BRIGHTON is home to the best seafood restaurant in the UK.

The Salt Room, which is in the Hilton Metropole in King’s Road, was named as the winner of the 2017 Seafish Restaurant of the Year competition organised by The Caterer in association with Seafish UK.

Judges praised The Salt Room for its “consistently high customer service, its excellent menu and good variety of locally sourced fish species.”

They also said chefs work on “innovative dishes” and take risks to educate customers on the vast range of fish and shellfish available.

The Salt Room, which opened in 2014, is the sister restaurant to The Coal Shed in nearby Boyce’s Street, Brighton.

The owners have also recently ventured into London with the opening of Coal Shed at One Tower Bridge London.

Owner Raz Helalat said: “This result was completely unexpected and makes all the hard work from the team this year so worthwhile. It’s been a real group effort and an amazing 2017.”

Group head chef Dave Mothersill, added: “I didn’t think we would win – it’s an honour to simply be in the top five.

“But now we have I’m super happy. It’s perfect timing to receive this award alongside our new opening in London.”

Mr Helalat said the restaurant prides itself on only sourcing seafood from certified and responsible suppliers and serving fish in innovative ways.

Judges also praised the restaurant’s staff for their familiarity and knowledge of species served.

Despite being a seafood restaurant, the restaurant’s signature dish is a dessert named Taste of the Pier.

The sharing plate, which cost £18, features with a fancy 99 waffle, chocolate honeycomb, malted milk mallow, peanut butter fudge, glazed doughnut, chocolate pebbles and candy floss.

Earlier this year, influential Observer food reviewer gave The Salt Room a highly complimentary write up, which has only added to its popularity.

Lisa Jenkins, from The Caterer and co-chairwoman of the judging panel, said “Part of the Salt Room’s success is its simplicity.

“From the outside you would assume you were walking into a simple brasserie, but the dishes will blow you away.

“These can range from cured mackerel, fennel and kimchi mayo for lunch to octopus, cocoa beans, pancetta, seaweed and spiced gilt head bream, cucumber chutney and yoghurt, for dinner.”

The judging panel included top chefs and industry experts.

For more details and to book visit saltroom-restaurant.co.uk.