Cool Places To Eat In Brighton

If you're after a cracking, hearty meal then The Lion and Lobster is a firm choice. Known as one of the town's oldest pubs, this lively haunt offers award-winning food, including a regularly changing catch of the day, alongside buttermilk chicken burgers topped with sriracha mayo and a stellar Sunday roast. Inside you'll find a maze of vintage trinkets, mahogany period pieces and framed photographs illustrating its rich history. Then, outside sees a dainty courtyard welcoming revellers to enjoy chunky chips washed down with cool pints. Sign us up.

Out of all the many, many cool bars around Brighton, there's one that steals our hearts every time: Dead Wax Social. The popular North Laine spot offers a winning trio of delicious New York-style pizzas from Dee Dee's, a fantastic selection of local craft beer and one of the best vinyl selections in town. Throughout the week you'll find a host of events such as Blue Mondays where DJ Fay hits the decks with guests, plus other themed, music-led evenings. 

A stylish neighbourhood bar and restaurant in Hove, Tapestry offers everything from relaxed brunches to sumptuous Sunday roasts and creative cocktails. Expect traditional interiors featuring wooden tables, plush leather sofas and pretty plants, with touches of gold throughout the venue.

Tuck into small plates such as ham croquettes with nduja, flatbread loaded with baba ganoush or whiskey-glazed pork belly, paired with a delicious concoction from the bar.

Featuring cavernous interiors and a seafront terrace, Tempest is one of the cooler, quirkier places to head to in Brighton when on the hunt for some delicious fare. When this hotspot isn't busy keeping you entertained with top-notch music events, it also serves a fail-safe menu courtesy of Bonito to satisfy your hunger pangs. Head chef Alistair Munro uses his expert skills obtained over the years to serve vibrant seafood dishes such as fresh scallops with coriander and lime, shrimp burgers and BBQ mullet curry. 

Looking forward to your next night out? Then use our new search engine so you can choose between 1000s of venues all across the UK. In addition, you'll earn rewards every time you book through DesignMyNight, which can be spent on cool events or experiences.

This central Brighton hotspot is a treasure trove of quirky interiors, from the suit of armour through to grand Chesterfield sofas. Whether it's bottomless brunches or an epic lineup of entertainment, this cool venue has a boatload to keep you occupied. Food-wise, you can expect to tuck into a Tex-Mex-inspired kitchen serving bold flavours in the form of tacos (topped with braised beef brisket and Monterey Jack cheese), plus spicy adobo chicken wings. 

You can't get a much cooler eating experience than tucking into fish and chips on Brighton's beachfront, with pebbles only inches away from your feet. Ohso Social is a unique restaurant and bar offering mouthwatering, crowd-pleasing grub like burgers with a view. Get comfy with mates and sip on Aperol spritzes and pitchers of Pimm's while tucking into mozzarella sticks and sweet chilli cauliflower bites before catching some live music, or head here for an exciting bottomless brunch. 

If dining in a Grade II-listed boozer fronting gorgeous interiors is what you fancy, look no further than The Fitz Regent. Located on Castle Square, this venue is home to a range of bottomless brunches, stonebaked pizzas and a roster of live music events to keep revellers occupied. On Thursdays, swing by for the quiz night where you can put your knowledge to the test in a bid to win a cash prize of £50, all while munching on double cheese and bacon burgers, of course. 

It doesn't get cooler than Pizza Pilgrims; this fun Italian joint is decked out with Formica tablecloths, unique light hangings and lots of indoor plants. The three floor pizzeria even boasts and indoor football pitch for you to get stuck into after (or before) your meal. And whether you're nutty of 'nduja, barmy for burrata and aubergine or mad for mushroom and truffle, they've got you covered with their wide range of toppings. 

You won't want to bypass this corker of a bar and food destination. Vintage decor, custom-built express booths in the style of train carriages and a menu of multi-award-winning New York-style buffalo wings? Sounds amazing and you can have it all and more at The Joker. Lost Boys Chicken runs the kitchen and, on Wednesdays, you can nab three for the price of two on wings making this haunt one of the many cheap places to eat in Brighton. Don't forget to check out its pretty roof terrace, or head upstairs to the cocktail room complete with a pool table, dartboard and smart TV.

The Actors is a friendly, inclusive space that's been a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ community in Brighton since 1974. Charming and wholesome, it provides a wooden furnished space to drink and dine as well as a theatre available to hire or to catch poetry readings, open mics and more. Head here and you'll be treated to slices from Decked Out Pizza Co with lots of moreish toppings like goats cheese and caramalised onions, alongside a roster of DJs, quiz nights or performances for after your meal.

