Best restaurants in Brighton

For a Sunday roast

They do Sunday lunch a bit differently at this atmospheric back street boozer, close to Brighton’s shopping quarter, with local craft ale on tap, tunes on vinyl and a sun-trap pavement-side terrace. Chef Ali Munro puts a southern American spin on a British classic by frying a whole local chicken and serving it with roast potatoes, greens, roast roots, Yorkshire puddings, pork sausage and unlimited gravy (available for pre-booking only, £24 per person). The weekday menu is just as tempting with a generously proportioned ‘chicken schnitt’ sando served in a homemade Japanese sub roll and the huge, hot and crispy buttermilk fried chicken wings. Mains from £10. thewindmillbrighton.com

Dilsk

For local foraged food

Chef Tom Stephens (ex-Simon Rogan and Tom Kerridge) serves exquisite tasting menus based around seasonal East Sussex produce, including some foraged from the coastline. The elegant semi-basement space in the boutique Drakes Hotel on the seafront close to the Palace Pier is perfect for a celebration or romantic meal. The signature laminated brioche with yeasted mushroom butter is worth booking in for alone but beautifully presented dishes such as Orkney scallop, onion squash, pumpkin seed and smoked bacon don’t disappoint. The four-course £35 lunch and £40 dinner, available at certain times during the week, is a gastronomic bargain, although it’s well worth upgrading to add the selection of delicious, creative snacks for £10. Tasting menus from £35-£95. dilsk.co.uk

The Flint House

For small plates

Part of Ben and Pam McKellar’s lauded Gingerman Restaurant Group, this purpose-built two-storey building in Brighton’s smart Hanningtons pedestrianised food and retail neighbourhood features a chic first-floor bar and ground-floor dining counter. Graze on the must-order sweetcorn fritters with chipotle aioli while you browse the regularly changing menu that covers all the bases from crispy pig cheek with burnt apple to roasted cauliflower, yeasted purée, pickled sultanas and dukkha (vegetable dishes are a strong suit here). In good weather ask for a table on the covered and heated roof terrace. If it’s your first visit, the five-course Chef’s Menu (£50pp to share) is a great introduction to the restaurant’s style of food. flinthousebrighton.com

Burnt Orange

For late-night drinking and dining

Plan ahead to dine at this glamorous restaurant that’s set in a converted 16th-century coaching inn in Brighton’s famous Lanes – it’s been a hot ticket since it opened in 2021. Sit at the bar to watch the chefs in the open kitchen work the wood-fired oven, creating a regularly changing lineup of globally inspired small plates such as Buffalo-style harissa parsnips with chive and artichoke “aioli” and coal roast crayfish kofta with shellfish dressing. The skillet-baked potatoes have never left the menu for very good reason. Nighthawks will appreciate the drinks-only tables available from 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, when they can enjoy a charred marmalade margarita. A seat on the covered terrace is much coveted when the sun shines. Small plates from £8.50. burnt-orange.co.uk

No No Please

For cocktails and Southeast Asian small plates

This stylish yet friendly lounge, bar and restaurant boasts a carefully curated mid-century interior, a menu of Southeast Asian small plates and some of the best cocktails in town. Must orders include ‘egg and soldier’ (superior prawn toast fingers with a cured yolk to dip them in) and the comforting beef cheek and coconut ‘No No Slow Curry’. Kick off with a refreshing 'Supagrass' made with tequila, vermouth, lemongrass and salted coconut, then ask co-owner Euan MacDonald about the daily specials (also listed on the restaurant’s Instagram account @no.no_please). Walk-ins only and dog-friendly. Snacks, small and sharing plates from £4.70. no-no-please.co.uk

Amari

For modern Spanish food

A short walk from Brighton station, Amari brings a splash of Spanish sunlight to a side street close to the Open Market. Chef Ian Swainson’s background in fine dining shows through in refined dishes like fillet of torched mackerel with cod’s roe mousse and sorrel and gordal olive dressing. But at heart, Amari is a cosy neighbourhood restaurant with room for about 20 in the simply decorated dining room that’s run with warmth and efficiency by Justyna Maria Ciurus. Spanish classics like patatas bravas and pork croquetas are as enjoyable as the more creative offerings. The all-Spanish list of wines and sherries is well chosen and cocktails like jerez negroni with East India Solera, orujo blanco and Campari are well made and nicely presented. @amaribrighton

Lost in the Lanes

For brunch

This contemporary, spacious and elegant cafe restaurant in the Lanes serves a concise seasonal menu highlighting local producers. The daily bottomless brunch (10am-3pm) includes unlimited mimosas, bellinis or sparkling wine and a wide range of dishes that might include French toast with white chocolate yogurt, blood orange and almond. Available from Thursday to Saturday, the sharing ‘Taster Menu’ (£35 per person) shows off recently appointed ex-Marco Pierre White chef Jes James culinary talent with dishes such as lamb lemonato with rosemary potatoes and greens. Large plates from £17. lostinthelanes.com

