The Best Restaurants in Brighton & Hove

Uncover the best restaurants in Brighton & Hove from a Londoner.

Brighton & Hove has one of the UK’s most exciting food scenes. From Michelin-starred tasting menus and exceptional modern British cooking to outstanding Italian neighbourhood restaurants, vibrant Mexican street food and some of the country’s freshest seafood, there’s an incredible amount to eat within a relatively compact city.

Having grown up in London, Brighton was always an easy escape, and somewhere I’ve returned to countless times over the years. Every visit became another excuse to try somewhere new, from long lunches in Hove to dinners tucked away in the Lanes.

Between those regular trips and more recent stays dedicated to exploring the city’s restaurant scene, I’ve gradually worked my way through many of Brighton & Hove’s standout tables.

This guide brings together the places I’d genuinely recommend, whether you’re after a special occasion meal or simply a really good dinner by the coast. These are the best restaurants in Brighton and Hove.

*This ‘best restaurants in Brighton’ guide may contain affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you.

Read more: Brighton Day Trip: A Guide to the Perfect Day in Brighton

15 Best Restaurants in Brighton & Hove, UK

1. Maré by Rafael Cagali

Maré by Rafael Cagali has quickly established itself as the benchmark for fine dining in Brighton and Hove. Led by two-Michelin-starred chef Rafael Cagali and headed day-to-day by Ewan Waller, the restaurant pairs exceptional Sussex produce with subtle Brazilian, Italian and Mediterranean influences in an elegant yet relaxed setting.

Expect beautifully executed dishes such as lobster rice with ox tongue, impeccably cooked local seafood and inventive seasonal small plates, alongside one of the city’s strongest wine lists.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion or looking for Brighton’s most ambitious dining experience, this is the table to book.

2. Cin Cin

Cin Cin, located in Hove, is one of the best Italian restaurants in Brighton and Hove, taking simple regional Italian cooking and elevating it with exceptional seasonal British produce.

Handmade pasta is the highlight, alongside inventive small plates, excellent antipasti and a carefully curated all-Italian wine list.

The menu changes with the seasons, making every visit a little different, while the relaxed neighbourhood setting gives it a warm, unfussy feel. If you’re after outstanding Italian food in Hove, this is one of the city’s essential reservations.

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3. Burnt Orange

Tucked away in Brighton’s historic Lanes, Burnt Orange is one of my all-time favourite restaurants in Brighton. It’s all about wood-fired cooking and vibrant sharing plates. The menu draws inspiration from across the Mediterranean, with dishes cooked over fire, fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables and expertly grilled meats taking centre stage.

Pair everything with one of the restaurant’s inventive cocktails (the list is fantastic) or a bottle from its well-chosen wine list, then settle into the leafy courtyard, one of the most atmospheric spots in the city for a long lunch or dinner.

4. La Choza

Mexican food isn’t always done well in the UK, but La Choza is a welcome exception. This lively Brighton favourite focuses on authentic Mexican street food, serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas and slow-cooked meats packed with bold, fresh flavours rather than watered-down, chain versions of the classics.

Wash everything down with a margarita or a local craft beer and enjoy the relaxed, colourful atmosphere. For a casual, flavour-packed meal, it’s one of the best places to eat in Brighton.

5. Palmito

Palmito is one of Brighton’s most exciting neighbourhood restaurants, blending Latin American and Asian influences into a menu built around bold, seasonal small plates.

The dishes change regularly, but if it’s on the menu, don’t miss the ceviche, which is consistently one of the city’s best. The birria is another standout and something I order whenever I visit.

Add a natural wine from the thoughtfully curated list, and you’ve got one of the most memorable meals in Brighton.

6. Wild Flor

Wild Flor is one of Hove’s standout restaurants, serving refined modern European cuisine with an emphasis on exceptional seasonal British produce.

The ever-changing menu takes subtle inspiration from French cooking, resulting in elegant, ingredient-led dishes that let quality ingredients shine. On my last visit, the oysters were outstanding, while the perfectly cooked venison was the highlight of the meal.

Pair everything with a bottle from the excellent wine list, which focuses on small European producers, and it’s easy to see why Wild Flor is considered one of the best restaurants in Brighton & Hove.

7. The Flint House

The Flint House is one of Brighton’s most reliably excellent restaurants, serving seasonal small plates with Mediterranean influences in a stylish, split-level space tucked away in the Lanes.