No 32 is not only known for its huge chandelier, fun club nights and happening bar, this place is also a great place to eat. Spanning everything from sweet or savoury-fuelled brunches to a variety of grilled dishes, the food menu here is easily washed down by flamingo-inspired cocktails. Plus, there's a roof terrace to boot, which makes an ideal location for people-watching while tucking into some grilled tandoori monkfish skewers, chargrilled cauliflower or some creamy burrata. 

The Seahorse is a stunning beachside restaurant and bar overlooking the pier, with a wraparound terrace and bright, airy dining room. Featuring dainty, white patio chairs and fairy lights, it's the perfect place to enjoy an alfresco spritz or some delicious seafood dishes. You can look forward to plates of grilled tiger prawns drizzled in a peri peri butter, and pan-roasted cod served alongside tenderstem broccoli. There are also bar snacks on offer, like hot smoked salmon and whole-dressed crab, washed down with a vodka-based Sea Breeze, or a Bicicletta, made with Campari and orange.

With events such as speed dating and quiz nights, The North Laine Brewhouse is more than just a pretty face. The venue also has an on-site microbrewery, serving some seriously delicious fresh pints, as well as a menu of ace burgers topped with smoky BBQ pulled beef and melted cheese. Swing by to have a little fun with your mates on its football tables, try your hand at ping pong or indulge in a boozy bottomless brunch with your host, Aflie Ordinary, to see what all the fuss is rightly about. 

The original Post Master's cottage of The Lanes, Post House cafe is found in a historic building that dates back to the 1870s. Today, it's a vibrant, modern space that's filled with pretty plants and rustic wooden furnishings, also showcasing work from local artists on its walls.

Spread across two floors, you'll find a main cafe area, a cosy snug and a colourful urban garden for alfresco dining, open seven days a week from breakfast through to dinner. Tuck into hearty brunch dishes, homemade cakes or even Sunday roasts, paired with fresh coffee or classic and signature cocktails.

Dig into deliciousness at Apiary, a cosy, honey-themed space, shaking things up with award-winning concoctions featuring mead and honey-infused spirits. Sip on un-bee-livable cocktails like the Bee's Knees and the Orchard Keeper while indulging in delicious small plates such as grilled tiger prawns with guajillo chilli and leatherwood honey that celebrate the world of bees.

Inject your foodie plans with a trip to Easy Tiger at The Hampton. It's the delicious result of the team behind The Pond collaborating with Sabu Joseph, chef and director of Cafe Cardamom, to create cuisine the chef loves and knows best. Delve into a delicious menu filled with Indian eats, from a Kashmiri wrap to a flavour-packed king prawn curry, all before heading to the garden space to soak up some sunshine. 

Fronting American-style breakfasts, killer cocktails and unmissable weekend brunch events, The Breakfast Club is definitely one of the coolest restaurants in Brighton. Its seaside town location fronts rich pinks, greens and golds inside, paired with velvet sofas and eclectic patterned wallpaper transporting you to a retro diner where dreamy loaded pancakes are on the menu. Whatever mood you may be in, this place's menu of all-day dishes is sure to sweep you off your feet: think huevos rancheros, fried chicken and bacon waffles and plenty of bloody marys. 

From its vast selection of gins and local ales through to delicious pizzas, The West Hill Tavern is a true feast. It's housed in a building constructed in 1852, formerly known as the Belle Vue Inn, and now exists as a neighbourhood hotspot run by Ben and Heather Pistor. Add in the funky decor (yucca plants and fairy lights, anyone?) live music nights and a dog-friendly policy and you're onto a winner with one of our favourite cool restaurants in Brighton. On the menu, you'll find pizza from Great British Charcuterie Co. and delicious Sunday roasts, paired with Beavertown's Neck Oil and bloody marys to drink.

Maybe you're looking for Michelin star restaurants in Brighton but have you ever paused your hunt to dine at this gorgeous recommended one? Housed within a former bank, etch. retains some of those traditional elements while boasting a swish contemporary look, making it one undeniably cool eatery. Against the dark blue walls and vibrant orange hues, guests can tuck into equally impressive tasting menus from the brain of MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards. Be enticed by intricate plates of dippy egg (62c duck yolk), beef with asparagus and morel, plus Valrhona chocolate alongside pine nut and caramel for dessert.

