The Urchin Brewery & Shellfish Pub in Brighton and Hove

Wonderful birthday dinner for 7 the other night. Special thanks to Sarah for taking care of us with the booking and everything on the night. Outstanding experience.

Amazing on every level. Outstanding helpful service and brilliant food. I highly recommend this.

Contacted Chantal the manager via email about a request for a table adjustment. She denied the request quite rudely so we paid for a dog sitter so that we could sit at the table we originally booked. When we arrived we were told our table had been moved outside by the manager which we had never requested or agreed to. The manager, Chantal, sat us next to the toilets in the end and was rude from the moment she realised she had messed up our table. When paying I requested to remove service charge but when I tapped my card the waitress had not removed it. I was so let down and unhappy with the experience I gave up and left. We will never be returning to the Urchin and hope that the right people see this review to hire a new manager and reduce the garlic in the food.

The term "fish boil" apparently originated in the United States and described a mixed fish and shellfish stew created by hungry mariners. It migrated to Barbados where it it acquired a cool Caribbean vibe and more than a small measure of rum punch. Me? I eat it in Hove. The Urchin have occasional fish boils and they are really worth looking out for. I've never seen so much shellfish in one place and the contents varies depending in what is fresh and available. Their regular menu is also worth exploring. The atmosphere is chilled and friendly. Good Specials board and they pay as much attention to beer as they do to their wine list.

Rarely give a full 5 stars but The Urchin is amazing. Fantastic, friendly service. Superb food and a lovely, welcoming, cosy atmosphere with a great garden. A true gem of Hove. Recently there for their Octoberbest shellfish boil with the family. Can't fault the place.

The seafood here is excellent, it's fresh, it's creative and it tastes fantastic. The oysters were exactly as they should be - fresh and clean. The highlights were the specials with some nice touches like the scallops with a chilli miso butter and the king prawns in a brioche bun with remoulade sauce. The whole (undressed) crab was good value but it's an effort to eat - as it is covered in a hot butter sauce making it a messy proposition, if you're experienced at breaking down a whole crab its not too bad but even I couldn't get it done before the rest went cold. Value wise the prices are about average for seafood - not too expensive, not cheap either. I'd say the lobster was perhaps priced a tad high compared to everything else but it will depend on season and demand. I would add the bar had an excellent selection of drinks to accompany the food, some unique craft beers paired particularly well with the seafood. While the clamato in the bloody / virgin Mary is a great choice. The disappointment here though was the service. It wasn't a particularly busy Saturday afternoon and there were 3 or 4 running front of house but there were times when no one was at the bar or even in the restaurant. We were asked for our order but needed a few minutes, 10mins later no one had even looked our way. One of the wait staff in particular looked like they did not want to be there, rolling eyes, making odd comments and just being a bit moody. However the rest of the staff were very friendly and nice, it was just difficult to get their attention in the first place.

Really brings it all together... great seafood, friendly staff and the perfect pub (no pretensions) atmosphere. Every trip to the neighbourhood includes one memorable meal here. Worth the trip!

Lovely pub, lovely staff. Food was amazing, we got a lot of different plates and shared them and the price is very reasonable. The house beers are also a good plus :)

Outstanding food in a relaxed setting. Mussels, chips & beer for me exactly as I’d dreamt it when ordering. 🥰 Best place in the world to get a dozen oysters. The beer brewed on site is ridiculous.

5 stars across the board. I have wanted to cone here since miving to Brighton, 4 years ago. We had 1 of each of the menu and specials starters. Everything was delicious. Particularly loved the potted shrimp. Our server Katie was great.

