The best restaurants in Brighton

Cin Cin is one of Brighton & Hove's best Italian restaurants, and everyone here knows it. What started as a catering project is now a beloved Hove spot where handmade pasta, monthly changing menus, and aperitivos are the name of the game. Sit at the counter to watch the chefs at work, or grab a terrace seat in summer. Plus a robata charcoal grill keeps things fun and tasting top-notch.

Bincho Yakitori nails the classic late-night Tokyo izakaya vibe, inspired by chef David's years in Japan. The menu changes weekly but always revolves around skewers, snacks and sharing plates grilled over natural fire, arriving as they're ready. No starters, no mains, just proper, laid-back food. The drinks list keeps pace with Japanese beers, sake, whiskies and the odd cocktail.

Burnt Orange is one of the places that is probably most talked about in Brighton when it comes to food. The focus here is on smoky, shareable plates, like wood-fired lamb, charred flatbreads, and excellent veg dishes, plus a drinks list that's as strong as the playlist whirring in the background. It's stylish without trying too hard and just fancy enough for a date. Even Jay Rayner's a fan, which basically says it all.

Tucked away on a quiet Hove street, The Little Fish Market is one of Brighton & Hove's most coveted tables. There's one chef, one menu, and one sitting per night, which means the focus is entirely on the food. Chef Duncan Ray's tasting menu changes with whatever seafood arrives on the Sussex coast that morning, resulting in elegant dishes that speak for themselves. Service is warm and unfussy, and the whole experience feels personal and special.

Pearly Cow Brighton champions the best of Sussex produce, from dry-aged local beef and Whitstable oysters to day-boat fish fresh from the coast. Expect fire-cooked plates, ice-cold raw seafood and a menu that keeps things simple, seasonal and ingredient-led. The interiors are sleek and polished, with a lively bar shaking killer cocktails, but summer belongs to The Terrace, a sun-drenched spot overlooking the seafront with sweeping sea views. Sundays make space for their much-loved roast with all the trimmings, while weekday lunches and dinners shine a light on the South Downs and surrounding waters. Private dining spaces are also available for celebrations and gatherings.

Born from a family journey spanning Gujarat, East Africa, and Brighton, this intimate 22-seater turns tradition on its head with creative small plates, such as niter-kibbeh mussels, Kalio lamb chops on coals, and corn ribs with peanut curry, perfect for sharing. Enjoy your food with handpicked wines, local beers, or a classic Kitgum cocktail, and let the soundtrack carry you through the evening. Listed as one of Brighton's Best Restaurants 2024 by Brighton's Best, and recognised by the BRAVO Best International Awards and the Good Food Guide 2024.

Over in Hove, Etch. is Steven Edwards' Michelin-recognised spot where British produce takes centre stage in multi-course tasting menus. It's set inside a former bank with moody blue walls and an open kitchen. You can choose between five, seven, or nine courses that change monthly, all showcasing the best of Sussex and its incredible produce. If you're going, book early.

Market Tapas & Wine brings a slice of Spain to Hove with tapas and a banging wine list. Expect plates of porchetta, gambas pil pil and sardines, while the wine list flits between Spanish bodegas and natural producers across Europe. It's intimate and romantic, with counter seats and small tables that work just as well for date night as a long dinner with mates.

The Salt Room is a modern British seafood spot that cooks everything over coal, using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, so the menu is constantly changing with the seasons. It's a sleek yet relaxed space that suits both celebrations and long, languorous lunches. The cocktails are a highlight too, often infused with herbs and sea spices to match the coastal setting. If you're after a proper Brighton dinner with a view, this is it.

Right in the middle of Brighton's Lanes, Embers is built around a medieval-style fire cage that turns dinner into more of a performance. Everything from the meat to the fish and the veg is cooked over wood fire, arriving at the table smoky, charred, and perfect for sharing. The vibe is lively but also pretty laid-back, with an impressive little cocktail list. 

Furna is chef Dave Mothersill's first solo venture, and it feels like a love letter to everything he's learned over two decades in Brighton's best kitchens. You'll find it tucked away on New Road, where you can choose a multi-course tasting menu that shows off British ingredients but gives them a modern European edge. Pick from dishes like mushroom agnolotti with Wiltshire truffle or salt-aged Sika deer with bitter chocolate, although the menu does change. The Georgian dining room is elegant and sets the scene perfectly for a lovely meal out. Oh and the wine pairings are thoughtful, spanning everywhere from Italy to Lebanon.

Kindling is all about great beef cooked properly over a natural charcoal grill. Since its 2024 relaunch, the vibe here is relaxed but buzzy, setting the scene perfectly for a casual date, Sunday roast, or quick steak lunch. The menu sticks to the classics, featuring top-quality steaks, burgers, and beef sandwiches with a signature smoky char. 

