Pat & Louise’s Guide to
“Brighton for Food Lovers”
April 2012
Brighton is a wonderfully cosmopolitan, eclectic place to visit not least because it offers a wide variety of excellent places
to eat in a relatively small and accessible area.
It’s a short walk between the town centre hotels and most of the restaurants and café’s included here. There’s also an
excellent and reliable bus service (http://www.buses.co.uk/) for travelling around the city and an all-day Saver ticket
allowing unlimited travel anywhere in the Brighton network is £4 in a shop or £4-40 on a bus. So whether you’re staying in
the centre or on the edge of the city going out for a meal is always easy.
This is very much a personal guide based on our own preferences and experience. To put this into context Tripadvisor
has over 400 restaurants and café’s listed for Brighton and Hove but two of their top 10 restaurants which we’ve
personally experienced didn’t make it onto our list.
We both love preparing and eating food and we love eating out regularly. Louise in particular expects high standards from
restaurants whether they’re Michelin starred or just a local café and has been known to give a suitably detailed response
when asked “…was everything OK?”
We make no apologies for all the good restaurants in Brighton and Hove which have been left out because we’ve not yet
visited them and we certainly don’t apologise to any of the restaurants we have visited but simply cannot recommend.
We’re always open to trying new places to eat so please let us know if you visit somewhere you think we’ll enjoy.
If you’re reading this on your computer and you have internet access then this link will take you to a customised Google
map showing the location of each of the restaurants. (please note: it takes a while to load)
Bon appétit !!
When it comes to food there is of course only one place to start:
Chocolate:
Brighton is graced by five 'proper' chocolate shops and three of them are in Duke's Lane:
Choccywoccydoodah (http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/)
24 Duke Street, BN1 1AG
The window display says it all - chocolate cakes to die for.
Montezuma's (http://www.montezumas.co.uk/)
15 Duke Street, BN1 1AH
Almost directly opposite Choccywokkydoodah . A Chichester based company and this is where we actually buy day to day
chocolate supplies for our sweetie cupboard. The Geranium flavour Dolldrops are a particular favourite but we love most
of their chocolates and their drinking chocolate which seems to be mostly ground up chocolate bars!!
Hotel du Chocolat (http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/...../Brighton)
11 Duke Street, BN1 1AH
Almost on the corner of Duke's Lane and Middle Street. We’re not fans of big national chains but their tasting boxes are
worth trying for two people (2 of each chocolate)
For a much more traditional take on chocolates you need to visit Audrey's which was producing high quality chocolate in
Brighton long before the newcomers arrived.
Audrey's (http://www.audreyschocolates.co.uk/)
This is where you can get a beautiful box full of truffles which are made on the (Hove) premises each one in it's own little
paper case. They also have a range of satin or velvet flower bedecked boxes which can cost nearly as much as the
chocolates but they make a very impressive present for someone special who also likes chocolate. e.g. champagne
truffles in a heart shaped box covered in red velvet and decorated with ribbon and dried flowers!!
The main shop is in Hove:
Audreys Chocolates (Hove), 28 Holland Road, BN3 1JJ
There's also a smaller shop in the town centre:
16 East Street Arcade, BN1 1HR
Finally the newest addition to Brighton’s thriving chocolate community:
ChocoHolly (http://www.chocoholly.com/)
27 Western Road, BN3 1AF
Our first experience of Holly’s chocolate was when we visited her home 5 years ago as part of a tour of the Brighton
Artists Open Houses to view her art work. She was trying out her first attempts at chocolate production and offering them
to visitors. The chocolate was good then but she’s now moved on to a whole new level and is a real competitor to
Brighton’s more established chocolate shops.
Having spent time deciding on chocolates to eat at home it's time for a real treat. Walk East along Dukes lane and turn
right into Middle Street for:
Choccywoccydoodah (Bar du Chocolat) (http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/) Tel: 01273 732232
27 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL
Please bear in mind we love food and Patrick particularly loves chocolate but on his first visit even he could only manage
one hot chocolate (Dark) and 1/2 a piece of truffle cake !! Please note they do offer sandwiches and other drinks
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Eating Out
Café’s for snacks/ light lunch
Vegetarian:
Iydea Cafe (http://www.iydea.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 667992
17 Kensington Gardens, North Lanes, BN1 4AL
Without a doubt the best vegetarian café in Brighton. The downside is it’s also currently #1 on TripAdvisor for Brighton
restaurants so can get very crowded at lunch time. Usually there’s a choice of 6 “main courses” and 4 of them will be
vegan.
