About Crabshack

If you're strolling along the Worthing seafront and craving something fresh, flavourful, and distinctly coastal, Crabshack is where you want to be. Nestled right at 2 Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3PN, this seaside gem isn’t your average seafood spot. It’s a casual, laid-back restaurant with a view of the waves and a menu that seafood lovers dream about. From the moment you spot the rustic signage to the second you dip your fork into a tender piece of crab cake, it’s clear that this place is serious about the sea.

Let’s talk food-because that’s what Crabshack is really all about.

This isn’t just a place to grab a quick bite; Crabshack is where local ingredients meet big, bold flavours. Their Seafood Platter for Two is the stuff of legend, loaded with freshly caught delights that showcase the very best of the Sussex coast. If you're more of a grazer, the Crabby Loaded Fries or Cockle & Shrimp Popcorn make perfect small plates-ideal for sharing, or not.

Then there’s the Crab Sandwich-simple, fresh, and incredibly satisfying. The kind of dish that makes you wonder why you ever settled for anything less than fresh crab between two slices of bread. The Moules Frites or Pain (mussels served with fries or bread) is another fan favourite, especially when paired with a crisp white wine from their impressive wine list.

Feeling indulgent? Go for the Lobster or the Skate Wing-both are cooked to perfection and packed with flavour. If you're in the mood for something hearty, the Sicilian Fish Stew brings Mediterranean flair to the English seaside with its rich tomato base and perfectly cooked fish.

Not into seafood? Don’t worry, there are vegetarian options available too. Plus, their chocolate brownie dessert is worth the trip alone-rich, gooey, and the perfect end to a seaside feast.

The atmosphere here is effortlessly cool. Whether you’re popping in for a quick bite, sitting down for a lazy lunch, or enjoying a romantic dinner, the vibe just fits. The outdoor seating is a huge plus when the sun’s out-there’s nothing like enjoying a chilled glass of wine and a platter of oysters with the sea breeze in your hair.

Inside, the space is cosy and welcoming, with wheelchair-accessible seating and an accessible entrance, making it easy for everyone to enjoy. It’s also a great place if you're dining solo-staff are friendly without being overbearing, and there’s a relaxed flow to the service that makes it easy to linger over a drink or dessert.

This isn’t just a food-forward place-the drink menu is equally thoughtful. From craft cocktails and spirits to a curated list of beers and wines, Crabshack knows how to complement a meal. Their Lemon Sour cocktail is a personal favourite-refreshing, tangy, and perfect alongside something spicy like the Pil Pil Prawns.

And let’s not forget the coffee. If you’re stopping by in the afternoon and want a little pick-me-up, their brew is top-notch and goes great with a slice of that aforementioned brownie.

Crabshack hits the sweet spot for a lot of different diners. It’s popular for lunch and dinner, especially among locals who know where to find the good stuff. Whether you’re a seafood connoisseur, a casual diner just looking for great flavours, or someone seeking out healthy, small plates with a side of ocean views, Crabshack delivers.

So whether it’s your first time in Worthing or you’re a local looking for your next go-to spot, Crabshack offers a menu and atmosphere that’s hard to beat. Bring your appetite, your camera (yes, the food is that photogenic), and maybe someone to share with-though you might not want to.

(5/5)

“27th April 2025 When Mich promised me a bike ride in April as part of her Christmas-present series of monthly 2025 activities, neither of us was particularly convinced that struggling up hills at different paces was an enjoyable way to spend a day, but the only flat-ish option we could find that didn’t involve a train elsewhere I’d done before: cycling along the coast to Worthing. Conundrum. But when we realised we could pair the ride with a trip to the Crabshack, with tables available outside on what was forecast to be an unseasonably nice day, the prospect all of a sudden became a lot more exciting. In actuality, getting there was a big part of the day. The nice parts of the route along the seafront and particularly in and around Shoreham port as we pedalled and gossiped two abreast were very nice; the less nice bits along the roads and into the wind initiated the pleasant feeling of those first few pangs of hunger when you know you’ve got a decent meal to look forward to – and that justify ordering maybe slightly more than you would otherwise. It was also my birthday in a few days, so why not? We took a table on the edge of the restaurant’s tented outdoor patio, with the sea just about in view but sheltered from any passing pesky seagulls. The weather, the exercise, the welcome and the general mood of the day led us to a beer each as we perused the menu; there was a Jamaican stem ginger and rum sticky toffee pudding on the specials blackboard, also contributing to our all-round inducement to indulgence. We didn’t stand a chance. There were a couple of non-negotiables that we built our order around – the pil pil prawns and some kind of crab, obviously; you can’t visit a place with an eponymous speciality without trying it. Sharing everything, we went for crispy squid and a starter portion of the dressed crab, those prawns, the crabcakes, and skinny fries topped with… more crab. Oh, I also treated myself to a birthday oyster – the best of the weekend by a mile (sorry Petit Pois). It’s genuinely difficult to find a flaw in any of it. Everything tasted like it had taken its daily exercise at the same time that we did, swimming around in the sea as we rode alongside it, being caught and prepared as we locked our bikes up. Nothing was overthought either: the mix of white and brown crabmeat was perfect with just a dab of lemon mayo on a hunk of multigrain bread or with a forkful of salad leaf; the prawns – massive and of almost unprecedented texture – had infused just so with the tomato, chilli and paprika of their new red pond. The fries didn’t even need seasoning. The only critique I can come up with is a subjective reflection of my own tastes: the ratio of squid to batter was slightly unfishy for me; the pil pil sauce was heavier and therefore more of a main dish than you might find as a Spanish tapa (although if La Tasca had served prawns like these they’d definitely still be around); the crabcakes were simply my least favourite of the three crabby varieties we ordered – perhaps the least fresh-tasting on account of their preparation. We washed it all down with very strong cocktails, I blew out the candle on maybe the best STP I’ve ever tasted and, too full to cycle, we got the train back to Brighton. Bliss.”