Rockwater Hove in Brighton and Hove

Great quality food and great location but over priced. If you have fish of the day on the menu it would make sense for the staff to say what it was when bringing the menu as we had to wait for them to return to take our order to ask as we couldn't get their attention, but then weren't ready to order! We had steak which came with a few tomatoes and salad garnish, but we had to pay £4 for a very small tin of fries and £2.50 for sauce each... who would have steak without the additions that every other restaurant I've ever been to includes in the price! Two of us had two courses and two drinks each and the bill came to over £140 which I think is steep for what it was.

A bit loud in there with some music running in the background, which i find unnecessary. Not busy and therefore lots of echoing. Friendly staff and polite.

Booked tickets for the Halloween party. If this was your first time, you probably thought this was great. I came last year and that was fantastic. This year was nothing compared to that. There were no welcome drinks included in the entry price, no live entertainment, only a dj (who wasn't particularly good), only 4 types of Halloween cocktails, and no ordinary cocktail menu. Way overpriced and half size portions. Last year, the cocktail selection, presentation, and size were amazing. The service was rushed and chaotic. One of my friends wasn't charged in one round, and the next round, they not only made me the wrong cocktail, but they wanted to take payments twice from me. It was no effot put in this year. Just disappointed 😞 I don't think we will be booking next year.

The service was particularly welcome – relaxed and friendly but courteous too. Carrot cake cocktail a little disappointing for the price, but a good choice of low or zero alcohol drinks. Good vegan cassoulet, and I'm told the fish 'n chips were well above average. Thanks for a lovely evening.

Really disappointing visit this weekend. We arrived Saturday morning to the Lodge downstairs and we were immediately met by a very unwelcoming man - it very much felt like he didn’t want us to come in. We went to sit down in the sofa area but he told us it was reserved and they’d be arriving in 30 minutes so there wasn’t anywhere for us to sit down, he made no effort to suggest anywhere else to sit (we were a group of 4 adults and 2 children). There was no reserved sign on the table which was odd, and we decided to sit there anyway until the people who’d booked arrived. We then moved to another table after 30 minutes but no one showed up for this supposedly reserved table. We noticed the man also didn’t greet anyone else walking in the door the whole time we were there either. Another group with children came and sat down as we were leaving and we heard him approach them at the table and say the same to them, that they’d need to leave soon as he needed the table back for people arriving in 30 minutes. I have also tried to book a table downstairs before and been told you can only book upstairs. Very odd experience that made us all feel really uncomfortable.

We visited today for the launch of their Sunday roasts. 2 adults one child and our dog, we sat upstairs on the roof terrace, the servers were very attentive, fresh water was given to our dog, we had complimentary wine offered to us for this occasion as it was the launch of their roast diner menu. The food was delicious, we each had a starter and a main for £34 each (excellent value for the quality and portion size) the atmosphere and aesthetic within the rock water is very appealing. We have only been once before and it was just as good then as it now, we look forward to visiting again.

Amazing breakfast. Very good quality

Arrived at 11.45 for a pre lunch drink and nibbles. No peanuts available nor any other snack as not twelve o'clock yet! Although we did get a few olives for the princely sum of £5. But there's more. We had a small glass of wine and a Guinness total bill £27.80!!! Fleeced! Ridiculous!

Great location and very popular. We had a table booked, but still had to wait, although we were made very welcome. Once we were seated, it went downhill. Service was intermittent and slow. We had to send a pizza back because it was cold, and the sea bass and trout were overcooked. We had to chase our wine order 3 times, and the response was, "we're busy, do you want to cancel it!" Our hosts were apologetic, but the restaurant was not. We will not go back I'm afraid.

This was our first time in Rockwater Brighton & Hove and loved the experience! We want to say a huge thanks to our waiter Oliver who served us and went above and beyond for any request we had. He portrayed the utmost professionalism with a smile on his face at all times when speaking to us! He constantly cared about how we felt and our thoughts on the food by asking how everything was and made this such an amazing experience for us! He deserves a lot of recognition and we will definitely be back again! Thank you Oliver for your amazing hospitality!

Utterly fantastic. Food excellent, service first class and atmosphere relaxed and fun. A wonderful night from start to finish.

