Best Places to Eat in Brighton: My 18 Favourite Restaurants

 

Brighton and Hove is well known for its incredible food scene and keeping up with the best places to eat in the city is one of my favourite things about living here!

I still can’t believe that when I moved here 15 years ago, a genuinely great meal often meant a trip to London. Now we’re spoiled for choice as old and new chefs compete to create the best seasonal menus bursting with Sussex produce and local wines.

That said, to me Brighton will always be the spiritual home of the vegan and vegetarian cafe with longstanding spots like Terre à Terre and Infinity Foods still going strong.

Brighton’s Best Areas for Food 

The Lanes will always draw the crowds because they’re close to the sea, but this is also where you find most of the chains, and to me, Brighton’s most interesting eating isn’t in a chain restaurant or where the tourists look first.

Head for the North Laine and you’ll find an area buzzing with independent cafes and creative restaurants while Hove is home to some of the city’s most coveted.

Meanwhile London Road – close to my neck of the woods – is quietly becoming the most exciting food destination in the city, home to the newly transformed Open Market, Curio (an all-day Parisian-style cafe bar), Tony’s Pizza and Bardsley’s (fish and chips since 1926), all within easy walking distance.

How I Choose the Best Places to Eat in Brighton

Every restaurant on this list has been personally tried-and-tested by me, some many times over. I only include places I’d genuinely recommend to friends and update the list as Brighton’s restaurant scene evolves. 

Best Independent Brighton Restaurants for All Occasions

These are my all-time favourite places to eat in Brighton: independent neighbourhood restaurants – including cafes and food markets – I go back to again and again, from a quick weekday bite to a proper splurge. Not a chain in sight.

Organised from casual to fancy, you’ll find all my recommendations pinned to a handy map at the end of the post.

1 Curio

Best for: a cool day-to-night neighbourhood spot for all scenarios, coffee, sandwiches, small plates, wine and cocktails, solo or in company

Where: London Road

If I could only take you to one place in Brighton, it would be Curio. This is Brighton’s first European-style all-day cafe bar with an excellent location on a corner opposite my favourite cinema, the Duke of York’s picture house at Preston Circus near London Road. Once you’ve found it, like me, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Open from morning to night, the vibe is unhurried and relaxed. They host foodie pop ups, a DJ on Friday evenings and happy hour from Thursday. It’s the perfect rare breed chic all-day option and it feels like a little corner of Paris landed in Brighton.

It has all scenarios covered. Come in the morning for excellent coffee and honey bread, at lunch for doorstopper-sized sandwiches, or from late afternoon, a couple of small plates – the crispy artichokes alone are worth the trip.

They specialise in wine, too, including plenty on tap and bottles to take away, local beers and excellent cocktails including spicy margaritas.

Find Curio at 1 Clyde Road, Brighton BN1 4NN

2 Café Rust

Best for: coffee, cakes and beautiful brunches 

Where: Multiple locations across Brighton and Hove

With its rustic French farmhouse style decor, excellent coffee and beautifully presented brunch dishes and homemade cakes, Café Rust is one of the Brighton cafes I visit most. 

There are five locations across Brighton and Hove – two of them near my house, including one in the lovely grounds of Preston Manor overlooking a croquet lawn.

I often visit the Preston Road branch with its sunny back patio and an all-day breakfast menu featuring classics with a twist. Think: rustic vegan and veggie full English breakfasts and herby beans on sourdough.

It’s hugely popular for weekend brunch, so arrive early or go on a weekday for a table without a wait.

 Find Café Rust at multiple locations across Brighton and Hove 

3 Marmalade

Best for: bacon sarnies, showstopping salads, gourmet gifts 

Where: Kemptown

I live in Fiveways but will happily make the trip across town to this longstanding cafe and gourmet deli on the fringes of Regency Kemptown. Open since 2013 as a cafe, its current chic French bistro-style decor is a nod to its brief stint as a restaurant.

I pop in for morning coffee and a bacon or sausage sandwich on Real Patisserie’s famous chewy brown or white bread. Come mid-morning, the counter bursts with heaped salads, quiches and sandwiches, everything made by a small team of chefs in the kitchen behind. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. The serve wine, too.

I love to sit up on the little mezzanine and watch the world go by below. Don’t leave without browsing all the treats on offer: Sussex produce like Charmer cheese, house-made dishes like lasagne to cook at home and gourmet gifts like Italian biscuits in beautiful packaging.

