Ben’s guidebook
Great food and drink
These are our favourite places to eat, with the odd pub thrown in for good measure. There's a range here - fine dining for very special occasions, to lively/quirky/buzzy venues, to great family friendly favourites. Hopefully something for everyone.
Hove: This our favourite family eatery - excellent Italian pizza and salads, always lively local atmosphere, good quality food, relaxed and great if you have younger kids. Little ones get to eat free with each adult, but it'd be great value even if they didn't. Larger groups (10+) get an option to use a private room down stairs.
98 locals recommend
Fatto a Mano Hove
65-67 Church RdHove: This our favourite family eatery - excellent Italian pizza and salads, always lively local atmosphere, good quality food, relaxed and great if you have younger kids. Little ones get to eat free with each adult, but it'd be great value even if they didn't. Larger groups (10+) get an option to use a private room down stairs.
Hove: Masterchef Professionals winner's restaurant – vying for the top spot restaurant in Brighton & Hove - for a special occasion. Fine dining, need to book. But wow, this place, the service/food - is outstanding. Will get a Michelin star very soon surely. Best restaurant I've been to in the UK!
70 locals recommend
etch. by Steven Edwards
216 Church RdHove: Masterchef Professionals winner's restaurant – vying for the top spot restaurant in Brighton & Hove - for a special occasion. Fine dining, need to book. But wow, this place, the service/food - is outstanding. Will get a Michelin star very soon surely. Best restaurant I've been to in the UK!
Billie's cafe
98 Goldstone VillasHove Station: Great brunch options - try their hashes, fantastic
Hove Station: The best (strong) coffee in Brighton and Hove (arguably) – free babyccino for the little ones!
155 locals recommend
Small Batch Coffee
111 Western RdHove Station: The best (strong) coffee in Brighton and Hove (arguably) – free babyccino for the little ones!
Hove Station: A great little local drinking house - not really a pub - no music, just good beers (and unusual opening hours). I love it. The chatty beer-enthusiast owners will sometimes provide a tour of the tap room too.
25 locals recommend
The Watchmaker's Arms
84 Goldstone VillasHove Station: A great little local drinking house - not really a pub - no music, just good beers (and unusual opening hours). I love it. The chatty beer-enthusiast owners will sometimes provide a tour of the tap room too.
Hove: Fabulous seafood and craft beer on Belfast Street. May have to book. This review sums it up...
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/dec/09/the-urchin-hove-does-its-thing-with-gusto-restaurant-review-jay-rayner
126 locals recommend
The Urchin
15-17 Belfast StHove: Fabulous seafood and craft beer on Belfast Street. May have to book. This review sums it up...
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/dec/09/the-urchin-hove-does-its-thing-with-gusto-restaurant-review-jay-rayner
The Ginger Pig - Restaurant & Rooms
3 Hove StHove: Posh Gastro Pub option toward the sea
treacle & ginger
164 Church RdHove: For the best cake in Hove
Modelo Lounge
145 Church RdHove: Delicious brunch options – also child friendly
Hove: Traditional Italian with an amazing selection of ice cream facing Hove beach
131 locals recommend
Marrocco's
8 King's EsplanadeHove: Traditional Italian with an amazing selection of ice cream facing Hove beach
Brighton: Innovative, eclectic small-plate dining in a sleek industrial-style space with an open kitchen. Like Etch – eager to be one of the best restaurants in the region. Get a seat at the kitchen bar and see your food being created
131 locals recommend
64 Degrees
53 Meeting House LnBrighton: Innovative, eclectic small-plate dining in a sleek industrial-style space with an open kitchen. Like Etch – eager to be one of the best restaurants in the region. Get a seat at the kitchen bar and see your food being created
Brighton: Meaty and authentically Japanese – informal and low key but delicious
62 locals recommend
Bincho Yakitori
63 Preston StBrighton: Meaty and authentically Japanese – informal and low key but delicious
Next door to Bincho Yakitori - fantastic, cosy, lively, informal Mexican (with amazing cocktails!)
6 locals recommend
Halisco
64 Preston StNext door to Bincho Yakitori - fantastic, cosy, lively, informal Mexican (with amazing cocktails!)
Brighton: Chilli Pickle is a fantastic Southern Indian treat. Gorgeous delights and even a kids menu. Lunchtime specials. Book a table as very busy at weekends.
