Restaurants in Brighton

Brighton has one of the most exciting food scenes on the south coast of England. From Michelin-starred dining in Hove to independent neighbourhood kitchens, creative brunch cafés and lively cocktail bars, the city offers something for every taste and every occasion.

This Brighton Journal guide brings together the best restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars across Brighton and Hove — updated for 2026.

Best Restaurants in Brighton

Brighton’s restaurant scene continues to grow, with new openings each year alongside long-established local favourites.

Maré by Rafael Cagali — Church Road, Hove
Brighton’s first Michelin-starred restaurant in over 40 years. A creative sharing menu combining Brazilian, Mediterranean and Japanese influences. The definitive special occasion table in Brighton right now. Book well ahead.

The Salt Room — Marine Parade
Elegant seafood cooking on the seafront with some of the best views in the city. Consistently excellent for over a decade.

64 Degrees — Church Street
Small plates, open kitchen and focused modern cooking. Book ahead — the room is small and fills fast.

Burnt Orange — Middle Street
Consistently strong Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates in a lively, well-designed room. Popular with locals for good reason.

Jamun
Crowned Best Restaurant in Brighton 2025. A refined modern Indian dining experience that has quickly become one of the city’s most respected kitchens.
→ Read full feature

Riddle & Finns — The Lanes and seafront
Champagne and oyster bar energy across two Brighton locations. Excellent for a celebratory lunch or a special evening.

English’s of Brighton — East Street
Oysters, seafood and champagne since 1945. A Brighton institution that earns its reputation every service.

The Coal Shed — One New Road
Fire-cooked steaks and seafood in a bold, dark interior. One of Brighton’s most dependable dining rooms.

Kindling — The Lanes
Grass-fed British beef, sustainable ethos and an open kitchen. The kind of independent that Brighton does well.

Wild Flor — Hove
Natural wine, honest seasonal cooking, unpretentious and consistently excellent. One of Hove’s most-loved neighbourhood restaurants.

IL Bistro — The Lanes
In the Lanes since 1976. Brighton’s first Mediterranean steakhouse, now in its second generation. Fresh pasta, arancini and dry-aged British beef in an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage.

Italian Restaurants in Brighton

Italian cuisine remains one of the most popular dining choices in Brighton — from classic pasta to modern interpretations and Neapolitan pizza.

ASK Italian Brighton
A stylish Italian restaurant in central Brighton with a beautifully designed interior, marble walls and a sheltered courtyard terrace. Fresh pasta, seafood and a new Pizza a Mano for 2026 — hand-stretched, stone-baked and finished with extra virgin olive oil. Extensive gluten-free menu. Function room upstairs with no hiring fee. Brighton Journal reviewed.
→ ASK Italian Brighton Review 2026

Cin Cin Brighton
A contemporary Italian restaurant known for handmade pasta and seasonal menus. One of Brighton’s most celebrated independent Italian kitchens.

Fatto a Mano Pizza
A Brighton favourite for authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. Consistently excellent and always busy.

IL Bistro — The Lanes
In the Lanes since 1976. Fresh pasta, arancini and dry-aged British beef in an atmospheric 18th-century fisherman’s cottage.

Best Sunday Roast in Brighton

Sunday roast in Brighton is a serious pursuit. The best places book out by Thursday — plan ahead.

Embers — BRAVO Award Winner 2026 for Best Sunday Roast. Everything cooked over open wood fire, served as sharing platters with skillet potatoes, cauliflower purée and outstanding desserts.

Stanmer House — Stanmer Park
A historic Georgian manor house in the ancient parkland north of Brighton. Slow-roasted belly of pork, Sussex leg of lamb and a vegan Wellington — one of the most atmospheric settings for Sunday lunch in the region.

The Ginger Pig — Hove
A long-standing reputation for one of Brighton’s best gastropub roasts. Starters, sharing mains and serious sides.

Cyan at The Grand — seafront
Generous, excellent and fittingly luxurious. Meat, fish and vegetarian options with every side.

The Basketmakers Arms — North Laine
One of Brighton’s most beloved tucked-away pubs — its roast is legendary. Book well ahead.

The Geese — Southover Street
Gastropub quality, outstanding roast potatoes, strong local following.

