Guidebook for The City of Brighton and Hove

Rich
Guidebook for The City of Brighton and Hove

Food Scene

Great seafood restaurant in The Lanes and one of my favourite Brighton spots. No reservations, just go and ask for a table and they'll call you when it's ready for you.
244 locals recommend
Riddle & Finns
12b Meeting House Ln
244 locals recommend
Great seafood restaurant in The Lanes and one of my favourite Brighton spots. No reservations, just go and ask for a table and they'll call you when it's ready for you.
One of the best restaurants in the city, Owner/Chef, Duncan Ray, has turned this into a must visit venue. You'll need to book ahead though!
119 locals recommend
The Little Fish Market
10 Upper Market Street
119 locals recommend
One of the best restaurants in the city, Owner/Chef, Duncan Ray, has turned this into a must visit venue. You'll need to book ahead though!
An eat in or takeaway
50 locals recommend
Bankers Restaurant
116A Western Rd
50 locals recommend
An eat in or takeaway
A Brighton tradition and a favourite of Laurence Olivier back in the day. Traditional seafood restaurant. Try and get a table downstairs or on a sunny day, outside.
50 locals recommend
English's of Brighton
29-31 East St
50 locals recommend
A Brighton tradition and a favourite of Laurence Olivier back in the day. Traditional seafood restaurant. Try and get a table downstairs or on a sunny day, outside.
In a wonderful setting right on the seafront, good seafood that doesn't cost the earth. A popular favourite of locals and visitors alike.
79 locals recommend
Regency Restaurant
131 Kings Rd
79 locals recommend
In a wonderful setting right on the seafront, good seafood that doesn't cost the earth. A popular favourite of locals and visitors alike.
Next door to the Regency. Less impressive decor, but some say the food is a little better, jury is out in my opinion. Very friendly and attentive staff and some great deals.
7 locals recommend
Melrose
132 Kings Rd
7 locals recommend
Next door to the Regency. Less impressive decor, but some say the food is a little better, jury is out in my opinion. Very friendly and attentive staff and some great deals.
Veggie and vegan fine dining, winner of numerous awards and loved by meat eaters as well. Great food, relaxing decor and a mean Espresso Martini! Great choice for those who are gluten intolerant too.
197 locals recommend
Terre A Terre
71 East St
197 locals recommend
Veggie and vegan fine dining, winner of numerous awards and loved by meat eaters as well. Great food, relaxing decor and a mean Espresso Martini! Great choice for those who are gluten intolerant too.
Cheap Italian eats in a very large restaurant in The Lanes, a great standby for a quick, filling and inexpensive lunch or dinner.
23 locals recommend
Donatello
1-3 Brighton Pl
23 locals recommend
Cheap Italian eats in a very large restaurant in The Lanes, a great standby for a quick, filling and inexpensive lunch or dinner.
Indian that is great for meat eaters, veggies and vegans. Interesting and different Indian food - try the stuffed aubergine.
Chaula's Indian Restaurant Brighton
2-3 Little East Street
Indian that is great for meat eaters, veggies and vegans. Interesting and different Indian food - try the stuffed aubergine.
Marvellous vegetarian restaurant in the centre of town.
125 locals recommend
Food for Friends
17-18 Prince Albert St
125 locals recommend
Marvellous vegetarian restaurant in the centre of town.
Same owners as Donatello and a good spot for cheap Italian eats - lots of tables outdoors.
19 locals recommend
Pinocchio
22 New Rd
19 locals recommend
Same owners as Donatello and a good spot for cheap Italian eats - lots of tables outdoors.
Fantastic Mexican restaurant, staff are super friendly and the food is great. Decor is lively and interesting and the atmosphere is lovely. Worth booking as very popular.
138 locals recommend
La Choza
36 Gloucester Rd
138 locals recommend
Fantastic Mexican restaurant, staff are super friendly and the food is great. Decor is lively and interesting and the atmosphere is lovely. Worth booking as very popular.
Fine dining at reasonable prices in a lovely 1930s built pub. A favourite with Hove food lovers and worth the trip out of the centre to enjoy. They also do a fabulous Sunday lunch.
194 locals recommend
The Ginger Pig - Restaurant & Rooms
3 Hove St
194 locals recommend
Fine dining at reasonable prices in a lovely 1930s built pub. A favourite with Hove food lovers and worth the trip out of the centre to enjoy. They also do a fabulous Sunday lunch.
A very 'Brighton' coffee shop and bar with eclectic decor (old Mac CPUs for stools, anyone?). Excellent coffee and a yard at the rear.
