English’s Restaurant, Brighton

Vivien Leigh in Gone from the Wind

Oysters ‘par excellence’ is what English’s Restaurant does better than almost any other restaurant I have visited for this seasonal delicacy.

Home to the rich and famous for over 150 years, English’s Restaurant is a mecca for seafaring produce.

A family institution run by the Leigh-Jones since 1945, they have served everyone from Charlie Chaplin, Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier to our very own Dame Judy Dench.

English’s serve many different kinds of fish but I was focused purely on oysters when I went there - somewhat under the weather after a ‘health treatment’ that went wrong In the Alternative Laines.

I tried three differen kinds of oysters, beautifully served on a platter with nothing dressed except the lemon.  The plate came with Pacific oysters (£8.95 a half dozen) Native No. 2 oysters (£14.95 a half dozen), and French oysters (£16.95 a half dozen).

Trish Goodwin has been Head Chef at English’s since 1995. She graduated from highly regarded Galway College and went straight to Galway’s Chestnut Restaurant, becoming head chef there in her early 20s.

If I had any quibble about English’s, it is their attitude. They are so very English. But perhaps that has its own old-fashioned charm.

The Basics

All prices include service and cover charges. You can buy a special membership and dine there with a discount.

Environment

Housed in three fishermen’s cottages on the edge of Brighton’s famous Laines, the brasswork and marble external fittings are all original.

Opening Hours

Lunch and Dinner, Monday-Saturday from noon to 2200 (last orders)

Lunch and Dinner, Sunday 1230-2130 (last orders)

Details