Rockwater Hove in Brighton and Hove

Came here with friends on a Sunday. We booked fairly far in advance. When we arrived, we were seated by the window in front of a pillar, blocking the sea view, even though all the other tables by the window were free. We asked to move to one of the better placed tables, and the waiter looked stressed and said he would have to check as they were all allocated and dissappeared off for a long period of time. As we were there first, and the other groups hadn't arrived yet, you would think there would be no issue with the simple request of switching two tables of 4, but clearly was too much of an ask for this waiter, so we stayed put. We then were handed menu's and we ordered our food. It was only after we ordered we realised people around us were eating roasts. We were never handed a roast menu or made aware that they were available, which was disappointing. The food arrived, and luckily the food was in fact, delicious. Then we ordered a couple of puddings. These were also delicious, but too forever to come like we had been forgotten. Overall the service does not meet the standard you expect from Rockwater. I wonder if they have become complacent with their reputation as the years have gone by. Also, the hand driers in the ladies don't work, which is poor from an establishment that charges as much as rockwater does. Won't be rushing for a return visit. There are far better establishments in Brighton.

Great location and ideal for a relaxed lunch. Nice welcome, friendly service and good food. We booked and were glad we did, a lot of people were being turned away because it was so busy and popular. Definitely one of the places to eat and drink on Hove beachfront.

We had the most AMAZING customer service here today! The staff and Mama were so personable and made our time here so special. My brother in law got a birthday card from the staff. Great food, beautiful atmosphere. I am truly in Love with this place and I will be back! One tip is to make coffee a little stronger, as the flat white tasted of milk only. Mama handled our very excitable 7 year old nephew- who was a little bit hyper. We cannot thank her enough for looking after us.

Loved it. Gorgeous food, great ambience as always, lovely staff especially Louise D xx why do I have to use 100 characters (ridiculous)

Had two teas and sat outside .£7 for two truly awful, undrinkable cups of tea! What an absolute rip off? How they can charge this amount is beyond me . Wo t be doj g this again

When you arrive this place definitely has the wow factor, the way each table part of the same room but doesn't encroach on those next to you is very well thought out. We ordered drinks all of which came in good time, all the staff were friendly and attentive. A few of us ordered some nibbles all of which was lovely, would definitely return and recommend. Great venue for meeting friends, and intimate enough for a nice date night.

Had an evening meal with family in the Bar area. Great location and venue but food was disappointing, very average and certainly not in the league it purports to be. Crab linguine had v minimal crab and was really a bowl of pasta with chilli Salads were better, steaks were too small given the price tag - there are far better places for steak in Brighton Service was ok at best and far from attentive. Would return for a drink but certainly wouldn’t recommend for food

Good food in perfect seaside setting ruined by loud dance music totally inappropriate for a restaurant. Management refused to address the problem, claiming the music couldn't be changed or even turned down. Go elsewhere if you are interested in talking to your fellow diners!

Amazing location, fabulous views, great roof terrace for delicious cocktails and snacks. However dinner was a little underwhelming and rather average for such a lovely place. simple delicious food would be better than average flavours and trying too hard.

I came for an impromptu dinner. I was greeted outside then again on entering, by the manager. My waitress, Adriana, was absolutely lovely and efficient taking my order and bringing food, plus checking how I was. I really enjoyed the food, wine and beautiful scenery through the windows. In addition, the decor is great and the atmosphere was nice. I will definitely go again while here on holiday this week.

After reading and hearing some things from people I wanted to make up my own mind. I was very pleasantly surprised. First of all we were greeted with lovely smiles and at the table was a birthday card waiting for me. We were quickly seen for drinks. We waited for another person and drinks came swiftly and we were asked if we were ready but waited for the last guest. We weren’t rushed. Food was great and so was the cocktails.

Rockwater had a previous reputation for showing sporting events, on screens out on the lawn. Unfortunately this year, Hove's venue failed to publicise any of the Women's Tennis finals this month, but showed both the Men's Tennis final and the Euro Men's football final. I requested a showing of the Women's Wimbledon, via email, but my email was ignored. Disappointed in its lack of promotion for Women's sporting events.

Amazing service from our server Gemma C! Drinks all great especially Mango No. 5 cocktail. Lovely view and top tier wedges

Paid £68.00 each for a hen evening the food was inedible. Bean in pods small side plates of raw fish & lamb. Cheap Prosecco by the time we left my stomach felt extremely acidic would not go again.

Had an amazing time here! Lovely views and our host Evie was lovely! I had the beetroot latte and hummus and it was lush! The DJ Chris Spencer also adds a great vibe to the place. Highly recommend! ❤️

Awful. At 6pm Music so loud - like a club, not family dinner. Portions extremely small. Service terrible - long wait, food came all separately (I finished before my son got his food). Never got water but asked twice. Left hungry and disappointed, all for £87!!

Lovely restaurant with great location on the beach. We were staying in Brighton near to the pier and walked to Rockwater (approx a 50 minute walk along the sea path). The restaurant is on two levels - the bottom level is primarily burger, pizzas and fish & chips. The upper level is more based around seafood in general. We ate downstairs. The service was very efficient and friendly and the food and drink was excellent - we would have no hesitation in recommending.

Lovely location and smart relaxed atmosphere. good food, recommend the Stream Trout. We ate in the Bar and Kitchen area which was buzzy even on a Monday lunchtime suitable for all.