Very nice and cosy pub, with food better than your average pub grub! They focus on fish and there are some great dishes with high quality fish on both the classic menu and the constantly changing specials. The flavours were fun and creative, pairing fish with things you don’t see much elsewhere - they do still have the classics too though! The food was indeed very nice, but a little pricey for what you actually got. The oysters were especially good and £2.50 for a plain one isn’t actually that bad! The service was lovely the whole night and we had a very romantic evening :)

We had a great time at the urchin. We’ve been wanting to come here for ages and it fits this the really specific balance of casual/fine dining that I love. Great quality food in a welcoming, friendly setting. We started off with the oysters and ponzu which were divine. Next we had the clam pakoras and the salt and pepper squid which were again, delicious. For main we had the whole crab and the cuttlefish. I’d never eaten a whole crab before so it was physically a challenge but if you put the effort in, you’re rewarded with the fresh tasty meat. The cuttlefish didn’t disappoint either. It all adds up price wise so probably more of a epically occasion place to be honest.

I was looking for some fresh seafood well cooked and I found that and more. Creative interesting dishes and great service. I had a couple of starters with some fresh salad and bread. The clams were very nicely flavoured with herbs and the crab salad was very fresh accompanied with a lovely different cucumber. Overall, loved it.

At long last, I made it here and I was not disappointed. Every mouthful was an experience..an explosion of flavour in the mouth. I really enjoyed the crab and the sauce it came in was soo tasty I drank the lot of it! My partner had the mussels which were also so tasty. The oysters were fresh and delightful. Will definitely come again! Highly recommend 👌. Quality food at a great price

Incredible boozer!!! Amazing food! But the staff really made this place! My server was Sasha, was a late booking for food and she made sure our booking still got food, very accommodating and warm! Made my night, after a rough day! Best seafood and staff in Sussex!!! Sasha is a legend! Give the bird a raise!!!!

Fries 4.5? No thanks, come on guys be a pub. Say what you mean and grow up.

Fantastic service, great food. Especially the moules mariniere.

Had a lovely evening at the urchin with my family, we enjoyed both the food and the drinks. Highly recommend the in-house brewed ipa, the mussels and the squid!

Great shellfish.. and that ‘s all they do. If you like sucking the brains out of large prawns this is the place for you. Good wine selection. Did not try the Japanese wine!

Nice food, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. Would recommend!

With attentive service, a curated seafood menu and a plentiful selection of wines, this pub is less of an urchin and more of a pearl

Absolutely superb food with superb service. Fresh fish served brilliantly. Highly recommend

Enjoyed a fantastic lunch. The clams in sriracha were amazing. Great wine list, superb service. Just wish I lived in Brighton as I'd be a regular here!

Amazing spot, relaxed atmosphere with seriously impressive seafood and excellent seafood. Can't ask for much more really!

Pretty good food, but not worth the sub-par service. Absolutely useless.

Street party on Belfast Street so very handy! Cheers

Was here a cpl of years ago for food was good but can’t remember details! Anyway now have their own microbrewery excellent range, nice inside great side court covered enough for sun or no sun

The scallop starter was really nice but went downhill from there, the softshell crab burger was drowned in sauce so it left the bun really soggy, the mussels had such a strong fishy smell only a few were eaten, the waitress didn't even question why they were all left. Definitely wouldn't return.

Just came for a drink. Swift service, nice beers. Not for me as they serve lobster but if that's your thing they seem to be big on it here. Nice external space

Atmosphere, food, everything about this place is great

Amazing fabulous sea food fresh well cooked wonderful staff a must if you're in Hove Brighton. Good wine list. Knowledgeable staff well trained. Perfect.

Perfect beer, show-stopping seafood, effortlessly friendly service, and all at a very reasonable price. I cannot fault this place and intend on returning in August.

What an amazing hidden gem! I can’t stress enough how delicious the food was and that it is a MUST that you visit this place. Nestled between some houses and just off the hustle and bustle of a busy road, The Urchin is the perfect place for a very chilled out, enchanting day or evening date with your loved ones. Will 100% be going back to sample their seafood paella on a Sunday. We had the lobster and it was out of this world! Hats off to the chef and the team for making my Saturday simply sumptuous!

Lunch with the family. Moules, prawns and crab a go go. Great food, good selection of drinks, speedy and friendly service, reasonable prices. Highly recommended. Will be returning.