Halisco is on the edge of Brighton and Hove, where Mexican food is the star of the show. The menu is chock-full of dishes like tacos filled with fried soft-shell crab, oyster mushrooms, or watermelon salad dusted with tajín, all served in a cosy, dimly lit basement that's intimate and effortlessly cool. The cocktail list matches the vibe perfectly, and when dinner's over, you can head across the road to their margarita bar to keep the night going. You'll definitely need to book ahead.

Terre à Terre is a Brighton vegetarian institution, known for its playful dishes and creative use of seasonal produce. This spot proves that meat-free food can be as exciting as anything else on the table. Expect dishes like spiced cauliflower, truffle risottos, moreish desserts, and presentation that's almost too pretty to eat. The cosy interior and chatty, knowledgeable staff make it that little bit extra special.

Wild Flor opened in 2019, but fast-forward a few years, and this elegant neighbourhood restaurant on Church Road has Michelin credentials, alongside one of the best wine lists in town, and a loyal fanbase. The menu changes daily but always spotlights exceptional local produce, like freshly caught seafood, in-house butchered cuts, and seasonal veggies. The food tastes even better with a bottle from their cellar.

Riddle & Finns is a classic seafood spot in Brighton, with two locations: one in The Lanes and another on the seafront, boasting gorgeous sea views. Their menu is basically a love letter to the ocean, think oysters (six types), scallops, mussels, and seafood linguine. Whether you're tucking into a risotto while watching the waves or sipping vintage champagne with a plate of oysters while people-watching in The Lanes, this is Brightonian dining at its finest.

Bonsai Plant Kitchen is one of Brighton's most exciting vegan restaurants, and to be honest, meat-eaters love it too. The award-winning kitchen uses a traditional bincho grill and premium Japanese coal to turn seasonal produce into delicious small plates inspired by South East Asia. It has a main dining room, as well as izakaya-style booths and a leafy garden, so it's ideal for any occasion.

You can't miss the bright pink exterior of La Choza, a North Laine favourite since 2012. It's all about Mexican street food here, like soft corn tacos, loaded burritos, and daily specials. The space is cosy, colourful, and full of music and quirky artwork, proper Brighton style. Margaritas are a must, available in all sorts of flavours. It's walk-in only for smaller groups, so turn up, grab a table, and dive into a plate of proper Mexican street food.

Brighton's Indian scene has been spiced up by The Chilli Pickle since 2008, and after a brief stint away, it's back in the Lanes where it started. The menu is filled with dishes like crunchy onion bhajis, oxtail madras, creamy butter chicken, and fluffy naans (the chilli butter naan is a must-order). The intimate space makes it perfect for date nights or small groups, while the consistently brilliant food has earned it a reputation as one of the city's best Indian restaurants.

This family-run Mexican at Brighton Open Market serves authentic street food that's both affordable and zero-waste. If owner Gabriel is present when you visit, you'll probably get to enjoy a friendly chat at some point. The menu keeps things simple with a short list of classics like mole and cochinita, with vegan options. Everything is homemade using high-quality ingredients, and they even offer recipe kits to recreate the magic at home. It was even one of Brighton's best lunches at the 2025 BRAVOs.

This veggie institution in the heart of the Lanes has been serving locals and out-of-towners since 1981. Food for Friends makes plant-based food the main star using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that even leave meat-eaters impressed. The menu spans everything from casual brunches to dinner, small plates, and hearty mains, all served in a relaxed space in the heart of Brighton. 

This tiny, 20-seater restaurant on Western Road, Palmito, combines seasonal Sussex produce with flavours inspired by founder Diego's travels through Latin America, Southern Europe, and South Asia. The open kitchen and charcoal grill are at the heart of the action, creating an intimate, cosy vibe. The menu changes daily, and the wine and cocktail lists also rotates from time to time. 

Amari is from the team behind Halisco, so you know it's worth talking about. This Spanish-inspired counterpoint on London Road is all about tapas-style dishes that focus on seasonality, simplicity, and no frills, featuring only high-quality ingredients and perfectly balanced seasoning. The restaurant has quickly gained a reputation for reliably delicious Spanish cuisine since opening.

Petit Pois, tucked away in the Brighton Lanes, is a cosy French spot that nails that warm, slightly romantic bistro vibe without going OTT. The menu pays homage to classic French cooking, featuring dishes such as snails, bouillabaisse, and traditional roasts on Sundays, all made with a fresh, modern Petit Pois twist. Make sure to leave room for dessert; they have a trio of crème brûlées that's well worth ordering, and what's better than one crème brûlée? Three.

Adelfia is all about family, flavour, and proper Greek hospitality. Run by brothers Yiannis and Andreas, it has turned their Brighton spot into a love letter to the recipes they grew up with in their father's kitchen. The menu celebrates authentic Greek cooking, from meze to mains, all paired with a thoughtfully curated wine list. It's cosy, welcoming, and full of personality, making it the perfect place for a meal that transports you straight to the streets of Greece. And look out for their special Greek nights of food, live music, and plate-smashing.