241 locals recommend
The Chilli Pickle
17 Jubilee StBrighton: Chilli Pickle is a fantastic Southern Indian treat. Gorgeous delights and even a kids menu. Lunchtime specials. Book a table as very busy at weekends.
Brighton: Good Sunday Lunch. Traditional pub. Great for a pint if you're heading into town.
177 locals recommend
The Lion & Lobster
24 Sillwood StBrighton: Good Sunday Lunch. Traditional pub. Great for a pint if you're heading into town.
Newly arrived in Brighton - decadent, over the top wonderful decor. The service is superb. Brunch is fantastic and I’ve heard afternoon tea is special. Lovely for a birthday treat. Even the loos are worth a trip - very opulent!
88 locals recommend
The Ivy In The Lanes
51A Ship StNewly arrived in Brighton - decadent, over the top wonderful decor. The service is superb. Brunch is fantastic and I’ve heard afternoon tea is special. Lovely for a birthday treat. Even the loos are worth a trip - very opulent!
Brighton: Gorgeous lunch stop off in the lanes for a couple of fish dishes before braving more shopping
244 locals recommend
Riddle & Finns
12b Meeting House LnBrighton: Gorgeous lunch stop off in the lanes for a couple of fish dishes before braving more shopping
This is our friendly local. It's recently come under enthusiastic new management. It's casual - a great place for a cosy winter pint, or on a sunny day, to sit out and catch some sunshine and watch the world go by. We love it!
52 locals recommend
The Foragers
3 Stirling PlThis is our friendly local. It's recently come under enthusiastic new management. It's casual - a great place for a cosy winter pint, or on a sunny day, to sit out and catch some sunshine and watch the world go by. We love it!
Sightseeing
Got to be ticked off stroll along the Pier, go on a scary ride then treat yourself to fish and chips at palms court on the Pier....and the doughnuts. Wristbands for the rides are good value. Avoid weekend afternoons. The rides are often closed if it's too windy
605 locals recommend
Brighton Palace Pier
Madeira DriveGot to be ticked off stroll along the Pier, go on a scary ride then treat yourself to fish and chips at palms court on the Pier....and the doughnuts. Wristbands for the rides are good value. Avoid weekend afternoons. The rides are often closed if it's too windy
Great place for a picture, sunset and in the moonlight. Quite often music or something fun going on so worth a mooch by
15 locals recommend
Bandstand
Kings RoadGreat place for a picture, sunset and in the moonlight. Quite often music or something fun going on so worth a mooch by
Stunning inside and out. Fantastic cafe too with great afternoon tea and lunches
494 locals recommend
Royal Pavilion
Stunning inside and out. Fantastic cafe too with great afternoon tea and lunches
Great views - a really good attraction on a clear day - not for those with vertigo! Do book in advance to get your 'flight time'.
565 locals recommend
British Airways i360
Great views - a really good attraction on a clear day - not for those with vertigo! Do book in advance to get your 'flight time'.
Boutique shopper's paradise, scattered with wonderful cafes and pubs. What's not to like!
439 locals recommend
The Lanes
Boutique shopper's paradise, scattered with wonderful cafes and pubs. What's not to like!
Our favourite spot on the South Downs. Less busy than Devil's Dyke (and/but without the pub). Great views.
84 locals recommend
Ditchling Beacon Car Park
Our favourite spot on the South Downs. Less busy than Devil's Dyke (and/but without the pub). Great views.
Comedy, Music, Events
Komedia Brighton
44-47 Gardner StA great night out - experience Brighton’s comedy scene.
Watch out for concerts and great comedians. Worth checking if anything is on as part of your visit
212 locals recommend
Brighton Dome
Church StreetWatch out for concerts and great comedians. Worth checking if anything is on as part of your visit
Big night out? This is the place. I'm mean there's lots of choice in Brighton, but we end up here a little too frequently. Check to see what's on - it's varied!
70 locals recommend
Green Door Store
4 Trafalgar ArchesBig night out? This is the place. I'm mean there's lots of choice in Brighton, but we end up here a little too frequently. Check to see what's on - it's varied!
Black Lion
14 Black Lion StGood pub in town for a few drinks and dancing
Children and Playgrounds
Lovely for little ones. Take a towel in the Summer as they’ll enjoy the fountain sprays!
15 locals recommend
Peter Pan Playground
299 Madeira DrLovely for little ones. Take a towel in the Summer as they’ll enjoy the fountain sprays!
Just next to the playground, large sandpit - great for the kids. Good spot for a sunny coffee, ice cream, lunch and a bit of respite from the often over crowded seafront.