Disappointed to write this review and as usual The poor reviews are the ones most likely to be written. However upstairs in the restaurant- looking forward to the views - windows so grubby it’s hard to see out - yes it’s sea air it does take a bit to keep it clean . But really. Then food 1 hr + for drinks and food . Not enough kitchen staff - no one says you will be waiting ages , however , FOH staff great and customer good . Food , some of the ingredients were missing no crackling with the pork , no chilli with the edamame etc etc + , not cheap either - cocktails no or min alcohol and I know this as one of our party rarely drinks and when she does it goes to her head - but she certainly felt like it was a non or min alcoholic cocktail. It was busy when we visited . Could be good but management imho cost cutting is having a detrimental affect on the experience

with a heavy heart I write this review of Rockwater Hove bar & Kitchen. Was looking forward to eating here with my family but the food was average at best & in some cases inedible. nocellara olives a safe go to starter with a garlic bread pizza. pizza was great Olives had no taste at all. mentioned it and the lady working confirmed that they had no taste at all (still paid for them even though they knew they were rubbish) Fish and chips were very average but the Mac & cheese lacked any cheese & was so dry it was inedible. I sent it straight back & told them not to worry about making another as you just cannot risk complaining and then letting them make a fresh one. the lady kindly returned to let me know the chef agreed it was bad and I wouldnt be charged for that dish. The dish should never have left the kitchen. My daughter ordered the duck pizza with hoi sin sauce to find they had put tomato on the base. so duck pancakes with tomato ketchup !! oh dear. also they make the base with a semolina dusting when rolling that just spoils the base completely. It just seemed like the chef was off and someone was filling in. wanted to pay cash and was told that it was card only which again I think is just not right. overall bitterly disappointed with the only positive being the staff and the view. didnt quibble with the bill paid in full but sadly wont be going back. I dont think it was expensive if the food was as it should have been. not a big menu so easy to manage. small menu you just have to get every dish perfect to get people coming back. Rockwater Hove at the moment is like a chain of mediocre restaurants & really needs to lift its game up to match the view. management MUST do better or reviews like this will become the norm.

Great place to watch the world go by. We sat upstairs and had lovely views over the beach. Drinks reasonably priced as were the starters we had. Service was good - thanks Mia. Highly recommend this place.

Got a same day booking for 2 kids and 2 adults, 4.30pm on Easter Saturday. Seated quickly, right by kitchen upstairs overlooking sea. We love the vibe and the view. First time we had eaten here tho. The food is small plates at the cost of main sizes and does not disappoint. Every single drink and dish is balanced and flavoursome and divine. Kids had grilled chicken and cheeseburger. Then really excellent ice cream. We shared yakitori chicken with fresh seasonal garnish, huge hispi cabbage sat on phenomenal smear of anchovy clay, and scallops again on some delicious layers / paste of sorts. The flavours were just excellent - Michelin star level. The Ditchling rosé wasn’t remarkable but the non alcoholic botanical fizz my wife had was really special. Even potato wedges were divine and rocked with flavour. Lots of sunshine, babies, dogs, drinks and beats. Lovely decor from top to bottom. Slow service but mainly due to rush of people. Rockwater is special - the view the food and the slight messiness of it all. There is no where like it, and a great deal gluten free! One thing - I’d they cleaned the windows and barriers twice a day it would make *such* a difference!

We often have brunch in the terrace restaurant and love it. Great views lovely food and really friendly staff. Also reasonably priced.

We had a fantastic time at Rockwater Hove - it has a really nice atmosphere, friendly, welcoming staff, tasty food and cocktails (also really apprecaited the selection of alchohol free cocktails). The interior decor is fab and is has got to be the best place in Hove to see the sunset.

Visiting Brighton on a rainy weekend, Rockwater was a highlight of the stay. After a blustery walk along the sea front, we were welconed, seated and served with some incredibly tasty dishes. A special mention for Mumma and Freddy. Mummy was a fantastic hostess ( thank you) and Freddy went the extra mile to make me a cocktail that wasn't on the menu, top class service. Would highly recommend and can't wait to return.

Me and my boyfriend visited the roof terrace for the first time today, we didn’t know what to expect but we were absolutely wonderfully taken care of by Mia. She recommended some delicious cocktails we both enjoyed and she was absolutely lovely. We left feeling uplifted with a smile on our face!

Had a nice lunch here - above average burger and tasty Korean chicken. Drinks and food a bit more pricey than pubs but nice service and lovely to look out at the sea. It was very busy when we were there (a Saturday lunchtime), so wise to book in advance. Toilets are a fair old trek up and down stairs, so not recommended for anybody who'd have difficulty with that.

Visited with my elderly mother for her 89th Birthday based on a recommendation. Externally the place looks a bit scruffy, and the ground floor cafe is a bit uninspiring. However the interiors behind the cafe are nicely done with good local artworks, and the first floor restaurant and bar is great. Attentive service, lovely decor, a cool vibe and music, and great views over the beach and sea. Good menu, seriously friendly and attentive service, good champagne by the glass, (Moet), boat caught local fish and chips was great, and a double pepperoni pizza with extra mushrooms and garlic was excellent. They kindly gave my mum a birthday dessert. In summary a great place, good food and lovely service.

What an absolutely beautiful nigh. The venue, staff, food and the incredible Jazz Band culminated in an unforgettable evening. Mia and Madison our waitresses were brilliant. Their opinions on the food and cocktails was spot on. If you want a perfect night out then go to Rockwater Hove on a Thursday night for the Jazz night. 10 out of 10.👌

Amazing cocktail list. Fresh and inviting. Great place. Lovely location really friendly and knowledgable staff couldn’t do enough for us.