My Brighton & Hove recommendations
Places to visit
Some of my favourite places to visit in Brighton and Hove.
Incredible historic palace, well worth a visit for all the family.
289 locals recommend
Brighton Pavilion
Incredible historic palace, well worth a visit for all the family.
A little tacky but kids love this place for the arcades and the rides.
605 locals recommend
Brighton Palace Pier
Madeira DriveA little tacky but kids love this place for the arcades and the rides.
Brighton beach is fun and buzzing, at any time of year, although sunny summer weekends are the busiest time. As well as the many restaurants, bars and independent shops, there are volleyball courts, kids play areas, petanque courts, the i360 experience, outdoor live music venues, table tennis tables, a sailing club, an upside down house, zipwires, a mini train to the marina and buskers galore. Be prepared to queue or book in advance for a table in the summer but in the quieter months it has a more relaxed, local appeal.
28 locals recommend
Brighton seafront
Brighton beach is fun and buzzing, at any time of year, although sunny summer weekends are the busiest time. As well as the many restaurants, bars and independent shops, there are volleyball courts, kids play areas, petanque courts, the i360 experience, outdoor live music venues, table tennis tables, a sailing club, an upside down house, zipwires, a mini train to the marina and buskers galore. Be prepared to queue or book in advance for a table in the summer but in the quieter months it has a more relaxed, local appeal.
Lovely nearby park with tennis courts and other sports equipment. Great place for picnics and dog-walking.
73 locals recommend
Hove Park
Goldstone CrescentLovely nearby park with tennis courts and other sports equipment. Great place for picnics and dog-walking.
Eating and drinking
My pick of the best places to eat and drink in Brighton and Hove.
Trendy bar and restaurant complex on the beach with a roof terrace. You will probably need to book in advance at weekends or busy times.
134 locals recommend
Rockwater Hove
Western EsplanadeTrendy bar and restaurant complex on the beach with a roof terrace. You will probably need to book in advance at weekends or busy times.
Food hall with a variety of stalls and a bar. Great for pleasing a group with different tastes. Can sit inside or outside, right by the beach.
58 locals recommend
Shelter Hall
Food hall with a variety of stalls and a bar. Great for pleasing a group with different tastes. Can sit inside or outside, right by the beach.
Amazing seafood, worth the high price. Branches in The Lanes and on the beach.
244 locals recommend
Riddle & Finns
12b Meeting House LnAmazing seafood, worth the high price. Branches in The Lanes and on the beach.
High end seafront restaurant with incredible seafood dishes and impeccable afternoon teas.
149 locals recommend
The Salt Room
106 Kings RdHigh end seafront restaurant with incredible seafood dishes and impeccable afternoon teas.
If you want a good quality burger on the beach, this is the place to come.
46 locals recommend
Lucky Beach Cafe
183 Kings RdIf you want a good quality burger on the beach, this is the place to come.
Lovely Thai and Indonesia restaurant in Kemptown run by a Thai/Spanish couple. Highly recommended.
Longrain Theatre
Lovely Thai and Indonesia restaurant in Kemptown run by a Thai/Spanish couple. Highly recommended.
If you want to treat yourself to a posh cocktail, this is the place to come. Booking is advised
107 locals recommend
The Plotting Parlour
6 Steine StIf you want to treat yourself to a posh cocktail, this is the place to come. Booking is advised
Sunday roast dinners are a big deal in Brighton and Mrs Fitz's in North Laine does one of the best.
10 locals recommend
Mrs Fitzherbert's
25-26 New RdSunday roast dinners are a big deal in Brighton and Mrs Fitz's in North Laine does one of the best.
A little more expensive than an average sushi place but this fusion restaurant does Latin-inspired sushi that is worth every penny. The seaweed tacos are incredible.
8 locals recommend
Tropical Sushi
12 Western RdA little more expensive than an average sushi place but this fusion restaurant does Latin-inspired sushi that is worth every penny. The seaweed tacos are incredible.
Part of a chain but a good option for family-friendly fare that will satisfy the fussiest palates.
33 locals recommend
Modelo Lounge
145 Church RdPart of a chain but a good option for family-friendly fare that will satisfy the fussiest palates.
If Mexican is your thing then cheap and cheerful La Choza is worth a visit. They don't take bookings so turn up early to put your name on the waiting list at the weekend.
138 locals recommend
La Choza
36 Gloucester RdIf Mexican is your thing then cheap and cheerful La Choza is worth a visit. They don't take bookings so turn up early to put your name on the waiting list at the weekend.
This pub was recently overhauled and now offers an impressive range of gins. The food is decent, especially the Sunday roast, and they have DJs at the weekends if you want to get your toes tapping. Near to the flat on Church Rd.
17 locals recommend
Old Albion
110 Church RdThis pub was recently overhauled and now offers an impressive range of gins. The food is decent, especially the Sunday roast, and they have DJs at the weekends if you want to get your toes tapping. Near to the flat on Church Rd.
A renowned pub and seafood restaurant, which recently got a favourable review from food critic Jay Rayner. Booking is advised.
126 locals recommend
The Urchin
15-17 Belfast StA renowned pub and seafood restaurant, which recently got a favourable review from food critic Jay Rayner. Booking is advised.