A pleasant environment and a great spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon. Has a large balcony upstairs with a fantastic sea view. When Rockwater opened, the people it attracted were a bit too 'aspirational', but it has become much more relaxed over time and the staff have also calmed down and are now excellent. There are some interesting events on from time to time too. Definitely worth popping by if you're in Hove and the sun's out.

View!!!! Ambiance and service all great.

Great place to come after a walk on the beach front, the amazing venue with great views of the beach and cozy furniture

Disappointed ☹️. Went inside to check for a table while my daughter waited outside with our 2 little dogs. Downstairs was quite noisy so decided to go upstairs to check for a table outside on the terrace . I spoke to a waitress and asked if dogs could come on the terrace ,she said “ yes” so I I asked her to reserve the table outside for us ,she said she would and was going to put the menus out onto our table while I went back down to get the dogs and my daughter. Parked the dog buggy inside .Carried the dogs upstairs as they are old.As I entered the upstairs restaurant I saw that the menus were still not outside . 🔔 Another waitress said that they were no longer serving food and they had an event at 3.30 pm later ,it was now only 1.55 pm . I explained that I had only just reserved a table but she said no go downstairs and try . We lifted the dogs back down stairs to be told there were no tables for 2 available! Was suggested we could wait at the bar on stools with the dogs but we declined . I cannot recommend this place as it has no care or consideration for it’s customers. . No one really seems to know what the fellow staff are doing or saying . It’s a shambles .

I came here for my birthday. We started off on the rooftop terrace, the music was so loud we couldn’t hold any conversation in the group. We asked to move downstairs and we had to wait an hour for a table downstairs. Eventually we moved downstairs and ordered our food and drink. Food came out in a good amount of time. I ordered a tofu Caesar salad. Unfortunately you’d think ordering a tofu salad it would come without anchovies. After eating about 15% of my salad I came across a disgusting anchovy. The staff were really quite rude, such as “well we are closed now but… I guess we are going to have to make you something”. No apologies. You’d think in Brighton and Hove ordering a tofu salad it would be without fish or staff who should know the menu would tell you but no. I understand I should have seen that it had anchovies but the staffs response was really unprofessional. Most of our group thought the young guy serving us last night was on drugs, he was pinging off the walls and clearly didn’t want to deal with us as customers. They took the salad off the menu with a very annoyed expression. I didn’t end up asking them to make me something else as they really didn’t seem to want to reiterating multiple times the kitchen was closed and I was so disgusted I didn’t even want to eat anymore. Upon leaving a young guy called out to his colleague asking him to come up and drink with him. Really unprofessional but he seemed young and not knowing much better. The colleague declined and said management didn’t want it anymore so he wasn’t doing it, the young guy up on the roof said he was doing it anyway. So all in all I would say poor management and to make menu very clear if you’re offering a tofu option as I can’t imagine someone wanting a tofu salad to have fish in it.

What more can you ask for, a restaurant on the seafront with great views, good food and friendly staff. We have eaten here on a few occasions and never been disappointed. Now we live in the area we will regularly go back.

Amazing atmosphere, fantastic food.

Great seafood platter. Lovely staff and fabulous views. Very relaxing atmosphere.

Came in for lunch and was immediately made to feel welcome by Patryk the manager even with my two dogs. The atmosphere was calm and all the staff friendly, especially to my puppy! The food was great and I would recommend the pork belly!!

Kept 94yo mother happy. Pizza was “amazing” cocktail was nicest drink she had tasted in years. Lovely people

We had a great experience at Rockwater! We had a table booked for dinner, and everything from start to finish was excellent. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was really cool and relaxed. Special thanks to our server Sevindzh, who was lovely and friendly, and truly made our evening special with her attentive service. Will definitely be back!

The music was a bit too loud, but the atmosphere was nice . Drinks are nothing special very basic.

The place is very nice visually and it's right on the sea front. Although for somewhere hoping to be high end I wouldn't expect having to use plastic cups to put a bottle of wine into when drinking on the outside tables. Especially for £40 a bottle. Usually would expect an Ice bucket and actual glass. I was also asked to pay for the bill so far when asking to sit outside and watch the sunset which made me think they expected me to run off 🤣 The food is decent, a little overpriced but generally good. Nothing too good nothing too bad. Roof was closed for a private function but it would've had nice views of the beach.