Just thought id like to say how much of a wonderful time my sister and i had at the 2.30 booking inside last Sunday just gone. We had the paella which was amazing. Amazing wine and amazing staff. Big up to Amazing Amy also! see you soon guys x

Amazing sea food and selection of pints!

Coming here always feels like a treat. Every dish is special, the staff are welcoming and friendly, and the atmosphere is busy in the best kind of way.

A wonderful restaurant! If you love your seafood and your beer you won't be disappointed, it's of the highest quality. I can't wait to go back 🤤😍

The Urchin was very quiet. There were only 2 of us but they managed to get the order wrong. The incorrect dish was changed but they still charged for it on Sun 10th March. Come on guys, wake up and do you job mindfully, how hard can it be? There were hardly any customers in. Very bad.

Billy gave the best customer arrive I’ve ever received, 11/10.

Wow! Simply perfect. A beautiful atmosphere, and some of the best seafood we've ever had (and we've had a lot...). Great beers, and a really interesting wine list too. Lovely team and service, really looked after us and our two young children. Highly recommended - it's now on our Brighton/Hove staples list. Thank you 😊

Dining at the Urchin in Hove was a true delight. The oysters and scallops for starters were exquisite, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to spectacular seafood. The prawn stew for the main course was absolutely divine – rich, flavourful, and expertly prepared. The atmosphere and music added to the overall experience, creating a perfect setting for a memorable dining evening. Highly recommend for seafood enthusiasts seeking a top-notch culinary experience.

Awesome food awesome atmosphere… great service very friendly

Didn't eat here but tried 4 of their own brewed beers. All good. Ask for a paddle of 3 beers for £7.

Lovely pint of beer. Wonderfully fresh oysters. Staff were amazingly warm and welcoming to everyone I saw them interact with. Well worth a visit just for their hospitality.

Excellent food. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Still talking about our dinner days later!

The vibe was immaculate, the food was fresh and the servers take their time to listen and help you. I've wanted to try this for a while and I'm so glad I finally did. I could eat ten servings of the scallops in one go I'm sure. Will definitely be back again

Went there for a birthday meal. Initially I thought the food was great. However, 3/5 people I ate with got food poisoning from this place. Even more disappointing, I've emailed the restaurant, and they haven't responded it's been 4 days now. I think you can't guarantee the safety of your food, don't serve it. Never going again.

Nice and tasty seafood dishes. It's a pity that it's not pet friendly

Gorgeous seafood, cooked fabulously, also with a gorgeous home brewed beer selection. 🍺

All the seafood here are excellent. Strongly recommend the sweet and spicy king prawns, roasted scallop and crispy soft shell crab.

Simple menu, great food. Always worth a visit

Spent a lovely Sunday afternoon there today which flew by!.. amazing food.. and service to match.. cannot wait to return.

Tried to stop by for a drink yesterday but waited at the bar for 15 mins without acknowledgement so we left to go elsewhere. One staff member was more concerned with her phone charger not working. Can’t comment on the food and drink unfortunately!

Revisit Oct 2023 Slightly wider selection of beer included a malty, hoppy, Marzen which was perfect for the warm autumn weather and to accompany the yellow Thai mussels. Great bread as ever and well informed service all around ×******************** More fantastic shellfish, and the squid was to sue for

Delicious home brewed beer, heaps of wine by the glass, some really interesting stuff too 🍷 and amazing food. We had oysters followed by a couple of things off the special board. The Thai yellow mussels were sublime as were the corn riblets (specials board). Service was very good, staff were knowledgeable about their products. Loved our lunch and we will defo be back next time we’re in Hove

Great meal and excellent service from Ben. Thank you

You've got to get yourself down to the urchin! Micro brewery, fresh seafood and beautiful garden. The beers are on point and good value, the seafood is up there with the best in and around Brighton and Hove and everyone working there are so helpful. Couldn't recommend more.