73 locals recommend
Marwood Bar & Coffeehouse
52 Ship St
73 locals recommend
A very 'Brighton' coffee shop and bar with eclectic decor (old Mac CPUs for stools, anyone?). Excellent coffee and a yard at the rear.
Sister establishment to Marwoods and a great addition to the up and coming London Road area. In an old bank and the vault is now a 12 seat screening room. Same eclectic decor and excellent coffee.
25 locals recommend
Presuming Ed's Coffee House
London Road
25 locals recommend
Sister establishment to Marwoods and a great addition to the up and coming London Road area. In an old bank and the vault is now a 12 seat screening room. Same eclectic decor and excellent coffee.
Neighbourhood Turkish restaurant - good and well cooked traditional Turkish food. Very friendly staff.
14 locals recommend
Makara Charcoal Grill & Meze
14 locals recommend
Neighbourhood Turkish restaurant - good and well cooked traditional Turkish food. Very friendly staff.
Fabulous and well priced pizza - possibly the best pizza in Brighton & Hove. They also have a branch on London Road and one in North Laine.
98 locals recommend
Fatto a Mano Hove
65-67 Church Rd
98 locals recommend
Fabulous and well priced pizza - possibly the best pizza in Brighton & Hove. They also have a branch on London Road and one in North Laine.
A great place for authentic French pastries and cakes and the best bread in town. There are a few tables if you want to stop for a coffee. Branches throughout Brighton & Hove.
52 locals recommend
Real Patisserie Western Road
25 Western Rd
52 locals recommend
A great place for authentic French pastries and cakes and the best bread in town. There are a few tables if you want to stop for a coffee. Branches throughout Brighton & Hove.
Traditional French bistro. Do good offers on food most nights of the week and a good breakfast.
22 locals recommend
Le Nantais Bistro
41 Church Rd
22 locals recommend
Traditional French bistro. Do good offers on food most nights of the week and a good breakfast.
Largish restaurant in the middle of The Lanes. Food good and they do a good pre-theatre menu which is great value.
Street Thai Restaurant
5 & 20 Brighton Square
Largish restaurant in the middle of The Lanes. Food good and they do a good pre-theatre menu which is great value.
Vegan pizza restaurant that is really good. Definitely worth a visit whether you are vegan or not.
105 locals recommend
Purezza Brighton
12 St James's St
105 locals recommend
Vegan pizza restaurant that is really good. Definitely worth a visit whether you are vegan or not.
On the border between Hove and Brighton at the Peace Statue and right on the beach, a great spot to sit and people watch. To be honest, the coffee isn't that great and the food very ordinary, but there is something very special about the spot.
17 locals recommend
The Meeting Place Cafe
17 locals recommend
On the border between Hove and Brighton at the Peace Statue and right on the beach, a great spot to sit and people watch. To be honest, the coffee isn't that great and the food very ordinary, but there is something very special about the spot.
Popular neighbourhood Greek restaurant, the food is good and at a good price. Staff are very friendly and it attracts quite a few regulars. Booking is advised.
57 locals recommend
Archipelagos
121 Western Rd
57 locals recommend
Popular neighbourhood Greek restaurant, the food is good and at a good price. Staff are very friendly and it attracts quite a few regulars. Booking is advised.
Great fish restaurant in the Metropole (Hilton) Hotel. There is a pre-theatre menu as well as the main menu. Beautiful views out across the water from the terrace in the summer. Not cheap, but worth the expense.
149 locals recommend
The Salt Room
106 Kings Rd
149 locals recommend
Great fish restaurant in the Metropole (Hilton) Hotel. There is a pre-theatre menu as well as the main menu. Beautiful views out across the water from the terrace in the summer. Not cheap, but worth the expense.
At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking that this is simply a supermarket, but at the back is an almost secret restaurant space that is open at lunchtimes only, you will need to get there early to make sure you get a seat. Many people say that you can find the best Thai food in the city here.
44 locals recommend
Unithai Oriental Market Ltd
10 Church Rd
44 locals recommend
At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking that this is simply a supermarket, but at the back is an almost secret restaurant space that is open at lunchtimes only, you will need to get there early to make sure you get a seat. Many people say that you can find the best Thai food in the city here.

