Murmur

Twitchers take note. Chef Michael Bremner’s beach-front brasserie is named after the dark cloud of starlings (a ‘murmuration’, don’t you know) that pulses and swirls over the adjacent West Pier at sunset. It’s a grand performance best viewed from the restaurant’s lovely terrace, which spills out on to the newly developed promenade next to the futuristic i360 tower and viewing pod.

The cooking is less experimental than Bremner’s landmark 64 Degrees, but the open kitchen still likes to play with bold combinations. So lobster croquettes come with a gutsy saffron and chorizo mayonnaise, while a punchy plate of harissa baked marrow is lifted by red pepper tabbouleh and coconut yoghurt dressing. The vibrant flavours are backed up by a well-considered wine list, which takes in vineyards from England to Greece and France to Chile, plus a strong line-up of craft beers and fun cocktails. 

Other reasons to visit: good oysters; an excellent breakfast menu; and a bargain set lunch (three courses for £20); plus one of the city’s best front-of-house teams – service is never less than charming. It all adds up to a restaurant with something for everyone, not just bird watchers.   

When having a meal at the seaside, it’s hard to beat a view right on the beach, where the waves crashing against the sand become the soundtrack to your meal. Murmur is situated in prime position for soaking up the south coast sun whilst dining out on local, responsibly sourced seafood. Large arched doors allow natural daylight to flood in to the restaurant, which is hidden beneath the arches, whilst the terrace is complete with umbrellas to protect you, whether you’re sheltering from intense heat during the warmer months or specks of inevitable rain during an English summer. Open from 12pm until sunset, Murmur is the perfect spot to watch the sky turn from luminous blue to a romantic, pink and orange hue as the day draws to a close.
Being located so close to the sea, it comes as no surprise that seafood plays a big part in the menu here. Expect everything from a classic moules marinière with house seasoned fries to local cod with chive and potato risotto. For meatier options, there are also dishes such as potato terrine with oyster emulsion and steak tartare, delicately decorated with edible flowers. For dessert, think mille-feuille with thyme, blackberry and pistachio, or white chocolate and raspberry ripple ice cream sandwich. The menu is seasonal and uses what’s available at market at the time, meaning it may change on a regular basis, but the quality remains the same.
Drinks see a mixture of local produce in the form of regional wines, including Mead from West Sussex, to wines from further afield like an Albariño from Spain. Be sure to check in advance if you’re heading to Murmur in the winter because they often close for a winter break, no doubt to perfect a menu for guests to enjoy in the new year.