What a gem of a place!! 🤩 I came here with my partner who LOVES seafood…I don’t eat any seafood whatsoever and the menu is almost exclusively fish, crustaceans or shellfish, so it was a little daunting…that being said, I had nothing to worry about - the vegetarian option was absolutely sensational and even the small bits of seafood I tried were really tasty!! The sauce served with the crispy squid was phenomenal. The pub has a fantastic garden and indoor bar area, both of which are inviting and dog-friendly, and a smart, secluded restaurant area. We sat in the bar. The service is exceptional - we were served quickly, the staff are knowledgable about the menu, and really personable. As someone who generally detests seafood, I can’t believe I’m saying this - but I can’t wait to come back! I could not rate this pub any higher ✨

Great place. Just a pub done really well

Delicious food and really nice beers

Amazing place with delicious food and lovely service. In the evening food started to be served from 5pm. Would love to come again.

5th wedding anniversary dinner. God tier food. Will be back

This place is amazing! Perfect from start to finish - friendly welcome, warm and knowledgeable bar staff, great atmosphere on a sunny Saturday evening, service was just brilliant - completely unstuffy but on the ball - and the food was incredible! It’s so rare to find a place that gets EVERYTHING right. Will be back soon and have been raving to friends. Can never really be bothered to review as am lazy but this was totally stand out!!

The Urchin used to have really nice food but was owned by some vile, arrogant people. We got a serious case of food poisoning when we went here and have stayed well clear ever since. We complained to public health who assured us it would be discussed at their next inspection but the Urchin just denied any wrong doing when they were asked. When we complained at the time the owner phoned us and was horrible and tried to make us feel very stupid, “It’s not possible - the prawns are cooked in very hot oil!” and “What exactly would you like us to do about it?” Horrible experience.

Really nice place well worth seeking out if you're in the area. Well decorated and the hanging baskets would be the envy of any gardener. A lovely Larrikin Stout went perfectly well with our starters of scallops, salt & pepper squid, brown shrimp (very hot chilli, will be overpowering for some). This was followed by two bowls of king prawns (chorizo & garlic and curry). Glad we made the trip, would recommend.

Enjoyable pub to spend an evening but I'm afraid, the food was quite disappointing. Have had the Maylasian prawns in the past and enjoyed them. But this time, on first arrival, I had a small portion with very little sauce. After asking for a top-up, the sauce added was very bland and heavily over-sugared. For the price, you'd expect something with much more flavour than this, hence the low score.

We have eaten in many fish restaurants this year and this was the best value for money by a country mile. The staff genuinely interested in your experience and very accommodating. Hint try the orange wine.

Absolutely bang on...Amazing food,great beer and super attentive staff. Thank you all for a lovely evening !!

Incredible seafood dishes and IPA… what more could you want?

This place is perfect for lovers of shellfish. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff were super attentive. Great selection of drinks. Menu was fairly limited this visit (was midweek, think its more comprehensive at weekends) The starters were incredible, scallops in seaweed butter, cockles and oysters all delicious. Main course was ok. Moulles Mariner nice but not the best ive ever had. Too creamy. Overall a good night of food and drink, and will definitely return.

Absolutely beat any expectations! Great relaxed atmosphere, tasteful themed decor and fabulous staff - attentive and relaxed. The food - Absolutely next level! Great portion sizes, divine catches and even the sides of fries and spring greens were incredible quality. Real taste. Scallops in Seaweed butter were heavenly and everything about the main dishes were perfect! We had Malaysian King Prawns and a special of mussels with coconut and ginger. The wine menu was also impressive - perfect pairings with the seafood on offer. I literally cant wait to visit again and have already recommended it to family and friends. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Back once again to The Urchin, which has been a favourite since we discovered it 6 or 7 years ago. The food was still very good (salt & pepper squid always fresh, never disappoints), but the service seems a bit less - what's the word I'm looking for? - invested or caring, sightly more perfunctory than it used to be. The ambience is starting to look a bit tired too. Biggest gripe tonight was the staff tried to rush us out (or at least, out of our restaurant seats to a table in the pub with our remaining drinks) fully half an hour before the time stated on our booking email. Considering the bill was £130 and we didn't even get our allocated 2 hours, I felt it was a bit rude. We'd spent £170 at Burnt Orange in Brighton the night before and honestly felt like it was better value., and we were treated better. I'm sure we'll return to The Urchin again in the future, but maybe not as soon as we'd have thought previously...

