22 Exciting Places to Eat in the Lanes, Brighton

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The Lanes in Brighton are among the best shopping districts in the country and they’re justly famous for their eclectic array of everything from independent jewellers to custom fashions. They’re also home to some of the city’s finest restaurants and pubs, and we want to introduce you to some of the best. So, come on, let’s take a look and get your mouth watering.

Our 22 heavenly restaurants in the Lanes include English’s of Brighton, Food For Friends, Terre A Terre, 64 Degrees, Indian Summer, Ole Ole, Scoop And Crumb, Zizzi’s, Gars, Moshimo, Curry Leaf, The Ivy, Croque Shop, Browns and The Coal Shed,

The Most Traditional Fish And Chips: English’s of Brighton

Address: 29-31 East Street, Brighton BN1 1HL                                     

Call: + 44 1273 327980

You don’t have to opt for seafood at the city’s best seafood restaurant, but you probably should. English’s of Brighton is the oldest restaurant in the city, it was founded over 150 years ago and has been the property of the Leigh-Jones family for more than 75 years.

The oyster bar is one of the big draws and it’s the perfect place to strike up a conversation with the head oysterman to get tips on the rest of the menu. You don’t need to open your own oysters and they have plenty of free-flowing Prosecco to wash them down with.

The fish and chips, as you’d expect, is world-class and there are plenty of other amazing fresh catch options if you want something a little lighter on the waistline. You can select from over 100 wines to accompany whatever you choose.

They do cater to vegetarians though vegans are probably going to be a little out of luck.

The Best Vegetarian Place In Town:

Food For Friends

Address: 17 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HF                        

Call: +44 1273 202310

Food for Friends has been catering to vegans and vegetarians since 1985 and in my humble opinion, it’s the best place in the city for veggie food. It has won many awards for its cooking and was recently nominated in the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the country by The Sunday Times.

Their lunch menu is full of light treats which are also light on your wallet, at least as far as fine dining in Brighton goes, we particularly like the Portuguese Baked Eggs the rocket really brings the cheese, eggs and olives to life.

The main menu is also reasonably priced with individual dishes costing no more than £15 and the sharing platter (more than enough for two) weighing in at £26. Don’t miss it.

The Finest Vegan Option: Terre A Terre

Address: 71 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HQ                                         

Call: + 44 1273 729051

We love Food for Friends’ vegetarian options, but we think Terre a Terre might just have the edge when it comes to vegan cookery. It’s hard to create a menu that feels indulgent without any animal produce whatsoever but that’s exactly what they have done.

You’ll find that it’s stylish and tasteful inside with a nice location near the seafront. The vibrant colours prepare you for the taste explosion you’re about to bear witness to and there’s no denying that their range of organic beers is the perfect accompaniment for it.

However, be warned that the fixed 3-course menu is £35, which might be a bit much if you’re on a tight budget but if you’re not, live a little and hit up the Thai Aubergine Jungle Curry which is absolutely amazing!

Michelin Bib Gourmand Good: 64 Degrees

Address: 53 Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB                       

Call: +44 1273 770115

The Guardian newspaper asserts that 64 Degrees is the most exciting thing to ever happen to Brighton’s cookery scene and while we might not go quite that far, this is one of the best restaurants in the city by a long chalk. They are proud winners of the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Michael Bremmer, the chef and owner is all about “evolving cuisine” and that means you never know exactly what to expect in this small restaurant with a truly open kitchen. You can see them create magic from fresh, sumptuous local ingredients every night.

Think of it as British tapas and order a lot of plates and share them with a companion to get the most out of one of the most memorable eating experiences in the land.

Amazingly Authentic Indian: Indian Summer

Address: 70 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HQ                                         

Call: +44 1273 711001

Britain has taken to Indian food like fish to water and that means in much of the UK, Indian restaurants have tended to Anglicize their food to suit an English palate. Not so in Indian Summer where the menu is based on the food served during the owner’s childhood in India. This is the real deal.

