The best lunch in Brighton

A proper local spot with a butcher on one side and a bakery on the other, Canham & Sons has been feeding Hove for decades, and it's still one of the best places for a bite to eat at midday. You'll find homemade sandwiches for under a fiver, hot pulled pork baguettes and sausage rolls with mustard slathered inside, plus shortbread that's dangerously moreish. Breakfast's also a great shout, with hearty full English options to kick off the day right. Expect a queue at lunchtime, but it moves fast and it's absolutely worth it.

In the heart of Brighton's North Laine, at We Love Falafel, everything's fresh, made right there behind the counter, and packed with herbs for that bright green middle you never see in dry supermarket falafel. Expect combos like basil and cashew or smoky paprika, all vegetarian with plenty for vegans and the gluten-free crowd. The place has a relaxed, local feel and has become a proper North Laine lunch stop where you can grab something filling without it feeling heavy on the body or the wallet.

Right in the middle of Brighton's North Laine, Iydea has been keeping locals filled up with hearty, veggie lunches for years. It's a canteen-style setup where you mix and match from a counter of fresh, colourful dishes, like curries, roasted veg, and bright salads that actually fill you up. Everything's made with seasonal ingredients, and even committed carnivores tend to walk away impressed.

Earl's might just do the best bánh mì in Brighton & Hove. From the team behind Baby Bao, this little spot bakes its baguettes fresh each day and fills them with things like Maggi-marinated chicken, pork char siu, or hoisin mushrooms for the vegans. There's sambal mayo, liver pâté, and all sorts of brilliant extras, plus a Vietnamese iced coffee that'll keep you going through the afternoon.

Serving Middle Eastern comfort food since 2013, this Western Road favourite keeps things simple. Everything is made in-house, affordable, and packed with the best ingredients. Their signature falafel is made with organic chickpeas, a 30-year-old family recipe, with a crispy shell and a soft centre. It's easily one of the best in the city. Enjoy it with their creamy hummus, fresh salads, or grab a wrap or salad box for an easy lunch on the move.

Over in Hove, Fourth & Church is all about the kind of relaxed, wine-filled lunch that Brighton loves. The set lunch menu's excellent value, but everything here feels well considered, with small plates built around local, seasonal ingredients and creative European flavours. One day it's burrata and charcuterie, the next a rich veggie dish with a sherry pairing. The atmosphere is cosy without trying too hard, and the staff actually know their stuff when it comes to wine. 

At Pommy's Pizza in the Imperial Arcade, it's all about proper NYC-style slices served from behind a stainless-steel counter. The menu keeps things classic, with options like pepperoni, Margherita, and square Sicilian-style pies, with house-made sauces and imported Italian tomatoes. The drinks are also great, featuring a range of softs as well as craft beers. You can enjoy a takeaway or take a seat inside the red neon-lit restaurant.

Right in Brighton's Open Market, Bāyit Bagels, run by siblings Oli and Abi Itkin, is all about freshly made bagels filled with the best fillings. It's got a striking terracotta front and the smell of freshly baked bagels drifting out the door. The bagels themselves are soft inside, chewy outside, and come with fillings like smoked salmon, chopped egg, or classic schmear. It's bright, friendly, and already pulling a loyal crowd.

Carne is one of Hove's best-value midday options thanks to its weekday set lunch menu, which runs from 12pm to 5pm. It's a good option when you want something delicious and well-made without it feeling overly heavy, with dishes that usually include steaks, salads, and well-made classics that suit a quick break or a slow afternoon. The menu changes often enough to keep it interesting, and if you're after a lunch that feels a bit more considered than the usual grab-and-go, Carne is an easy shout.

Over in Brighton's Open Market, Casazul brings proper Mexican street food vibes to the city. This family-run spot focuses on authentic fare, like their slow-cooked cochinita, rich mole, and zingy vegan versions of each. The vibe's casual and community-driven, and there's a clear zero-waste ethos running through it, from packaging to homemade sauces. It's the kind of place that keeps regulars coming back, and it's easy to see why it's earned its spot as one of Brighton's best-value lunches.

