Illustrated map artwork showing the streets around Meeting House Lane in Brighton

Fish, chips, vodka & Brighton Lanes

RYBKA...
the fish likes to swim.

Brighton's cult fish & chip shop in the Lanes — with triple-cooked chips, local craft beers, cocktails, frozen vodka, and an identity as distinctive as the food.
Fresh line-caught fish delivered daily.

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Illustrated street map artwork showing Meeting House Lane and nearby Brighton Lanes landmarks
Brighton Lanes · Polish spirit · Time Out #2

Our Story

Rybka lubi pływać.

"The fish likes to swim" is an old Polish toast — the one you give before eating pickled fish with a generous chaser of frozen vodka. It's the spirit behind everything we do.

We opened on Good Friday 2021 — Harry and Rafał, two Brighton locals. The brief was simple: the fish and chip shop Brighton deserved. Hook-and-line caught fish only. Local beers. Proper craft cocktails. A room you'd come back to on a Tuesday, not just a stag-do Saturday.

Rafał grew up in Rabka, a spa town in the foothills of the Polish Tatras. That's where the name comes from — rybka means "little fish" in Polish. We didn't want to build a Polish restaurant in Brighton. We wanted to build a Brighton chippy with Polish spirit: the rollmops on the menu, the vodka in the freezer, the rest British to the bone.

Our fish is line-caught from day boats around the UK coast — Cornwall, Sussex, Scotland depending on the season. One fish at a time, no bycatch, no seabed damage. It sometimes means we run out of haddock on a Friday night. We make peace with that.

Time Out ranked us #2 Best Chippy in the UK — their words: "You'd be hard pressed to come by a zestier tartare or crispier batter." We're just happy the fish keeps swimming.

Read our full story → Read the Time Out UK Feature →
Opened 2021
Google 4.7 ★
TripAdvisor 4.6 ★

Where We Are

Find Us in
the Lanes.

Illustrated route map to Rybka at 41 Meeting House Lane
41 Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB
+44 1273 076547
battered@rybka.fish

Opening Hours

Monday12:00 – 16:00
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday12:00 – 20:00
Thursday12:00 – 20:00
Friday12:00 – 20:30
Saturday12:00 – 21:00
Sunday12:00 – 16:00

Dine-in, takeaway, and outdoor seating available. Dog friendly. Free Wi-Fi. We accept all major cards.

Reserve a Table

Common Questions

FAQ

Where is Rybka?
At 41 Meeting House Lane in Brighton's historic Lanes, BN1 1HB — seven minutes from Brighton station, four minutes from the seafront.
What are Rybka's opening hours?
Monday 12–4pm, Tuesday closed, Wednesday–Thursday 12–8pm, Friday 12–8:30pm, Saturday 12–9pm, Sunday 12–4pm.
Does Rybka take bookings?
Yes — book through our reservation widget or walk in. Reservations recommended Friday and Saturday evenings.
Is Rybka dog-friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome throughout the restaurant.
Is the fish sustainable?
Every fish we serve is hook-and-line caught from UK day boats — one fish at a time, zero bycatch, no seabed damage.
Is there a gluten-free option?
Yes — gluten-free batter is available.
What's the Rybka Special?
A rollmop herring with a shot of frozen vodka — £5. The house handshake, and a nod to the Polish toast that gave the restaurant its name.
Does Rybka do takeaway?
Yes — a takeaway menu is available. Order at the counter or call +44 1273 076547.