Unbarred

For craft beer and artisan pizza

Drink among the tuns at this urban brewery taproom where they brew and serve over 30 different beers. Tucked away behind London Road a short walk from the city centre, Unbarred is a must-visit for lovers of wildly creative craft ales such as pineapple and pepper crumble and Seeing Red blood orange IPA. The large enclosed outdoor terrace is the ideal spot to enjoy authentic Neapolitan-style pizza and sides from the hugely popular Brighton-based Fatto a Mano restaurant group. Children welcome until 8pm and dog friendly. Pizzas from £11.50. unbarredbrewery.com

Wild Flor

For a romantic meal

With its period wine posters and mirrors decorating exposed brick walls, bare wooden tables and banquette seating, Wild Flor is reminiscent of a Parisienne bistro. While you might well find bavette with Cafe de Paris butter on chef George Upshall’s weekly changing menus, his food goes far beyond the French classics. Expect highly seasonal dishes incorporating local ingredients such as an elegant composition of beetroot with ajo blanco, Nocellara olive, grape and Marcona almond. The well-drilled front of house team, led by owner James Thomson will guide you through one of the best wine lists in the city. Look out for the bargain seasonal set menu at £22 for two courses and £25 for three (check the website for availability). Mains from £19. wildflor.com

Namo Eat

For authentic Thai food

Thai-born chef Bookie Mitchell serves up some of the most authentic Thai food in the city at her resident kitchens in two much-loved Brighton pubs. At The Eagle in the North Laine, take a seat in one of the comfortable booths at the back of the bar and choose from the long menu of small plates, salads, curries, stir fries and noodle dishes that includes an addictively delicious northern Thai-style kao soi chicken curry with crispy egg noodles, pickled cabbage and chilli oil. At Namo X at The Sidewinder in Kemptown, sit on the large covered deck to enjoy sharing dishes and big bowl food that includes spicy tom yum flavoured fries and Thai classics such as pad Thai and massaman curry. namoeat.co.uk

Furna

For a special occasion

Book one of the comfortable upholstered stools at the counter that overlooks the hi-tech open kitchen to watch accomplished chef Dave Mothersill and his team in action. The food might be highly complex, but creative and seasonal dishes such as fallow deer with hazelnut, Yorkshire rhubarb, beetroot and bone marrow always put flavour above technique. The elegant, modern dining room with its mirrored walls, parquet flooring and designer chairs makes the ideal setting for a celebratory meal, but the relaxed vibe means you can pop in for the £35 set menu or £55 Sunday family style menu without having to dress up (the Parker House roll with cultured butter is a must-order add on). Take a seat on the terrace opposite the famous Pavilion Gardens for a date manhattan and snacks from the bar. Menus from £35-£95. furnarestaurant.co.uk

Med

For Mediterranean small plates

No one does small plates quite like Med. This hip and vibrant restaurant with its blue/grey banquettes, dark wood tables and eye-catching botanical wall feature offers some of the most exciting yet affordable food in the city. Chef Will Dennard gleefully plunders the global kitchen for inspiration for his regularly changing sharing menu that kicks off with a selection of snacks such as buffalo artichoke and sweet potato and chipotle dip. Sharing dishes could include anything from taramasalata with a moules marinière croquette and caviar to beef carpaccio with smoked salsa macha and feta. They take drinks seriously, too, with a thoughtfully chosen wine list and punchy cocktails. Al fresco dining from May to August. Sharing menu £35 per person. medbrighton.co.uk

Shelter Hall

For lunch by the sea

Set in a beautifully restored landmark Victorian building on the seafront, Shelter Hall is Brighton’s only food hall. It features a regularly changing line-up of seven different Sussex-based kitchens that currently includes Kolkati (Kolkata-style egg-fried paratha rolls), Stakehaus (steak and fries by chef Lily Smith), 3Bros Burgers (Sussex wagyu burgers) and Saltio (Mexican street food). The hugely popular walk-in only outdoor terrace is a great spot for some good value al fresco seaside dining but be prepared to wait or book a table on the mezzanine level for equally great sea views. Enjoy a pistachio caipirinha in the stylish Skylark cocktail bar (open Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm). Dog friendly (ground floor and terrace only), main dishes from £11. shelterhall.co.uk

Palmito

For eclectic and creative small plates

Plan well ahead if you want a weekend dinner at this always in-demand charcoal grill-driven small plates restaurant that holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. There’s room for about 20 closely set diners in this former takeaway that’s been given a stylish makeover with exposed brickwork, decorative filament wall lamps, tiled floors and simple wooden furniture. Chef Diego Ricaurte hails from Ecuador, so expect South American influences in dishes such as an Andean-style pincho de matambre (skirt steak) with smoked potato and chimichurri. Don’t miss the excellent cocktails that might include a spiced clementine pisco sour. Small and sharing plates from £6. palmito.co.uk