In Brighton's Lanes, Burnt Orange is for when you want a slightly fancier lunch. The menu has earned awards in Brighton, thanks to dishes like wood-fired lamb, charred flatbreads, and veggie dishes served alongside clever cocktails and an upbeat soundtrack. It's the sort of place that works just as well for a long lunch as it does a casual dinner, with a buzzy, low-lit vibe that feels a little special without going full fancy. Even Jay Rayner's a fan, which says it all.

Located just off Cromwell Road, Tom's Sandwich Shop is a proper local favourite, and the kind of place Hove regulars love. After years in the sandwich game, Tom knows exactly what he's doing. The menu covers freshly made sandwiches, salads, jacket potatoes and, when it's cold out, big bowls of soup, all made with seasonal, local ingredients. The coffee's great too, thanks to Lewes roaster Tigermoth. 

Lost in the Lanes sits right in the middle of Brighton's Lanes, where the lunch menu leans Mediterranean, with a focus on Sussex produce. Choose from a list of fresh salads, colourful plates, and plenty of wine options if you're not in a rush. The space is bright and modern, great for solo lunches or group catch-ups, and the service is relaxed but sharp. They also do a popular bottomless brunch, but lunch here might be the move if you want things a bit calmer.

In Hove, Wild Flor is the place for those who like their lunches slow, seasonal, and paired with good wine. The set lunch menu changes regularly but always hits the mark, with recent dishes including poached haddock with seaweed sauce and mole-glazed aubergine. Expect refined but unfussy cooking and a calm, sophisticated atmosphere that still feels neighbourhood-y. A solid choice for anyone who likes their midday meal to feel like an occasion.

With unbeatable views of Brighton's seafront and the ruins of the West Pier, The Salt Room does modern British seafood that feels fresh and coastal without being over the top. Everything's smoked over coal, from the catch of the day to their signature sharing plates. The cocktails are a highlight too, often built around herbs and sea-inspired flavours. It's sleek but relaxed, with a menu that changes frequently enough to keep locals coming back.

In Brighton's city centre, Kindling keeps things simple and smoky with a team that cooks everything, from burgers to top-quality British steaks, over charcoal. Since reopening under new ownership, the place has found its groove again, striking a balance between casual and upmarket. It's great for a long lunch, a date, or even a quick steak sandwich if you're in a hurry. Expect good produce, done right, with decent price tags.

Over in Kemptown, The Social Board is all about sexy sandwiches, and they mean it. Think stacked wagyu, fried chicken, or the cheekily named Cluck Me, plus loaded fries drenched in things like katsu curry sauce or peppercorn gravy. The vibe's laid-back and a bit cheeky, with a loyal crowd that clearly gets the memo. It's more takeaway than sit-down, but that's part of the fun.

On North Street, The Coal Shed is Brighton's home of live-fire cooking. Expect dry-aged steaks, South Coast seafood, and a menu that's big on smoky, charred flavours. The dining room's smart but comfortable, and there's a separate cocktail bar if you fancy a drink before your food. DJs play from Thursday to Saturday, and Sundays are all about proper roasts. It's one of those Brighton institutions that still manages to feel current.

In Hove, La Tapa Loca brings Mediterranean-inspired vibes to the Brighton–Hove border. Mornings mean brunches, organic coffee, and matcha lattes; later in the day, it's all about small plates, good wine, and lazy lunches that spill into the evening. The space is calm and stylish with warm woods and soft lighting, and a gorgeous spiral staircase leading to more seating upstairs.

Brighton's homegrown pizza heroes, Fatto a Mano, have gone from one small shop to a mini-empire. Their Neapolitan-style pizzas are soft, chewy, and blistered in all the right places, topped with everything from classic margherita to nduja and ricotta. Each dough rests for 24 hours before hitting the 450-degree oven. The atmosphere's buzzy, casual, and very Brighton, perfect for a lunch that's quick and always satisfying.

Foodilic has been part of Brighton's healthy-eating scene for years, and it's still one of the most reliable spots for a quick, nutritious lunch. Their all-day café on Western Road sets out a colourful spread of salads, hot dishes and raw desserts, and you can fill a plate for under a tenner. It's the kind of place where you can stop in for a juice, grab something after the gym or pick up a casual lunch while wandering between the shops. Nothing fussy, just fresh, generous food that actually leaves you feeling good.