There is an Irish saying that Laughter is the brightest where the food is best. Luckily, Sussex is a fantastic destination for the discerning foodie whether you’re looking for great restaurants, local producers or food-related experiences. And as Hove is our town of the month, we grabbed a knife and fork and a basket and went on a food hunt. And this is what we found.
Restaurants
As one of our Sussex foodie destinations, Hove has an amazing selection of restaurants, many of which are mentioned in the Michelin Guide.
Etch. By Steven Edwards
Steven Edwards was a MasterChef: The Professionals winner and Etch. is his flagship restaurant. With an open kitchen, they celebrate local and British produce using weekly changing 5, 7 or 9-course tasting menus. They hold a Michelin Plate, and 3 AA Rosettes.
Wild Flor
Also featuring in the Michelin Guide (and the Good Food Guide), Wild Flor is regularly named as one of Brighton’s top 5 restaurants. They offer good old-fashioned a la carte, with snacks, starters, main courses and desserts.
Cin Cin
Cin Cin is a modern Italian restaurant that uses seasonal Sussex produce. The menu includes small plates and handmade pastas and they have counter seating to watch the chefs work. Cin Cin is also listed in the Michelin Guide.
Ginger Pig
Listed as one of the Top 10 Pubs in the UK by GQ, here they serve traditional food sourced from Sussex suppliers. They have a great choice of British favourites and Mediterranean classics and lots of good cocktails and yes, it’s in the Michelin Guide.
The Little Fish Market
No surprise that The Little Fish Market is all about seafood and the restaurant is actually in a converted fishmongers opposite the old Victorian fish market. They offer a 6-course set menu with modern seafood dishes and yes, they’re also in Michelin Guide.
Oeuf
Another super popular Hove foodie hangout is Oeuf, which you’ll find in a glamorously decorated building. They offer breakfast, brunch and lunch with a firm eye on sustainability and have a little garden. And check out their frumpets!
Rockwater
Right on the seafront, Rockwater Hove has a row of outside food shacks, a stunning balcony that overlooks the beach and a roof that comes off in the summer. They do some great seafood plates and sharing dishes.
Markets
The Sussex Peasant is a mobile market backed by a community of farmers. You will find them in Hove on Fridays in front of St Andrews Church, in Church Road, and on Saturdays in Hove Park where the Droveway meets Goldstone Crescent and Sundays at Stoneham Park. They sell pretty much everything from their distinctive lorry including fruit and veg, meats and fish, cheese and dairy to bread and pastries.
Fish
Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales is a wholesale and retail fish outlet next to Hove Lagoon with a wide selection of ridiculously fresh, local fish and shellfish caught by their fleet of boats.
The Fish Shack
The Fish Shack on Hove Beach also sells fresh, locally caught fish and seafood. They do pre-prepared boxes and platters.
The Cheese Hut
The Cheese Hut is a family-run, independent cheese retailer next to Hove Lagoon, specialising in Sussex Cheeses but with British and continental cheeses also available. They also sell a range of charcuterie.
Foodie experiences
What’s not to love about gin and chocolate?
Madame Jennifer Distillery
Madame Jennifer Distillery is a small urban distillery and you’ll find it in Poets’ Corner in a small commercial building that was previously a coffin manufacturer! They run tours run on Fridays and Saturdays and include a large gin and tonic, and tastings from their range of spirits.
The Brighton Cacao Company
The Brighton Cacao Company is actually based in Hove and they offer chocolate classes with head chocolatier, George.
If you’ve enjoyed this post about Hove and Sussex foodie destinations, you may also like:
Sustainable & Creative Dining at etch. in Hove
Things To Do In Hove
Rockwater: Best Hove Beach Restaurant?
