Riddle & Finns The Lanes

Great find with exceptionally nice ambience, the candles, warmth, and full works inside the restaurant. Food was delicious and visually appetising. Do wish the cutlery/cups were washed better as they weren’t very clean and still had bits of food residue from previous use. Marred the otherwise great experience eating here. Service was excellent. Attentive and cheery. Happy with all the dishes we ordered and will definitely want to try the others. Will be back if we’re in the area!

My partner and I have been coming here to celebrate our anniversary since 2023, and it has become such a meaningful tradition for us. We returned again this year on the 16th of January and once again had the most incredible evening. While the food is always outstanding, with the freshest and most beautifully prepared seafood, it is the team who truly make this place so special. The service is exceptional in every sense, with genuine warmth, care, and an attention to detail that makes you feel truly looked after from start to finish. A huge and heartfelt thank you to Johnny and Saffron, who were absolutely wonderful, as well as the other gentleman who looked after us and had also served us the previous year just as brilliantly. Although we sadly lost the note with everyone’s names, every single member of staff went above and beyond to make our anniversary feel so special, personal, and unforgettable. 🦪💞✨

I had a fantastic experience thanks to David, the restaurant manager. He recommended the sea bass and sides—both absolutely outstanding—while keeping everything relaxed and never over the top. What really stood out was his attitude: friendly, genuine, and clearly passionate about what he does. You can tell he truly loves his job, and that enthusiasm made the whole evening even more enjoyable. David really elevated our visit. Highly recommend!

I went to eat at the restaurant with my family. It was very delicious and the atmosphere was good. The staff took good care of me. When I asked about the wine, I went to pick it up. My family has eaten at the restaurant many times. But personally, I just went to eat it for the first time. I am impressed. The ingredients are fresh and the taste is good.👍🏻

The service here was amazing and the staff were very attentive and kind. The food was also delicious and the mains are priced around £25-35. The portion sizes were quite generous and the risotto shown in the photos was very filling. It was also full of people which made it very lively but it may be a little loud for some. Would recommend.

Loved the atmosphere and service here, we felt looked after and it made the evening so special. Food was great - we went for 2 starters, fresh oysters, and the sharing warm seafood platter. If I were to come back I would love to try the mains. Would really recommend coming here if you like fish.

Wow. I'm a seafood lover and this place is incredible. I had John Dory 🐟 for the first time and I loved it! Thank you for the recommendation. They also gave me extra Samphire with it. So spoiled. The staff went above and beyond. Genuine, friendly, passionate people. The host order oysters (French), calamari, and iberico pork croquettes with scallop sashimi to start.. great choice. I tried their risotto and it was fabulous. Again, the kitchen was happy to accommodate a request for no mussels extra clams. I'll be back!

The rating should be 4.5 rather than 4. The only reason for it not being 5 was the portion of my fish dish as explained in the review below. The overall experience was outstanding. My friends and I decided to to go to Brighton for lunch. As I am Gluten Free it takes ages to find Gluten Free restaurants. I finally narrowed down 2 Sushi restaurants. When we reached there 1 of the 3 of us decided they didn't feel like Sushi 😐 and preferred local sea food being in Brighton; which in hindsight was a good call as we had a fantastic meal at Riddle & Finns. We googled Sea food restaurants and Riddle & Finns showed up. I knew it was pricey so had omitted it from my selection but since everyone was hungry we decided to take a look. When we went in it was busy but because they had a 4 course set menu for 35 pounds and the food smelt divine we decided to eat there. They had a separate Gluten Free menu which was great and were very particular about food allergy. We started with a bread basket with Mackerel Pate, Taramasalata and horse radish sauce. When they brought it and I asked if they had some GF bread, they whisked it away and brought another one with Gluten free Blinis as the bread was in the tray with the Pate and so they didn't want to risk cross contamination. The Pate was so delicious we were wondering whether to get another round! My friends got the seafood platter as a main which was 75 pounds minimum 2 people. They said it was very good with scallops, oysters, mussels, prawns & Octopus. I had the #Gluten Free Smoked Haddock fillet on a bed of Colcannon, with poached egg, Prosciutto and Champagne sauce. The Sauce was delicious, the fish very fresh BUT the fish was wafer thin. It was most likely sliced horizontally as no fish is that thin. For 29 pounds I didn't expect to eat more potatoes than fish! This was my only complaint hence the 4 star rating. I expected a chunky piece of fish. There was an offer on the Negronis for 5 pounds each and 1 round Free if you join their membership. The Negroni was served in a really small glass hence the 5 pounds but was well made. The other 2 finished with a beautiful looking dessert platter that they said was yummy but unfortunately the only #GF dessert was a truffle or Ice cream. When I tried to pick a truffle off the plate from the side without the Gluten, Dave the server said he'd bring me a fresh truffle if I wanted and not to take a chance as he took allergies very seriously. Dave rocks! He took such good care of my Gluten Free requirements. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good sea food, good service and a lovely atmosphere with candles on the table too 😃 Big shout out to our server Dave for his fantastic service.