Infinity Foods Cafe, (http://www.infinityfoodscafe.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 670743
50 Gardner Street, North Lanes, BN1 1UN
The longest established vegetarian café in Brighton. Food is supplied by their shop just up Gardner Street at the corner of
North Road. The shared meze plate is particularly good.
Non-vegetarian:
Scoop and Crumb: (http://www.scoopandcrumb.com/) Tel: 01273
5 & 6 East Street, South Lanes, BN1 1HP
Wonderful ice cream - one of their sundaes is lunch... and they do sandwiches,
The Mock Turtle Café (no website) Tel: 01273
4 Pool Valley, BN1 1NJ (Pool Valley is off East Street and virtually opposite Scoop and Crumb)
The biggest jam doughnuts on the South Coast - who needs lunch?!! They do sandwiches and light meals if you’re not
looking for sweet stuff.
Talk of Tea (http://www.talkoftea.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 748444
26 Spring St, BN1 3EF
This only opened at the end of March but it’s already getting well known amongst locals including two people we met at a
yoga workshop. We’d all found it by accident so as you’re walking westwards along North Street from Churchill Square
look for their board pointing up Spring Street. There’s an excellent selection of more than 60 teas and the cakes are
wonderful. They will also do you a coffee if you must have a more intense caffeine hit.
Café Coho (http://www.cafecoho.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 747777
53 Ship Street, BN1 1AF
This is definitely the café of choice for many people visiting the South Lanes and one of Patrick’s favourites. Good coffee,
a reasonable selection of teas and excellent sandwiches. However, it’s in danger of becoming a victim of it’s own success.
We always get a table but it’s becoming more difficult each time we visit them.
Temptation (http://www.brightontemptation.com/) Tel: 01273 673045
56 Gardner Street Brighton, BN1 1UN
Louise’s favourite for lunch or afternoon tea. Good light meals with a mix of vegetarian & non-vegetarian options.
Small Batch Coffee Company (http://smallbatchcoffee.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 697597
17 Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE
If you’re a coffee lover then this is the antidote to the big international chains with their anodyne offerings. The cakes are
pretty good too. The downside is it’s always busy.
Metrodeco (http://www.metro-deco.com/) Tel: co-owners: Helen - 07956 978115 Maggie - 07878 508719
38 Upper St James Street, BN2 1JN
Styled as the UK's only 1930s Parisian-style tea shop. It’s definitely worth a visit if you are in the Kemp Town area of
Brighton. A mere 18 teas on offer but their cakes, scones, and sandwiches are excellent and the full afternoon tea is a
real treat.
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Lunch/ Dinner:
Vegetarian:
Food for Friends (vegetarian) - (http://www.foodforfriends.com/) Tel: 01273 202310
17-18 Prince Albert Street, Brighton BN1 1HF
Beautifully cooked and presented food. Dinner is good value – approx £60 for 3 courses with a bottle of wine for two
people. We haven't been there for lunch but it also looked good value.
Terre à Terre (vegetarian) - (http://www.terreaterre.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 729051
71 East Street, BN1 1HQ
A great vegetarian restaurant for a special occasion. Menu looks fussy and can be pricey in the evenings but the food is
beautifully prepared and presented. Lunch is good value. Afternoon tea tends towards sweet stuff and could do with more
savoury items.
Planet India (no website) Tel: 01273 818149
4-5 Richmond Parade Brighton, East Sussex County BN2 9PH. (Note: Evenings only from 6pm)
Low cost, delightfully informal and where else can you get two half portions of two different dishes which cost no more
than a single full plate but yet somehow there always seems to be more on the plate. No wine but an eclectic choice of
beers from around the world. It’s not large and you really must reserve a table.
Prince George (http://www.princegeorgebrighton.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 681055
5 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4EQ
A vegetarian pub and the only one in Brighton. Not a place we’ve actually visited but one of our food loving Vegan friends
assures us it’s a good place for her to eat in Brighton so we’ve put it on the list.