Colourful, quirky and with a menu that'll make your stomach smile, La Choza is a Mexican-inspired eatery that's perfect for date nights and laid-back meals alike. It was born in 2012 as a street food joint on Gloucester Road and has since turned into a popular restaurant run by friends Aoife Sweeney and Annie Gelpey. Among vibrant Calavera and printed sofas, you can sip on margaritas, all while tucking into your own specially created burrito, tostada or taco made using authentic recipes. 

On the hunt for the best restaurants in Brighton with a view? The Salt Room is a stunning dining retreat fronting uninterrupted scenes of the sea. It boasts gorgeous copper lights paired with rich, blue furnishings and large windows looking out onto the ripples of the ocean. Enjoy some fresh seafood and summertime tipples on its pretty terrace area, or pop inside come colder evenings for swoon-worthy sights. The modern eatery celebrates cooking over coal, so you can look forward to the likes of chargrilled monkfish, and cod loin with mussels and chorizo on the menu.

Food For Friends is a top choice if you're vegetarian or vegan and looking for some plant-based goodness to devour. Known for its delectable plates and laid-back atmosphere, this quirky eatery is a perfect stop-off for lunch with friends or date nights alike. Presenting a warm and rustic dining room paired with elegant light fixtures, it offers a tranquil feasting experience from farm to plate: think celeriac Wellington, Hasselback squash and more, washed down with organic, biodynamic and natural wine. It's also dog-friendly, so your pooch doesn't have to miss out either. 

MEATliquor packs one hell of a punch when it comes to interiors and grub. Slide into a purple, plush booth in its graffiti-adorned wonderland and marvel at its anarchy-themed interiors: it's certainly a restaurant to take your friends to if you're looking for quirky decor to provide the backdrop for your meal. Sink your teeth into some epic stacked burgers, mouthwatering black bean chilli dogs, devilishly chips covered in beef and American cheese and plenty more. Yes, please.

Bringing effortless French vibes to Brighton, Plateau is an independent wine bar and restaurant boasting je ne sais quoi. It serves seasonal dishes in a tranquil setting of cream walls, dangling foliage and modern pieces of art fixed to the walls. It's also dog-friendly which is a major draw for fans of four-legged friends. Hunker down here to explore its enormous collection of handpicked bottles and pairings, or enjoy its fabulous selection of carefully curated small plates. With pickled mussels alongside aioli and sumac, plus orzo with roasted squash, sage and walnut, it's hard to resist. 

After some street food but looking to dine in? Patty & Bun is a London export famed for its impressive burgers. Armed with fresh ingredients, various cheeses and lightly toasted brioche buns, this trendy restaurant is pulling out all the stops thanks to its expansive menu of American-style eats. Take a seat among neon signage and panelled walls to get your chops around The Don, filled with pancetta, beef butter and American cheese, or the plant-based Hot Chic, finished off with smoked garlic aioli. 

The New Club is bringing a bit of New York cool to our little seaside town with its menu of burgers and craft ales. This Brooklyn-inspired location has turned a virtually derelict premise into laid-back diner-style interiors in the form of distressed, bare-brick walls, painted graphics and red leather booths paired with wooden tables, as well as a stunning outdoor terrace to catch those rays of sunshine. On the cards for brunch are Mexican eggs, pancakes topped with honey-glazed streaky smoked bacon and a hearty full English. 

If you're searching for romantic restaurants in Brighton, then be sure to check out The Coal Shed with your other half. Its decor really sets the mood when it comes to date night, thanks to its elegant light fixtures and dark furnishings contrasting its white-washed walls. Renowned for its hearty platters cooked over fire, expertly sourced meat and South Coast seafood inspired by founder Raz Helalat's Persian roots, there's plenty of tasty grub to share. Think glazed pork belly, new season lamb rump and spiced tuna tartare followed by honey margaritas and Kingston negronis. 

Nestled within a seafront arch and serving up a selection of British fare, Lucky Beach is a top choice if you're after a cool place to eat in Brighton. It's recognised to have one of the highest rankings of sustainable eateries and equally prides itself on serving some of the best fish and chips in town, with a fabulous view of course. Grab a pew at this chic 100-seater restaurant to enjoy the intimate and laid-back atmosphere while tucking into a menu packing tempting fresh crab tostadas with caper relish.

If you're looking for the best places to eat in Brighton and have Michelin standards then you'll be delighted to find that The Chilli Pickle has the next best thing: a Bib Gourmand. It opened in 2008 bringing colourful interiors paired with fragrant kebabs for lunch and street food for dinner. Enjoy tucking into Indian-inspired grub in its indoor dining space adorned with exposed beams and industrial features, or on its pretty outdoor terrace. Our picks? The achari paneer sizzler cooked over coals, or the tandoori chalk farm trout molee.