British, Modern Restaurants in Hove
1. The Salt Room
Fish & seafood restaurant in Brighton
106 Kings Road - BN1
“The best terrace of any restaurant not directly on the beach, and serving some of the best fish in Brighton” – the twin key selling points of this successful and “friendly” seafood brasserie near the old West Pier: one of the most commented-on destinations in the city. If eating inside, “ask for a window table” (“most of which have views overlooking the seafront”) “as the lower level is rather charmless” by comparison. In a June 2021 review The Daily Mail’s Tom Parker Bowles acclaimed ‘a feast to sate Neptune’ here. Our reporters are only a tad more reserved, praising its “excellent fresh, tasty, well-cooked and beautifully presented seafood”.
2. The Coal Shed
Steaks & grills restaurant in Brighton
8 Boyces St - BN1
“Always a pleasure, always full” – the grilled meat at Razak Helalat’s Brighton original has won a loyal following, and spawned a London branch near Tower Bridge. According to fans, “it remains the best place to get an expensive steak in Brighton”.
3. Fourth and Church
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
84 Church Road - BN3
“Now a major fixture on the Hove scene” – this neighbourhood deli-restaurant and wine shop (founded in 2015) makes a “lovely place to drop into and hang out at” and as a result is also a “destination for many” nowadays. Arguably “it’s all about the wine”: “a vast interesting aperitif offering and extensive selection of wine from the shelves”. But the “beautiful and clever” small dishes are “creative” too (and at weekends, a tasting menu is served). “Exactly what you hope eating out will be. You can also buy the wine and take out cheese. Perfect!”.
4. Wild Flor
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
42 Church Road - BN3
“A good alternative to The Gingerman” (and featuring some of their staff), this “pricey but stand-out” two-year-old bistro is “simply the best neighbourhood restaurant you could wish for”; in addition to the “interesting” seasonal dishes, the wine list generates particular excitement – “there are longer ones for sure but few pack in so much variety. It's a list written for wine lovers and sommelier Rob will guide you to a great bottle”.
5. Due South
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
139 Kings Road Arches - BN1
It’s a case of ‘Back to the Future’ at this beautifully situated site on the front, which operated here under the Due South name from 2004-2011, before becoming Riddle & Finns on the Beach. In May 2021, owner Rob Shenton decided to return to its former branding, having moved Riddle & Finns on the Beach to a new location nearby. No reports of the new, er old, regime as yet.
6. Etch
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
216 Church Rd - BN3
Steven Edwards’s cooking is “breathtakingly good” at this converted bank in Hove, near the seafront, where diners can choose to eat five, seven or nine courses. The venue from a MasterChef: The Professionals winner has lived up to its early promise, generating enough trade to justify expansion and redesign, completed in late 2021, which has increased its size, taken on a new monochrome look and created a subterranean bar. There’s also a “great range of exceptional and different wines from across the world”.
7. The Ginger Pig
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
3 Hove St - BN3
“Just fantastic”, say fans of this Hove gastropub-with-rooms (from the local Gingerman group), which generates nothing but enthusiastic feedback. “I’ve been here lots, eaten lots of croquettes and pies, and every time it’s a winner…”, “year after year there’s nowhere better for wonderful seasonal local food”.
8. Gingerman
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
21a Norfolk Sq - BN1
“Simply fabulous every time we go and never failing to be both brilliant and very relaxed” – Ben & Pamela McKellar's “small, intimate” stalwart (the founding stone in the Ginger empire) continues to please its veritable army of fans.
9. Murmur
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
91-96 Kings Road Arches - BN1
Great British Menu winner Michael Bremner’s sibling to 64 Degrees, right under The Arches on the seafront, makes a “great place to eat outside by the promenade and watch the world go by while eating delicious fish!”. Feedback this year did suggest, however, that it's been “slightly off its game very recently”, with a number of reports featuring meals that were “a bit of a mixed bag”.
10. Burnt Orange
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
59 Middle Street - BN1
Coal Shed founder Razak Helalat opened his third Brighton restaurant in The Lanes in June 2021 (there's also The Salt Room), serving food cooked over a wood fire, with a specially curated soundtrack from Fatboy Slim. It has inspired immediate enthusiastic local feedback: “Wow! The most delicious food” and particularly “fabulous cocktails”.
11. Riddle & Finns
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
12b Meeting House Ln - BN1
“A real find in tourist-trap Brighton” – this Lanes oyster bar (with a spinoff near the front) serves classic platters of crustacea alongside a full menu of fish dishes. “We were a large greedy party and every course was delicious. All sauces benefitted from a base of well-reduced fish stock”.
12. 64 Degrees
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
53 Meeting House Lane - BN1
Michael Bremner’s “small and cosy” Lanes venue, with an open kitchen and a focus on small plates “full of fantastic flavours”, is approaching its 10th year. “Small enough to ensure you’re not overheard but with some cracking dishes to challenge the palate – a winner!”.
13. Flint House
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
13 Hannington’s Lane - BN1
“Innovative, delicious and charming” – this open-kitchen with counter and sharing plates venture in the ‘New Lanes’ development is “absolutely superb”. It’s also very different from its nearby siblings in Pamela & Ben McKellar’s high-performing Ginger group, and “has really succeeded in capturing a key slice of the local market”.
14. The Set
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
Café Rust, 50 Preston Road - BN1
2021 Review: Eat from a “tempting short menu” (“there’s no longer just a set menu”) at Dan Kenny’s funky former pop-up that’s now permanently parked in a “relaxed and quiet” location, within a trendy boutique hotel. “How can kale taste like heaven? How can sultanas make such an intense jam? How can rhubarb zing in an eclair? Go visit The Set and discover for yourself!” But hurry – in December 2020, Kenny announced that the restaurant would cease trading at the end of March 2021.
15. Plateau
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
1 Bartholomews - BN1
2021 Review: “A shabby-chic bistro with pleasant staff and interesting small plates” – fish-centric – plus “natural wines to complement the seasonal organic food”.
16. Kindling
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
69 East Street - BN1
Opened just before Christmas 2019, a brightly decorated establishment where everything is cooked over open fire in the central open kitchen. It’s from the Food for Friends team with chefs Holly Taylor and Toby Geneen. Limited initial feedback, but ratings are strong and reports are of a “carnivore’s delight”.
17. Isaac@
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
2 Gloucester Street - BN1
‘Brighton on your plate’ is the watch-word at Isaac Bartlett-Copeland’s tiny North Laine operation – to which you could add ‘Sussex in your glass’. But it’s the “all-round high quality” of the cooking and preparation as much as the hyper-localist enthusiasm of the young team that wins consistently high ratings for the venue.
18. The Ginger Dog
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
12 College Pl - BN2
2021 Review: “More ‘pubby’ than The Gingerman” – the namesake group’s original site and flagship, opened in 1998 – “but more relaxing” too, this dog-friendly Kemptown spot is a solid performer which “cannot be beaten for family get-togethers”; the newest ginger, The Flint House, mixing tapas, cocktails and a roof terrace, opened in central Brighton in spring 2019.
19. The Ginger Fox
British, Modern restaurant in Albourne
Muddleswood Road - BN6
“Lovely, lovely, lovely... this English country pub” – from Brighton’s Gingerman group – “ticks every box: gorgeous garden with climbing frame for the kids, superb food, a fine wine list and great beer. Oh, and the staff couldn’t do enough for us, without being obsequious”. And more boxes: “sources local produce and wine as well”. “The perfect country pub”, agree its many fans: “can’t wait to go back”.
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