Had an absolutely lovely lunch on the roof terrace last Friday, the food was excellent and our server Issy P was such a gem! very professional and courteous.

Beautiful setting and super friendly staff

Had a lovely meal last night. Sun was just setting. Service was great, we had Oliver serving us and everything was perfect! Great atmosphere and the most delicious food. Can’t wait to go back.

Came for breakfast and the atmosphere was just so lovely! Great vibes, lovely food and staff were amazing. A big thank you to Alex who helped massively, she was a brilliant manager and made our experience even better! Can't wait to head back.

Such a lovely and relaxing place to have breakfast. It was a pity that the top terrace wasn’t opened. Service was great and with a smile.

Lunch with a view....a long overdue reunion with friends... Table with a view and access (dietaries noted which was a big plus for one of our party) as requested. Upon arriving Ish was a delight as we were greeted at the door and indeed throughout. Drinks options were spot on and quick... food was good, being brutal had better but more than happy to go back, a mix of appetites from our party and plenty of choice for all... Special mention again for Ish and the rest of the hosting team, they made the day and venue extra special. Thank you.

Arrived without a reservation. Greeted very nicely and staff were so friendly. Found us a lovely table with great view on a sunny day even though busy. Service was quick and professional. Attentive and very much on the ball. Food was really good. Perfectly cooked burger with great taste and flavour. Will surely come again.

Like so many of the other reviews I cannot recommend Rockwater and will never go back because the customer service is shocking. I was shown to a sofa by a waitress who then didn't come back. After waiting for about 15 minutes I went to find her and ask if I could order at the bar but she told me that she would provide table service so I returned to the sofa. After waiting another 15-20 minutes I was thoroughly annoyed and packed up to leave. The venue was mostly empty and yet the tables weren't wiped (used dirty napkins left from previous diners) and not a waiter or waitress in sight. The same waitress just offered to help me exit with the pushchair as I was leaving and didn't even register that she had ignored me for over 30 minutes. I told her why we were leaving and there was no recognition or apology at all. There are so many places in Brighton and Hove that are worth your money. This isn't the place.

Awesome but can’t pay cash Great food, great service, great views and good prices. So apologise for the bad review, happy to pay card for stuff but f cashless completely Changed review, I understand but only 10 years ago, every restaurant did it :)

Excellent food, limited breakfast options for veg/vegan. Really nice atmosphere and space for small kids!

We had a great lunch with friends and want to say a special thanks to Daniel for taking such good care of us! Loved our chilled out Sunday on the roof terrace, looking over the sea with great food, drinks and company. Thanks Rock Water and Daniel 👍

Great food, atmosphere, music and great service from Kennedy. Highly recommend meringue shards for dessert.

Food was very disappointing. I ordered cassoulet and was presented with a plate of beans. This is a French dish I have enjoyed many times,and the presentation and ingredients were just wrong.

I’ve been twice now and the food and service are possibly the best I’ve ever had

Amazing sea food restaurant with fresh fish and stunning view of the sea. Great atmosphere and service also with the restaurant manager Marie checking on everyone and making sure everything is perfect. A must go if you’re in the area, I will definitely be back! Oh and the seafood platter is to die for!

Oliver was amazing. Great friendly, efficient service.

The coffee I have today is totally different to the one I had last week. So disappointed.

"Great location, food and staff."

Food and service good but loud dance music totally inappropriate in a restaurant preventing conversation. If you want to talk to one another, go somewhete else!

The strong points of the restaurant are the location, views and decor. The service is also good. It's let down by the menu choices. We went for lunch yesterday, thinking there would be great seafood options on the menu given it's location. However, there was only battered fish on offer. The menu choices are more like that of a pub. We ended up not eating there and going elsewhere.

Charlie & Hattie, exceptional hospitality, wonderful personalities,, every request asked for & completely going the extra mile for us .. and thank you to Anouk for the fabulous cocktails !! A wonderful place to sit and feel the breeze x

Lovely venue by the sea and beautiful interior. My friend had her wedding reception here and it's a great place for large parties with lots of seating areas including on the balcony with a view of the sea! I gave the food 5 stars but yet to try the main menu

We'd heard mixed reviews but whatever wasn't working before is more than fixed, we had an amazing experience on all levels with refreshingly great service and beautiful food. The views and vibe are the cherries on top. Would come back in a heartbeat!