Amazing place with amazing food Beautiful yet simple ambiance and decor Love the burning candles on each table Service was quick and efficient Would definitely come again

Where do I even start?? The ambiance was a nice dinner set type, candle lit dinner with some nice chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The lobster was amazing. Delicious I ate every bit I could pick. I had an oyster too but don't remember which one I just asked the waitress for a recommendation and was not disappointed. I also had a glass of wine which paired super well with my meal, also the waitress recommendation. Lately I had the tiramisu and it was to die for. Best I've had yet. 10/10 would recommend. A bit pricey but so worth the money.

I found Riddle & Finns via yelp, and I'm so glad I did! After doing a tour of the Royal Pavilion, I decided to treat myself to their seafood linguine. The food was fresh and beautifully plated. I also was curious about their oysters, so they made a plate for me with one of each type they had that day (like a samples platter), which was so kind of them! And don't leave without trying their keylime pie if they have it; the best I've ever had! The service was so friendly and they give you a choice: share a table, or have your own space. I chose to share, and I spent a lovely lunch with another couple of folks who had come in for the day. Considering what you get, the price is pretty great. No regrets! I don't know when I'll be back in Brighton, but when I am, I will definitely be back!

Delightful Lanes location, excellent value for the weekday special set menu, delicious food and great wine list. Friendly and professional service!

Food is great, crab and lobster are fresh. Table is a bit small for us two, maybe we ordered too much?

Love this restaurant one of my fav however, the hostessing is has a lot to say ... though, don't answer the phone and kind of brash when being hostessed at restaurant a shame the place is beautiful and the food is excellent I would take it to the owner he should know how his hostess treat customers and not answer calls!

Truly the best seafood experience I have ever had. While it was expensive- it was totally worth it. We had the Halibut- so delicious. My family also loved the fish soup and seafood linguine. The lemon sole was the whole fish- hard to eat- prefer a fillet. The atmosphere is fun, but loud. Loved the candelabras. Many thanks to Briony, who ensured everything was lovely despite only having two people working the floor.

Wonderful restaurant and well worth searching out for. The ambiance and decor was welcoming as were the staff. They have some great cocktails and a good wine list. We had a lemon sole and a Dover Sole and they were delicious, fresh and reasonably priced. They were the days special and it was interesting to see the count for the remaining numbers of specials be adjusted. We had the selection of desserts which was varied and more than enough for two or three.

Delightful Lanes location, excellent value for the weekday special set menu, delicious food and great wine list. Friendly and professional service!

Have not been to Brighton in a good 10 years. Last time I was here the food was on the crap side. This time was significantly different. Ordered a few apps. Sashimi, raw scallops and tuna. All were great. Followed by the seafood platter. We were worried that it wouldn't be enough - total opposite. There was enough for at least 4 people. There were a few things on the platter that us Americans don't normally eat, like the whelkes or the cockles. The crab on the top, while gorgeous, should have been cut in the kitchen. Nothing was able to break through the claws (except for a good, sharp butcher's knife) All in all the service was excellent and the food amazing!

This was my 2nd time here and I loved it both times. The food is phenomenal, service is awesome, the staff is friendly and fun. Keep in mind this is a seafood place. If you have vegetarian in your group, the choices are very limited.

I ended up at Riddle and Finns by accident really. I originally had a booking at Due South but the day before I was due to eat here they called up to say that they were having a quiet spell so had decided not to open on said evening (boo to Due South). However, they would get me a reservation at their sister restaurant Riddle and Finns. Admittedly, R&F had been on my radar for some time so this was a good opportunity to give them a go. I had been promised by Due South that we would be well looked after here and they didn't let us down. Complimentary glasses of champagne on arrival? - OK, all is forgiven! The manager and staff were all lovely and friendly, and we were made to feel special which is always nice. However, I think the service would have been exceptional even if they hadn't been told to look after us, it just seems like that kind of place. The restaurant area is quite small. The kitchen is open and you can watch the cooking both from your table and from the street outside, I love this kind of transparency. The menu is vast and filled with every kind of seafood imaginable. On top of this is the daily specials with a selection of "catches of the day". Besides the fish, there are a couple of vegetarian dishes, but if you are a meat and two veg person, this isn't the kind of place for you as food of the four-legged variety just doesn't feature on the menu. The wine list is extensive and includes well chosen varieties that go well with seafood. We plumped for a bottle of Muscadet. A basket of bread was presented to start - this was accompanied by a mackerel pate, a horseradish sauce and some garlic mayo. I decided to go for a Loch Ryan Oyster as a pre-starter - this is an oyster bar after all, plus they were in season, what more of an excuse does a girl need! I have to say this was one of the tastiest oysters I have ever eaten - yum. For starter I went for the tempura monkfish cheeks which were juicy and meaty and incredibly delicious. For main I went for the steamed langoustine marinière which were tasty but just a little disappointing as once shelled, there was hardly any substance to them. Probably an ordering error on my behalf, but on the plus side this left plenty of room for the pudding, a very naughty banoffee pie. Piled high with cream, it was also served with fruit which cut through the richness slightly. One of the best banoffees I've ever had, and I've had a few! My one complaint would be the chairs: high stools with low backs are not the most comfortable, but I feel like I'm being picky just mentioning them! Will definitely be back, with a different main course this could definitely hit a five star rating.

