Harden's says
MasterChef: The Professionals 2013 winner Steven Edwards has opened his first restaurant, in Hove; four, five and eight-course seasonal tasting menus, using local Sussex produce, will be on offer. Edwards previously worked at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and The Pass near Horsham, alongside Matt Gillan whose solo venture Pike + Pine has opened in Brighton.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Definitely worth the trip to the seaside for this cool place” – Stephen Edwards “seems to have thought through the all-round experience” at this converted former bank in Hove, which he opened in 2017: “from the wait staff, to the feeling in the room and of course the food and drink” it is “hard to put your finger on exactly why, but it all just felt effortless and satisfying” and it’s one of the most commented-on destinations in our annual diners’ poll. The food offering revolves around a five-course menu for £55 per person: “refined dishes with a number of options to play with” and “with clear (and justifiable) pride in the food coming out of the kitchen”. There’s also “a comprehensive and far-flung wine list”. Top Menu Tip – “The Marmite bread is worth the hype”.
Summary
“The attention to detail is amazing, with top-notch food and wine pairings” say fans of this “favourite destination restaurant” – Stephen Edwards’s conversion of a former bank arguably “feels like a converted pub”, but “is so unexpected and elevated it fits well with the vibe of Hove”. Choose from either a five-course menu for £50 per person, or a seven-course menu for £75 per person: “flavours are fun and refreshing, from seasonal and playful tasting plates” – “truly spectacular cooking and would be three times the price in a central London restaurant”. Many local diners report their gastronomic highlight of the year here. Top Menu Tip – “the marmite bread is to die for (if only the whole meal could’ve been made of that!)”
Summary
“Exceptional food, wonderful service and great ambience” combine to provide an “amazing special-event evening” at MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards’s conversion of a former Hove bank, now with a basement ‘speakeasy’ bar. There’s a selection of tasting menus: from five courses for £70 per person to nine courses for £120. “If Etch was in London, it would cost three times as much”, agree local fans of its “always interesting menus”. “A very good selection of English wines is a bonus”.
Summary
“The remodelling of the restaurant has made it even better”, say fans, and with expansion Steven Edwards’s “high quality dining experience” in Hove (which occupies a converted bank near the seafront, complete with basement bar) is reaching an expanded audience. Serving the now typical 8-9 small course tasting menus, with chefs delivering dishes to the table, all reports speak of a “stylish, fun and friendly” venue “with a very professional front of house team” and “great focus on local produce, letting great ingredients sing”. The Indie’s Kate Ng is a fan of the new look too and her April 2022 review described “a glimpse into the future of modern British cuisine!”
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Etch?
214-216 Church Rd, Brighton, BN3 2DJ
Restaurant details
Etch Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Dining in the private room was a treat. Stephen Edwards doesn’t disappoint."
"Really absolutely great English food. Great value for money "
"Fantastic food and service we just cant believe the price many places of this quality are much more expensive"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £55.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14.00 | £36.00 | £12.00 | £16.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £50.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
214-216 Church Rd, Brighton, BN3 2DJ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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