80 Iconic Years: Celebrating English’s of Brighton

Nestled in the heart of the Lanes, English’s of Brighton has been part of the city’s dining scene for over 150 years — and this autumn we’re celebrating a milestone especially close to home: 80 years with the Leigh-Jones family at the helm.

The story began in 1945, when Clifford Leigh-Jones bought English’s from the English family. Nearly three decades later, his son Simon joined the restaurant in the early 1970s, eventually taking over in the 1990s. Today, Simon continues to lead the restaurant, marking more than 50 years of personal service to English’s and its guests.

From the days when locals queued for dressed crab and Dover sole, to today’s menus that balance heritage with innovation, English’s has always been Brighton’s original oyster house – a place where memories are made and celebrated.

We’re proud to be a small, family-run business in a city we love. It means we get to know our guests – from couples who once had their first dates here and now return with their children, to visitors who make English’s a tradition every time they come to Brighton. Being family-owned also allows us to stay true to our values: sourcing oysters and seafood from trusted suppliers, championing local vineyards, and welcoming every diner with the warmth and care that only an independent business can provide.

To mark this anniversary, we’ll be looking both back and forward. This October, we launch a special anniversary menu inspired by dishes across the decades, alongside a celebration evening that will bring together friends of the restaurant, long-standing customers, and members of the local food community. We’ll also be sharing memories from across the years – stories of famous faces who dined with us, tales of first dates that turned into weddings, and the everyday moments that make English’s what it is.

We’d love for you to be part of this celebration. If you have a memory or photo of English’s from over the years, please share it with us on Instagram using #Englishs80, or email it to book@englishs.co.uk. Your stories are as much a part of our history as the restaurant itself.

Here’s to 80 years of family, food, and unforgettable moments — and to many more still to come. 🥂