Super restaurant! If you like sea food this is as good as it gets. They offer a 'Special' which consists of a starter and a main for £9.95 till 19:30 in the evening. The service is extremely good. They take no bookings which probably isn't a bad thing. The average price of a main is between £10-20. Some may think this is a little dear but it is well worth it. They have a great wine list and the decor is spot on! In a few words I'm a big fan!

Best restaurant in Brighton, in my opinion. Great atmosphere, helpful servers, prompt and very comfortable service. Bread basket arrangement on arrival includes an assortment of bread with butter, a fish spread, fresh horseradish & hot sauce, artfully presented and for which they charge £1 per person. First night I had a small order of the mussels with capers & cream with the seafood risotto as my main. Revisited a second night for mussels with capers & cream - it was THAT good. Seafood risotto on the first night was very good but didn't compare to the mussels, and most definitely did not compare to another (much BIGGER) order of mussels on the second night. I could have opted for a different sauce on the second night of mussels (they offer several) but, as I always say, just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD - and you CAN'T improve perfection, so I didn't even bother. Fries (which I opted for on the second night) were more than the sum of their parts - almost as though they were fried in duck fat but I'm not certain of anything except their exceptional flavor in combination with those Scottish mussels. The mussels themselves were some of the biggest, plumpest, most beautiful I've ever seen (and tried to capture in pix) - some as big as two fingers together, and none as wimpy as what PEI mussels can sometimes be (and you know how disappointing a tiny mussel can be, like the mere whiff of something you thought might have been a mussel before it disappeared down your gullet - there was none of that silly business at Riddle & Finns, no sir!). The wine selection is lovely, I much preferred the Muscadet de Sevre et Maine sur Lie, Brebioniere France 2011/12 (described as "Light, refreshing & vibrant seafood wine with a lime citrus fruit finish") to the Picpoul de Pinet, Morin Langaran France 2011/12 (described as "Floral & enticing on the nose, exuberantly fresh, subtle, fine & long on the palate") as I thought the Muscadet had far more character and better complemented the fish dishes. The website for this restaurant is very helpful if you like perusing a full menu layout before you set out to a place - in fact, I've only just learned they have a breakfast/brunch on Saturdays & Sundays I would love to have gotten a taste of - no matter, there's always a next time!

Riddle and Finn's is one of Brighton's premier seafood restaurants, and always manages to be quite busy, despite being a little buried in the Lanes. It's also not huge: it's best to arrive early or book, and bring a lot of money. It is a brilliant example of upmarket seafood restaurant, and quite famous as the best place in Brighton to get oysters. Seafood is an acquired taste, so this won't appeal to everyone, and it is a little too cool for its own good indoors, but Riddle and Finn's is still an excellent place for a meal. So, seafood: I love it, but not everyone is up for it. If you aren't, better to give Riddle and Finn's a miss: 90% of its menu is fishy goodness, so lovers should already have been here, or at least tried to book a place. It is a little titchy for its popularity, and most seats will be on one of the longer bars: not necessarily a problem, but not what you'd expect from a place where the prices are at the top end of the scale. Still, the quality more than makes up for the slightly peculiar seating arrangement: everything is amazing, especially the oysters, which I'd be careful about ordering anywhere else, but are just great here. Although the almost total seafood bias of the menu will alienate anyone but seafood lovers, it is well worth it if that's your sort of thing.

Yelp has become my go to restaurant finder when traveling outside of London. Thanks to all who reviewed Riddle and Finns...you convinced me to give it a go and I'm so glad I did. The seafood is 2nd to none if you are looking for a nice evening meal steps away from the beach in Brighton. The staff go above and beyond to make sure you are happy with your meal and experience. It was busy so don't be upset if you are asked to wait....grab a drink and relax. The food will be worth the wait. The bustling vibe in the restaurant is also nice and exciting. If you are looking for quiet and imtimate, this isn't for you. If you want a social setting with GREAT lighting where a lot is going on...head over. For starters, I ordered the New England Clam Chowder and my man ordered the sashimi. If you have fresh fish, it is difficult to get sashimi wrong...it was really nice. The Chowder was a little thin compared to what I'm used to (I come from New York City where this is a staple at the dinner table). I usually enjoy it having a thicker consistency but, with that said, the flavors were spot on and the saffron sprigs on top added a nice touch. The main event...our main course. I have to say that the squid and mussel risotto is in the top three risottos I have EVER had. The consistency and balance of flavors could not be topped. I wish I could have a bowl of it again right now! For dessert, we enjoyed the passion fruit cheesecake and the brownie...the perfect end to a perfect meal. If in Brighton, stop by Riddle & Finns...it will make for a perfect evening.

