Here is a selection of places to eat that we enjoy going to in Brighton and Hove. With hundreds of restaurants nearby, this list will give you a broad choice of styles which are within a 5 or 10 minutes walk or 5 mins in a cab from Nineteen. These are genuine recommendations from the experiences of a picky “foodie” – we do not get any form of kick back from the restaurants! We’ve only written a few words on each place, so feel free to ask us questions about anywhere you like the sound of.
Terre a Terre
T: 01273 729051 www.terreaterre.co.uk 71 East Street, The Lanes
Unbelievably good vegetarian fine dining restaurant , holder of a Michelin Bib Gourmand and widely accepted as the UK’s best vegetarian restaurant. The highly inventive food will surpass your expectations of veggie cuisine. Try sharing the tapas plate for a starter, or a late afternoon snack. This is a very special place which will stay in your mind for a long time.
Chilli Pickle
T:01273 323824 www.thechillipicklebistro.co.uk 42 Meeting House lane, The Lanes
already winning awards, this is the most exciting menu and food I’ve seen for a long time! Nothing like what we Brits call “an indian”; these are real Indian flavours and dishes, superbly balanced with top quality ingredients and a modern flair. A lighter lunchtime menu offers Indian street food, or you can just pop in for afternoon Chai (Tea).
Sevendials
T: 01273 885555 www.sevendialsrestaurant.co.uk 1-3 Buckingham place, Seven Dials – 5 min in a cab from hotel
2 AA Rosettes, very popular, serving excellent modern British food which is locally sourced where possible. This used to be a bank and the vaults in the basement is now a private dining room! Good wines and an interesting menu from talented ex-west end chef/proprietor Sam Metcalf. Terrace outside for when it’s sunny. Free aperitif offer for guests of Nineteen!
Sam’s of Brighton
T: 01273 676222 www.samsofbrighton.co.uk 1 Paston Place, Kemp Town
Sam Metcalf (of Sevendials) has opened a more casual bistro, serving great quality dishes at excellent prices. The menu changes daily, with mostly locally sourced fayre, and a good affordable wine list. I had the best pork belly I’ve had for ages, for just £9. Free aperitif offer for guests of Nineteen!
Mai Ped, Ped Ped
T: 01273 73 73 73 Market Street, The Lanes.
Good, authentic Thai. Basic décor, but excellent, really delicious food. The Jungle Herb Salad is superb and hot. Not everything is spicy though (try the fantastic stuffed squid). They do a great Thai tapas menu at lunchtime; prices are small but portions are large, so order to share.
Sabai
T:01273 773030 www.sabaibrighton.co.uk Prince’s Place
A new Thai “gastrobar” offering very tasty food in a beautifully styled dining room complete with water feature, dark wood tables and chairs, plus some traditional tables where you sit on the floor. The menu offers classics you will know as well as some very good regional Thai food. Pleasant location next to the Royal Pavilion gardens.
Graze
T:01273 823707 www.graze-restaurant.co.uk 42 Western Road, Hove
A short cab ride away, this is a real gem offering wonderful produce cooked with exceptional talent by Chef/Proprietor Adrian Geddes. It’s been here a few years, but i only went for the first time at the end of 2009 and I was blown away by the food and wine! Their 7 course tasting menu is legendary. With Kate running an efficient front of house, Graze now has 2 AA rosettes.
Indian Summer
T:01273 711001 www.indian-summer.org.uk 69 East Street, The Lanes
Excellent quality indian restaurant presenting authentic dishes in a modern style; a real gem and nothing like your local curry house. Good for lunch too – try the tiffin boxes!
Due South
T: 01273 821218 www.duesouth.co.uk 139 King’s Road Arches.
One of Brighton’s most renowned destinations. Good modern cuisine using excellent fresh locally sourced, traceable ingredients. The seafood is great and the sussex downs lamb and beef is splendid. It’s not cheap, but the quality shines through. Fab location, right down on beach level, which is perfect for summer dining on their terrace, watching the sun set. *Nineteen guests receive a free glass of Champagne!
Fishy Fishy
t: 01273 723750 www.fishyfishy.co.uk 36 East St. The Lanes
TV’s Dermott O’Leary opened this well-priced fish restaurant in the Lanes in june 09. Good local and sustainable fish, plus some meat dishes. (sustainable) fish’n’chips at £9.95 was excellent, with the best minted mushy peas I’ve eaten. Dermott loves Brighton and is regularly down here working front of house.
La Capannina
T 01273 680839 15 Madeira Place, Kemp Town
On the road just behind Nineteen is this excellent Italian. It’s not a modern trendy place, but its pasta is great and it has a real wood-fired kiln to bake terrific pizzas. Portions are big and prices are the best you’ll see down here!
the Gingerman www.gingermanrestaurants.com
Excellent, first rate and stylish food in Hove (T:01273 326688). This is excellent relaxed Fine Dining. I regard it as among the best food in Brighton. Recently refurbished.
Gars
T 01273 321321 19 Prince Albert St., the Lanes.
Brighton’s best Chinese restauarant serves great fresh produce with wonderful flavours. Very good value and wide ranging menu. Sit upstairs for a real chinatown feel.
Riddle & Finn’s
T:01273 323008 www.riddleandfinns.co.uk 12b Meeting House Lane
If you are looking for seafood down here, then this is the place for you: easily the freshest and the best, in a buzzing venue in the Lanes. Owned by the guys behind Due South, the shared marble high tables add to the atmosphere which reminds me of a Parisian oyster bar. There’s no booking but swift turnrounds mean you won’t have to wait long.
