Where To Eat And Drink Outside In Brighton

Enjoy eating on a stunning rooftop terrace at Oculist on Boyce's Street. This top-notch haunt has two gorgeous spaces for alfresco shindigs, featuring intimate wooden booths adorned with greenery and fairy lights, and a large eye gazing over. Drinks-wise, you won't be going thirsty as there's plenty to sip on from espresso martinis to bloody marys. If you're hungry? Tuck into a fab range of grub.

Known as Brighton's only seafront market and bar, Shelter Hall showcases amazing views of the Sussex coastline from their large outdoor terrace. With seven different restaurants to choose from, the kitchens offer everything, including messy wings and scrumptious pizzas. This is the ideal casual location for those who aren't quite sure what they fancy to eat. With vendors like Conchita's Mexican Kitchen, Rudi's Burgers and Little Bao Boy, everybody's tummy will be happy.

The Black Lion in The Lanes is a Brighton stalwart with its extensive choice of real ales, craft beers and pub grub. But, did you know it also has a great beer garden? Covered in plants and towering trees, it's a secluded little spot out back boasting bamboo and cute booths for chilling with your mates. Get yourself down for art murals, DJs, BBQs and non-stop fun, as well as dishes like bacon cheeseburgers and fish finger sandwiches.

Situated on Preston Road, The Joker offers a fabulous rooftop terrace that's ideal for alfresco moments. Snap that 'Gram photo by the twinkling fairy lights and hanging wisteria, all before delving into the cocktail menu, featuring a lychee iced tea and a mandarin mezcal margarita. You'll be delighted to find this gorgeous venue doesn't skimp on food either, as it slings out buffalo wings where, if you grab two portions, you can get the third free on Wednesdays. 

Thanks to a lovely little terrace boasting small, circular tables and plump, burnt-orange cushions, as well as a selection of streetside tables, No 32 is a great choice of cool places to drink or dine outdoors. There's plenty to tickle your tastebuds here, with brunch served until 2pm featuring eggs royale and baked shakshuka, as well as small plates like pan-roasted scallops. If you're thirsty, you'll be pleased to discover a flamingo-inspired cocktail, made with tequila and cranberry juice.

Located on the seafront, The Fortune of War is something of a summertime drinking staple, especially considering it first opened its doors in 1882. Boasting an outdoor terrace scattered with benches that are usually packed as soon as the temperature rises above fifteen degrees, it's a fab place to sit with pals while sipping an ice-cold cider, and taking in the stunning views of the water. What's more, if you're hungry, you can tuck into a 10-inch pizza with toppings such as pepperoni and chorizo, or vegan cheese.

It should come as no surprise that Patterns is a firm favourite for those after a rooftop location in sunny ol' Brighton. Adorned with vibrant colours, leafy palm trees and pretty fairy lights, this outdoor terrace boasts stunning sea views, alongside thumping house music in the warmer months. If you're keen for a bite to eat alongside its signature cocktails like the fruity Rum Wray Round, then you'll be pleased to find a selection of pizzas. 

The Cricketers is a Brighton pub with outdoor seating, one where you can bask in the sunshine across streetside tables. This cosy old boozer has premium pub nosh to munch on like crusty ciabatta filled with crispy cod fingers and tartar sauce, plus burgers featuring dry-aged steak topped by melted cheese. Drinks-wise you can expect to wash down this fabulous fare with the best ales, lagers and more.

You'll have to move quickly to bag yourself a seat on Wahaca's streetside tables, but with a long list of icy concoctions and Mexican plates, it's worth it. Perch on North Street with a picante margarita in tow, while chomping on quesadillas packed with cheese and chicken. If you're not lucky, the inside of this charming eatery is pretty enough to drag you away from the sun for a feast worthy of any fiesta too.

Cool inside and out, Sidewinder has got our vote for one of the best bars with beer gardens in Brighton. Boasting quirky street art murals, lit-up trees, regular gaming nights and live music, this watering hole will keep you entertained long after the sun has gone away. If you're hungry you can munch on some seriously scrumptious subs filled with mortadella and provolone, then wash it down with some craft beer or a large balloon of gin. 

Situated just a few feet away from the sea, Ohso Social is, without a doubt, a top location for chilling with friends. It's a truly unique area equipped with individual igloos where you can enjoy prosecco or a refreshing G&T. There's also an outside area complete with umbrellas and benches for a more alfresco experience. Head to the beachfront bar for tipples and tanning during the day, or come round later when the party vibes kick up a gear, as there's always a local DJ or some live music going on. 

