Fish and chips and the seaside basically go hand in hand. But when you’re vegan, finding fish and chips by the sea can be a challenge — almost as challenging as avoiding having your chips stolen by a gull.
Not if you visit Brighton, though, because Brighton is home to The No Catch Co.
Where to Find It
No Catch has been part of our day trips to Brighton for several years now. We first discovered it through the HappyCow app and were so impressed with the food that I have since recommended it to several friends and taken a few of them there myself.
The restaurant is just across the road from the seafront at 127A Kings Road. It’s a small place, so you may have to queue, but it’s worth the wait. They also offer takeaway, so you can bring your meal to the beach — provided you’re prepared to fight off those aforementioned gulls.
As an added bonus, the restaurant is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend.
What to Order at The No Catch Co.
Now that you know where it is, let’s talk about the food.
The restaurant is fully vegan, which means there’s no need to search the menu for the little “ve” next to each option. I’m particularly partial to the vegan haddock and chips, but I can also attest that the cod version is very good. Both taste remarkably like the real thing, but without the cruelty or contributing to overfishing.
The fish and chips come in two sizes: regular and large. I usually find myself getting full well before finishing the regular portion, but if you have a bigger appetite or want to share, go for the large.
If you love a battered sausage, you’ll probably enjoy No Catch’s version. To be completely honest, I’ve never tried the meat version of a battered sausage, but I can see the appeal. It’s also a good choice if you’re not particularly keen on fish.
For years, I wanted to try the vegan calamari but knew it would be too much food for me to manage alongside my main meal. I finally got the chance during our most recent visit after convincing my non-vegan friend to share a portion with me.
In my pre-vegan days, I loved calamari. No Catch’s vegan version is remarkably similar to the real thing in both texture and taste. It even impressed my friend.
No Dessert for Me
While writing this recommendation, I noticed that the No Catch menu includes desserts. To be completely honest, I had never noticed them before. That’s probably because I usually struggle to finish my main meal and tend to be far too happily full to consider a sweet treat afterwards.
Now that I know the desserts exist, I may need to find room to try the deep-fried cookie bites or the Biscoff ice cream sundae.
Is it worth the trip?
Absolutely! Whether you live in Brighton or are just visiting, I’d definitely recommend The No Catch Co. It’s one of my favourite places for vegan fish and chips in Brighton. In fact, I challenge any non-vegan to give it a try as well.
The food is fabulous, the service is friendly and, if you’re lucky, you may even meet one or two dogs.
You can find the opening days and times, along with the full menu, No Catch Co website.
Browse more of my vegan and plant-based restaurant recommendations.