Early on a balmy Summer’s evening, my friend and I booked to dine at English’s of Brighton – Brighton’s oldest independent and oldest seafood restaurant. I’ve often walked past the vibey al fresco dining area on East Street, at the edge of the Lanes, and have been drawn to the eye-catching oyster bar with its bold signs boasting fresh fish, shellfish and fine wines. It always looks inviting with fully booked tables (booking recommended), smart and welcoming staff and abundant platters of colourful and beautifully presented seafood.
We started at the oyster bar, which dates back to the 1870s and still features the original bar installed at that time. Brighton has a rich oyster history connected to Shoreham harbour and this is one of the few historical treasures representing that history that remains. The restaurant has been owned by the Leigh-Jones family for 80 years. Inside, English’s is stylish, inviting and full of celebrity-signed pictures and posters endorsing the restaurant, including a letter from Sir Ian McKellen in the loo.
Staff at English’s of Brighton are clearly proud to work there and there are many who have served there for a long time. The people we encountered were generous with their sharing of stories and menu recommendations and we felt very welcome. Three types of oyster were on offer – one from Suffolk (creamier), one from Jersey (milder) and one from Essex (brinier). I am originally from Kent so have tried a few oyster from Whitstable and also from living in Brighton now, but I had no idea oysters could vary so much in taste and texture. My friend had never tried an oyster and she gave it a go with a good dollop of Mignonette (a fresh shallot and vinegar based condiment). She said it was “briny and fresh like a whisper from the sea”.
It’s a luxury experience to have your freshly caught and delivered oysters presented, explained, shucked and turned (loosened for consumption) before your eyes. I tried all three and loved the taste of them all, one with Tabasco and lemon, and one with Mignonette. My favourite was the creamier one from Suffolk, which was so full of flavour, I didn’t add any condiments. We enjoyed a glass of Roebucks Estates sparking English wine, which my friend described as “crisp and vibrant and so light it almost floated off the glass”. It was the perfect pairing to oysters and we enjoyed chatting with staff about the rise of English sparkling wine.
English’s of Brighton boasts an extensive drinks menu, including a wide range of fine wines. Oysters can be served raw on ice (one for £3.75/ six for £20.50) or cooked with various toppings including breadcrumbs and nuts (from £15 for three). There is also the option to start with oyster shots, featuring vodka, gin or tequila, and tomato juice (£7 each). Also, diners get bread and butter, and fish paté or olives. We had mackerel paté on light white bread rolls, which was rich and creamy in flavour and easily devoured.
Booking early meant we had a leisurely evening. We moved to the outdoor terrace, which is a few minutes walk to the seafront and is at the intersection of Dishoom’s Permit Room and the Sussex Arms. The perfect people-watching spot, with wide-rimmed umbrellas for all weathers. A street busker played pleasant music as golden sunlight trickled through cracks in the winding lanes to one side. English’s of Brighton’s menu is extensive and it was hard to choose because everything looks and sounds so delicious. It was a night of firsts for my friend so we knew she wanted to try lobster for the first time.
After much deliberation and guidance from our patient waiter, we started with a starter platter (£23 per person based on two plus sharing). This included Mussels “impepata”, shrimp croquettes, salt and pepper calamari, seared scallops and pan fried tiger prawns, served with aïoli, garlic butter and lemon mayonnaise. Apparently the calamari and scallops are two of the most popular options and this one gave us the opportunity to try both.
This stunning plate of decadent delights adorned with buttery temptations to dip into almost looked too good to eat, but ended with me cheekily drinking the leftover juice from the Mussels. The scallops were the star of the show, tender, meaty, moreish (thank goodness we chose more as our other main course!) The prawn shells slipped off easily and the meat was perfectly cooked. This was a great way to try a range of things on the menu.
