Monarch in Brighton and Hove

Ordered the chicken ciabatta on the menu which doesn’t mention it comes with bacon and they gave us bacon

One of the worst eating out experiences I’ve ever had - do not believe the positive reviews. There were 3 of us at a table on a Thursday eve and it was absolutely terrible. We all ordered main courses. After about 30 mins of waiting (in a restaurant that was leas than a quarter full), one of the orders arrived. We then waited another 15 mins or so for the 2nd order to come out. We didn’t even get to the third order arriving before cancelling it and deciding to leave. This was not just because of the wait; the food was truly awful. The ‘fresh calamari’ was basically rings of dry batter that had obviously come straight out of Captain Birdseye’s less successful sibling’s freezer, and had no hint of any type of squid inside. The ‘Greek salad’ contained a bunch of unchopped vegetables, a barrage of white onion and loads of jalapeño peppers (??) The burger was half burnt, dry and slapped between 2 stale, cold buns with a measly, cold slice of plastic cheese on top. Burger King next door would have offered a much better option. No sauces arrived, despite the menu stating dishes came with them. This was after the staff had managed to get the drinks order wrong and not understand our complaint that the ‘Pino Grigio rose’ that we’d ordered from the menu tasted like Ribena with 10 tablespoons of sugar added to it. The staff were absolutely clueless and the whole experience was a bizarre shambles. At least the waiter agreed not to charge us for the food we’d ordered, after we voiced our complaints. As we were about to leave, the couple on the table next to us told us they’d had a very similar experience and also ended up leaving without paying the full bill. To be honest, in the end we felt a bit sorry for the staff who were obviously ill equipped and at the mercy of a totally shambolic operation. Please do not fall for the lure of the Monarch if you’re looking for somewhere to eat near the sea front. Brighton deserves better than places like this. Head down to the restaurants on seafront or walk up Ship Street instead, you really will be doing yourself a favour.

A major health and safety event waiting to happen . Waited 50 for food to arrive as on menu as follows diced lamb on a bed of saffron rice - what we got was 5 of the smallest pieces of lamb - saffron rice mixed with boiled obviously to save costs - half a tomato - a peeled lemon ( still trying to work that one one ) a quarter of a pepper salad wrapped in a lettuce leaf and the biggest bowel of tzatziki 2 other tiny pots of hummus and god knows what else … never mind the taste being so bland I am trying to work out the vision on the plate and where dips with nothing to dip into cones from. We move into the 2nd dish good old fish and chips finally arrived to a pot of Salt thrown over it the fish was caked in it, The chips sodden in salt . I think the chef had watched a tictok on salt bae and thought he would bring this to the pieces of battered frozen cod he got out of the birds eye box from the freezer . When I commented he the arrogant server was totally in denial and telling me it’s fine … when I showed him the snow theme on my plate was I offered a replacement .. this arrived 10 minutes later which was basically the other fish and chips put back in the frier that when I cut into it totally disintegrated before me … Now for the drinks … 2 beers said both varieties… got one beer —— one coke … anyway if you have read this far AVOID AVOID this place is deffo not your BUDDIES

Shocking, waited 35mins for mains, security had no control over anyone within. After little contact from our waitress and a conversation with the barman, we paid for our drinks and left.. no food at any point came to our table. VERY rude waitress, staff, security. Don't recommend and will definitely be giving the place a miss in the future. Horrendous!

Upon arrival staff probed me about what kind of drink and food I was looking for and insited I told them before allowing me to sit down despite my request to see their menu. I have no idea what the rational was behind this bizarre behaviour. Staff are absolutely unhinged.

Waited around 45 minutes for a pasta dish and a pizza. Ordered some calamari and asked for it to come with the main meals, however the calamari showed up after 25 minutes, and the main courses were nowhere to be seen. The service was horrible. Nobody seemed to have a clue what to do. One of the waiters spoke to us 3 or 4 times and each time forgot we had asked him to do something. The table wasn’t cleaned and the drinks (a Diet Pepsi and a tap water) tasted like the glasses weren’t cleaned, as if they’d just emptied whatever was in before and filled them up. When the food finally arrived it was nice, however the pasta didn’t have much taste to it. I would avoid this place unless you want to wait a lifetime to have a decent meal.

We visited on august 17 at 6.30 we originally booked via fork as discount was offered. The restaurant rang to explain that the connect with fork was no longer running. The staff very graciously explained and asked if we wanted to continue with the booking which we did. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming and the food was excellent. The restaurant is more of a cafe bar than a restaurant and first impressions are not good. However the food was delivered on time and hot and there was a good choice. The staff were attentive and professional a very pleasant evening.

Lovely restaurant. The staff were completely at your service, very polite and welcoming. The food ordered came in good timing, and was freshly cooked and tasted beaut, we loved it. Will definitely eat there again.