Gotta say, I am not a fish or shell food fanatic so when my nephew read out the menu for The Urchin, I thought that there would still be something meaty available. No such luck, or so I thought. This place has a fully shell fish menu, however, if your preference is for something else, hear me out With a gun to my head I looked up and down the menu trying to decide what I might like. There were 6 of us and we ended up having a selection, although my wife and I chose the salt and pepper squid, Malaysian king prawns, and a couple of scallops. In addition, we had several other dishes so we picked bits from everywhere. All of it was exceptional. For me, this was highly surprising. I don't think I would go to any restaurant and have chosen to eat any of the dishes on offer here, so having to choose dishes from out of my comfort zone, was, well out of my comfort zone. However, I should not have worried and enjoyed everything, especially the scallops and squid. If you enjoy sea food and specifically shell fish, you will love this place. If you don't, then give it a whirl - you might surprise yourself.

The ambience is basic, seasidey. This is a seafood place, not a fish restaurant, so no fish -it's squid, prawns etc. That came as a bit of a surprise. The prawns were tasty, but very spicy. The calamari was cooked well, but for me too much chilli. No coffee - apparently it's the policy

After trying a few restaurants in seaside cities, I can say this place is the best! Had the best ever crab here, lobster was amazing too. will make a trip down here just for this place!

We had an amazing time. There were 6 of us including my sister and niece from Italy. The weather was terrible and we were sat on their covered terrace with heaters and it was perfect.we had the Malaysian prawns, salt & pepper calamari and the brown shrimp with chips and salads and it was all super good. Fizz, beer and cocktails, a great waitress and lovely atmosphere. We all had a great time and we will definitely be back!

So many people recommend this pub but the experience was not good. Staff were just grumpy and disinterested. Don’t expect a warm welcome here. It’s the sort of place that can’t make up its mind if it’s a boozer or a restaurant. One to avoid.

Food was amazing and always such great specials - spoilt for choice so end up ordering a few plates for the table and sharing. We love it and keep going back.

This is one of the main reasons we travel from London to Hove regularly. Amazing sea food - even if you order from standard menu not from the special board. Wonderful fresh beer, perfect service, astonishing oysters and prawns! Please book in advaonce via their website as this place is very busy, but it deserves to be visited!

Back once again to The Urchin, which has been a favourite since we discovered it 6 or 7 years ago. The food was still very good (salt & pepper squid always fresh, never disappoints), but the service seems a bit less - what's the word I'm looking for? - invested or caring, sightly more perfunctory than it used to be. The ambience is starting to look a bit tired too. Biggest gripe tonight was the staff tried to rush us out (or at least, out of our restaurant seats to a table in the pub with our remaining drinks) fully half an hour before the time stated on our booking email. Considering the bill was £130 and we didn't even get our allocated 2 hours, I felt it was a bit rude. We'd spent £170 at Burnt Orange in Brighton the night before and honestly felt like it was better value., and we were treated better. I'm sure we'll return to The Urchin again in the future, but maybe not as soon as we'd have thought previously...

Fantastic! Delicious food, friendly staff and great atmosphere. Will be back again for sure

The ambience is basic, seasidey. This is a seafood place, not a fish restaurant, so no fish -it's squid, prawns etc. That came as a bit of a surprise. The prawns were tasty, but very spicy. The calamari was cooked well, but for me too much chilli. No coffee - apparently it's the policy

The Urchin is one of the best pubs in Brighton and Hove. The Malaysian prawns are always my highlight. They have a great beer selection and have improved the pub space with outdoor heated tables which means you rarely need to book.