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British/ European:
Café Delice (http://www.cafedelice.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 622519
40 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL
One of our regular lunchtime haunts. It’s owned and managed by the two Frenchmen who started out in Brighton with the
wine bar “In Vino Veritas”. Unfortunately they’ve now sold this and it’s become a Pub! However they’ve applied the same
philosophy of really well cooked food and good wine at Café Delice so this is a good place to eat. Where else do you get
asked how you want your beef burger cooked (medium or well done)? Now open for dinner in the evenings Thursday to
Saturday so worth a visit especially of you like a good bottle of wine.
The Gingerman (http://www.gingermanrestaurants.com/) Tel: 01273 326688
21a Norfolk Square, BN1 2PD
Relatively small and currently languishing at #13 on Tripadvisor for Brighton restaurants but still a great place for a fine
dining evening out. Dinner is excellent (2 courses £30, 3 courses £35) and they also do a good value lunch menu (3
courses £18).
Note: If you’re in the Kemp Town end of Brighton try their pub The Ginger Dog http://thegingerdog.com/) which is located
at 12 College Place,
BN2 1HN Tel: 01273 620990
Graze (http://www.grazerestaurant.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 823707
42 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1JD
The only place in Brighton with an excellent tasting menu - 7 courses (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) with the option of
matching wines. The a la carte is also very good and they do an excellent Sunday lunch.
Preston Park Tavern (http://www.prestonparktavern.co.uk/index.php) Tel: 01273 542271
88 Havelock Road, BN1 6GF
If you’re staying in the Preston Park area then this gastro pub is worth a visit. The food’s well cooked, there’s a modest
but decent wine list and prices are reasonable.
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Fish:
Riddle and Finns (http://www.riddleandfinns.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 323008
12 Meeting House Lane, South Lanes, BN1 1HB (Note: they don’t take reservations)
This is a fine dining fish restaurant and the food is beautifully prepared. It can get expensive but they do a 2 course lunch/
pre-theatre dinner for £13. The tables are large and you’re expected to share a table when it’s busy.
The Regency (http://www.theregencyrestaurant.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 325014
131 Kings Road, BN1 2HH
The oldest and certainly the most traditional fish restaurant in Brighton. If you want to say you had fish and chips while
you were staying in Brighton this is definitely the place to visit.
Bankers (http://www.bankers-restaurant.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 328267
116 a Western Road, BN1 2AB
If you’re looking for a fish dinner in Hove then Bankers is the place to eat
Bardsley’s (http://www.bardsleys-fishandchips.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 681256
22-23a Baker Street, BN1 4JN
A proper chip shop. It’s one of the oldest in Brighton and it has a licenced restaurant attached. It’s North of the town
centre off London Road but well worth a visit if you’re in the area. It’s also one of our favourite restaurants for a precinema meal before we go to The Duke of York’s (Brighton’s independent cinema – look for the legs in stripy stockings on
the roof).
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Indian:
Planet India (see the vegetarian section)
Chilli Pickle - (http://www.thechillipickle.com/) Tel: 01273 900383
17 Jubilee Street
, Brighton
, BN1 1GE
Our favourite Indian restaurant - not a tikka masala or biryani in sight!! The foods is still just as good but somehow it lost a
little of it’s soul when it moved into it’s new glitzy surroundings near the Library from it’s cosy beginnings in Meeting House
Lane.
Indian Summer (http://www.indian-summer.org.uk/) Tel: 01273 711001
69 East Street, BN1 1HQ
Close competition for Chilli Pickle - not a chicken tikka, etc and reasonably priced (2 courses £22, 3 courses £27)
Shahi Tandoori (http://www.shahitandoori.com/) Tel: 01273 622322/ 626187
40 – 42 Beaconsfield Road, BN1 4QH
It could be just another Indian restaurant but Patrick in particular loves their “special Nowab” dishes and the rest of the
food is well cooked and very tasty. This is another good restaurant for people who are staying in the Preston Park area or
wanting a pre-cinema (Duke of York) meal. Bookings are essential on Friday and Saturday and wise other evenings.
Eastern Eye (http://www.easterneyerestaurant.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 685151
58 London Road, BN1 4JE
A recent addition to Brighton’s restaurants offering Southern Indian food, The food is certainly good although the last time
we were there they had run out of virtually all the desserts. We were eating late after a film at the Duke of York but it was
still a surprise. Perhaps one for an early evening meal!!