We love the fine dining vibe of the place and even the brightly coloured curtains are stylish and elegant rather than overwhelming. We can recommend checking out their street food specials which are deliciously good. They are also happy to cater to non-dairy and gluten-free eaters.

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A Cheerful Entry Into The Local Food Scene: Giggling Squid

Address: 11 Market Street, Brighton, BN1 1HH                                   

Call: + 44 1273 737373

When you think of Brighton, you might not immediately think of Thai Tapas but that’s exactly what the Giggling Squid is famous for.  Their website might be trapped in the early 90s but their food most assuredly is not.

The idea is simple to create a real Thai-style dining experience where you cover the table from one end to the other with different dishes and then you jump from dish to dish to experience new flavours in every bite! If you like a little spice on your plate, you’ll love The Giggling Squid which is as fun as it sounds.

When You Like A Little Fire With Your Food: Ole Ole

Address: 42 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB                      

Call: +44 1273 739939

Ole Ole is an excellent tapas bar that blends European, Spanish, and Mediterranean ideas with verve and panache. But the best reason to go is not the food but the authentic flamenco dancing which takes place every Thursday and Saturday night starting at around 7.30 pm. There’s nothing to get your appetite up like a bit of passion.

We’d thoroughly recommend the tapas option. You can mix and match and there are enough vegan and vegetarian options that nobody has to go hungry or do without on a visit to Ole Ole. Though if you’re seeking something a bit more substantial there are plenty of options, they all tend to involve meat and fish. Prices are also very reasonable for Brighton.

Let Loose The Desserts: Scoop And Crumb

Address: 5-6 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HP                                        

Call: +44 1273 773780

While dining is important, so is dessert and yes, you can always grab something in the same place as you had your mains but why would you when Scoop & Crumb is in The Lanes? You see, they take locally sourced milk to create their own ice cream and then they make as many cakes, create as any flans, waffles, etc. as they can to complement it.

You don’t need some stuffy fine dining moment to enjoy the best desserts in the city by a barnyard mile. Scoop and Crumb will bring out your inner child and if you have actual children with you, they may never want to leave. This is the sweetest spot you’re ever going to need in town.

The Perfect Pizza: Zizzi’s

A Delicious and oh so succulent Pizza from Zizzi’s

Address: 7-8 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HE                       

Call: +44 1273 253222

Zizzi claims to be “individually Italian” and while we don’t quite know what they mean by that, I can say that they are the standout Italian restaurant in Brighton and that their pizzas take some beating. There’s a lot of rustic charm on the menu and that, fortunately enough, translates into very sensible prices – you’re not going to go broke at Zizzi’s.

There’s a very young vibe running through the décor but don’t let that put you off – have a cocktail and join in the fun. We can also recommend their gelato to finish the visit with if you can’t make it to Scoop and Crumb, that is.

Superb Contemporary Chinese Food: Gars

Address: 19 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, BN1 1HF                        

Call: +44 1273 321321

Gars has been the highlight of the city’s Chinese dining scene for 30 years and deservedly so. They’re justly famed for their exquisite Dim Sum menu which has to be seen to be believed, we’d recommend that you dive in and order some of everything that you fancy as you won’t be disappointed.

The day-to-day menu is constantly evolving to reflect the way that people’s tastes change but also how Chinese cuisine is constantly changing too. We’d recommend that you let their staff guide you through your ordering process so that you don’t miss out on the best items.

Supreme Sushi By The Sea: Moshimo

Address:  Bartholomew Square, Brighton, BN1 1JS                           

Call: +44 1273 719195

As you’d expect from a seaside resort, the fish in Brighton is very, very good and what better way to have it than as sushi? They claim that more than a third of their customers eat at Moshimo every week and we can see why, they have a membership scheme that offers a 50% discount on Mondays and Tuesdays making the food superb value for money.