For someone who is not entirely into seafood... I thought we would give this a go. Well, the starter I had (of scallops and chorizo) was amazing... and the lobster salad? Let's just say, I wouldn't share any of it with my Mrs. It was that good! I did, however try some seabass from the wife to be's plate... and that was easily as good! Great food. Great service. Great wine menu. Awesome place to eat!

This may not be the cheapest place in Brighton to eat, but hey, champagne and oysters aren't supposed to be cheap. If you like seafood, this is the place to come. They offer the full range of various fish and shellfish dishes, with prices averaging around £20 for a main. The interior is old-school tiles and marble, and feels rather Victorian to me, although I'm not sure if it is authentically so or not. The staff are highly efficient here too, swooshing in and out collecting plates and serving wine with that effortlessness only found in the 'better' class of restaurant.

Fantastic seafood - fresh food and fresh ideas. It's pricey but worth it. The seating can be odd if you're in a couple, as they can seat you on the same table as another couple - next to or opposite; however look past this - you'll be so in awe of the food it won't matter who who you're opposite! So this restaurant is good for couples and groups. The menu is varied and appeals to all different taste types - i'd be surprised if you can't find something you love on the menu!

4 1/2* Riddle & Finns The Lanes Billed as a champagne and oyster bar Known for its fresh fish Katy was a great food server as was Jacob The sardines were some of best ever! The haddock was a little salty Very sweet berries with ice cream. Yum £3 cover charge for bread Very cool candelabras with three tapered candles melted away

"Great food and awesome atmosphere!. Service was super friendly and their specialty drinks were very good. Food was delicious!

This restarant may look like a posh fish restarant, which I spose it is, but its much more affordable than you think. Of course they serve the proper stuff like lobster and caviere which will set you back an arm and leg but a fresh fish pasta dish is priced at around £13, and absolutley scrummy! It would be agreat date restaurant as the food is good, the service is brilliant and it has an up market atmosphere without the price tag. They also to a 2 meal deal at quiter times at for a tenner woop woop!

Oh my god- amazing. Please go! We went for our anniversary dinner and the food was simply outstanding. Go early and put your names down, we waited two hours for a table and it was sow worth it. I had the tuna tartar and my fiancé had he scollops to start. The tartar was so fresh, so tasty and high quality and the scollops were meaty and satisfying. For the mains I had gambas with garlic, lemon and chilli and my fiancé had lobster Thermidor. The gambas were again so fresh and a very generous portion with the sauce which was the perfect mix of tangy and garlicky. The lobster was big, rich and plenty of meat. We also had some jersey oysters with a shallot vinaigrette - delicious. We had the profiteroles to finish and there were three large ones! We couldn't eat them all. We left very satisfied and had a great night. Would return any time!!

Great place for an evening on the special side! Looks fancy and feels upscale but not pretentious, it's great vibes in there. They don't take reservations, so you may need to wait on Fridays/Saturdays, but oh man it's worth it! I always get the same thing 1/2 dozen oysters and the lobster thermidor. Honestly... that lobster... its like... who knew food could be that good (but who's surprised when there's that much butter and cheese and lobster in your mouth all at once). I know it's the most expensive main on the menu but if you're in there you may as well go all out, you know? Staff always down to earth and very helpful.

Outstanding food and service, I came here for a ladies lunch with one of my dear friends and everything just blew us away. We had some gorgeous oysters, incredible caviar and, of course, the quintessential champagne. My only issue which is why I didn't give 5 stars is that I am not a fan of communal seating. Be aware that it's usually rammed, so booking is advised and be prepared to be sharing your table with others.

The waitress Katie was excellent she managed to serve even my highly annoying father who demanded the specials and ingredients of all the mains. She made jokes and made us feel at ease. We really connected with her and she made our experience here very enjoyable. I would recommend this place to everyone I know! Best seafood in Brighton! Cheers Hannah

This place has been described by many as the best place to eat in Brighton. Now, if you've been to Brighton before, you'll know that's a very tough claim to live up to. There are numerous delightful, quaint, fancy, outlandish, posh or greasy spoons to grab a bite to eat in the seaside town. The claims that it is "the big bad of Brighton", "the best of the best", "you'll never have better" and even on their website a modestly placed quote from Gordon Ramsay himself suggesting that the seafood is "how seafood should be," all piqued my interest. Of course I had to try it. And I have to agree with each of the bold statements. Everything about it screams elegance, beauty and class, whilst still maintaing a certain down to earth charm from the exterior 'fishmonger' style shop appearance, to the perfectly polished tables and ambient candles. As an 'Oyster and Champagne Bar' the service was incredible, the staff were knowledgeable about all the drinks, they were tidy, swift and attentive without being intrusive. The food was sublime and if my stomach (and my wallet) were bigger I'd have tried everything on the menu, but i'd recommend the monkfish starter, so full of flavour and juicy and delicious and of course the dover sole. My mouth is watering thinking about it... The downside I guess is that you come away a pauper, but the whole experience? Worth every damn penny.