The Coal Shed

For a sophisticated steak dinner

This much-loved local institution moved from its backstreet location to much larger premises in a prime spot on North Street, close to the Pavilion, Royal Theatre and main shopping area. It now boasts one of the best bars in the city where you can enjoy a pre-dinner hibiscus mai tai before heading into the dining room that has the feel of a sleek and sultry modern Manhattan steak house with lots of dark wood, mirrors and parquet floors. The restaurant wears its meaty heart on its sleeve with an open kitchen where the chefs cook over open flame and a glass display Himalayan salt chamber full of rare and heritage breed beef. Although the charcoal grilled steaks are a highlight, seafood and vegetarian dishes such as butterflied sea bream pil pil with manila clams, and miso aubergine with crispy shallots are equally as good. Mains from £20. coalshed-restaurant.co.uk

Fika

For superior breakfast sandwiches and great coffee

There are now three branches of this hugely popular cafe, including one at the new Sea Lanes development on the beach near to Brighton Marina. But you’ll need to visit the original site opposite Hove town hall to try the signature fried egg sandwiches. The Breakfast Bird with brioche, buttermilk fried chicken, fried egg, smoked cheese, bacon, maple mayo and Korean barbecue sauce makes for a wonderfully indulgent feast. Keep an eye on the cafe’s Instagram (@fikasussex) for regular specials. The excellent coffee comes from local independent roastery Back Yard, which nurtures relationships with coffee farmers around the world. Sandwiches from £5.50 fikasussex.co.uk

Curio

For wine, cheese and charcuterie

This cosy, simply decorated cafe and bar brings some European sophistication to Brighton’s Round Hill neighbourhood. Set opposite the historic Duke of York’s cinema, it’s the perfect spot for some pre- or post-film grazing with a carefully curated list of organic and biodynamic wines and high-welfare charcuterie plates care of Hove-based Curing Rebels. The short list of small plates might include smoked cheddar croquettes with kale pesto or crispy fried artichoke with sunflower seed tahini. Open all day, pop in for a breakfast bacon and egg bun or a lunchtime salt beef and pickle sandwich after a stroll around the nearby Preston Park. curio.cafe

Riddle and Finns

For seafood

For some of the best, simply prepared seafood in the city, head to one of the two branches of this long-established, casual yet stylish restaurant. At the original in the lanes you’ll find a cosy candlelit dining room with marble-topped tables, white tiled walls and crystal chandeliers. At the circular Rotunda restaurant, there’s wraparound sea views and a balcony overlooking the beach. The menu is the same at both branches and includes a selection of oysters, towers of fruits de mer, lobster thermidor and a hot seafood platter. Other internationally influenced dishes include moilee curry with roast cod and lentil samosa and chilli and ginger Singapore crab with vermicelli noodle salad. You can reserve a table at the beach, the Lanes is walk-ins for communal-style dining only. Mains from £18. riddleandfinns.co.uk

Bonsai Plant Kitchen

For creative vegetarian food

Beginning as a takeaway-only lockdown project in 2021, chef Dominic Sherriff and the team behind this modern and funky plant-based South East Asian-inspired small plates restaurant have gained a loyal following since opening in 2022 as well as rave reviews in the national press. It’s worth the short walk from the city centre to this neighbourhood restaurant for punchy dishes such as crispy tofu with Thai yellow curry sauce and Filipino papaya pickle or miso, maple and wasabi-glazed aubergine. For a ready-made tour of the menu, order the chef’s tasting menu that includes snacks, small plates, grills, rice and dessert for £33 per person. bonsaiplantkitchen.co.uk

The Chilli Pickle

For authentic Indian food

The Chilli Pickle’s recent move back to a colourful, intimate and buzzy new site in the Lanes where the authentic Indian restaurant first opened in 2008, has heralded the return of one of its best-loved dishes. Slow-braised Sussex beef oxtail madras is not for the faint-hearted, featuring three types of chilli and a roasted Tamil spice blend, but all that heat is leavened out by toasted coconut, tamarind, date molasses and coconut cream. It’s a must order, but if you prefer something milder, the textbook Old Delhi-style tandoori butter chicken is for you. There’s even some spice in the cocktails that include the chilli pickle martini made with curry leaf cardamom syrup and ancho reyes, a Mexican chilli liqueur. Go at lunchtime for the legendary Grand Thali feasts that include a curry and numerous side dishes for £22. thechillipickle.com

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All recommendations have been reviewed and approved as of the publish date and will be checked periodically. If you think there is any incorrect or out of date information in this guide please e-mail us at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.