PETA has given them an award for their contributions to the environment through their side project Fishlove which is designed to try and help bring an end to overfishing globally. They also offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, what’s not to like? Well, nothing that we can think of – there’s more than superb sushi to Moshimo and it’s all very good, indeed.

The Best Chicken In Town: Curry Leaf Cafe

Address: 60 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE                

Call: +44 1273 207070

This is the last Indian restaurant on our list but by no means least, in fact, we’d say that the Curry Leaf Café has the whole city beaten when it comes to preparing the most tender and juicy chicken dishes. It’s good enough to make you weep, though we find that most people just leave with a huge pleasurable grin from ear to ear after trying the chicken.

They specialize in South Indian food and also in craft beer which may be the greatest food and drink combination in England, today. They offer some really good vegetarian options too if you’re not keen on the idea of chicken. The décor is bright and breezy and you’re going to love the service from some of the most attentive staff in town too.

Fine Dining At Its Finest: The Ivy

Address: 51A Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF                                      

Call: +44 1273 082220

You may want to call your bank before you go to The Ivy just to make sure that you have sufficient funds available, this is real fine dining and it comes with a serious fine dining price tag too particularly if you intend to avail yourself of the excellent wine list.

You do get what you pay for though and The Ivy is a glitzy and elegant experience that brings out the best in both British and European cuisine with a few hints of more exotic climes thrown in. We’d recommend that you begin with cocktails at the bar before taking your seats and the bar staff are only too happy to chat about the menu if you’d like them to.

The champagne afternoon tea is a very good idea if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck from The Ivy brand. This is one of the true highlights of Brighton’s culinary scene as long as you can afford it.

Not A Restaurant But Awesome All The Same: Croque Shop

Address:  9 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH                                        

Call: + 44 1273 933840

OK, The Croque Shop is absolutely not a restaurant, but it is also one of the best places to make a quick pit stop for human fuel in the city. Forget Gregg’s and their faux-vegan sausage rolls, The Croque Shop can do you a real sausage roll stuffed with tasty locally sourced pork which is 100% organic. That’s how they’re meant to taste. And they have an actual vegan roll that tastes a million times better than Gregg’s offering too.

The French toasties are what keep us going back though, they’re so moreish. You can also grab a great cup of coffee or enjoy a Croque monsieur at The Croque Shop. You’ll be ever so glad that you did, this is how English bakeries should all be but sadly, there’s one like this one.

Go Plant-Based Or Don’t, Either Way, Is Fine: Browns

Address:  3-4 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH                                   

Call: + 44 1273 323501

This vibrant little Brasserie is one of the finest ways to experience a plant-based menu in the country, we think. That doesn’t mean that you need to stay away if you enjoy meat, they cater for that too but their dedicated plant-based menu is really something special and we’d urge you to skip the steak for the day and dive in.

Browns also have a fantastic afternoon tea between 3 and 5 p.m. every day where you can sip a little sparkling wine before indulging in a huge array of cakes and sandwiches and even some tea. On weekends Browns is open until midnight and it can be a nice place to grab a quick bite after the pub too.

When You Want Your Food Cook In Fire: The Coal Shed

Address:   8 Boyce’s Street, Brighton, BN1 1AN                         

Call: +44 1273 322998

This is probably not the restaurant for the committed vegan given that their slogan is “Meat, Fish, Fire” but if you want a flame-grilled steak – The Coal Shed might be your idea of heaven. Certainly, Brighton is currently the only place in the country outside of London where you can give it a try and it’s cheaper in Brighton, just.

Ingredients are all locally sourced and they are justly proud of their seasonal approach to dishes on the a la carte menu and they have regular daily specials. If you’re in the mood for some grub on the weekend their Sunday Sharing Roasts are generous and very tasty. You won’t save any cows in The Coal Shed but if that’s OK by you, it’s great.