Oak was amazing, brilliant bar service. Will be coming again :)

The server is really kind and friendly ♡♡ Their smiles made my stay enjoyable the whole time. There’s also a kids' menu, and the pepperoni pizza is delicious. Highly recommend!

Staff were very friendly and welcoming but it took ages to get drinks! Atmosphere was a bit zzzz maybe due to the weather but it wasn't the vibe we thought.

We last visited Rockwater in 2022…wow! Such an uptick in the quality of the food and the attentiveness of staff. It wasn’t bad before but previous visits in 2022 didn’t make me feel it was a regular return destination but I’m very glad we visited yesterday as it’s greatly improved and we will be regular visitors again from now on.

Nice place in a great setting. Good food and service

Had a wonderful meal here with my Dad. Been here a couple of times now and never disappoints. Food was yummy Crab linguine and Expresso Martin was very good. 👍🏻

Lovely place to chill out & relax on Hove Beach.

I visited Rockwater for a wedding reception and the location is nice. The main reason for the 2 star review is because of the extortionate prices they were charging for drinks and a 12.5% service charge. If you look at the drinks menu then this is written down in the smallest text possible at the bottom of the last page. I'd normally expect to pay a service charge when I have a sit down meal but I've never been charged this when buying drinks at a bar. Apparently this is optional, however no one gave me an option when I bought 2 drinks for £23. This bar is in a great location and has the potential to be an amazing venue but unfortunately this seems to have been tainted by stealth fees and overinflated prices.

We are celebrating our friend's birthday, and we are enjoying the service so much, especially big BIGGG thanks to Sevindzh, she was so warm and welcoming, serving in our native language, she was so polite and cheerful to every person in our company and we were happy to visit tgis place and try the best fish ever! Sevindzh, you're the most professional waitress we ever met!

Stopped here on an impulse while walking along the seafront, great atmosphere, great views and the coffee was very good too. Didn't have food but the menu looked great. Will be returning to try breakfast another time. Great location, I could stare at the sea forever from their amazing balcony. Forgot to take, was living in the moment on this one, next time Googlers, next time... 😊 Updating to say we had breakfast! And it was amazing! We sat upstairs and had an amazing view of the sea, well worth a visit!

Always a great place to visit and atmosphere is fantastic. Rovi and team always takes care of us so well! Highly recommend!

Oak H behind the bar made me and my friend a lovely drink and was very friendly!

Absolutely love rock water wonderful food service amazing ambience uplifting and Patrick and Robby Treat us like royalty they go above and beyond Will look forward to the next event 😀👍

Delightful seafront spot that serves a smart crowd of tourists and locals. The downstairs restaurant offers thoughtful takes on classic dishes, including reasonably priced and healthy childrens' options. The design is impeccable, from the crockery to the perfumed bathrooms, and the service is welcoming. Well worth a visit, but book ahead: tables are reassuringly scarce. Olivia Ella and Marie Best restaurant ever! The waiters are very lovely, and the hot chocolate is filling and delicious. Thank you!

Great experiance on this venue. Food was delicious but the service really stood out. Staff very friendly and attentive well knowledged and will look after you at all times. Definetly will come back.

Had a nice lunch at the roof terrace. Food excellent and great value for 8 plates for two people. Service was quick. Had a nose in the main bar kitchen below all full of people on laptops looking important. The approach and area behind the building with the ski lift cabins is shoddy.

The cocktails is absolutely delightful 😊

Great service! a bit pricey but a good experience and the food is pretty good. Has had a bit of a bad reputation over the last year or so, but I honestly found it to be a really good night out.

Thanks to Emily that served our table today, very friendly and professional

we are locals and went for sunset cocktails and light bites for an 18th. Very sadly the service is still shocking as it has been from day one. Drinks took 40 mins to arrive; food came first which is odd. i asked 4 times for water for the table. the cocktails came half out then 20 mins later the birthday girl got her drink because they didn’t have her original drink she wanted so she went to the back of some ticketing queue as if it was a totally separate order. such a weird system. our second round we went for beer and wine thinking it would be quicker. they sat on the bar for 20 mins on a tray before some brought them over. unbelievable and really sad that’s it’s still like this after why 3 years of opening. won’t be going back anytime soon

Fabulous seafront restaurant, drinks on the terrace and a table with a view that wouldn't be out of place in the Mediterranean, great stuff.

