, if you like your heat turned up, Bloody Mary oysters – served with the juice on the side, ready to help knock them back with a kick.
On recommendation, we also tried the deep-fried oysters, golden and obliging with lemon and hot sauce. We’ll admit it: we hadn’t been fans of cooked oysters. We left converted.
Sharing, Pairing and Grazing
The Gothic Crab is Kemptown’s go-to seafood boil specialist – a Louisiana-style heap of Cajun-spiced seafood delights cooked together to absorb maximum flavour – but the small-plates offering is a highly persuasive date-night alternative.
What to Order
Crab-loaded, skin-on fries arrive drenched in rich butter and are frankly dribble-worthy. Large red prawns, pan-fried in Creole butter, are meaty and sweet-salty in all the right ways.
The Creole shrimp, dusted in a ‘secret blend’ and fried hot and fast, is plump, juicy and served with a punchy lemon and house remoulade. This is indulgence, and you’ve earned it.
Aphrodisiacal effects are not guaranteed – but Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and who are we to argue with old wives’ oyster tales…
The Gothic Crab commands attention. Kemptown is lucky to have it, and you’d be wise to explore it – cocktails first, then graze. As the saying goes: ignorance is shellfish. Or something like that.