45min waiting for our food after a wile the chef came to ask if we order obviously we did but the waitress mess it up. After an hour no drinks no food we have to leave :(

Absolutely shambolic. No-one was greeting customers at the front of house to show you to a table, so you don’t know whether to just sit down or wait to be taken to a table. Staff were running all over the place like headless chickens, so after 10 minutes we had to grab our own menus then after a further 10 minutes of no service, we had signal to a waiter to take our order. Drink service was slow and we had to ask twice of one of our drinks. When the food eventually arrived, one order was wrong so it was sent back, we didn't get any cuttlery so had to grab another waiter and ask for cutlery and had to wait a further 5 minutes for condiments. The food was OK and the waiter did agree not charge for drinks due to inconvenience. In total we were served by 7 different members of staff and this seems to be the main issue with the sevice. At times it was complete chaos. It is a shame and with better trainied front of house staff and organisation, it could be a nice place but we won't be returning.

Dinner for four. Food was tasty, fresh and we'll presented. We sat outside and watched the sunset over the sea which was beautiful albeit a little noisy from the road. The facilities are a little tired, and the staff were efficient.

We were strolling down the Kings Road near our hotel along the English channel. We wanted Fish & Chips for lunch and had our eye out on the array of outside seating restaurants displaying their menus. There are many to choose from. As we walked by the Monarch, I subtly (I hope) saw a server bringing out a serving to a table. Looked so good, we said “this is the place” (and it was!). The Cod F&C’s were so fresh, and not greasy at all (important for me). Delicious and beautiful setting right on the Channel!

We had an excellent time at Monarch. We were a group of 11 celebrating a hen party. We were so well looked after by Steve and his team. They couldn’t have done enough fir us and ensured that we were having the best time. The food was great. We would definitely go back and definitely recommend for a fun night!!!

LEE was the most unreal host nothing was to much for him he made the night amazing, best host ever. We had drinks starters and mains he could hve not been more accommodating x

Came for a lunch with kids at 14:00 Ordered fish and chips pizza and salad. Waited for meal 45 min! We received melted pizza and cesar super cold .... what kitchen was doing for almost an hour?! Its not acceptable.

Me and my partner went there lovely staff and lovely food highly recommended will definitely recommend it to all

Went late night after work and very few place open, so ended up at Monarch. Got welcomed by a bouncer throwing someone out. So you can imagine how drunk some of the customers were. The staff didn't know what was going on, no front of...

I am actually very impressed, took a day off work to spend a sunny day in Brighton. Got here hungry and had breakfast at The Monarch what a surprise. Stunning service and wonderful food. So many countries can't get a simple omelette right, this place...

Hi Melissa and Jazz. Spent some time looking for a nice reastaurant - there are plenty - but chose this one. Booked in advance, but was not busy, at 5.30. so nice and relaxed before the evening visitors arrived Two types of menu when we...

We used to try to place a year ago and we greeted by a nice new manager but on our latest visit we found the new staff and owners rude , unfriendly and service was very poor we could smell some very strange thing’s around...

Quick service last Friday. We both had pizza. My partner had Margerita and I had Diavola. Super hot and tasty. Cocktails and white wine. Couldnt fault it. Good seafront position with a friendly atmosphere. Definitely be returning.

Myself and a few friends was in Brighton for the weekend and was refused from a few places as my mother of 55 didn't have ID, we came across this lovely bar on the Thursday night, where there was two lovely, friendly and always happy...

I booked for a family gathering early on a Friday evening. The service was somewhat slow and erratic but the food was surprisingly good and the staff did their best to please everyone including the children. On paying the bill, they voluntarily removed all service...

A good kitchen but let down by a shambolic front of house. The seafood linguine and the beef bourguinon are outstanding but tonight they did not turn up. We waited 30 minutes for our drinks, the starter never arrived so we paid for the drinks...

This is the slowest service I have experienced. I had to ask twice for someone to take my order after a 30 minute wait and when they brought the soup out there was no spoon

Stayed in a nearby hotel and went here a couple of times for dinner and drinks.Nice and lively atmosphere and friendly staff.

So full, lovely food, attentive staff highly recommend, it's a definite must. So lucky we found it. Can't wait to go back

Great food, cheap two for one cocktails and friendly service. Lovely atmosphere and perfect location right on Brighton seafront 😍

Roast chicken with gravy roast potatoes fresh veg and very delicious homemade Monarch Yorkshire puddings. Staff were attentive and efficient (Kos) and Manager Ellis all friendly and happy to chat. Premises clean with open plan kitchen and good chefs Thank you for a lovely welcoming...

Service was brilliant very attentive and helpful. Food was absolutely delicious and extremely good value If your visiting Brighton I highly recommend you try this place out.