What I also loved about English’s of Brighton’s menu was that there are five dishes that can be made as a starter or a main, so some diners may choose to get several as starters and share them. These include mackerel fillets with samphire, chorizo and lemon gel, mussels, tiger prawns, king scallops and lobster and pulled pork wontons.
For the main, the lobster thermidor (half £35 – garlic butter option also available) was full of creamy cheesy herby sauce and was a great option for a first-time lobster eater as with thermidor, the meat is turned out of the shell and popped back in. The lobster meat was again perfectly cooked, meaty and packed with flavour. Getting these things spot on is a delicate task (having had overcooked lobster before) so huge props to the chefs! The scallop main was beautifully presented and great for sharing between two as there were six scallops across two shells.
Other menu items that delighted our eyes and rumbled our stomachs were the hot platter (£49 per person), which includes seared scallops, pan fried tiger prawns, clams and mussels “marinières”, grilled whole seabass, monkfish and halibut tranche, battered oysters, served with tartare sauce and garlic butter. The only reason we didn’t choose it was that we were keen for the treat of a lobster. Of course, there are many seasonally-changing items on the menu and an ever-changing catch of the day. As a side we shared one portion of skinny fries which was more than enough given all the things we were eating. They were crispy and fluffy, just what one wants from a skinny fry. We also had a carafe of a delicious white wine, recommended to us to pair with seafood.
Then, we did the classic “no room for pudding but oh we’ll have a look” and were tempted by the Tiramisù, with pistachio mousse, coffee liqueur sponge and ruby chocolate (just one to share – £10). We did not regret it and loved the burst of colour and layers of flavours in this unique twist on the Italian classic dessert.
Something else we were particularly intrigued by, and I will return again to try was a couple of ‘savouries’ offered on the dessert menu too. Oyster rarebit (£14), with cheddar cheese and ale bechamel, with sourdough toast, was certainly something I didn’t have room for that evening but I am definitely intrigued to give it a go.
Alongside the Summer à La Carte menu, English’s offers a tempting Summer Set Menu, with two courses for £27 or three courses for £32, available all-day Sunday to Friday. Starters are three raw rock oysters, mignonette, tabasco OR ponzu, spring onion, wasabi sriracha, Salt & Pepper Calamari, with lemon mayonnaise, chive, Shrimp croquettes, with aioli and watercress or Manchego bites, romesco sauce. Mains on offer are Seabass, Mussels, fish and chips or a pasta dish and desserts include strawberry and meringue, cheese of the day or Affogato.
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English’s is a classy and friendly seafood restaurant with a fascinating history, has something for everyone with fresh and seasonal ingredients, a thoughtful menu made with love and is an unmissable dining experience for anyone living or visiting Brighton. Make sure you pay them a visit.
History of English’s of Brighton
English’s of Brighton is a true Brighton institution, with roots dating back to the mid‑19th century. The original oyster bar opened around 1880 in No. 30 East Street — previously, the building served as a fishmonger’s from around 1850 to 1876. A.W. English took over the business in 1910, expanding into the neighbouring No. 31 in 1920.
In the 1940s, the Leigh‑Jones family became the custodians: Clifford Leigh‑Jones acquired the bar in 1945, later adding No. 29 in the 1950s. His son Simon began working there in 1972 and eventually took over day‑to‑day operations in the early 1990s.
Under Simon’s stewardship, English’s has evolved from a traditional oyster bar into a beloved seafood restaurant. Notable additions over the decades include a fishmongers (1986), an off‑licence, and expanded outdoor seating licensed in the 1990s Today, the restaurant still features charming Toulouse‑Lautrec‑style murals from the Clifton St. café era and adheres to a legacy of “old‑world quiet and courtesy” praised in press as far back as the 1960s.
Through nearly two centuries, in two world wars and countless renaissances of Brighton’s Lanes, English’s has remained a constant — an authentic piece of seaside heritage where tradition meets warm, familial hospitality.
Address: English’s of Brighton, 29-31 East Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1HL
Website: https://englishs.co.uk/
