Best restaurants in Brighton

Maré by Rafael Cagali

★ Michelin£££Modern Cuisine

‘Maré’ translates to ‘tide’ in Portuguese, reflecting the ever-changing seasonality of the cooking at this neighbourhood restaurant from the acclaimed chef behind London’s Da Terra. The beautiful interior is sleek and modern, while the cooking draws on influences from Cagali’s Brazilian roots, along with forays into the Mediterranean, Mexico and Japan. Sharing is encouraged, although you’ll be loath to give up any of the signature ‘baba au cachaça’. Service is warm, genial and caring, with many dishes delivered by the chefs.

The Flint House

Bib Gourmand££Modern Cuisine

Brighton’s famous Lanes district plays host to this fashionable brasserie hidden inside a red-brick and flint-stone house that was one home to the city's renowned Hannington's department store. Enjoy a drink on the terrace of the first-floor cocktail bar, then head down to the buzzy main room dominated by an open kitchen and a stainless-steel counter. There's something for everyone among the colourful small plates that take on global influences and burst with freshness and flavour. Many of the good value wines are also offered by the glass.

Burnt Orange

Bib Gourmand££Mediterranean Cuisine

Hidden away within Brighton's famous Lanes, it's easy to miss this fun, relaxed spot. That would be a great shame, as it's a terrific place with retro music on the speakers and cocktails flying out from behind the bar. The menu slots in perfectly with the culinary trends of the times, offering a selection of sharing plates based on produce cooked over a wood-burning fire. Look out for the Middle Eastern and North African influences, such as the creative, beautifully golden leek and spinach pastilla.

Palmito

Bib Gourmand££Asian, South American

A pink neon sign beckons you into this wonderful little neighbourhood restaurant that's all about small plates and big flavours. The style of the food is described as ‘spice driven’ and draws on multiple global cuisines across the selection of affordable dishes, be that scallops with ancho chilli butter or Keralan fried chicken. The décor is simple and understated, but the cooking is bold and interesting, with an appropriate degree of care taken in the kitchen. Kick your evening off with a colourful cocktail, and make sure to end it with a delicious dessert.

Cin Cin

Bib Gourmand££italian

Cin Cin’s loyal band of customers come for its wallet-friendly Italian cuisine, where fresh ingredients are simply cooked and natural flavours are allowed to shine. You can create a different experience every time you visit by sitting in a different place: in front of the open kitchen, at the horseshoe counter, gazing out the window onto the street or in the calmer rear room. Wherever you choose, the terrific homemade pasta is a must – such as strozzapretti with wild mushrooms, pickled shallots and parmesan. An all-Italian wine list completes the picture.

Tutto

££italian

This smart Italian brasserie sits inside a transformed former bank and can be easily spotted by the large black-and-gold clock adorning its outside wall – in summer, the pavement terrace is a prime spot. The cooking follows an ingredient-led Italian philosophy, providing satisfyingly intense flavours in dishes such as pappardelle with a seasonally changing ragu or roasted cod with a punchy puttanesca. The friendly, knowledgeable service and all-Italian wine list complete the picture.

Dilsk

£££Modern British

Visit this intimate and slightly moody spot inside the Drakes Hotel and you will likely be treated to some of the delicious, red-brown seaweed – more commonly known as dulse – after which the restaurant is named. Both the Short and Full tasting menus on offer include colourful dishes that are the epitome of modern British cuisine, like hogget with wild garlic and purple sprouting broccoli. The roster of well-chosen wines offers less-common choices that complement the food well.

Furna

£££Modern Cuisine

This stylish city centre restaurant is the first solo venture for Chef-Owner Dave Mothersill, who has been a fixture of the Brighton food scene for some time and brings an array of techniques to his precisely crafted dishes. The food is largely served by the proud chefs and focuses on seasonal British produce, with a few international influences and a creative edge. A chic mix of vintage and contemporary décor helps to enhance the experience, with counter seating available to make the most of the fully open kitchen.

Embers

££Modern Cuisine

Tucked away in the heart of Brighton’s famous Lanes, you’ll find this contemporary bistro with a big, wood-fired heart. Their ethos is all about sharing food with friends around a fire, with a menu that combines small plates like charred broccoli with centrepiece dishes for sharing, such as venison rump or whole sea bass. As you would expect, plenty of smoky flavour comes through in the well-executed, accessible dishes.

Amari

££Spanish

Look out for the bright-red exterior that draws you like a beacon to this Spanish-inspired restaurant tucked down a busy side street in the north of the city. The simply decorated setting keeps the focus on the food, with a menu full of dishes that deliver on their promise: the croquetas are creamy, the crudo is refreshing and the suckling pig is prepared with skill. The wine list is expectedly Spanish in its focus, while the selection of sherries is the ideal way to kick off the evening.

The Set

££££Modern Cuisine

An intimate and rustic spot, this bistro-style restaurant has only seven tables and offers a pleasingly personable dining experience. Everyone is served together at 7pm, so be sure to arrive on time for the multi-course tasting menu that features small plates with a creative and playful streak. Japan has the biggest influence on the menu, from tempura and a short sushi serving to tomato dashi with ricotta – although there's still room for a spicy lamb taco too. High-quality produce runs throughout, resulting in some well-defined flavours.

🕐 Mo-Su,PH 09:00-16:00

Gingerman

£££Modern Cuisine

The flagship of the Gingerman Group is a long-standing neighbourhood restaurant a short way from the sea. It has a slight Scandic look and an intimate feel. Understated modern dishes provide plenty of appeal and have an unforced natural style and good clarity of flavour.

Little Fish Market

£££seafood

As the name implies, fish is the focus at this unassuming restaurant, which is fittingly located in a converted fishmonger’s opposite the old Victorian fish market. For many years, passionate chef-owner Duncan Ray has been quietly cooking, refining and pushing his restaurant forward – and he is ever-present in the dining room, ensuring his guests are having a good time. The 6 course set menu is packed with skilful seafood cookery which demonstrates great balance and understanding of the ingredients.

Wild Flor

££Modern British

A group of lifelong friends own this relaxed neighbourhood restaurant, and they lead the service with obvious pride. The room takes on a modern bistro style and there’s a pleasingly unpretentious feel to the place. Well-prepared, seasonally changing dishes – try the goose rillettes with redcurrants in the winter – have a similarly unfussy style and good depth of flavour.

etch. by Steven Edwards

££££Modern British

An attractive former bank plays host to this lively modern restaurant, where an open kitchen and bar take centre stage in the dining room. Tersely described tasting menus deliver ambitious, technique-driven dishes with bold flavours and intriguing textures; Steven's signatures include a marmite brioche and his take on 'dippy egg'. The wine list offers a good selection from Sussex and cocktails are available in the basement Ink Bar, so-called because the premises was once a tattoo parlour.

The Ginger Pig

££Modern British

The whole package is here at The Ginger Pig: an early 20C inn near the seafront; a restaurant offering an extensive choice of British favourites and Mediterranean classics; bespoke cocktails; charming staff who are attentive and on the ball; and, finally, comfy bedrooms upstairs for those wishing to make a night of it.

Ginger Fox

££Modern British

Situated on the edge of the woods, this long-standing thatched pub is full of character and you can't help but be carried away by the team's cheerful energy. It's run by the Gingerman Group, primarily based in Brighton, with this acting as their country outpost hidden away in the South Downs. Pubby favourites like Welsh rarebit or prawns with Marie Rose sauce are all present and correct, as are dishes with a little more flair; whatever you choose, the kitchen will lavish the same care upon it. The wine list includes some locally grown options.