Every foodie should have Brighton on their bucket list, with its diverse flavours and vibrant dining scene. Each restaurant in this beloved seaside city promises a unique experience.
From fine dining to woodfired cuisines, unforgettable Italian and Greek dishes to an all-year food market and redefined vegan meals with south east Asian flair, the city has something for everyone. So here are eight of the best places to eat in Brighton and Hove as recommended by the We Love Brighton guide.
Riddle & Finns
End your search for the finest seafood in the city at Riddle & Finns which has been beloved by locals and tourists alike since 2006. Located in the South Lanes near North Street, their original Champagne & Oyster bar is one of a few locations around the city. Beyond serving some of the best local seafood in Brighton, they also have an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal.
With a no-booking policy, it can be a bit of a hit-and-miss with getting seated due to its popularity but if you do, Riddle & Finns will welcome you for a one-of-a-kind dining experience focused on fresh, highest-quality seafood.
Burnt Orange
Not many restaurants in Brighton can say they offer authentic wood-fired flavours and this is what makes Burnt Orange so unique. What’s more beyond being just a restaurant they also open as a late-night bar. The concept behind their menu is to create dishes from seasonal ingredients cooked over a real fire, meant for sharing.
The interior is stylish, and they have a great outdoor courtyard where guests can enjoy their meals while catching some fresh air. What’s more every Saturday they have a live DJ playing for guests’ entertainment.
Shelter Hall
In our opinion, this is definitely the most unique ‘restaurant’ on this list, or rather Shelter Hall could be described more like seven restaurants in one run by independent chefs and this includes MasterChef winner Kenny Tutt and his Patty Guy burgers. This food market is located on Brighton Beach, offering stunning views of the ocean from both its indoor and outdoor seating making it a must-visit location.
Shelter Hall’s unique appeal comes from the ability to order food from multiple restaurants based on preferences. This can be done by using the Sessions app and food comes out when it’s ready and gets delivered straight to your table. Some of the restaurants on offer have been there for a while but the market hosts popups and new chefs get to join every few months. The venue also offers two bars serving an array of drinks. A reservation is not needed as walk-ins are welcome.
Bonsai Plant Kitchen
Would it be an article about the best places to eat in Brighton and Hove if we didn’t mention a vegan place? And what better place to feature than the award-winning Bonsai Plant Kitchen? Founded in January 2021 as a takeaway and later evolving into a pop-up, Bonsai Plant Kitchen finally opened its own restaurant in March 2022 on Baker Street. Led by Chef Dominic Sherriff, the menu is a fusion of south east Asian flavours.
At this restaurant small plates, cooked over Japanese coals, are paired with botanical cocktails, authentic sake, and local Sussex wines. On top of winning some other awards, they were also recognized as the Plant Champions at the 2023 Brighton Restaurant Awards.
Cin Cin
Cin Cin is an award-winning gem of a restaurant located on Western Road in Hove. This modern Italian restaurant serves small plates and handmade pasta dishes. Cin Cin’s commitment to excellence led to the opening of its first permanent home in Brighton in 2016, and later, a second restaurant in Hove in 2018, expanding further to London in 2021.
The dining experience is characterized by an open kitchen, counter seating, and an additional room for celebrations. The restaurant offers alfresco dining with a focus on social dining and Cin Cin hosts events and La Festa, a series of regional dinners. It also offers private hire, catering services, and finish-at-home kits.
Nostos
On Holland Road in Hove, Nostos stands an award-winning Greek restaurant, blending authentic and modern Greek gastronomy. Nostos thrives on serving authentic Greek dishes while using fresh, seasonal ingredients and it distinguishes itself by offering over half of its dishes as vegan and vegetarian. The restaurant provides a Mediterranean feast with starters, salads, sides, spreads, and main dishes, along with an extensive wine list featuring Greek, Italian, French, and Argentinian wines.
Etch.
Etch. is the flagship restaurant of MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards. A modern space located in an establishment that was formerly a bank, Etch. offers an intimate dining experience with an open kitchen, cocktail bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Specialising in fine dining, the restaurant celebrates local and British produce through weekly changing 5, 7, or 9-course tasting menus, holding prestigious recognitions such as a Michelin Plate, 5 Good Food Guide, and 3 AA Rosettes. The restaurant focuses on technique-driven dishes showcasing the unique flavour of two main ingredients in each dish.
Morelli Zorelli
Morelli Zorelli is a pizzeria on Western Road in Hove which has gained acclaim for offering a true taste of Italy. The restaurant’s dedication to authenticity is evident in its daily production of sourdough using a 150-year-old starter from Sardinia. Their pizzas stand out with a combination of the finest 00 Caputo flour, a 3-day proofing process, and a stone & flame oven, preserving natural aromas and moisture. Ingredients are carefully chosen for quality and directly imported from Italy. With seating for 40 people, the restaurant offers the guests an opportunity to observe the pizza-making process. They also offer full dining experiences for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diners.
Brighton’s diverse offerings cater to every palate with each restaurant inviting you to not just dine but to explore unique flavours through the use of local ingredients. Each of the restaurants mentioned in this article has something unique to offer but regardless of which one you choose, we guarantee you’ll be in for a treat.
If you’re planning to visit to Brighton and Hove, check out this guide for more information about the city: We Love Brighton
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