Had the best lunch here and five stars for Gabriel for his lovely personality and service.

Liv and Emily were very smiling and helpful enjoyed your hospitality

Nice place for a beer, food is overpriced and not great. Service is fine.

Never have a bad experience here - lovely staff, excellent good, fantastic location and so comfortable - it’s a gem!

My fave place in hove, awesome venue, californian vibe, great food and lovely staff. Dog and child friendly but it's up market and chique.

Lovely spot with a view of the sea, but the beer choice needs improvement

Fabulous. An oasis in Hove. Bright and airy. You could forget you’re in England. Lovely friendly staff. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to book a table.

It was a lovely restaurant, food was good and quality

Nice place to have food and drinks on any occasion. Fantastic and friendly service. Food is delicious and big selection of drinks. Not mentioning the view 😍

Date: 3rd August 2024 Now then. Rockwater had been on ‘the list’ for a while, ever since we’d come to realise the extent of the scarcity of nice, informal, quiet spots for a bite overlooking the sea closer to home in Brighton; we just had to wait for an opportunity that would justify the trip. Confusingly - off-puttingly for research-shy, decision making-averse people-pleasers - the venue is made up of a roofed terrace and a ground floor split into a bar & kitchen area and a ‘lodge’, each offering a different menu further subdivided by hour of day - and that’s not to mention the several food and drink shacks that sandwich the main building. For Mich and I, a prospective bill at the terrace would easily run into special occasion territory, whereas the remaining options hadn’t quite tempted us into a weekend booking (required!) that would divert us from a blessed unstructured weekend. Nor had the kind of serendipitous moment in which you pleasantly amble the two-plus miles up the seafront from Palace Pier, starting to feel those pangs just as an outdoor or window table becomes available, yet materialised. And so we needed an opportunity. That came on the Saturday of Pride weekend. We’d had a friend we didn’t want to reschedule due to visit that day for ages - before we realised - but it worked out well. Laura’s not a big fan of big crowds, and so Rockwater allowed us to kill two seagulls with one pebble (not literally if you’re reading this RSPB - I’m as au fait with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as the next man). Mich and I walked there along the route of the Pride parade in the opposite direction of travel, which meant we got to see most of the floats, dancing and outfits - the outfits! - that it comprised, and by the time we’d passed the iSore and met Laura we could swing cats again, too. Happy days. Rockwater was busy enough that we had a coffee in the lodge while we waited for our table. Because of the whole multiple options thing, I’d left the arrangements to Mich, and as someone for whom the first in-depth study of a menu is one of the joys of restauranteering, all I knew was that we were having brunch. Because of that, I was put slightly out of kilter by the unmistakeably delicious aroma of mozzarella wafting over from the in-house pizza oven. If I’d known, I could have planned by having breakfast (hot fresh pizza can’t be the first meal of the day). Also, then I wouldn’t have been so bloody hungry. It was with such thoughts swirling that I disregarded the ‘plates and bowls’ (12-4pm - burgers, salads, fish & chips) and pizza (available for an extra hour) sections of the menu and went straight to ‘all day’ brunch (8am-4pm) after a suggestion that “we could just stay here for all day” was met with dismissive, unamused laughs. It wasn’t meant to be funny, actually. The dinner menu starts at 5. Hunger defeated adventurousness, with no-one in the mood to risk a crab benedict or halloumi harissa hash and all three of us opting for quantity via the fry-up (Mich) or the steak and egg singular (Laura and me). The former did what it said on the tin, which was great, because sometimes they don’t; the latter had mixed reviews. I really enjoyed mine, the garlic aioli suiting the tequila and lime, though it was served on top of an uncuttable flatbread and so essentially turned into a cheeseless version of what I had resolved to avoid (ask for extra hot sauce in advance, before everything goes cold); Laura’s steak was chewy though. I know, because I ate most of it in the end. The window table, extensive drinks list and all the catching up we had to do meant that we very nearly did stay long enough to get hungry again. It was ridiculously easy to while away the hours looking out beyond the drizzle to the green green sea, but I’m not sure we’d have been as lucky on a nicer day when everyone else wasn’t dancing away down the beach in sequins and rainbows. Eventually we did leave, not getting far before stopping for generous ice-creams at one of the shacks, before heading back to Brighton to join the celebrations.