We tried the oyster of the day the bouillabaisse the lobster and the catch of the day. It was delicious and the wine was also very good. It is pricey but for very good quality. The ambiance is good not too posh, very nice staff.

Wowsers - one of the best meals you'll ever have! The restaurant is a pretty magical place. It's traditional oyster and champagne bar in decoration - tiled walls, marble-topped tables - and lit by candlelight. A very romantic setting. It has a really established feel to it, with pictures hanging in the bathrooms showing Victorian photos of Brighton and fish markets. The service is fantastic. The staff are very knowledgeable about what they are selling, and give really good recommendations, both with the food and which wine to choose. The person serving us had just the right balance of being friendly and available, without seeming overbearing or fake. I would also like to point out that this restaurant is so unpretentious. Many a place serving what is considered to be 'upmarket' food comes with an attitude. Not so here. Everyone is friendly, everyone is welcome and everybody is having a good time. On to the food - AMAZING. I'm a big fan of fish and seafood, but rarely eat it when out, due to the fact that many places I've eaten overcook, over-season or just don't have good quality fish. To start, we had half a dozen oysters. They were very fresh and tasty. We had a little cold sauce of red onion, soy sauce and wasabi on the side, which certainly enhanced the flavour of the oysters and added a bit of zestiness. Next; scallops in butter and parsley, and squid with chorizo and chilli. The squid was soft, the chilli hot, but not overpowering, and the chorizo just right - spicy and salty. The scallops - OMG. Cooked to perfection. Really soft, with a subtle sweet taste. The simple sauce was the best choice to go with such a delicate flavour. (A staff recommendation!) Mains we kept traditional - fish pie and smoked haddock with poached egg and colcannon. Again, no disappointments whatsoever - Other Half claimed "even the mange tout are cooked to perfection!" The egg was runny, fish soft and smoky, colcannon smooth and creamy. We shared a dessert selection, offering up exactly what the name suggests. Panna cotta, chocolate mousse, raspberry sorbet, chocolate brownie and strawberries. Nicely presented, and well-made, although we were incredibly full so couldn't finish it all, unfortunately. All washed down with a New Zealand Sauvugnon Blanc, which was gorgeous. Now, all of this doesn't come cheap. All that I've described above came to a grand total of £117 (gasp!) so this is perhaps not an everyday option! However, I would argue that for the FOUR courses and a good bottle of wine, this is also perhaps not that bad value for money. One could very cannily choose items from the menu that were lower-priced and still have a great meal. The starters, for example are generously portioned, and oysters are priced per shell, so you can have as many (or few!) as you like. They also offer a cheaper lunch menu with 2 courses set at something like £17.50, which is arguably competitive with a run-of-the-mill gastro pub these days. One last thing to add - they don't take reservations. The place is small, and so is usually really busy. The way of operation is to turn up, put your name on the list, and hope the wait time isn't too long! We waited an hour for a table, but the man on the door was super-friendly, and gave us a phone call when our table was ready. (We had a drink in the pub round the corner!) I have waxed lyrical in this review (at length) but I had such a great experience in this place from start to finish, encompassing all aspects of atmosphere, service and food quality, that I am compelled to urge everyone to go, at least once, and experience something really great.

My husband took me here as a surprise for our date night. I had wanted to go for ages so was really excited to try it out. I love this place and look forward to going back again sometime. I had wondered how I would feel about the shared tables but it actually works really well. As a couple you sit next to each other and the tables are wide so you don't feel too close to the people sitting opposite you. It has a really cosy feel inside the restaurant and there's something really nice about being in the lanes anyway which makes it feel even more special. The service was excellent and what I liked is that you could see that everyone had the same great service whether you was getting the set menu (2 course for £12.95) or the grand Lobster Fruits de mer platter (£45 per person). Of course the service should be the same anyway but I have been to places where unfortunately that isn't always the case. First of all we were brought some nice bread with some fresh mackerel pate and horseradish. This is only £1 per person and they will refill this as many times as you like which I thought was a lovely idea. For starters we had the gambas and the smoked salmon then for mains we had paella and hake. Everything tasted so fresh with nice flavours. We found the paella to be more like a risotto but it tasted good so didn't mind this. Then I wanted something sweet but was too full for a proper dessert so the waitress recommended to try some of their homemade truffles which aren't actually on the menu. Oh my god these were delicious! We ordered 3 to start then had to get a couple more as they were so good.