Drinks & Nightlife

Various pubs and bars that we like.
Good lively pub with Speakeasy upstairs. Thai food is very nice and good value too. Their Sunday lunches are becoming very popular too. Good range of local beers and their house spirits are usually sold as premium brands in other pubs, so great value drinks as well.
73 locals recommend
The Wick Inn
63 Western Rd
73 locals recommend
Good lively pub with Speakeasy upstairs. Thai food is very nice and good value too. Their Sunday lunches are becoming very popular too. Good range of local beers and their house spirits are usually sold as premium brands in other pubs, so great value drinks as well.
Large pub with a large beer garden (a rarity in these parts). One of the city's premier music venues. Free jazz jam on a Tuesday and gigs most every night of the week. Do great Sunday lunches, but it can get a bit full of noisy children at times.
25 locals recommend
The Brunswick
1 Holland Rd
25 locals recommend
Large pub with a large beer garden (a rarity in these parts). One of the city's premier music venues. Free jazz jam on a Tuesday and gigs most every night of the week. Do great Sunday lunches, but it can get a bit full of noisy children at times.
French themed pub, pavement seating on Western Road is great for people watching. Hold regular jazz and other music events during both the afternoons and evenings.
67 locals recommend
The Paris House
21 Western Rd
67 locals recommend
French themed pub, pavement seating on Western Road is great for people watching. Hold regular jazz and other music events during both the afternoons and evenings.
Quirky bar that attracts a more arty crowd. Regularly show films, jazz jam on a Monday and various other activities during the week including life drawing classes. One of those places you pop in for a quick drink and end the evening hours later with some new friends!
108 locals recommend
The Bee's Mouth
10 Western Road
108 locals recommend
Quirky bar that attracts a more arty crowd. Regularly show films, jazz jam on a Monday and various other activities during the week including life drawing classes. One of those places you pop in for a quick drink and end the evening hours later with some new friends!
Lovely basement pub that boasts a beautiful garden at the rear, perfect for long lunches and just catching up with friends. Can get very busy on sunny weekends.
81 locals recommend
Hove Place
37 First Ave
81 locals recommend
Lovely basement pub that boasts a beautiful garden at the rear, perfect for long lunches and just catching up with friends. Can get very busy on sunny weekends.
One of my favourite Brighton pubs, the staff are really friendly and the food is good too. Good place to stop and watch the world go by.
7 locals recommend
The Bath Arms
3 Meeting House Lane
7 locals recommend
One of my favourite Brighton pubs, the staff are really friendly and the food is good too. Good place to stop and watch the world go by.
Local gay/mixed bar that hosts karaoke on a Friday night and a Sunday afternoon sing-along! Pool table in cellar.
6 locals recommend
The Bedford Tavern
30 Western St
6 locals recommend
Local gay/mixed bar that hosts karaoke on a Friday night and a Sunday afternoon sing-along! Pool table in cellar.
When is a gay pub, not a gay pub? When it's the Camelford! Gay/Straight/everyone friendly - a proper pub that just happens to attract a gay crowd.
18 locals recommend
Camelford Arms
30-31 Camelford St
18 locals recommend
When is a gay pub, not a gay pub? When it's the Camelford! Gay/Straight/everyone friendly - a proper pub that just happens to attract a gay crowd.
Great old boozer slightly hidden away - walls covered with tins in which people leave obscure messages - take a look for yourself. Beer and food pretty darn good too.
69 locals recommend
The Basketmakers
12 Gloucester Rd
69 locals recommend
