Brighton, Afternoon Tea Restaurant Guide

This Lanes institution of almost 45 years’ standing has a national reputation for its “creative” vegetarian and vegan cooking, which is both “good quality” and “very good value for money”. There’s a “wide choice of dishes” inspired by European and Asian cuisines – and a dessert menu that pulls no punches. These days it has an offshoot in Hove, Botanique.

“A bustling destination, with a nice view of rolling sea and big horizon” – this “very buzzy seafront room” sits within sight of the skeletal remains of the West Pier and remains one of the most popular dining options in the city. On the downside, there is a view that “the best aspect are the vistas over the water, with food that’s reliable rather than sensational and too expensive”. Most of the many reports, though, are more positive, saying, “if you particularly enjoyfFresh, beautifully cooked fish, this is the place”.

“A lovely setting overlooking the gardens towards the South Downs” helps set up a “top-class experience” at this Elizabethan country house spa-hotel: “decor… ambience… service… food all are first rate”. Mind you, “there‘s nothing flash/super-creative about any of this: they know their market and it’s just really well executed”.