Find Marmalade at 237 Eastern Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 5JJ

Other great places in Brighton I love for coffee, breakfast and brunch dishes include Oeuf in Hove, Starfish and Coffee at Queen’s Park and Moksha near London Road.

4 Brighton Open Market

Best for: a global feast under one roof

Where: London Road

Brighton’s Open Market has been here since the 1920s but the past few years have seen it transform into an exciting city foodie destination packed with independent food producers. It promises a global feast under one roof where you can eat brilliantly for very little. 

It’s not just a food market – it’s also where locals come to do their weekly shop, which gives it a proper community feel that tourist-facing food halls rarely have. At weekends it buzzes with shoppers and is the setting for events like the recent Japanese food festival.

My regulars: Little Loaf for buttery croissants that rival anything in Paris, Kouzina for homemade Greek moussaka, This Little Piggy for incredible sausage rolls and vegan ‘hasbeens,’ Casa Azul for the best tacos in Brighton and The Drop for a glass of local or natural wine.

Find Brighton Open Market on Marshall’s Row, Brighton BN1 4JU

5 Shelter Hall

Best for: groups, seafront dining, grazing

Where: Brighton seafront

A beautifully reimagined Victorian shelter hall right on Brighton seafront, Shelter Hall is one of those places that solves the “where shall we eat?” problem beautifully if you’ve guests to entertain.

It brings together some of Brighton’s best independent food vendors under one roof,  in a big, airy space across two levels – inside and out – with lovely sea views from almost every table.

Current favourites include Lost Boys Chicken for generous chicken burgers, VIP Pizza, Tamaki for rice bowls, puffy bao buns and gooey gyoza dumplings, and White Cloud Coffee for an excellent flat white. Vendors rotate so there’s always something new to discover.

I’ve been known to come for lunch, and stay for a drink as the sun goes down over the sea.

Find Shelter Hall on King’s Road Arches, Brighton BN1 1NB

6 Bardsley’s

Best for: excellent fish and chips to eat in or takeaway

Where: London Road

Tucked up a quiet side street just off London Road, Bardsley’s has been serving fish and chips since 1926 – and although it changed hands a few years ago, nothing has changed. The recipes and friendly service remain, enticing hungry locals back.

The fish and chips are excellent – deliciously flaky, moist fish in crisp golden batter, chips cooked to perfection. The little dining room is decorated with memorabilia relating to an old Brighton music hall star, giving it a nostalgic atmosphere.

If you’re feeling fancy, order a glass of prosecco to go with your platter. If you’re feeling virtuous, replace half of your chips with salad. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. Open for lunch from 12-3pm and again in the evening.

Find Bardsley’s at 23A Baker Street, Brighton, BN1 4JN 

7 Planet India

Best for: good value homemade Indian dishes close to town

Not far from hilly Hanover, family-run Planet India, open since the early Noughties, represents what Brighton’s dining scene looked like way before the small plates and natural wines arrived.

While the city’s restaurant scene reinvented itself a dozen times over, Planet India hasn’t budged, staying true to its roots. It still serves up the same delicious authentic homecooked Gujarati recipes passed down from mother to son and daughter-in-law to a loyal local following for years.

 I like to dive in with a few street food starters – the bhel puri and samosas are hard to resist and easy to fill up on. For indecisive diners who want to try everything, the plate of two half curries is a good main course option.

Find Planet India at 4-5 Richmond Parade, Brighton BN2 9PH

8 Busby & Wilds

Best for: burgers, family Sunday lunch, sipping wine in the courtyard garden

Where: Kemptown

Another place I’ll happily make the trip across town for. This family-run gastro pub in eclectic, historic Kemptown serves traditional English with a modern edge – like potted Sussex crab with fennel and apple purée, steak and chunky chips, sticky toffee pudding.

I love coming on Thursdays when burgers are only £10. It’s a good one to have up your sleeve if you’ve family to entertain – the menu has something for everyone and the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere means nobody feels out of place.

Don’t miss a peek at its courtyard garden – one of Brighton’s loveliest spots for a long lunch or rosé wine on a warm summer evening.

Find Busby and Wilds at 9 Rock Street, Brighton BN2 1NF

9 Original Tony’s

Best for: thin and crisy pizza in vibey surroundings

Where: North Laine

Brighton’s most exciting new pizza spot has found a permanent home on Trafalgar Street. Inside, candlelit tables and a New York vibe make it feel like a little slice of Manhattan landed in the North Laine.