Great old boozer slightly hidden away - walls covered with tins in which people leave obscure messages - take a look for yourself. Beer and food pretty darn good too.
Convenient stopping off point on Western Road. Food is by Lucky Beach who make some great burgers.
21 locals recommend
The Temple Bar
121 Western Rd
21 locals recommend
Convenient stopping off point on Western Road. Food is by Lucky Beach who make some great burgers.
Beautiful old boozer, sit in the cozy bar section or in the spacious converted stable area. Nice food on offer. Graham Greene's favourite pub.
40 locals recommend
The Cricketers
15 Black Lion St
40 locals recommend
Beautiful old boozer, sit in the cozy bar section or in the spacious converted stable area. Nice food on offer. Graham Greene's favourite pub.
Classy wine bar and wine shop, sell a nice selection of British wines.
83 locals recommend
Ten Green Bottles
9 Jubilee St
83 locals recommend
Classy wine bar and wine shop, sell a nice selection of British wines.
Right on the beach. Loads of outdoor seating and live music most every day during the summer. Performers come around with a hat after their sets.
38 locals recommend
Brighton Music Hall
38 locals recommend
Right on the beach. Loads of outdoor seating and live music most every day during the summer. Performers come around with a hat after their sets.
Huge beer garden. Great spot on sunny afternoons.
41 locals recommend
The Sidewinder
65 Upper St James's St
41 locals recommend
Huge beer garden. Great spot on sunny afternoons.
Tucked away local pub which serves good food. Eclectic décor and always friendly.
67 locals recommend
The Better Half Pub
1 Hove Pl
67 locals recommend
Tucked away local pub which serves good food. Eclectic décor and always friendly.
A little out of the way, but worth a visit if you are at that side of town - large and pleasant beer garden.
54 locals recommend
The Open House
146 Springfield Rd
54 locals recommend
A little out of the way, but worth a visit if you are at that side of town - large and pleasant beer garden.
Large and lively bar in The Lanes. Stays open late and there is usually some sort of club night going on.
127 locals recommend
The Mesmerist
1-3 Prince Albert St
127 locals recommend
Large and lively bar in The Lanes. Stays open late and there is usually some sort of club night going on.
Great little cocktail bar hidden away behind The Old Steine and well worth a visit.
107 locals recommend
The Plotting Parlour
6 Steine St
107 locals recommend
Great little cocktail bar hidden away behind The Old Steine and well worth a visit.
Large traditional pub in the Lanes that has been recently refurbished. Food is good and the drinks are reasonably priced. Can get very busy at weekends, but less so during the week.
9 locals recommend
Seven Stars
27 Ship St
9 locals recommend
Large traditional pub in the Lanes that has been recently refurbished. Food is good and the drinks are reasonably priced. Can get very busy at weekends, but less so during the week.
Great pub on Church Road in Hove. Large venue with a dazzling array of gins to choose from. Bar staff are friendly and welcoming and the food is generally pretty good too - very popular for Sunday lunch.
17 locals recommend
Old Albion
110 Church Rd
17 locals recommend
Great pub on Church Road in Hove. Large venue with a dazzling array of gins to choose from. Bar staff are friendly and welcoming and the food is generally pretty good too - very popular for Sunday lunch.
This is the nearest pub to us - a not very exciting chain boozer, but they do have a reasonable garden and the food is cheap, so handy for a quick pit stop. Get very busy on match days as right next door to the County Cricket Ground.
The Sussex Cricketer
This is the nearest pub to us - a not very exciting chain boozer, but they do have a reasonable garden and the food is cheap, so handy for a quick pit stop. Get very busy on match days as right next door to the County Cricket Ground.