Brighton’s Best Burgers: Patty And Bun

Address: 56 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AF                                         

Call: +44 1273 729 388

There are burgers and then there are Patty and Bun’s burgers. We will warn you that their website is a bit bold and brash but then again, so is their food and we think in a good way. You can get some excellent plant-based alternatives to beef if you’re looking for something vegan or vegetarian, but we think it’s hard to resist the call of meat here.

The Lamb Shank Redemption Burger is superb even if it is a little “gastropub” in its ingredient list. Vegetarians are sure to be impressed by the Smokey Robinson which does an excellent impression of a bacon double cheeseburger but without any bacon and without beef. The chicken burgers are also very good. In fact, whatever you choose at Patty and Bun, you won’t be disappointed.

The Old School British Pub: The Cricketers

Address:  15 Black Lion Street, Brighton, BN1 1ND                           

Call: +44 1273 329472

When we say old school, we might also mean “old” as The Cricketers is, in fact, the cricketers is the oldest of Brighton pubs and it’s not to be missed. It first opened its doors in 1547 though we imagine that it has changed ownership quite a few times over the years but even today it retains a certain Victorian charm that smacks of luxury in times when there was a British Empire.

However, there’s no hint of colonial snobbery and The Cricketers may be one of my favourite pubs anywhere in the city. The food is very much traditional British Pub Grub, but they’ve added a few local twists to make things their own and to prevent adventurous eaters from getting bored. They do a very good burger too.

The beers are brilliant with a full range of craft ales from around the world. You can’t go wrong with The Cricketers.

Reliably English: Druid’s Head

Address:  9 Brighton Place, Brighton, BN1 1NJ                                    

Call: +44 1273 325490

If you want a no-nonsense pub experience then you can do much worse than The Druid’s Head which is currently managed by the Greene King Brewery and who, to everyone’s pleasant surprise, have done a great job in continuing this pub’s reputation for good honest food and pleasant beer.

The management arrangements mean that there are regular beer promos in the pub, and you can often get a buy 2 get a 3rd free kind of arrangement on bottled beers. The menu is solid British fare and while it won’t blow you away with originality, it will leave you pleasantly full and happy that you came.

Brilliant Bar Food: The Pump House

Address:   46 Market Street, Brighton, BN1 1HH                                

Call: +44 1273 827421

The Pump House is all about its bar food and traditional ales. If you want to drink proper British beer and let the world go by for a few hours, there are very few places as welcoming in the city. We’d also note that they have some very good value deals and if you visit their website, you can get 25% off the costs of your next visit and you can’t say fairer than that, really.

We’d recommend that you download their app if you intend to visit and then you can always book a table on the fly and be assured of a seat even on the busiest of days. The building itself is very Instagrammable too.

A Hidden Gem: The Bath Arms

Address: 3-4 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB                    

Call: +44 1273 731864

The Bath Arms has held a license since 1864 which they say makes them the oldest licensed premises “in the area” which is vague enough to be true. Underneath the building is a “secret tunnel” which is said to be haunted, though they may just be saying that to attract you in to sample a different kind of spirit.

However, it has to be said that it’s a warm, welcoming kind of pub and the gastro food menu is very good. It’s a nice spot to sit and chat with a friend over a beer and a meal.

Nightlife And Excellent Nosh: The Victory

Address:  6 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH                                        

Call: +44 1273 326555

The best thing about The Victory is its live music scene and if you want to get the most from that – it’s best to head down on a Saturday or Sunday night when the party goes until late. However, during the week it’s a pleasant enough place for a few beers and some food.

Vegetarians are very well catered for at The Victory and it may be the best pub food in town for plant-based diet fans.

Conclusion

As you can see there are at least 24 heavenly restaurants in the Lanes, Brighton, UK. In fact, if you include coffee shops, cafes, tea shops, and a few more pubs, you might be able to eat in a different place every day for more than a month. This is good because it will give you the energy you need to explore and get the most out of the fantastic shopping and entertainment in the area.

There’s a good reason that many visitors to Brighton are repeat visitors and much of that reason is the variety and excitement offered up by The Lanes.

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