Harden's survey result
Summary
“Always a pleasure, always full” – the grilled meat at Razak Helalat’s Brighton original has won a loyal following, and spawned a London branch near Tower Bridge. According to fans, “it remains the best place to get an expensive steak in Brighton”.
Summary
“Top quality grilled meats and a lively atmosphere” help score good all-round ratings for Dave Mothershill’s stylish grill (which has a London offshoot near Tower Bridge).
Summary
“Top quality grilled meats and a lively atmosphere” help score good all-round ratings for Dave Mothershill’s stylish grill (which has a London offshoot near Tower Bridge).
Summary
“Top meat on the south coast”, say fans of Dave Mothersill’s original industrial-style grill operation (now with an offshoot in London as well as a fish-specialist sibling in Brighton), praised for its “superb steaks and burgers”, plus “wonderful cocktails”.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Coal Shed?
Owner's description
Born from the love of great steak in relaxed, elegant surroundings, The Coal Shed is a restaurant in the heart of Brighton.
We’ve been named as one of the best restaurants in the UK by the prestigious Observer Food Monthly awards, and have also been recommended by The Telegraph, The Guardian, the Brighton & Hove Foodie Awards and many others.
Our method at The Coal Shed is simple: the highest quality ingredients, sourced as locally as possible and expertly cooked. As well as a seasonal à la carte menu, we also offer daily specials and great value express lunch and pre theatre menus.
However, our menu is not prescriptive. Instead we offer a variety of cuts and weights of meat and fish alongside various side orders to cater for each individual, or to share.
For those special occasions, hire our offer a private dining room. Catering for up to 14 people, our room is serviced by your own personal waiter and offers group dining menus starting at just £40 (less for lunch) with no hire fees.
Open 7 days a week from 12pm – 4pm for lunch and 6pm – 10pm for dinner (10.30pm on Friday & Saturday)
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £22.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
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Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Pushing new boundaries in dining, Head Chef Matt Price joined The Coal Shed in February 2016 but has already found himself at home in the heart of Brighton. Matt has worked in some of Sussex’s most respected restaurants including Chequers of Rowhook and the Spread Eagle Hotel in Midhurst, before spending two years at Amberley Castle.
Creating wonderful grilled meat dishes thanks to, who he claims is, the best meat supplier he has ever known, Matt is looking forward to taking The Coal Shed to an even higher level of gastronomic excellence.
The Coal Shed Restaurant Diner Reviews

"A huge disappointment. We arrived, front of house couldn't work their booking system, spent 5 minutes trying to find the booking. Then were put on the worst table in a half empty restaurant. We asked to move, and (TBF) it was no problem. We then waited 30 minutes for our order to be taken (the tap water was delicious). And an hour between our starter and main. Steaks arrived overdone. We gave up, asked for the bill and left... never to return."
8 Boyces St, Brighton, BN1 1AN
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Opening hours
Monday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
Tuesday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
Wednesday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Sunday | 12 pm‑9 pm |