The Roundhill
The essential destination for plant-based Sunday eating. Vegan roast every Sunday from noon — seitan beef brisket and the city’s best nut roast.

Earth & Stars — North Laine
Locally sourced ales, strong vegetarian and vegan roast options. Good value and consistently solid.

Best Brunch in Brighton

Brighton is famous for its brunch culture. On weekends the city’s best spots fill fast — arrive early or book ahead.

Lost In The Lanes
Chef-led artisan brunch in a beautiful room. One of the best brunch spots in the city.

Crafty Egg — Kemptown
Egg-centric brunch in Brighton’s most creative neighbourhood. Queue expected, worth it.

Flour Pot Bakery — multiple locations
Outstanding pastries and sourdough across multiple Brighton sites. The correct answer before 11am.

Presuming Ed — North Laine
One of the city’s most beloved independent cafés. Arrive early on weekends.

Post House
Cosy, vintage-inspired café near the seafront. Excellent brunch throughout the week.

Moksha Caffe — North Laine
Independent neighbourhood coffee and brunch that feels properly local.

Bills Brighton
Reliable, family-friendly and consistently good for a relaxed weekend brunch.

Cafés & Coffee in Brighton

Brighton has one of the UK’s strongest independent café cultures — speciality roasters, artisan bakeries and creative brunch spots across the city.

Flour Pot Bakery — multiple locations. Outstanding sourdough, pastries and coffee.

Moksha Caffe — North Laine. Long-standing Brighton neighbourhood café, beloved by locals.

Presuming Ed — North Laine. Independent, unhurried and consistently excellent.

Lost In The Lanes — chef-led café and brunch room in the heart of Brighton.

Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Brighton

Brighton has one of the strongest plant-based dining scenes in the UK — a genuine part of the city’s food identity.

Terre à Terre — East Street
Brighton’s landmark vegetarian restaurant and one of the most significant plant-based kitchens in the UK. Experimental, inventive and genuinely delicious for over 30 years. A Brighton institution.

Iydea — Kensington Gardens
Healthy, seasonal and fast-moving lunch spot beloved by locals. Queues outside at midday — that tells you everything.

Oowee Vegan — North Laine
Plant-based burgers that have converted dedicated carnivores. The loaded fries are mandatory.

The Roundhill
The best vegan Sunday roast in Brighton. Seitan beef brisket, the city’s best nut roast.

Cocktail Bars in Brighton

Alcotraz: Cell Block One-Three
Brighton’s most talked-about immersive experience — cocktails served in a prison cell. Book well ahead.

The Plotting Parlour
Victorian gin parlour in the heart of the city. Deep armchairs, long cocktail lists.

Skylight Rooftop Bar
One of Brighton’s most dramatic settings — rooftop cocktails with views across the city.

The Rooftop at Projects Club — Ship Street
Live jazz every Thursday 5–8pm. Free entry, small plates, panoramic views.
→ Live Jazz Brighton at The Rooftop

Wine Bars in Brighton

Wild Flor — Hove
Natural wine and honest seasonal cooking. Hove’s most complete neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar.

Flint — Church Road, Hove
Wine bar and small plates with a thoughtfully curated list.

Ten Green Bottles
Brighton’s longest-running specialist wine shop and bar.

Pubs & Gastropubs in Brighton

The Basketmakers Arms — North Laine
The pub Brighton locals point visitors towards. Warm, independent, genuinely characterful. No music, no machines — good beer and good conversation.

The Cricketers — The Lanes
One of Brighton’s oldest pubs. Victorian arched ceilings and a kitchen that produces a strong weekend roast.

The Geese — Southover Street
Gastropub quality, outstanding roast potatoes, strong local following.

The Farm Tavern — Kemp Town
Eastern European small plates, legendary Bloody Marys and a Gothic interior unlike anything else in Brighton.

The Ginger Pig — Hove
Brilliant Sunday roast, strong wine list and the kind of Hove local worth making a journey for.

Earth & Stars — North Laine
Locally sourced natural ales and a food menu that takes plant-based cooking seriously.

Seafood in Brighton

Brighton’s proximity to the sea means the seafood offer is genuine — the best restaurants have direct relationships with local boats and Sussex fishmongers.

