Brighton isn’t short of restaurants with sea views. But finding one with incredible food, atmosphere, and the views that make you swoon is a little trickier. That’s where Pearly Cow Brighton comes in.
Sitting proudly on Brighton's seafront inside the No.124 by GuestHouse hotel, this elegant restaurant has quickly become one of the city's standout dining destinations. It champions the very best British produce with a menu centred on premium steaks, fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients. With its relaxed luxury, unbeatable views and beautifully executed dishes, we headed down to see whether it lives up to the hype.
Pearly Cow Brighton's summer terrace (pictured).
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Pearly Cow Brighton
Need To Know:
- Address: 123 Kings Road, Brighton and Hove, BN1 2FA
- Area: Brighton seafront (opposite the i360)
- Cuisine: British steak and seafood
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: dining at Pearly Cow feels like you've been transported somewhere on the Mediterranean coast. The beautiful alfresco terrace sits right on Brighton's seafront, with the i360 opposite and uninterrupted views towards the West Pier, making it the kind of place you'll happily lose track of time.
- Perfect for: date nights, a boujee meal with friends and a glass of wine with a view.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value for money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: around £173 for two, excluding service charge.
The grilled prawns (pictured left) and fun, branded Pearly Cow hats outside (right).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Grilled prawns – massive, perfectly cooked prawns that were incredibly tender, with rich garlic butter balanced by a fresh, zesty lemon aioli. A brilliant way to kick off the meal.
- Short rib croquettes – these were dangerously good. Crispy on the outside, packed with succulent slow-cooked beef in the middle and paired with a creamy dijonnaise that we were happily scraping from the plate.
- Beef fat chips – thick, chunky and beautifully crisp, these had a fluffy centre and plenty of flavour. The perfect side, especially when paired with a cocktail overlooking the sea.
- The Pearly Signature – Sussex Wagyu short rib served with creamy polenta and a rich bordelaise sauce. Comfort food elevated, with melt-in-the-mouth beef that completely stole the show.
- 45-day salt-aged ribeye steak – cooked exactly as requested, with a beautifully caramelised crust and plenty of rich, beefy flavour. Proof that when you start with quality produce, you don't need to overcomplicate things.
45-day salt-aged ribeye steak (pictured left) and a Seaside Martini (right).
Drinks: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Seaside Martini – crisp, refreshing and slightly tropical, with subtle pear notes that made it feel like the perfect cocktail to sip in the sunshine.
- Buitenverwachting Cabernet Sauvignon – a smooth, medium-bodied red with notes of cassis and ripe plum, finishing with a lovely fragrance that paired brilliantly with the steak and short rib.
Our Overall Experience At Pearly Cow Brighton
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's rare to find somewhere that nails every part of the dining experience, but Pearly Cow Brighton came incredibly close. Between the stunning beachfront setting, genuinely attentive service and food we'd happily order all over again, it's somewhere I’d recommend without hesitation. And while we somehow resisted dessert this time around, I’d be doing the restaurant a disservice not to mention its chocolate mousse. Having tried it on a previous visit, I can confidently say it's worth saving room for.
