Brighton Restaurant Guide

“A massive cult favourite among people in the know in Brighton”, this Lanes outfit from Pamela & Ben McKellar’s Gingerman group is “now almost impossible to get into”, due to the fame of its small plates with “really interesting flavour combinations and seasoning”. It’s also “extremely good value”, thanks to “incredibly good use of cheap ingredients”. “Wish this was in London – but it’s a good reason to go to Brighton!”

“A fun, cheerful Mexican atmosphere” and “enjoyable, fresh tasting” street food dishes can still make “an excellent standby” of this stalwart chain, which has 10 sites in London nowadays. “Even if nothing on the menu is going to wow, its consistent quality and value are reassuring”, with ratings and popularity starting to regain their historic high standing since a majority stake was sold to Nando’s owner, Dick Enthoven, a couple of years ago.

“A bustling Italian pizzeria with huge helpings of food like Mama makes” in the heart of the Lanes. “Comforting and joyous” – it provides “value-for-money pastas and pizzas and is ideal for outings with young family members”.

This “wonderful little venue” in Brighton’s Lanes (with an offshoot near the seafront) scores highly for its “incredibly fresh fish and seafood”. There’s a “real buzzy atmosphere”, too, that sometimes makes it “a bit of a madhouse” – a small price to pay for somewhere that “performs this well in a tourist hot-spot”.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Great British Menu winner Michael Bremner’s Lanes 20-seater is still one of Brighton’s more interesting culinary destinations. For “committed foodies”, it provides an “amazing experience”, with “sensational dishes of seasonal food – I even tried squirrel!”. “Presentation is beautiful and sitting at the pass just adds to the experience”.

“Lovely tasty veggie” cooking has drawn plaudits for this Lanes veteran for more than 40 years, which these days takes inspiration from global cuisines, including Chinese, Sicilian, Sri Lankan and Vietnamese. Botanique, its younger sibling, is in nearby Hove. Top Menu Tip – “I hope the sweetcorn is on the menu forever”.

“If you want your meal dripping down your chest, this is the place!” – “very consistent and superb-tasting burgers” again win a big thumbs-up for this expanding chain, which in 2022 adds branches in first Northcote Road, then Canary Wharf. Top Menu Tips – their classic ‘Ari Gold’ and ‘Smokey Robinson’ options are consistently great (cooked rare on request); vegetarian burgers get upvoted; and any “monthly specials are always worth a look” (“love the limited editions”); “decent sides too”.

This “nice, relaxed, simple South Indian street-food café” is “clearly part of the community in the Lanes” – the beating heart of Brighton. It “continues to offer good food and generous portions at reasonable prices”, alongside a “great range of local beers”.

This “sound French bistro” in Brighton’s Lanes serves “lovely food”, although the “closely packed tables” can leave you vulnerable to “loud neighbours”.

“Not a restaurant… rather a tiny room with some bar stools along the wall”. Fans say “it’s a ‘must-try’ experience for all lovers of honest, tasty cuisine! The burgers are juicy, and full of flavour from the quality of the meat to the seasonings”.

“Currently the ‘in’ place in town” – Razak Helalat (founder of Coal Shed and Salt room) has another hit on his hands with this sophisticated-looking yearling, which fans say is “deservedly popular, thanks to its exciting and seriously good Middle Eastern-inflected small plates”, “very imaginative cocktails, and a 70s-but-cool aesthetic”. Boosted by Giles Coren’s upbeat review in The Times, it is the most commented-on venue in town in our latest annual diners’ poll and “there’s a great buzz around the place”. The overall rating is dented though, by an unusual number of mixed or disappointing reports. The sceptics say “there are good flavours, but just too many of them, nor are they as good as the hype suggests”.

“High-quality meat” – and “with a variety on the menu if you fancy a change from beef” – has helped win a significant fan club for Razak Helalat’s well-known destination (which has a spin-off near Tower Bridge, in London). Reports remain generally upbeat, although a number of them note service can be “variable”, especially when they are busy.

This “little” Victorian boozer on a North Laine corner is “a bit away from the centre but not far from the station, so perfect when arriving at lunchtime” – “the menu’s not massive, which is usually a good sign, and you’ll find Sunday roast, fish ’n’ chips, and classic pub dishes”.

“Authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a proper wood-fired oven” have proved a hit for this operation with three outlets in Brighton & Hove. (Their appeal extends further than the city limits, with a new branch at King’s Cross in London).