Really disappointed in Rockwater today. we had not booked but after a little wait with several people wandering around looking at iPads and tables, they found us a seat. But after being sat for at least 10 mins they served the people at the next table, who they’d sat after us, and totally ignored us. Not even water bought over, or drinks orders taken. We waited another 5 mins before deciding not to bother staying. It’s a lovely atmosphere and great views. I’ve eaten here about 5 times over the last few years. Service is often slow (but I’ve never been ignored before!). The food is ok, with a nice mix of healthy and less healthy options. I’m baffled as to why there is no brunch midweek, with breakfast service stopping at 10:30am. I’ve only ever eaten in the bar/kitchen area so can’t speak to the rest of the menus. Service let it down today and I’m not sure I will bother coming back.

Fantastic brunch dining on the seafront

Just what you need at every seaside location. A cool bat/restaurant playing some good music and fab view. What is not to like other that the beer prices and plastic cups(tight northerner here) haha. Definitely would recommend and we will be back during our stay here.

Beautiful place and again plenty of choice for gluten-free people

We popped in for a couple of glasses of wine, which were excellent. Impressed by the great atmosphere and the superb service. Really recommended!

Nice place right on the quiet side on Hove beach. All the team working there are very nice and very attentive , thank you. The food is fine and the price is what you would expect to pay in a premises like this. Will Def visit again.

This was the most wonderful brunch with fabulous friends. Liv and Louisa our hostesses were really amazing and attentive with great recommendations for food and wine. I would highly recommend and ask for Liv and Louisa to serve!

2 days ago at Rockwater Hove we had a lovely experience on the Roof Terrance. I want to make an honorable mention to the Bartender Oak Harris as his drinks were exceptional. The bartender knowledgable, experienced and produced these outstanding cocktails. If you ever visit rockwater i recommend the roof terrace.

Drinks ok and nice setting on sea front.

Came down Friday 9th august 2024 was pleasantly surprised what a lovely place, staff really friendly (Daniel J.? tall guy slim build)very polite very good at his job 👍would definitely visit again & maybe pop in with friends next time 👌

Absolutely disgusting how this place can charge £27 for two large glasses of wine and not even print the price of 250ml on there menu and charge for service on top. its Hove not central London. Do not go there its a rip off.

Very bad environment, especially when they turned into a nightclub, which is foul, messy and unpleasant and very very noisy after midnight.

The food was absolutely delicious. I and my friends had the fish of the day; sea bass and fish and chips. The fish was perfectly seasoned and so fresh and the fries was made to perfection and we were absolutely thrilled and blown away by the service of Oliver. He was very kind and always checking to see if were satisfied with the service and made us very comfortable.

We came here on whim whilst visiting family on my birthday. All of the staff were attentive, warm and welcoming, but Daniel did a fab job of looking after us on the roof terrace.

Phenomenal service by Daniel! Thank you so much!

Had Breakfast on first floor balcony overlooking the sea. Beautiful. The service was very prompt. Though the BF menu is only English and very limited.

Rockwater Hove is my favourite place for food and drinks. It is the perfect location.On the roof terrace, overlooking the sea whether it’s rain or sunshine there is no better backdrop than the ocean. We experienced excellent service enjoying vegetarian small plates for lunch yesterday that tasted so fresh, healthy and original and were paired with fabulous fine wines. Most importantly they are very dog friendly and a water bowl and dog treats are always served to your dog on arrival. A special thank you to the manager Patryk and the staff yesterday for making a family occasion very special. If you do only one thing in Brighton dine here!

Such a beautiful meal at Rockwater to celebrate a birthday. Our host Olivia was very attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. And the food and drinks were out of this world!!! Worth every penny.

It's a place that serves nice food and drink, lovely

Great location.Nice enough but not great value.The food quality average.Service was slow but friendly.

Amazing food and friendly service

Great place with amazing view and thank you Daniel for the great service :)