English’s of Brighton — East Street
Oysters and seafood since 1945. The raw bar and champagne list make this the natural choice for a special occasion seafood lunch.

Riddle & Finns
Champagne and oyster bar energy across two locations — the Lanes and the beachfront.

The Salt Room — Marine Parade
Brighton’s most complete seafood restaurant — outstanding views and consistently excellent cooking.

Burger & Lobster
Simple and proven — burger, lobster or lobster roll, done very well.

Dog-Friendly Cafés & Restaurants in Brighton

Brighton is one of the UK’s most dog-friendly cities. Many cafés, pubs and restaurants welcome four-legged visitors — particularly venues with outdoor seating.

The Basketmakers Arms — dogs welcome
Earth & Stars — dog-friendly pub
Flour Pot Bakery — outdoor seating at several locations
Many seafront cafés along Madeira Drive

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Brighton

Brighton welcomes families across most of its restaurant scene. The most reliably family-friendly options include:

Bills Brighton — relaxed, spacious and well set up for children
ASK Italian Brighton — children’s menu, relaxed atmosphere, courtyard terrace
Fatto a Mano — pizza, casual setting, always busy with families
Stanmer House — beautiful setting in Stanmer Park with outdoor space

Food Festivals & Events in Brighton 2026

Brighton’s love of food extends well beyond restaurants. The city hosts several major food festivals and culinary events throughout the year.

Foodies Festival — 2–4 May, Preston Park
The UK’s biggest food and drink festival returns for its 21st anniversary. Three days of star chefs, live music, Baking Theatre, Kids Cookery School, Dog Zone and street food from around the world. Headliners: Scouting For Girls, Boyzlife and B*Witched.
→ Foodies Festival Brighton 2026

BRAVO Restaurant Awards — winners announced 31 March
Brighton’s largest public food and drink vote, 10th anniversary in 2026. Voting across 18 categories — Best Restaurant, Best Café, Best Sunday Roast, Best Brunch and more.
→ BRAVO Restaurant Awards 2026

Brighton Food & Drink Festival — September
The city’s autumn food celebration — supper clubs, tasting events and industry nights across Brighton venues.

BITE Sussex — ongoing
Sussex’s food and drink industry network celebrating the county’s producers, restaurants and makers throughout the year.

FAQ — Restaurants in Brighton

What is the best restaurant in Brighton in 2026?
Maré by Rafael Cagali is Brighton’s Michelin-starred restaurant and the most talked-about table in the city. For a broader view, The Salt Room, 64 Degrees and Burnt Orange all represent Brighton cooking at its strongest.

Where is the best Sunday roast in Brighton?
The 2026 BRAVO Award winner is Embers — fire-cooked and sharing-style. Other top choices are Stanmer House, The Ginger Pig in Hove, Cyan at The Grand and The Basketmakers Arms. Book ahead for all of them.

Where is the best brunch in Brighton?
Lost In The Lanes, Crafty Egg in Kemptown, Flour Pot Bakery and Presuming Ed in the North Laine are consistently the best options.

Does Brighton have a Michelin star restaurant?
Yes. Maré by Rafael Cagali on Church Road in Hove received a Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide — Brighton’s first starred restaurant in over 40 years.

What are the best vegan restaurants in Brighton?
Terre à Terre on East Street is Brighton’s landmark vegetarian restaurant. Iydea and Oowee Vegan in the North Laine are the other essential stops. The Roundhill serves the city’s best vegan Sunday roast every Sunday from noon.

Where can I eat seafood in Brighton?
English’s of Brighton has been serving oysters and seafood since 1945. Riddle & Finns offers champagne-and-oyster bar energy. The Salt Room on Marine Parade is the most complete seafood restaurant in the city.

What are the best Italian restaurants in Brighton?
ASK Italian Brighton, Cin Cin, Fatto a Mano and IL Bistro are all strong choices. Brighton Journal reviewed ASK Italian Brighton in 2026.
→ ASK Italian Brighton Review 2026

Brighton Journal is an independent local magazine covering food, culture, events and life in Brighton & Hove. Our restaurant guides are written by local editors and updated regularly.

→ Food & Drink in Brighton