Parks & Nature

Peaceful park just around the corner, hosts a mini-festival in May and some Festival & Fringe events. Nice escape from the bustle of Brighton and Hove.
135 locals recommend
Saint Ann's Well Gardens
Somerhill Road
135 locals recommend
Peaceful park just around the corner, hosts a mini-festival in May and some Festival & Fringe events. Nice escape from the bustle of Brighton and Hove.
Our closest bit of the South Downs, a beautiful view from up here and great for walking. A short drive away or a 20 minute ride on the 77 bus. There is a pub here too.
267 locals recommend
Devils Dyke station
Devil's Dyke Road
267 locals recommend
Our closest bit of the South Downs, a beautiful view from up here and great for walking. A short drive away or a 20 minute ride on the 77 bus. There is a pub here too.
Stretching out from the marina to Rottingdean and beyond, walk along the sea defences below the white cliffs and by the sea. Something very relaxing and special about this walk, but don't go during rough weather.
82 locals recommend
Undercliff Walk
Undercliff Walk
82 locals recommend
Stretching out from the marina to Rottingdean and beyond, walk along the sea defences below the white cliffs and by the sea. Something very relaxing and special about this walk, but don't go during rough weather.
Running behind the beach from The Peace Statue to St Aubyn's, the lawns are a great place for meeting, sitting and watching the world go by. People use them to play football and other sports, have a barbecue or just to wander along in peace.
74 locals recommend
Hove Lawns
Kingsway
74 locals recommend
Running behind the beach from The Peace Statue to St Aubyn's, the lawns are a great place for meeting, sitting and watching the world go by. People use them to play football and other sports, have a barbecue or just to wander along in peace.

Sightseeing

No trip to Brighton is complete without a visit to the pier - to sound like a local, call it The Palace Pier!
605 locals recommend
Brighton Palace Pier
Madeira Drive
605 locals recommend
No trip to Brighton is complete without a visit to the pier - to sound like a local, call it The Palace Pier!

Arts & Culture

Has to be seen to be believed, William IV seaside pleasuredome. Closed Mondays. Reduced entry for visitors after 3pm.
494 locals recommend
Royal Pavilion
494 locals recommend
Has to be seen to be believed, William IV seaside pleasuredome. Closed Mondays. Reduced entry for visitors after 3pm.
Great arts venue, music, theatre, comedy - you name it. Also has a very nice bar to relax in whilst waiting for your show to begin.
60 locals recommend
The Old Market
11A Upper Market St
60 locals recommend
Great arts venue, music, theatre, comedy - you name it. Also has a very nice bar to relax in whilst waiting for your show to begin.
Great art gallery in a disused church right in the centre of town, regular and changing installations. Free entry, but donations welcomed.
30 locals recommend
Fabrica
40 Duke St
30 locals recommend
Great art gallery in a disused church right in the centre of town, regular and changing installations. Free entry, but donations welcomed.
Great and beautiful Victorian theatre, many try-outs pre-West End and touring companies. An important venue during the Brighton Festival.
152 locals recommend
Theatre Royal Brighton
New Road
152 locals recommend
Great and beautiful Victorian theatre, many try-outs pre-West End and touring companies. An important venue during the Brighton Festival.
Independent venue showing fringe theatre. Also host club and music nights. Very pleasant bar downstairs. This our venue of choice when staging our plays in Brighton.
6 locals recommend
Rialto Theatre
11 Dyke Rd
6 locals recommend
Independent venue showing fringe theatre. Also host club and music nights. Very pleasant bar downstairs. This our venue of choice when staging our plays in Brighton.
Fascinating museum in the original police cells below Brighton Town Hall. Gives you a real sense of the history of the development of a police force in Britain. Tours guided by a retired member of Sussex Police, so he has some very interesting stories to tell.
11 locals recommend
Old Police Cells Museum
11 locals recommend
Fascinating museum in the original police cells below Brighton Town Hall. Gives you a real sense of the history of the development of a police force in Britain. Tours guided by a retired member of Sussex Police, so he has some very interesting stories to tell.
Good for local exhibits and also some more internationally known artists and creators. Part of the Royal Pavilion Estate.
224 locals recommend
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
224 locals recommend
Good for local exhibits and also some more internationally known artists and creators. Part of the Royal Pavilion Estate.
Housed in a beautiful Pavilion Estate building (originally the Prince Regent's horses - yes, horses) it has been redesigned as a concert hall and arts centre. All types of music, dance and other events take place here and there is a large café/bar area too.
212 locals recommend
Brighton Dome
Church Street
212 locals recommend
Housed in a beautiful Pavilion Estate building (originally the Prince Regent's horses - yes, horses) it has been redesigned as a concert hall and arts centre. All types of music, dance and other events take place here and there is a large café/bar area too.