Looking for some gorgeous rooftop bars in Brighton? The Mesmerist is hiding a cool open-air venue that is ideal for those balmy summer nights. It also hosts regular parties complete with live music, encouraging you to dance away with your friends underneath strings of rainbow lights. This buzzing spot has a menu that features bites from Umami Nation, such as prawn tempura and vegetable spring rolls, plus classic cocktails alongside signature concoctions with a twist, like a Roof Lagoon made with vodka, blue curacao and lemonade.

Blind Busker in Hove has a large heated alfresco terrace that's sure to suit all your summertime needs. It's in a secluded setting with fencing for privacy and surrounded by trees. What's more, this fabulous Church Road watering hole also has a great choice of pints, alongside a selection of HD screens for sports fans to catch all the action. Sip on some fruity gin or a strawberry daiquiri before browsing a menu where you can bag three small plates, such as cheesy button mushrooms, for £14.49. 

Streetside tables are the name of the game at The Dorset. Bask in the rays at this traditional North Laine venue, tucked below hanging baskets, where you can people-watch to your heart's content. Here you can sip on some first-class craft pints, as well as Amstel on tap, plus spirits with mixers. Hungry? The kitchen also whips up some mouthwatering pub grub such as local ale-battered Atlantic cod fillet, vegan tempura banana blossom and a vegetable Wellington. 

Drinks with a view? The Seahorse not only provides picturesque scenes thanks to the fact its striking decking stretches out across the pebbly beachfront, but also offers a fabulous selection of cocktails (think whisky sours and espresso martinis), beers and wines. Make your way to this top-notch eatery for gastro food, including dishes for carnivores and vegans alike: you'll find an array of small plates such as sticky pigs cheeks or tempura cauliflower, as well as moules mariniere.

Just a stone's throw from the seaside, The Thomas Kemp is your new go-to for pubs with outdoor seating in Brighton. Its setting is cute, complete with sea murals and plants crawling up the walls. This boozer has got all the classics to keep you going throughout the week - think Bramptons cheeseburgers and sticky toffee pudding, served with a scoop of pistachio ice cream, alongside droolworthy Sunday roasts. Thirsty? There's plenty of top-class beer to wet your whistle. 

As close to the shore as you can get without making your toes wet, Tempest is one of the best spots for outdoor dining in Brighton. Head to this archway bar for incredible views of the ocean, seasonal plates of food depending on festivites and, come nightfall, some of the best bashes in town. Take your seat outside on one of its many benches and sink an ice-cold pint or a G&T - whatever takes your fancy on a sunny day. 

Venture up London Road and you'll come across one of Brighton's hidden gems. With a number of wooden huts and sun-soaked tables to choose from, Open House is also delivering the goods in the food department, through their choice of locally sourced grub. Expect sandwiches made with pulled chicken and smothered in tarragon mayo, or grilled halloumi topped off by tomato chutney. This den also prides itself on its expansive selection of beer, including Breaker pale ale and Birra Moretti.

From the front, The Lion and Lobster looks like a classic Brighton pub, however, venture out back and you'll discover a secret roof terrace, which has steps spiralling down to another alfresco dining den, surrounded by gorgeous foliage. It may be diddy in size, but it's a charming outdoor eatery which provides the perfect place for you to delight in some tasty craft beers paired with dishes like battered haddock and chips. 

Nestled away from the crowds in Preston, Park View is one of our top picks for restaurants in this town that are pooch-friendly. Not only does it boast a four-tiered beer garden and gorgeous outdoor area, but it's also got a range of craft beers, artisan spirits and pub classics. Head up to the wooden decking, boasting elegant high chairs topped cushions as well as comfy booths, and get your lips around an Aperol spritz or a Tommy's margarita.

The White Rabbit's tiny terrace is strewn with bunting and colourful potted plants. The ideal haunt for a sunshine-filled date, this terrace is themed on all things Alice In Wonderland - what better place to fall down the rabbit hole of summertime day drinking? There are a collection of glorious beers on the menu, such as some zingy stout from Mad Hatter Brewing, as well as grub like sticky Korean popcorn chicken and dirty fries.

Just a stone's throw from the train station, Grand Central has a cute little outdoor beer garden, filled with plants and bright furniture. It's a quaint and secluded courtyard that's situated among Brighton's rooftops, making it the perfect place to escape the chaos of the seafront and refuel with a cocktail in hand. Take your pick from an array of classics such as a tequila sunrise or a bloody mary, or opt for a crisp pint of the good stuff. 

Want a few sun-soaked sips in Brighton? Head to Post House Cafe, a stylish setting with a pretty garden area, complete with colourful walls and string lights. You can sip on everything from espresso martinis to margaritas and much more here, as well as indulge in its fantastic brunch offering. Feast on a Nutella-stuffed brioche, plus cheesy sweetcorn and potato hashes, or show up for some scrumptious small plates in the evening, like burrata accompanied by roasted squash.