This place is not cheap and the portions aren't massive but everything is very tasty. Booking advised.
38 locals recommend
Cin Cin Hove
60 Western RdThis place is not cheap and the portions aren't massive but everything is very tasty. Booking advised.
A decent pub with a good quality Thai kitchen (closed on Sundays) on the corner of Palmeira Square in Hove. Gets a little noisy at the weekends with a younger crowd but is more chilled on a weeknight.
73 locals recommend
The Wick Inn
63 Western RdA decent pub with a good quality Thai kitchen (closed on Sundays) on the corner of Palmeira Square in Hove. Gets a little noisy at the weekends with a younger crowd but is more chilled on a weeknight.
One of the closest pubs to the flat, quite cosy in the winter months with an open fire. Sometimes shows sport and has live music at weekends.
42 locals recommend
The Exchange
8 Goldstone StOne of the closest pubs to the flat, quite cosy in the winter months with an open fire. Sometimes shows sport and has live music at weekends.
The closest pub to the flat. Food is not bad here and it gets the last of the afternoon sun on the bench seating at the front.
25 locals recommend
The Poets Ale and Smokehouse
33 Montgomery StThe closest pub to the flat. Food is not bad here and it gets the last of the afternoon sun on the bench seating at the front.
The Stoneham
153 Portland RdA large pub with an enclosed garden that is popular with families.
Things to do
Some fun activities for grown ups and kids.
Watersports, skateboarding area and kids entertainment surround Fatboy Slim's cafe, just behind the beach huts.
100 locals recommend
Hove Lagoon
KingswayWatersports, skateboarding area and kids entertainment surround Fatboy Slim's cafe, just behind the beach huts.
For cinema buffs or rainy days, the Duke of York's is a lovely old cinema with the comfiest seats you'll find anywhere.
207 locals recommend
Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton
Preston RoadFor cinema buffs or rainy days, the Duke of York's is a lovely old cinema with the comfiest seats you'll find anywhere.
UV mini golf and carnival games with a bar, what's not to like?
12 locals recommend
GLOBALLS - Jurassic & Tropicana
The WaterfrontUV mini golf and carnival games with a bar, what's not to like?
These escape rooms are a great indoor activity for adults or the whole family. The rooms range in difficulty and group size. Book in advance.
Pier Pressure Escape Rooms
33 Upper N StThese escape rooms are a great indoor activity for adults or the whole family. The rooms range in difficulty and group size. Book in advance.
The upside down house is a fun activity for everyone, especially those looking for unusual photos for the social media feeds.
15 locals recommend
Upside Down House – Brighton
The upside down house is a fun activity for everyone, especially those looking for unusual photos for the social media feeds.
Snoopers is a Brighton institution and one of many bric-a-brac and vintage shops in the North Laine area that are fun to mooch around.
90 locals recommend
Snoopers Paradise
7/8 Kensington GardensSnoopers is a Brighton institution and one of many bric-a-brac and vintage shops in the North Laine area that are fun to mooch around.
Nearby places to visit
A few places a little further afield that are worth exploring.
Rottingdean is a small but attractive town to the east of Brighton. You can cycle there along the seafront and visit Rudyard Kipling's garden or have a pint at one of the many quaint pubs.
Rottingdean Beach
Rottingdean is a small but attractive town to the east of Brighton. You can cycle there along the seafront and visit Rudyard Kipling's garden or have a pint at one of the many quaint pubs.
A lovely big beach, about 45 mins west of Hove. You may need to book parking in advance in the summer months.
329 locals recommend
West Wittering Beach
Pound RoadA lovely big beach, about 45 mins west of Hove. You may need to book parking in advance in the summer months.
The town of Arundel is worth a visit anyway for a wander around the cobbled streets, but the striking castle is the centrepiece.
451 locals recommend
Arundel Castle
The town of Arundel is worth a visit anyway for a wander around the cobbled streets, but the striking castle is the centrepiece.
Leonardslee Gardens make a nice serene day out. They have wallabies and deer roaming the grounds and outdoor sculpture exhibitions. They also do a winter light festival which is worth a visit.
37 locals recommend
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
Brighton RoadLeonardslee Gardens make a nice serene day out. They have wallabies and deer roaming the grounds and outdoor sculpture exhibitions. They also do a winter light festival which is worth a visit.
Lovely walks across the downs with stunning views in all directions. You can get the 79 bus here from Churchill Square but only on weekends.
81 locals recommend
Ditchling Beacon
Lovely walks across the downs with stunning views in all directions. You can get the 79 bus here from Churchill Square but only on weekends.
Devil's Dyke Rd, Hove, UK
Traveler advice
Getting around
Rent a bike and cycle along the seafront
The BTN BikeShare scheme has bikes parked at various places around the town and beyond. The mostly-flat cycle path runs along the seafront from the King Alfred leisure centre in Hove to the pier, the marina and beyond. It's easier to book through the app so worth downloading in advance.
Local tip: Choose a pin code with repeating numbers (eg 1122) as the key pads on the bikes are sticky and accuracy can be tricky. If you can't get a bike to work, it may be best to walk to the next stand, which is likely to be fairly close by.