Thanks Yelp for pointing me to this place! I am forever grateful. I had so much trouble picking from the menu because I wanted everything. I really loved that when I asked if they would be able to do a start portion of the seafood risotto, they easily accommodated. It really was the best seafood risotto I've ever had. For the main, I ordered the singapore chilli crab. It is messy and probably required a bib but didn't care. I got my fingers down and dirty and enjoyed every morsel I can get. I did wish I could transport myself home with the crab. It was absolutely delicious. I loved that there was a stack of napkins to the side to I can try to look somewhat lady like... but didn't really care. I loved this place so much, I saw on the bill that they didn't charge me for the glass of wine - I told them so they can include it. I believe in good food karma. Finding the place - from North Street, you walk towards the lanes and it's to the left. I tried to look it up on google maps, don't be deceived 'cuz it said permanently closed!

I only ever used to come to Riddle & Finns for a treat of oysters and champagne, me not being an actual fish eater (weirdo, I know) but I have been really trying to over-come this silliness and be more adventurous with our scaly little pals from the underwater community... Just realised how that comment could be misconstrued... Anyway, came here last night with the sole! (Forgive the pun) purpose of trying something I would never usually. Obvs started with a bottle of prosecco and a round of oysters! Delicious, I've been craving them for ages but have had to save up - this cuisine ain't cheap! G had the whitebait which was nice, pretty standard but nice. For mains I had my first ever Lobster Thermidor! I LOVED it. So sweet and meaty... All be it a TINY lobster. It was like a king prawn! The sauce was delicious I mopped it all up with some French fries. Gareth had the whole gambas with came in a lemon, garlic and herb butter. They were again really pleasant, fresh and firm, but could have done with a bit more of a flavour kick to them. There's a nice atmosphere in there, the staff are all really attentive and friendly. If you're a couple, you'll most probably be placed opposite another. The tables are big enough to have your own space though if you're not feeling like making friends and plan on having some 'you two' time. Obviously I found it too hard to do that with the gob I've got! They did take £20 quid off the bill as the lobster was so small for £32. Still an amazing amount to take off! Really upset I didn't push for a pudding, they look soooo good. But I felt too bad on G's wallet by then. I'm a nice girlfriend!

Riddle and Finns 2 - Brighton As far as fine dining restaurants by the sea go...Riddle and Finns 2 is the pearl in the oyster, the saucy mermaid of seafood delights and picturesque locations. Sister to Riddle and Finns in the Lanes, R&F2 sits in prime location on the Brighton seafront with warm rays gracing its tables on the terrace until sundown in the Summer! I have been making my way through the menu here ever since February when I had a candlelit birthday dinner watching the tempestuous sea and listening to the wind howl whilst enjoying a glass of Black Velvet - a delicious discovery made with Champagne and Guinness. Definitely give it a try! So far, my absolute favourites are Gilhooley Rossmore Rock Oysters and Monkfish Cheek Tempura for starters, Squid and Shellfish Risotto as a main followed by the Artisan of Deserts (the perfect sized mix of all deserts on the menu). Each and every dish is perfectly balanced and the £2 cover which includes delicious bread, mackerel pâté, butter and a tasty horseradish dip is perfect to shush your stomach until the feast commences! Drinks wise, aside the Black Velvet, I find a glass of Pol Roger is never amiss and followed by the Pinot Grigio Principato, you will not break the bank ;) If you visit Brighton make sure you book a table at Riddle and Finns 2 and let me know ALL about it!

Stopped in this February, we had a wonderful romantic time tasting a variety of champagne, sparklings and incredible seafood. The menu changes frequently and the place was very busy on a cold rainy afternoon. A must stop in Brighton.

This is THE place I would always come to for seafood in Brighton. The kitchen is open and you may also buy fish from the wet fish counter to take away. This is just getting to the good bit though. The menu! They have an amazing range of seafood dishes and I have enjoyed a whole wok fried crab, seafood gumbo and a shellfish platter. Everything has always been spot on and that little bit above the competition. The decor is cool also and you sit on benches on polished stone with minimalistic black and white tiled walls. They have chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and it's the place you could easily turn up to wearing a tux. In fact a few years back I did, when they hosted a burlesque New Years Eve party. Very cool! The champagne list is excellent, but unless you have deep pockets you may want to venture towards the wine list (thankfully also of a high standard). I would also recommend an oyster shot and the place specialises in Oysters with a wide variety or toppings to accompany them. The staff are a great bunch and will make you feel very welcome if you wish or leave you to your own devices if that's more your thing. It's a great spot and also a good venue to pop into for a lunch time meal if you don't want to go for the full on restaurant experience. To say that I am a fan is a gross understatement!

Really nice spot by the beach with great views of the Pier and the sea. Staff were very friendly and service was good. We split a bunch of apps including the sashimi, monksish cheek, grilled octopus with choritzo and the ceviche, all were quite good, especially the monkfish. For entree I had the fish curry which was delicious although very small compared to the other entrees and quite expensive. There were only 5 small pieces of fish and while the sauce was delicious there wasn't much of that either. The Dover Sole and Sea Bass were better but again expensive. I'd recommend this place for a special occasion or for tourists but for a standard meal out its definitely a bit over priced. I am struggling to remember what we ate there last week so the meal can't have been that memorable so I'm giving it a 3.

