The best lunch restaurants in Hove

If you're partial to a plate fo pasta for lunch, Cin Cin is the place to be. At this spot in Hove, the menu changes monthly to reflect the seasons, but you can always expect handmade pasta, such as rigatoni with Venetian duck ragù or pork ribeye with braised cannellini beans. There's a robata charcoal grill turning out smoky specials, and a cracking line-up of aperitivos and Italian wines behind the bar. The space is relaxed but upmarket, with counter seating and a terrace for the better weather days.

Fourth and Church is one of Hove's go-to spots for people who take their food and drink seriously (but not too seriously). Their excellent-value set lunch menu is reason enough to visit, but the rest of the offering more than delivers too. The menu focuses on seasonal small plates made with local and European ingredients — think creamy burrata, rich charcuterie, and clever veggie dishes, all designed to pair perfectly with a rotating list of wines, sherries, and cocktails. The space is casual, intimate, and gives ideal date night vibes.

Wild Flor is a Hove favourite that's built its reputation on excellent cooking and one of the best wine lists in town. The menu changes with the seasons, but whatever's on, you can count on precise, French-inspired plates made with top-quality local produce. Their set lunch menu (served Wednesday to Saturday) is one of the best-value ways to experience it, and recent dishes have included poached haddock with seaweed sauce, chicken with braised lettuce and peas, and mole-glazed aubergine with salsa rosso. It's a lovely, cosy spot with a warm vibe.

Market Tapas & Wine nails that hip Hove energy with low lighting, counter seating, and the sound of clinking wine glasses. The menu changes with the seasons, but the midweek set lunch is the real deal: a couple of well-balanced courses, a glass of something, and change from twenty quid. Expect plates like gambas pil pil, porchetta, or whatever's best from the market that week. If you swing by on Sunday, they even offer a roasted, rolled Dingley-Dell Farm pork belly to share for two, accompanied by a range of snacks and tapas sides.

This tiny spot from the team behind Baby Bao serves some of the best sandwiches in town, especially their legendary bánh mì. The chicken version with Maggi-marinated thigh, pâté, and sambal mayo is a favourite, while the pork char siu is a classic. Vegans aren't left out either, thanks to the hoisin mushroom and miso aubergine options. Pair one with a Vietnamese iced coffee for a lunch that'll actually make your afternoon better.

Unithai might look like your average Thai supermarket, but locals know the real draw is through the back. Past the shelves of sauces and spices is a tiny dining area serving some of the best (and most authentic) Thai food in Brighton. The menu covers all the classics, including curries, noodles, and proper comfort dishes, all cooked with authenticity and no frills. It feels more like eating in a friend's kitchen than a restaurant.

Joe's Burgers has been flipping some of Brighton and Hove's best patties since 2012, using top-quality meat, fresh ingredients, and homemade sauces. It's a casual kind of spot with limited seating inside and a few tables outside if you fancy eating in. Most people grab theirs to go, especially with the £10 lunchtime deal, which gets you a burger, chips, and a drink. 

Fatto a Mano is one of Brighton and Hove's great local success stories. Since opening in 2015, the team has grown from a single neighbourhood pizzeria to a mini-empire stretching all the way to London. Their speciality is proper Neapolitan pizza: soft, chewy dough that's proofed for 24 hours, topped with simple, high-quality ingredients, and baked at 450 degrees for that perfect crust. The Hove branch is big and relaxed, with plenty of space inside and out, or you can grab a box to go and eat your slice of Naples right on the beach.

Follow the smell of charcoal down Church Road and you'll end up at Shiraz, one of Brighton and Hove's most-loved Persian restaurants. It's not hard to see why it won “Best Middle Eastern Takeaway” in the South of England and Wales at the 2025 Deliveroo Awards. The menu's all about flame-grilled meats, pillowy flatbreads straight from the oven, and colourful meze that are made for sharing. The space is cosy and unfussy, with big portions, warm service, and a front window that's perfect for a bit of Church Road people-watching.

In Hove, The Urchin is the kind of place that feels like a proper local pub but with a serious soft spot for seafood. The menu changes often, but you can usually expect the likes of fresh lobster, crab, and scallops, alongside specials and the occasional giant pan of paella on Sundays. Downstairs, there's a microbrewery turning out its own beers, which pair perfectly with a big bowl of mussels or chips and aioli. 

The Ginger Pig hits that ideal sweet spot between neighbourhood pub and elegant restaurant. Its weekday set lunch menu is one of the best-value meals in town, featuring comfort dishes made with local Sussex produce. Expect starters like ham hock terrine with green peppercorn mayo or chilled tomato soup with pickled cucumber, followed by bavette steak with chimichurri or fresh pappardelle with mushroom ragu. However, the menu does change based on what's in season. 

Hove Place is the kind of pub that's practically built for long lunches. There's loads of space for groups, a huge beer garden for sunny afternoons, and a menu full of hearty pub grub. Think steak sandwiches, hefty burgers, crisp fish and chips, and a few Mediterranean-inspired dishes if you're after something lighter. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel, just serving up good food, cold pints, and a laid-back vibe that makes it one of Hove's top spots to grab lunch.