Our Heritage

Over 150 Years at the Heart of Brighton

Past. Present. Family.
Since 1850

English’s story begins in the mid-19th century, when this corner of Brighton’s Lanes was home to a fishmonger supplying the town with fresh catch from the Sussex coast. By the 1880s, the Braziers Brothers – oyster merchants at the height of Brighton’s booming oyster trade – had established an oyster bar here, laying the foundations of what English’s remains today.

Look closely and you’ll still find traces of those early days. The original brass Braziers sign hangs proudly on the front of the building, a nod to our past.

The Oyster King of Brighton

In the 1890s, one of the Braziers’ daughters married Mr A. W. English. By 1910, the restaurant officially became English’s, and its reputation grew quickly under his stewardship. Known locally as the “Oyster King of Brighton,” Mr English was a familiar presence both at the marble-topped oyster bar and on the terrace, where he would sit in his throne-like chair, pipe in hand, holding court with guests when he wasn’t shucking oysters himself.

He remained at the heart of English’s until his death in 1942, when the local paper marked the moment with the headline: “Death of Brighton’s Oyster ‘King'”.

A Family Legacy
Owned. Loved. Continued.

In 1945, Clifford Leigh-Jones purchased English’s from the English family. What began as a single decision became a defining moment – the start of a family legacy that continues today.

Nearly thirty years later, in the late 1970s, his son Simon joined the business, learning every corner of the dining room and kitchen before taking over in the 1990s. Today, Simon continues to lead English’s, marking more than 80 years of stewardship by the Leigh-Jones family.

Feel the history. Dine today.
Remember forever.

Across generations, the ethos at English’s has remained unchanged: thoughtful hospitality, carefully prepared seafood, and a dining room that feels special without ever feeling formal. From dressed crab and Dover sole to today’s seasonal menus, English’s has always balanced heritage with quiet evolution.

In a world of fast food and fleeting trends, English’s of Brighton remains proudly independent – a place where memories are made, traditions are honoured, and the simple pleasure of dining well is celebrated.