Had an enjoyable experience but that was due to the personality of the service and not really about the food. My starter was tempura monk fish cheek which is a wonderful dish but make sure you know how to make a proper tempura before putting it on your menu. The crab/shellfish linguine, the pasta was over and not of the right texture. The rocket was wilted from the heat lamps and was used as a garnish than a contribution. Nice level of chilli but a little "too" simple. Not exciting, I asked for more olive oil, salt and parmesan to correct the lacking dish. I recommend going here I think this is a restuarant that requires your attention for more than one visit. Not a great first visit but there was a passionate buzz in the air.

One word describes this restaurant 'Perfect' ! Amazing fish dishes that not only taste fantastic but also look fantastic. Kerry the waitress was very helpful and knew the menu inside and out. Knowing the dishes in detail with amazing enthusiasm. I had the tuna on a layered salad, cooked pink and tasted amazing. Finished with a white chocolate truffle, the perfect ending Shame I live a 3 hours drive away, otherwise I would be here more often

Riddle and Fin is an upmarket (ha, is there any other kind?) champagne and oyster bar in the South Lanes. This place is SWANKY. Ok, so it's not ridiculously swanky, but for a pauper like me, it was as if was dining at the King's table! I was taken here by some generous friends and I have to say it was an incredible experience. I'm not a massive fan of what they've done with the place interior design-wise, but that is neither here nor there, when you're having a love affair with your dinner! I had never tried oysters before, but my friends in the know ordered a dozen and before I knew it I was necking one, despite my better instincts. One quickly became three. It's amazing how good raw seafood can taste! The oysters are delicious and made all the more palatable by a selection of accompanying dressings and, of course, a glass of Veuve Clicquot! Of what we sampled from the menu, the fish soup stands out- it was amazing...creamy and just the right consistency with really succulent pieces of fish. I'm salivating just thinking about it. We also had the crab linguine, which was delicious. I honestly don't doubt that you could order anything on the menu and be more than satisfied- I for one was really impressed. I'm desperate to go back and try one of their whole crab or lobster dishes! The fish is fresh and locally sourced where possible. Although individual dishes aren't extortionate (an average main will set you back around £17), your bill can easily add up with all the extras, making Riddle and Finn a great place for a special occasion!

Great place for seafood lovers. Great service and food. There have a set menu for 2 courses before 7. Seafood linguine, Mussels, Fish pie and Clam selection we chose were fantastic.

Riddle & Finns: home to the best seafood risotto I've ever tasted. Perhaps my favourite seafood restaurant in Brighton, it's surpassed by no other. Nestled away in Meeting House Lane, just off North Street, Riddle & Finns is suitably hidden so as to make it seem more exclusive than it actually is. As it markets itself as a champagne and oyster bar, you can imagine the kind of place it is. Due to an unwavering attention to detail all the dishes are perfectly balanced, avoiding the overly salty traits of other seafood places. While I find oysters in general totally overrated those at Riddle & Finns are supposed to be something special. Questionable as this may be I'd say, judging by the exemplary quality of everything else, it's probably true. Owing to the appropriately pricey nature of the place you're not bound to be visiting particularly often. If price were no issue though, I would happily eat here every other day. Just talking about it is making me hungry. Totally worth it, you should definitely give Riddle & Finns a try.

I've been meaning to write this review for some time as the place is oh so worth it. Jan, Rob and myself went at the end of May 2009 after considering other restaurants, we knew Riddle & Finns was the only place that could possibly overwhelm our exceptional critical fish palettes. It was late afternoon/early eve and we secured a tall table that if perfect for resting weary long legs. Rob and I went for Rossmore Oysters with Black Velvet to wash them down with. Now I like Oysters but these were something else and unmatched to date. Rossmore's. Creamy, delicate, yielding, full. Sensational. Jan plumped for Scallops and Lemon - you can judge her by her rolling eyes and vocal Mmmm's. Clearly looking at her she was in heaven. The guys there know their wines and they suggested an Albatino Galician Wine with tangs of Green Apples and Elderflower. He was so sure we'd like it, we could send it back. It didn't disappoint. For mains we had Squid shellfish risotto deep fried octopus mussels and prawns; Brill with Kale and Chargrilled potatoes along with Sour bread. A true fishy feast that despite the price tag was worth every penny (and more). I thought I was good at cooking Fish but this place took it to amazing levels. Service was great. Absolutely recommended.

The service and food is exceptional. We had Singapore style chili crab. It is not cheap but worth the price in the quality of service and food.