78 locals recommend
Yellowave Beach Sports Venue & Beach Cafe
299 Madeira DrJust next to the playground, large sandpit - great for the kids. Good spot for a sunny coffee, ice cream, lunch and a bit of respite from the often over crowded seafront.
Play area at the bandstand/west pier (the burnt down one) is brilliant in the summer - it has a shallow pool for toddlers to paddle and loads of sand pits/slides - go early, especially in the heat/weekends
8 locals recommend
King's Road Playground
28 Kings RdPlay area at the bandstand/west pier (the burnt down one) is brilliant in the summer - it has a shallow pool for toddlers to paddle and loads of sand pits/slides - go early, especially in the heat/weekends
Adults and older kids there are a variety of water sports including water skiing and paddle boarding available at Hove Lagoon at the west end of Hove beach. There are also a number of kids activities – play park, big beach café, paddling pool adjacent to Hove lagoon
100 locals recommend
Hove Lagoon
KingswayAdults and older kids there are a variety of water sports including water skiing and paddle boarding available at Hove Lagoon at the west end of Hove beach. There are also a number of kids activities – play park, big beach café, paddling pool adjacent to Hove lagoon
If you’re in Brighton and the kids need a distraction, the playground at the Level a walk north of the Pavilion area is also good - again it has fountains.
75 locals recommend
The Level
Union RoadIf you’re in Brighton and the kids need a distraction, the playground at the Level a walk north of the Pavilion area is also good - again it has fountains.
Nice little seaside attraction - there's a stop at the Peter Pan playground, and Yellowwave beach cafe. We'll often park up on the Madiera drive and go to all three before heading for the beach. A good day out in good weather if you need to keep little ones entertained.
79 locals recommend
Volk’s Electric Railway
285 Madeira DrNice little seaside attraction - there's a stop at the Peter Pan playground, and Yellowwave beach cafe. We'll often park up on the Madiera drive and go to all three before heading for the beach. A good day out in good weather if you need to keep little ones entertained.
Hove Park is large and scenic and also has a children’s play ground, and across the park, a larger climbing boulder. The park also has tennis courts, Saturday morning Park Run (9am), Sunday morning Park Run for kids (also 9am), a miniature railway ( north/west corner - check opening times) and a cafe.
73 locals recommend
Hove Park
Goldstone CrescentHove Park is large and scenic and also has a children’s play ground, and across the park, a larger climbing boulder. The park also has tennis courts, Saturday morning Park Run (9am), Sunday morning Park Run for kids (also 9am), a miniature railway ( north/west corner - check opening times) and a cafe.
Rainy days out
For younger kids the soft play at Monkey Bizness in Lewes is the best of that sort of thing around
SEA LIFE Brighton
Marine ParadeThe oldest indoor marina in the world...
Monkey Bizness Lewes
Cinema + Bowling complex as well as a variety of (chain) eating options
240 locals recommend
Brighton Marina
Cinema + Bowling complex as well as a variety of (chain) eating options
Supermarkets
5 minute drive along Sackville Road en route to the A27. More expensive, but better quality food.
150 locals recommend
Waitrose & Partners
130-134 Western Rd5 minute drive along Sackville Road en route to the A27. More expensive, but better quality food.
Tesco Superstore
Church RoadBiggest supermarket nearby
Tesco Express
82 Western RdMini-market close to Hove Station
Take-away/Delivery favourites
Danny's Restaurant
179 Portland RdBest Chinese takeaway option in Hove and they deliver
Hove Tandoori
175 Church RdEasily the best for curry and good eating in too!
Pizza 500
83 Preston RdClassic Italian options, good value and quality – delivery available
Pizzaface Hove
202 Portland RdTakeaway/delivery pizza – more unusual + vegetarian/vegan options
The Old Bakehouse Cafe
5-7 Lowther Rd Great, fresh Vietnamese, delivery available online
The best fish and chips for miles around (well... alongside Bankers)
40 locals recommend
Wolfies Of Hove
90 Goldstone VillasThe best fish and chips for miles around (well... alongside Bankers)
Bankers Express
131 Church RdThe best fish and chips for miles around (... alongside Wolfies!)
Pho Brighton
12 Black Lion StLike Big Bowl - great, fresh, healthy Vietnamese takeaway