Food For Friends
T 01273 202310 www.foodforfriends.com Prince Albert Street, the Lanes.
Brighton’s most established Vegetarian restaurant serves excellent food which is more homely than the fancy stuff at Terre a Terre. Very good lunchtime offers.
Murasaki
T 01273 326231, 115 Dyke Road
A short cab ride away is a small, excellent and authentic Japanese restaurant offering a range of very well prepared fresh produce including Sashimi, Sushi, & Tempura. But not just the standard types you get in Anglo-Japanese places – try sea urchin sashimi for a powerful taste of the ocean. The crab dishes and black cod are very good.
Cafes, Pubs, & Bars with Food
Bill’s Produce Store
T 01273 692894 The Depot, North Road, North Laine
Terrific, tasty and (mostly) healthy food in this diner-come-fruit & Veg store which has become a Brighton institution and won numerous national awards since it opened in 2005. Very busy at weekends, (they take bookings in the evenings but not during the day), but don’t worry you could end up sharing a bench table with a celeb (just everyone likes to be seen there!). Some of the best customer service in town – they even have hot water bottles to snuggle if you’re cold!
The Sussex Yeoman
This intimate and friendly pub close to the station has a real “local” feel and offers some of the best food in brighton right now. Order from the specials board and you’ll get superb locally sourced food prepared by chefs formerly at one of the City’s top restaurants.
The Dorset
T: 01273 605423 28 North Road, in the North Laine conservation area.
A pub-cum-bistro serving classic French bistro food and daily fresh fish at fair prices. Famous for its moules, and the best value pan-fried fois gras this side of the channel!
The Ginger Dog
T 01273 620990 www.gingermanrestaurants.com 12 College Place, Kemp Town
The latest pub with food, by the Gingerman group. It hopes to follow the other 2 in the local group by getting a Michelin Bib Gourmand for quality and value.
The Ginger Pig is in Hove and the Ginger Fox in the countryside outside Brighton.
The Tin Drum
There are a couple of these bars in Brighton and both serve surprisingly good food; the nearest is just a 3 minute stroll from Nineteen. Delicious home made burgers and soups offer quality comfort food, but there are more sophisticated dishes too.
Bom-Bane’s
T:01273 606400 www.bom-banes.co.uk 24 George Street (1 minute’s walk away)
A quirky café owned by musicians, selling delicious well-sourced food from a small menu with a Belgian influence. You eat at mechanical tables which do strange things!! It’s bizarre, very different, very cool, very relaxed: This is Brighton!
Pub du Vin
Operated by, and next door to, Hotel Du Vin on Ship Street, this is a new venture offering high quality pub food, a selection of local ales, as well as standard pub drinks. Booking not essential, and kitchen opened until 2145hrs.
CHAINS
Carluccio’s
T:01273 690493 www.carluccios.com Corner of Jubilee Street/Church Street, North Laine. Half the tables are bookable, Half for “walk-ups”.
The latest of Antonio Carluccio’s restaurant & deli chain opened last year. This is top notch Italian at reasonable prices. The quality fo the food is well above your expectations of a “chain” restaurant. There’s a deli too, with the best parma ham in town.
Jamie’s Italian
Black Lion Street, The Lanes www.jamiesitalian.com
This place competes very well with Carluccio’s on price, quality of ingredients and taste, with a good range of Italian dishes given the Jamie Oliver treatment. Very tasty food prepared in open kitchens by friendly and knowledgable staff. No advance bookings taken, except for groups.
Wagamama
North Road, North Laine
Part of the popular chain, with a real buzz about it. No booking, but the weekend queue moves quickly. fast service, good value and very tasty noodle dishes.
Hotel Du Vin
T: 01273 718588 Ship Street, The Lanes
Part of the hotel chain. good food, Very French (including the service!) and great wines. Not cheap, but worth it. You also get to hang out in the hotel bar to spot local celebs and admire the well-stocked humidor.
Pizza Express
No bookings. Jubilee Gardens, North Laine
If you like Pizza Express you’ll love this fabulous new restaurant in an annexe to the architecturally award winning Jubilee Library. A fantastic venue in a superb location, right in the heart of the North Laine area.
Moshi Moshi
T: 01273 719195 www.moshimoshi.co.uk Bartholomew Square, The Lanes
Conveyor belt and table service, ethically and sustainably sourced Sushi, sashimi as well as hot food. Cool Japanese style building, which the City planners somehow allowed right outside the Town Hall! Good atmosphere at night, but great for lunch on a sunny day where you can sit outside in the square without the traffic buzzing past.
Table
T: 01273 900383 www.tablebrighton.co.uk at MyHotel in the North Laine.
Pleasant modern British in a good spot for lunch if you’re wandering the North Laines shopping, or if you fancy dinner in the area. Very good value lunches including sunday roasts.
Tea and Coffee
The Tea Cosy
3 George Street, www.theteacosy.co.uk
Just around the corner from Nineteen is this fabulously camp, over the top royalist tea room, which you might have seen on TV recently. Kitch, crass, great fun – it’s sooo Kemp Town!
Red Roaster
1D St James’ Street. www.redroaster.co.uk
Brighton’s best coffee shop is 1 minute away from us. They roast their own beans on site (Nineteen uses some of them!) and offer a terrific selection of coffees in a convivial atmosphere, along with light bites too. This place is the real deal – there’s no need to venture into Starbucks, which is on the same road.