Easy to miss, Riddle & Finns is tucked away at the edge of the old Lanes of Brighton. It has a pleasant ambience and the tiled walls, de rigueur in fish restaurants, strike exactly the right note. You perch on high stools on raised bench tables. If there are two of you, you are invited to sit side by side. As the restaurant fills up, people sit on the same table as you. You're given a basket of fresh bread and good mackerel pate, and an inviting selection of condiments. It was rude not to have oysters, I suppose. I'm not actually a big fan of these bivalves, but I tried two of them. One was served with Japanese stylings a touch of ginger, spring onion, soya sauce, and wasabi, and the other nicely seasoned with little bacon grits and pickled cucumber. My companion greedily sucked down four of them with only a squeeze of lemon and her best wishes. To me, oysters really don't taste of much other than vaguely of the sea, but I was assured by a higher authority that they were good. Eating things which are still alive doesn't really sit well with me if I brood on it too much. That's where the champagne comes in I suppose, dulling ethical concerns. We shared a nice bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV champagne (aka the Widow) with the meal. Again I am not personally mad about champagne but it went pretty well with the fish. Callings something a champagne and oyster bar, of course, programs you to eat oysters and sup champagne. For my main course I opted for a fish pie which was nicely served with greens. A conservative choice, but it was very satisfying. It was cheesy and with big chunks of ultra fresh fish and seafood. My companion had a biology lesson of a fish stew I spotted the mournful faces of a langoustine, and a crayfish and there were razor shells too. Puddings were decorative and fruity (including the obligatory chocolate one). The service was hard to fault. As for value for money. Well, it was a birthday and we were pushing the boat out, but expect the bill for two with champagne to climb easily into three figures. For me as a Brighton resident, Riddle & Finns is definitely a destination restaurant. But you'll need to spend a few quid (should that be squid?) to get the best from it.

For a seaside town, Brighton lacks decent seafood restaurants. Riddle & Finn's steps up to the challenge, and being a product of these times of sophisticated marketing, features stylish art deco decor with a marine theme. Eager to please. The waiter uses his hands and words flamboyantly when describing dishes. Worst of all, it bills itself as an "Oyster & Champagne Bar". You see, "seafood restaurant" is no longer adequate not to mention sexy enough, and doesn't help shift nearly as much bubbly. I must say, though, I like the fact they have a fish market in the window so citizens able to cook can make off with a haddock or two strapped securely to their flanks. The atmosphere: lighting perfect, but having been there in the evening it had a bit too much of a 'bar' vibe for my tastes. (Solve this by going for lunch rather than dinner.) The other guests were making merry, dressed far too trendily- you know, Ted Baker jeans, Reiss shirts, fake tans, etc. It's not an understated place, to be sure. The music, Morcheeba's "Big Calm" gives you a sense of how oh-so-Brighton the crowd is. Could've been worse I suppose (Moby.) I'd like to say that the sheer mediocrity of the evening's soundtrack nearly put me off my food, but I'd be lying. The fact is that R&F's know how to cook fish. My wife went for the fish pie which was incredibly, nay audaciously, creamy and full of buried seafood treasure, while I opted for one of the specials, Bream, which was cooked to perfection and took my tasting buds on a magical journey of self-discovery and sensual delight I still recall fondly all these months later, in a savage and unforgiving land far from those friendly shores. Value-wise, it's not cheap. Sides aren't included, and neither is the bread they cheekily bring over without you asking for it. But if you're drinking water you can have dinner on fifteen squid (sorry) or so. If you, like me, are the kind of person who doesn't spend a lot of money eating out then think of R&F's as a good candidate for a very occasional treat, when you have a craving for some decent fruits de la mer.

Wow and wow! Sat outside as was told that the wait was at least 2 hours on a Saturday, but now I know why. We had the fish soup chowder and the scallops, mains cod and fish pie. Amazing food and great service A++

A fantastic fish restaurant in the heart of the lanes. You sit on high stools and are seated at communal tables of 6 - 8. Don't be put off by this - it actually adds to it's charm ! If you fancy a take away you can purchase one from the hatch in the outside window ! Impecable decor and service. Would get 5 stars if wasn't quite so expensive. For special occasions only !

We had a very nice lunch on my birthday. My husband had oysters and monk fish & I had prawns with garlic and as main a sole - all very nice and done to perfection. The spanish white wine was very nice and worth it's price. Normally I am reluctant to eat dessert but everyting that was served did look so nice that I did order a pear & almond tart with ice-cream - delicious. We did pay 100 pound for 2 starters, 2 main, 1 bottle of wine, 1 dessert, 1 bottle of water and 2 coffees. The food is excellent and service very friendly. For me it is good value for money and a place to spend a birthday or anniversary. Will go again when in Brighton.

This is my second visit to Riddle and Finns, and had i written this last year I would have given them four stars, but yesterdays visit was less perfect. It is not possible to reserve a table here and it meant we had to wait a long time before we got a table, which was our own choice. We were also served the bread and three dips. The dips were lovely but the bread was stale white baguette bread and not what we were expecting. We asked the waitress and she said they had run out of their usual bread. My main dish was an amazing whole mackerel cooked to perfection. It was served with gooseberry and apple chutney that was tasty but did not go very well with the fish. We ordered a side dish of sauteed potatoes that were also tasty but were served in a bowl half full of oil! I have no problem with oil but these potatoes were waaay too greasy and not what I would expect of this place.