Located along the beachfront, Walkabout has got to be one of the best outdoor bars in Brighton. Add in booze deals, pool tables and a regular lineup of live music, and you've got yourself a top watering hole. Take a seat among vibrant graffitied walls and benches under ribbons of fairy lights and wolf down Australian-inspired fare. Build your own burger from £9.50 per person and sling back tipples such as Long Island iced teas.

Take a break from playing on The World's End's epic selection of games and VR to soak up the sun on one of their streetside tables. Sit outside the eye-catching building and you'll get a prime view of this boozer's glorious painted frontage, while enjoying some succulent burgers, or an alternative to fish and chips: battered marinated tofu alongside fries and mushy peas. 

Major players on Brighton's burgeoning burger scene, the team at Honest Burgers know what they're doing when it comes to oozing cheese, juicy patties and crispy fries. Grab a bite to eat from as little as £10.80 including a side, and get your chops around the local special featuring bacon, smoked Mayfield cheese, Honest x Brighton Hot habanero hot sauce and chipotle slaw. We like to gobble up ours best with a bit of people watching - easily done from this place's streetside terrace.

Fancy drinking some delicious grape juice in the sunshine? Now you can with North Laine's The Wine Cellar. Boasting a heated outdoor space and street-side tables, this is the ideal location for alfresco slurps all year round. If you're hungry, there are also cheese or meat boards up for grabs to share with your friends so you can feel truly European in the streets of this seaside town without having to even catch a plane.

As wacky and wonderful as bars come in this town, each corner and crevice of Mrs Fitzherberts has something new to discover. Make your way outside and you'll find one of the town's top outdoor terraces, complete with its very own wood-burning fire and a retractable roof. Think Grecian statues, threads of lights and pretty pink wallpaper, as well as brown leather seats to perch atop, tipple in hand. On the menu, you'll discover delicious izakaya to share, like prawn lollipops, as well as a fab range of beers and classic concoctions such as mojitos and martinis.

Come rain or shine, it's always nice to enjoy some tasty nosh outdoors. So check out St George's Inn in Kemptown for their awesome south-facing beer garden. It's complete with Astro Turf, wooden booths and strings of bunting laced above. Delve into mouthwatering pub grub, from crispy fried halloumi burgers to fish and chips alongside mushy peas, while sipping on a crisp pint from a local brewery here.

Burnt Orange Brighton is one of the town's most Instagrammable places. Whether you're heading to their swoon-worthy outdoor space for a spot of lunch, complete with a baby blue, pinstripe canopy and elegant trees, or are in the mood for a few late-night bevvies, this top-notch haunt has got you covered. Here you'll find a menu complete with delights such as crispy fried okra, buffalo milk burrata and wood-fired BBQ chicken thigh. There are plenty of innovative drinks available too, like the burnt orange margarita.

The Hare and Hounds is the perfect location if you're searching for one of the best places to eat and have a drink or two in Brighton. Located slap bang in the middle of London Road, this top-notch den is decorated with pretty pergola benches (which come complete with toasty heaters) and skeleton cartoon murals. On the menu, you'll find roasts served from midday 'til 7pm on Sundays, plus modern Thai street food courtesy of Namo, like crispy pork belly with fresh chilli and vegetable gyozas to share. Drinks-wise, they've got you sorted with refreshing pints and G&Ts.

Inspired by simple yet slick New York eateries, The New Club is a den of Stateside charm. If you just so happen to be lucky enough to nab yourself one of their alfresco spots out the front of the eatery, you'll be chowing down on the likes of Baja fish tacos, fried koji chicken burgers and cracking brunch dishes such as pancakes drizzled with blueberries and a sprinkling of granola.

Flint House is home to one of Brighton's prettiest outdoor terraces, oozing sophistication with its exposed brick backdrop and dainty white seats. It's perfect for alfresco drinking and dining in the warmer months. When it comes to refreshments? Expect a menu of enticing small plates, including tempura pickled shiitake mushrooms, and thirst-quenching cocktails like a gin or vodka spritz.

Found in the very heart of The Lanes, Bohemia is a truly bespoke retreat for a little alfresco schmoozing. While many take to their front-of-house tables, indulging in handmade cocktails such as a smoked coffee old fashioned, you might be surprised to learn that Bohemia boasts its very own rooftop space in partnership with Veuve Clicquot. Join in the summer for a garden party or wander down during winter to get cosy in the covered area among heaters.

With eclectic decor and bold modern art, Hobgoblin has earned its name as one of the best beer gardens in Brighton. Not only is it famed for its thrilling escape room Bewilder, but it also knows what it's doing when it comes to alfresco eats alongside DJs every weekend. Head out the back to enjoy the summer months with a few cocktails, alongside food from pizza giants Slice. Wolf down a Spicy Yank, topped with pepperoni and Lombardi chilli, for £12.50.