Fabulous fresh seafood in a great setting. You will not be disappointed.

Good welcome by the staff and superb shellfish.

There’s a much revered seafood place in the unassuming backstreets of Hove, and it just so happens it’s also a fantastic pub with it’s own microbrewery as well. The Urchin Hove brew their own beers on the premises under the name Larrikin and they don’t hold back on variety. Styles rotate, and on my visit I tried them all; a sour, a lager, an oyster stout, an imperial stout and an oat cream IPA. I think what I loved most about my visit was how the pub manages to make you feel both special and relaxed at the same time. It’s not trying too hard, you don’t need to be dressed up to the nines to eat out here, the service is friendly and comforting and the space so small that staff have time to make you feel important. Read the full writeup on my blogsite

Great atmosphere. Food looked great. Mostly seafood. Lots of specials including cab, lobster etc.

Disappointing seafood tapas, Spent £34 on 3 dishes, that were pretty flavourless, and when requested a bit more mayo to go with creole mussels, told it was a £3 surcharge due to the saffron😂. Prawns with Marie rose sauce, no mention of peeling, and salt n pepper squid in tasteless large rubbery strips, hasten to add have eaten here before and it was good food, not this time.

Lovely meal, nice garden, amazing staff! Will return!

Real ale beer brewed on premises, and seafood, unusual combination, but it was just what I was looking for

Bear with me...Many moons ago there was an Aussie chef named EJ who produced the most fantastic vegan/veggie roast in Brighton & Hove week in, week out...Y'know, colours that aren't beige, textures, vegetables cooked al dente etc. In the intervening 10 years, it doesn't matter how many good restaurant/peer reviews of Sunday roasts I have trusted only to find that those roast potatoes have been prepped and dunked in water the night before, with too sweet purees and gravy granules producing a baby food-like consistency, the eating of which is only possible with muliple alcoholic drinks. I don't eat meat really, i accept I'm the wrong audience. So it's Sunday, I want to eat lunch in a pub with some mates, who like to use their teeth to eat with, where do I go? The Urchin. The Jay Raynor readers will be in the restaurant in their pearls & Chanel and their boat shoes and pressed polo shirts ordering fish and oaked Chardonnay too loudly (it's fine, they'll be given house brewed Larrikin beers, oysters and low intervention wine instead). At the bar and outside there will hipsters and kids and dogs and house painters and Guardian readers who left their heels at home. It's fun, and friendly and accommodating and oh my gosh. TODAY my friends and I demolished the best paella we have had in the 7 years The Urchin has been slinging shellfish and craft beer. This iteration created by exceptionally talented chefs Luka and Jim i believe. The rice. Textured. Silky with paprika and oil. The mussel shells scrubbed within an inch of their lives. The softest of squid, the juiciest of prawns and a scattering of samphire. Next Sunday, don't listen to peer pressure. You don't need a roast dinner. You need paella (veggie/vegan options often on the Specials Board, if not, just get fries, they are delicious). Save me a seat outside, see you there 🙏

Decent beers brewed downstairs and nice seafood and oysters to nibble on. Top work! Cool neighbourhood pub to hang out in, it’s lovely to see old pubs like these being given a new lease of life

Great service and atmosphere. Very clean. They will even accommodate vegans if booked in advance.

We had a sensational meal here on Saturday. Everything we ordered was delicious. The service was great and there is such a good vibe. Very good value for money! Will be recommending and returning.

Amazing foods Amazing beer wine staff service Amazing everything

Excellent pub with very nice beer, watch out for the porter at 11% the oysters and mussels go very nice with it.

Great seafood. Up there with the best in the city all at a very reasonable price. The lobster, scallops, and mussels were incredibly good. Always friendly staff in there. Not a bad beer selection, with their own brewed beer on site. Happy to return again

Nice beer, excellent food choices 👌

Absolutely delicious! Great food and perfect service.