What: A surprisingly spacious restaurant in Brighton, The Coal Shed Brighton offers an eclectic menu primarily cooked over an open flame. Located on North Street, its modest entrance leads to a vast, high-end space divided into five unique dining areas, accommodating nearly 150 guests, making it one of the largest in Brighton & Hove.
Who: The Coal Shed Brighton is the brainchild of Raz Helalat, founder of the Black Rock Restaurants group, which includes Brighton favorites like The Salt Room, Burnt Orange, and Tutto, as well as The Coal Shed London. Opening its doors in 2011 near Brighton’s infamous West Street, The Coal Shed was Helalat’s first venture and one of the UK’s pioneering restaurants to feature a Josper grill, focusing on high-quality dry-aged beef, alongside established names like Hawksmoor and Goodman. Recognizing that those features are no longer unique selling points, Helalat collaborated with new executive chef Lee Murdoch to reinvent The Coal Shed concept. After a long wait for the relocation—initially planned for about a year ago—it showcases Helalat’s growth as a restaurateur, representing one of the most significant restaurant investments in the city’s history.
The food: The menu has been refreshed and expanded, with Helalat and Murdoch balancing accessibility with the option for premium dining. While beef cooked over fire is still a centerpiece, a variety of fish and vegetable dishes have been included to attract a broader audience beyond meat lovers. Smaller plates feature buttermilk-fried chicken with bread and butter pickles and hot sauce, watermelon ceviche with avocado and sesame milk, smoked baby back ribs with nappa cabbage slaw, and half blue lobster served with mango, cashew, nam jim, and tacos. Main dishes include a Black Duroc pork chop with roasted apple and heritage carrots, and butterflied sea bream pil pil with garlic, chili, and clams. The steak menu offers fixed weights for classic cuts like a 200g fillet and a 300g ribeye, as well as adventurous cuts priced per 100g, including Australian wagyu tomahawk and Irish heritage breed porterhouse. A bar menu features kimchi grilled cheese, pickles, and a burger with a double smashed salt-aged beef patty and truffle cheese fondue.
To drink: A significant driver for Helalat’s move was the need for a proper bar area, now showcased in the front of the restaurant, offering an array of revamped classic cocktails influenced by London and New York. Signature cocktails include the Spice Pear Daiquiri, Fat Old Fashioned, and Spicy Guava Margarita. The extensive wine list starts at £28 per bottle for still wines and offers about 30 options by the glass, plus an additional 15 by Coravin.
The vibe: Designed by Helalat and Sara Fenn—who has collaborated with notable names such as the Gordon Ramsay Group and Dishoom—the interior features a contemporary New York steakhouse ambiance with exposed brick and dark wood. Upon entering, guests first encounter a more casual bar area that transitions into a luxurious dining space featuring three private dining rooms (two of which can serve as overflow). The largest, The Flamingo Social, seats 26 and includes its own bar, private entrance, and sound system.
And another thing: Brighton native and big beat icon Fatboy Slim made a splash at The Coal Shed Brighton’s launch party with a surprise performance.
Clarence House, 30-31 North Street, Brighton BN1 1EB
www.coalshed-restaurant.co.uk