Everything Else

A bit out of the way, but worth a visit if you have time. One of only two operating Camera Obscuras in South-East England.
6 locals recommend
Foredown Tower
Foredown Road
6 locals recommend
A bit out of the way, but worth a visit if you have time. One of only two operating Camera Obscuras in South-East England.
Stretching from Hove Lagoon in the West to The Marina in the East, the beach is a must visit at any time of year, enjoy the wild solitude on windy winter days, to the vibrant hub it becomes in the summer. Enjoy strolling past the Hove beach huts, and try and spy the little patches of sand that sometimes appear. Barbecues are permitted in the evenings and are a lovely way to watch the city relax and watch the sun go down - just remember to take your rubbish away with you. you'll find cafés, bars, restaurants and clubs to suit every taste, plus kayak and bike hire. We may not have a sandy beach, but that does mean you don't get sand in your food!
167 locals recommend
Brighton Beach
off Kings Rd
167 locals recommend
Stretching from Hove Lagoon in the West to The Marina in the East, the beach is a must visit at any time of year, enjoy the wild solitude on windy winter days, to the vibrant hub it becomes in the summer. Enjoy strolling past the Hove beach huts, and try and spy the little patches of sand that sometimes appear. Barbecues are permitted in the evenings and are a lovely way to watch the city relax and watch the sun go down - just remember to take your rubbish away with you. you'll find cafés, bars, restaurants and clubs to suit every taste, plus kayak and bike hire. We may not have a sandy beach, but that does mean you don't get sand in your food!
Wander through the narrow and twisty alleyways in the centre of the city. Part of the original fishing village that made up Brighthelmstone before it became a fashionable resort. You'll probably get lost, but that's part of the fun.
439 locals recommend
The Lanes
439 locals recommend
Wander through the narrow and twisty alleyways in the centre of the city. Part of the original fishing village that made up Brighthelmstone before it became a fashionable resort. You'll probably get lost, but that's part of the fun.

Shopping

Contemporary art for sale in this wonderful, independently owned gallery.
8 locals recommend
Enter Gallery
13 Bond St
8 locals recommend
Contemporary art for sale in this wonderful, independently owned gallery.
Incorporates Boy Parker. Lovely clothes shop that uses some interesting and unusual prints - well worth a visit. A fab collection of t-shirts.
GET CUTIE LTD
6 Kensington Gardens
Incorporates Boy Parker. Lovely clothes shop that uses some interesting and unusual prints - well worth a visit. A fab collection of t-shirts.
A Brighton institution, great Mod clothing, a must for the well dressed man about town.
Jump The Gun
36 Gardner St
A Brighton institution, great Mod clothing, a must for the well dressed man about town.
Top end women's designer clothes. All tasteful and some lines are vegan friendly. Amanda, the owner, is wonderful.
7 locals recommend
Sirene
37 Trafalgar St
7 locals recommend
Top end women's designer clothes. All tasteful and some lines are vegan friendly. Amanda, the owner, is wonderful.
Indoor market selling everything from bric-a-brac to antiques and whatever is in between, lose yourself for a few hours and I challenge you not to exclaim, 'My granny had one of those.' at least once
90 locals recommend
Snoopers Paradise
7/8 Kensington Gardens
90 locals recommend
Indoor market selling everything from bric-a-brac to antiques and whatever is in between, lose yourself for a few hours and I challenge you not to exclaim, 'My granny had one of those.' at least once