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Thai:
Street Thai (http://streetthai.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 207444
5 Brighton Square, BN1 1HD
Located in the heart of the South Lanes. A place we keep going back to because it’s good value and the food just reminds
us of a holiday we took in Thailand and Cambodia a few years ago. There’s an outside terrace overlooking Brighton
Square and we’re looking forward to eating outside on a warm summer’s evening just watching the world pass by.
Tookta’s Café (http://sites.google.com/site/tooktascafe/) Tel: 01273 748071
30 Spring Street, BN1 3EF
Not actually a restaurant we’ve tried but it’s here because one of our friends says it’s good plus it keeps getting
consistently good reviews for it’s food and has risen to #3 on Trip Advisor for Brighton. Open 6 pm until 10pm but will only
take reservations for groups of 4 or more.
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Chinese:
Good Friends (no website) Tel: 01273 779836
25 Preston Street, BN1 2HN
Always full of Chinese people and Louise who’s travelled in China a couple of times assures me this has the best Chinese
food in Brighton. We always enjoy eating here and somehow it always feels cosy and inviting.
China Garden (http://www.chinagarden-brighton.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 325124
88-91 Preston Street, BN1 2HG
At the very bottom of Preston Street so some tables have views across the road to the beach. Also frequented by the local
Chinese population and the food is very good. The staff are charming but it just feels a bit impersonal at times because of
its size. If you are around on Sunday at lunch time then the Dim Sum is excellent and great value.
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Italian:
It’s a shame but Brighton doesn’t have really great Italian restaurants. However there are several non-chain restaurants
which manage to offer something a little special to make the dining experience more enjoyable.
Alfresco (http://www.alfresco-brighton.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 206523
The Milkmaid Pavilion, Kings Road Arches BN1 2LN
Not necessarily the best Italian in Brighton but if you get a warm evening with a table on the terrace then the location on
the edge of the beach makes this a great place to sit, eat, enjoy a good bottle of Italian wine and watch the sun sink into
the sea.
Al Duomo (http://www.alduomo.co.uk/) tel; 01273 326741
7 Pavilion Buildings
, BN1 1EE
Years ago the décor was a little bit tired but somehow the restaurant put more soul into it’s food. Now it’s in danger of
becoming just another Italian restaurant but the portions are good and it’s right next to the Pavilion and across the park
from the theatre so it makes this list because the location is so good.
Leonardo’s (http://www.leonardo-restaurant.co.uk/) Tel: 01273 328888
55 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2BD
Well into Hove but worth the bus/ taxi journey from the centre of Brighton. This is probably our favourite Italian restaurant
in Brighton. The food is good but what makes it special is the atmosphere when it’s full and really buzzing. Noisy? – yes at
times but both the staff and your fellow diners are clearly enjoying themselves and it makes for a great evening out.
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Wine bars
With the recent demise of In Vino Veritas there’s no longer a proper wine bar in Brighton. By proper we mean
somewhere with an excellent wine list, a comfortable fairly quiet environment, the gentle buzz of conversation from fellow
wine lovers and ideally the option of some decent food.
Café Delice (http://www.cafedelice.co.uk/, 40 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL and mentioned earlier) comes closest but is
still more restaurant than bar.
Ten Green Bottles (http://www.tengreenbottles.com/, 9 Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE)
A modest but reasonably priced selection of wines. However what really lets it down is the cold clinical environment. Quite
simply it lacks soul. Most of the seating is on uncomfortable benches around a single large low table and if you’re with a
large group it’s impossible to talk without shouting.
Hotel du Vin/ Bistro du Vin (http://www.hotelduvin.com/hotels/brighton/brighton.aspx, Ship Street, BN1 1AD) This has
the wine list but is typical corporate wine drinking in what’s essentially a hotel bar. We did try it once but couldn’t bring
ourselves to stay long enough to order a drink - shudder!
Havana Spoon (http://www.havanaspoon.com/, 70-72 Church Road, BN3 2FP)
On the edge of Hove and we haven’t actually made it to this one yet. However Patrick’s hairdresser recommends it so he
felt it should be on the list as her previous restaurant recommendations have generally been good. She does admit
however that it might not be somewhere for a quiet drink. There’s a reasonably comprehensive if slightly expensive
looking wine list and it looks more cocktail lounge than wine bar.