Best Restaurants Brighton

Looking for somewhere amazing to eat in Brighton? This seaside gem has come a long way from just fish and chips on the beach (though there’s still plenty of that if you fancy it!)

Now, there are a catalogue of reasons you could be in Brighton – the sea air, a sporting event, to see The Royal Pavilion, a celebration. or to soak up the sensational LGBTQ+ scene. Or maybe, you’re just lucky enough to live here!

What makes Brighton unique is how it caters for literally everyone, catering for all kinds of occasions and tastebuds. It was doing the veggie thing long before it became trendy (Food for Friends has been around since the 70s!), and now you’ll find everything from authentic Yemeni food to high-end Japanese.

You might fancy something classic and simple, or exquisitely unique. Or something spicy and quirky, or a just quick bite to eat! Well lucky me, I like to go round eating all kinds of cuisines and reviewing venues. What a treat Brighton was. Check out some of my favourite spots, and what you can expect from them.

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Fine Dining for Special Occasions

The Little Fish Market

I went here last month – had to book six weeks ahead, mind you! But it was worth it – a very special dining experience from beginning to end. We went for the full tasting menu, and I don’t think I’ve ever had seafood so fresh.

The chef (Duncan Ray) changes the menu constantly depending on what’s been caught, which just goes to show how fresh the fish is and how skilled the chefs are. My standout dish was this perfect piece of turbot with the most incredible sauce I’ve ever tasted. And the service was spot on. Every dish gets explained to you (which is handy if you don’t like relying on visuals only, as some dishes you just wouldn’t be able to figure out!).

It’s not on the budget end of the spectrum – our bill came to about £200 for two with the wine pairing – but for a really special occasion, it’s worth every penny. The lunchtime menu is a bit more affordable at £35 if you’re watching the pennies.

Location: 53 Upper Market Street, Hove BN3 1AS Contact: 01273 722213

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Burnt Orange

Had a girls’ night here recently one weekend and we were all blown away. The place has this perfect balance of being fancy but not stuffy – beautiful decor but still relaxed enough that you can have a real laugh with your friends.

The food is designed for sharing, which I really love. We ordered about 8 dishes between three of us, and every single one was delicious. The lamb shoulder with tahini was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and their roasted aubergine dish made even my veggie-hating friend a convert!

And please, whatever you do, save room for their sparkling sorbet cocktail – it’s this amazing concoction with prosecco that comes with a scoop of sorbet. Gorgeous.

It’s pricier than average (about £50-70 per person including drinks) but the quality justifies it. Book ahead though – this place is seriously popular.

Location: 59 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL Contact: 01273 929923

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Flint House

Popped in here on a whim when shopping and managed to snag a table on their rooftop. Such a find! The restaurant is in Hanningtons Lane, which is this recently developed little area that’s become quite the foodie hotspot.

The menu is small plates (seems like everywhere is these days, doesn’t it?), but they’re all absolutely delicious. The blue cheese crumpets sound weird but taste incredible – my boyfriend practically licked the plate clean! And their slow-roasted lamb shoulder was so tender it just fell apart. Their roast dinners are spectacular, so if that’s what you fancy, this place is a strong option.

The cocktails are pretty special too – I had this amazing whisky sour with a red wine float that looked as gorgeous as it tasted. Great for impressing visitors from London who think Brighton’s all about fish and chips!

Location: 13 Hanningtons Lane, Brighton BN1 1GS Contact: 01273 916333

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Independent Gems For Foodie Adventures

These smaller, independent places might not look much from the outside, but trust me – they’re serving some of the most exciting food in the city.

Bincho Yakitori

Oh my days, this place is amazing. It’s pretty unassuming from the outside – you could easily walk past it – but inside it’s this vibey, authentic Japanese grill restaurant.

Watching the chefs cook the yakitori skewers over charcoal right in front of you is half the fun. We ordered a selection of skewers – the pork belly was out of this world – and then a few side dishes. The hispi cabbage with miso butter sounds simple but was probably the best cabbage I’ve ever eaten (never thought I’d say that about cabbage!).

We spent about £40 each including sake, and the quality is incredible. The restaurant’s pretty small though, so book ahead if you can, especially at weekends.