The menu changes regularly according to what’s at its best, but expect beautifully prepared seafood, creative vegetable dishes and expertly cooked meats designed for sharing.

Round things off with a cocktail on the rooftop terrace and you’ll have one of the city’s best dining experiences, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner.

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8. The Coal Shed

If there’s one place I always return to for steak whenever I’m back in town, it’s The Coal Shed. Widely regarded as serving one of the best steaks in Brighton, the restaurant specialises in premium British beef cooked over open flames, alongside excellent local seafood.

Don’t skip the legendary beef dripping chips, which are worth ordering in their own right, and if you’re visiting on a Sunday, the roast is one of the best in the city. It’s one of the best restaurants in Brighton for good reason.

9. Terre a Terre

Even if you don’t usually seek out vegetarian restaurants, Terre à Terre is one that’s impossible not to recommend.

Easily the best vegetarian restaurant in Brighton, it has spent decades proving that meat-free cooking can be every bit as creative, satisfying and flavour-packed as any other cuisine.

The menu is full of inventive, globally inspired dishes designed for sharing, making it a favourite with vegetarians and meat-eaters alike looking for something different. It’s one of Brighton’s true dining institutions and well worth booking ahead.

10. Riddle & Finn’s

For some of the freshest seafood in Brighton, head straight to Riddle & Finn’s. This long-standing favourite specialises in beautifully sourced oysters, shellfish and locally landed fish, all served with minimal fuss so the quality of the ingredients takes centre stage.

Pair a platter of oysters and fruits de mer with a glass of Champagne and settle into the elegant surroundings for one of the city’s classic dining experiences. It’s an essential stop for seafood lovers visiting Brighton & Hove.

11. The Chilli Pickle

For curry, The Chilli Pickle is always a great option and one I always find myself going back to. One of Brighton’s most popular Indian restaurants, it serves vibrant, contemporary Indian cuisine inspired by regional recipes from across the country.

Expect fragrant curries, excellent street food-style small plates and standout biryanis, all made with bold spices and quality ingredients. It’s perfect if you’re after a casual lunch or a lively dinner; it’s a Brighton favourite that rarely disappoints.

12. Lost in the Lanes

Start your day at Lost in the Lanes. Hidden away in the heart of Brighton’s Lanes, this stylish café is one of the city’s best places for breakfast, brunch or lunch, with a menu that changes regularly to showcase seasonal ingredients.

Expect excellent coffee, beautifully executed egg dishes, inventive brunch plates and pastries that are worth arriving early for. They also have some fantastic options for lunch and dinner, making this a great all-round choice. It’s hugely popular, so don’t be surprised if there’s a queue, especially at weekends.

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13. The Eagle

Don’t let the traditional pub exterior fool you. The Eagle serves some of the best Thai food in Brighton, with a menu packed full of authentic, boldly flavoured dishes that have earned it a loyal local following.

From fragrant curries and fiery stir-fries to rich, comforting noodle dishes, everything is cooked to order using fresh ingredients and plenty of spice. Portions are generous, prices remain refreshingly reasonable, and the atmosphere is always lively.

It’s the sort of place locals return to time and again, and one of Brighton’s most dependable spots for a great Thai meal.

14. The Geese

When Sunday rolls around, few places do it better than The Geese. This welcoming Brighton pub serves one of the best Sunday roasts in Brighton & Hove, with perfectly cooked roast meats, crisp roast potatoes, towering Yorkshire puddings and rich, deeply flavoured gravy.

Seasonal vegetables and generous portions complete the experience, while the cosy pub setting makes it an easy place to while away a lazy afternoon. Beyond the roast, there’s also a strong selection of local beers and wines, making it just as good for a pint afterwards. If you’re in Brighton on a Sunday, this is one reservation well worth making.

15. Oeuf 

If you’re serious about brunch, make time for Oeuf in Hove. As the name suggests, eggs are the star of the show, with everything from perfectly executed Eggs Benedict to indulgent seasonal specials that regularly draw queues out the door.

Don’t leave without ordering the cheese and onion crumpets, which have become something of a signature and are worth the visit alone. Pair it all with excellent coffee, and you’ll quickly see why Oeuf is considered one of the best breakfast and brunch spots in Brighton & Hove.

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