It’s run by chef Toby Cackett and known for its unique hybrid New York-Neapolitan style pizza, with a signature crispy yet airy crust made from 72-hour fermented dough. Order the Tony’s Favourite if you can’t decide: hot honey and stracciatella cheese is a combination that makes complete sense the moment it arrives.

Don’t skip the negronis, Padron peppers and tiramisu. If you want a more casual fix, their stall in the Brighton Open Market serves pizza by the slice.

Find Original Tony’s at 15 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EQ

10 Bincho Yakitori

Best for: feeling like you’re in Tokyo, small plates over fire, sake flights

Where: Central Brighton

My favourite restaurant in Brighton – and it’s been on that list for years. Bincho is an izakaya – a Japanese tavern – and walking in feels like being whisked to Tokyo after dark: the smoke from the charcoal grill, the counter seats overlooking the chefs at work, chicken hearts on the menu.

Everything is cooked yakitori style over charcoal and dishes arrive as they’re ready rather than in a set order. This makes the whole experience feel like a fun, unpredictable journey. I come for the satisfying crispy kara age fried chicken alone. Nothing is too expensive either.

Order a glass of plum wine or go all in on the sake flight, which showcases an incredible array of varieties. Sadly for us but good for them, since winning several awards it’s harder to get a table spontaneously – book ahead.

Find Bincho Yakitori at 63 Preston Street, Brighton BN1 2HE 

11 Embers

Best for: fire-cooked steak and smoky cocktails

Where: The Lanes

When the team behind the long-running Isaac At decided it was time to move on, they opened Embers shortly after, tucked into a characterful building on a cobbled street in The Lanes.

It’s all about food cooked over fire here – the steak is excellent – alongside a cocktail list worth sticking around for. Even confirmed non-tequila drinkers rave about the Cadillac Jo’ Margarita, made with smoky mezcal, chilli and citrus.

If you’re only having two dishes, make it the crispy sprouts and the smoked spatchcocked chicken with honey and mustard mayo – that way you’ll still have room for cheese on toast to finish.

Find Embers at 42 Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB.

12 Plateau

Best for: Brighton’s original natural wine and small plates spot with a French twist

Where: The Lanes

This sophisticated French cafe-bistro-wine bar, near this chic vintage boutique, is one of the first places in Brighton to serve natural wines and small plates. The sleek informal downstairs dining room has an industrial look, while upstairs is more rustic and peaceful.

It’s a great option for a number of occasions – power lunches, laid-back lunches, mid-shopping-spree pitstops, cocktails before a night out, dinner with friends, date night…

The modern French small plates are designed to share, like shishito peppers which pair well with one of their heady cocktails. I love their zippy hibiscus margaritas: tapatio tequila, lime, hibiscus, sumac. They do bigger dishes, too, like seared bavette steak with pomme frites and rocket, which I recommend.

Find Plateau at 1 Bartholomews, Brighton, BN1 1HB

13 Terre à Terre 

Best for: vegans, vegetarians, creative sharing plates

Where: The Lanes

A Brighton institution that harks back to the city’s original bohemian spirit – Terre à Terre has been serving creative vegetarian food since 1993 and shows no signs of slowing down. In a city that now has no shortage of vegetarian options, it remains the benchmark.

It stands out for its creative menu descriptions, so you never quite sure what you’re getting – which is half the fun. Think: sneaky peeking steamers (rice buns), better batter (buttermilk soaked halloumi), how’s yer vada (pink lentil fritter).

Must-order dishes: the Terre a Terre tapas sharing plate for a bit of everything (pictured), and the crunchy scrunch chips – so good they should come with a warning. Open for lunch and dinner most days, and booking ahead is wise – it’s been a Brighton favourite for over 30 years for good reason.

Find Terre à Terre at 71 East Street, Brighton BN1 1HQ

14 Stem

Best for: natural wine, small plates, art and vinyl 

Where: Central Hove

One of Brighton’s newest openings and already one of my favourites. From the team behind Dilsk at Drakes, Stem is a neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar with beautiful bones – high ceilings, stripped floors, vinyl soundtracks and rotating art exhibitions giving it an east London energy you wouldn’t expect in Hove.