Location: 63 Preston Street, Brighton BN1 2HE Contact: 01273 779021

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Embers

Took my dad here when he visited and he’s still talking about it months later! This place is all about cooking over fire, and you can really taste the difference. The whole restaurant smells amazing as soon as you walk in.

The standout dish was this huge rib of beef that had been slow-cooked for hours – it was so tender you could cut it with a spoon. But actually, even the vegetables were incredible – they do this thing with caramelised celeriac that I’ve been trying (and failing) to recreate at home.

And I have to mention their Sunday roast – it just won “Best Roast” in the Brighton Restaurant Awards, and I can totally see why. The Yorkshire puddings are the size of your head!

Book well in advance for Sundays – they fill up weeks ahead.

Location: 5 Jubilee Street, Brighton BN1 1GE Contact: 01273 609692

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Yemen Mandi

This place is such a brilliant find – perfect when you want something completely different! Went with some friends and we ordered way too much food because everything sounded so good (and it’s super affordable).

The bread here is absolutely massive – like, literally the size of the table – and comes fresh from their clay oven. We tore off pieces and used it to scoop up this amazing lamb dish called mandi that’s cooked in a tandoor.

Oh, and definitely try the kibdeh – it’s a spiced lamb liver dish that sounds weird but is absolutely delicious, even if you don’t normally like liver (I don’t, but I loved this!).

The whole meal came to about £15 each, which is an absolute bargain for the quality and quantity of food. It gets busy with locals, which is always a good sign!

Location: 9 London Road, Brighton BN1 4JA Contact: 01273 945895

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Best For Seafood By The Shore

The Salt Room

If exciting seafood is what you fancy this place is absolutely perfect. We got a window table with a view of the West Pier ruins as the sun was setting – talk about romantic!

The Salt Room really knows how to cook seafood properly. I had the most amazing whole sea bream that was charred on the outside and perfectly moist inside. My husband went for their famous surf board – a selection of different seafood including oysters, prawns and mussels. The portions are really generous too.

Whatever you do, save room for their ‘Taste of the Pier’ dessert – it’s this incredible sharing platter of seaside-inspired sweets like candy floss, doughnuts and ice cream. Such a clever idea and absolutely delicious.

It’s about £60-80 per person with wine and worth every penny with the quality of the food and the stunning view.

Location: 106 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2FU Contact: 01273 929488

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Budget-Friendly Bites That Wow

Halisco

I’m slightly obsessed with this place and end up here whenever I’m in Brighton. Their fish tacos are absolutely to die for – crispy battered fish, crunchy slaw and this amazing chipotle mayo. I dream about them, seriously!

The atmosphere is always buzzing, especially on Friday nights when they do 2-for-1 on their coconut margaritas (dangerous but delicious!). It’s the kind of place where you can turn up in flip-flops and still have an amazing meal.

Most main dishes are under £10, so it’s perfect when you want a proper meal out whatever your budget. They don’t take bookings though, so be prepared to wait a bit at peak times – though they’ll usually offer you a drink at the bar while you do.

Location: 12 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3WA Contact: 01273 945678

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Hidden Gem Worth Seeking Out

Tutto

This gorgeous little Italian place opened last year and it’s quickly become one of my favourites. It’s run by a couple – he’s in the kitchen, she handles front of house – and you can really feel the love they put into the place.

The menu isn’t huge, but everything on it is done perfectly. The crab tagliolini was just heaven – fresh pasta with the most delicate crab sauce. And their salt-baked celeriac dish proved that vegetarian food can be just as exciting as meat dishes.

The wine list is exclusively Italian and the owner is happy to recommend something to match your food. I tried a Sicilian white I’d never heard of and loved it so much I took a photo of the bottle to look for it in shops!

Location: 20 Bedford Place, Brighton BN1 2PT Contact: 01273 917710

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Final Thoughts

So that’s my personal guide to eating out in Brighton – there’s so much more I could have included, but these are the spots I genuinely return to again and again.

What I love about Brighton’s food scene is that it keeps evolving. New places are opening all the time, and established restaurants keep upping their game to stay competitive.

Just remember that the really popular spots like The Little Fish Market and Burnt Orange book up weeks in advance, so don’t leave it to the last minute if you’ve got your heart set on somewhere special.

And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry – places like Mandi and Halisco prove you can eat incredibly well without spending a fortune. Or try hitting the fancier places at lunchtime when they often do set menus at a fraction of the dinner price.