Open for lunch and dinner, the simple small plates menu runs from snacks to mains – like brioche with brown butter, oysters, Nutbourne tomatoes with ricotta and slow braised beef.

On Sunday they serve BBQ dishes, like beer can roast chicken which goes well with smoked cheese macaroni – hard to resist. The excellent cocktail list features martinis, margaritas and negronis in a variety of styles.

Come early for a drink at the bar or terrace (first come first served) or book a table and settle in. The kind of place you go for one drink and stay for three.

Find Stem at 41 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BE

15 Voya

Best for: supper club vibes, small plates, a night that feels like a party

Where: North Laine

Set inside an old community cafe, postage stamp-sized, plant-filled Voya, oozes heart, soul and cool. It’s part of a new wave of Brighton’s best restaurants that combine music and food for an immersive experience: you tuck into carefully considered cocktails and small plates while a DJ plays vinyl tunes; dining here feels like being at an intimate supper club and a house party with good friends at the same time.

The small menu’s a dream for indecisive folk like me. I died for the basho margarita – oolong tea tequila, lime, lemongrass agave and toasted rice salt; sweetcorn ribs in habanero butter and Szechuan pork belly yakitori. Tables are released a month ahead and fill fast.

Find Voya at 34 North Road, Brighton BN1 1YB

16 Palmito

Best for: adventurous eating, date night, a genuinely exciting dinner

Where: Central Hove

Teeny Palmito, with its neon sign, has had everyone in Brighton talking since it opened in 2022. So much so, nabbing one of the 20 tables for dinner – or lunch on Saturday – is tricky, but worth the wait. On your visit, leave expectations at the door. Creative risk-raking is their USP, the chefs daring to go where others don’t.

A menu of Ecuadorean, southern Indian and Mexican dishes might seem a baffling mix at first. They’re simply the owner’s favourite foods; a blend that works well and what makes a trip to Palmito exciting.

Every dish is a thrill and excellent conversation starter. Feel free to stay purist or mix it up with a dish from each country, as I did. I highly recommend combining grilled sweetcorn with chipotle mayo, parmesan, and lime salt (Mexico), slow braised beef short rib (Ecuador), and Kerala-style grilled mackerel, winter tomato, beetroot, and blood orange (South India).

Find Palmito at 16 Western Road, Hove BN3 1AE

17 Wild Flor

Best for: serious foodies, a fancy lunch, special family gathering

Where: Central Hove

A small neighbourhood gem that was the talk of Brighton when it opened in May 2019 – and with enthusiasm and creativity they’ve kept getting better ever since, earning a coveted Michelin Guide listing along the way.

There’s a smart, buzzy downstairs dining room and another more quieter one upstairs bathed in candlelight, where the window seat is the perfect spot for a date night.

Head chef Olly Pierrepont draws inspiration from the great dishes of France, made with modern sensibility – expect hyper-seasonal, classic European cooking with real depth of flavour.

The menu changes constantly so specific dishes are hard to pin down, but the cooking is consistently outstanding, and the wine list is genuinely impressive.

The £25 set lunch menu is one of Brighton’s best value meals – book a First Table slot for 50% off. Famous Madeleines to finish, warm with cherries, rum compote and mascarpone.

Find Wild Flor at 42 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FN

18 The Little Fish Market

Best for: the ultimate splurge, celebrations, tasting menus

Where: Central Hove

This is one of Brighton’s most longstanding and consistently excellent restaurants which has stayed completely true to its original ethos without ever chasing trends. It’s an intimate dining experience with just 20 covers and the food and service is impeccable. 

I love its hidden setting along a historic Hove mews in a converted fishmonger’s opposite an old Victorian fish market, an events venue now known as The Open Market.

The Little Fish Market been quietly earning accolades since chef-owner Duncan Ray opened it for just £100. He trained under Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck, which tells you everything about the level of cooking.

His seasonal five-course tasting menu is chalked on a blackboard each simply described dish is a fun surprise. Think: Parmesan gougères stuffed with smoked mackerel pâté, or wild bass with roast cauliflower purée. It’s fun to add wine pairing for each course if you can.

I like to bookend an evening here with a drink at the nearby Paris House pub on Western Road beforehand and wander down to the seafront afterwards for the perfect Brighton night out.

Find The Little Fish Market at 10 Upper Market Street, Hove BN3 1AS

Best Places to Eat in Brighton map

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