Award-winning restaurants in The Lanes, vegan cafés in Hove, cocktail bars in Brighton with rooftop views & pub food that’ll make you want to move here. This is your ultimate guide to drinking & dining like a local.
Brighton isn’t just about the pebbly beach and those cheeky seagulls nicking your chips. We’ve got one of the UK’s most exciting foodie hubs, bursting with independent flair & international flavours.
Looking for the perfect date night spot? Planning a special birthday? After the best local roast in town?
Find the top places to eat & drink for whatever you’re craving.
Be the first to hear about new restaurants, local favourites, food events & the places everyone suddenly seems to be booking.
If you really want to taste the true independent flavour of Brighton, there’s an abundance of local gems that steal the show. Here’s some of the best Brighton restaurants locals rave about.
Pre-drinks or date night, Brighton & Hove has you covered with lively cocktail bars, low-lit wine bars and tucked-away places that feel a little more special than the obvious choices.
There’s always something cooking in Brighton. Discover coffee tastings in The Lanes, pop-up supper clubs, themed dinners, food festivals, bottomless brunches & one-off culinary experiences.
Brightons #1 Nightlife attraction. Experience Brighton Like you Never Have Before- On the Rocks!
Brighton's biggest Bavarian celebration is back for 2026 and tickets are officially on sale. Returning to Shelter Hall on Brighton seafront for one weekend only, Brighton Oktoberfest promises an unforgettable evening of live entertainment, stein-filled celebrations, and big party atmosphere.
Brighton's biggest Bavarian celebration is back for 2026 and tickets are officially on sale. Returning to Shelter Hall on Brighton seafront for one weekend only, Brighton Oktoberfest promises an unforgettable evening of live entertainment, stein-filled celebrations, and big party atmosphere.
Brighton's biggest Bavarian celebration is back for 2026 and tickets are officially on sale. Returning to Shelter Hall on Brighton seafront for one weekend only, Brighton Oktoberfest promises an unforgettable evening of live entertainment, stein-filled celebrations, and big party atmosphere.
Brighton's biggest Bavarian celebration is back for 2026 and tickets are officially on sale. Returning to Shelter Hall on Brighton seafront for one weekend only, Brighton Oktoberfest promises an unforgettable evening of live entertainment, stein-filled celebrations, and big party atmosphere.
Grab a final seaside brunch before dashing for the train home after a busy weekend
exploring the city. Catch up with friends on tales from the weekend at the best of
Brighton cafes, and bring your pups (yes, most cafés here are happily dog‑friendly)
to enjoy a slow Sunday winddown before heading back to work.
Think Instagrammable pancakes piled high, full English breakfasts with all the
trimmings, matcha lattes that locals swear by & flat whites strong enough to
cure even a Mesmerist‑level hangover.
Cafe culture is on another level in Brighton & Hove. With standout coffee, Instagram-worthy brunches & interiors that make staying for a second, or third, coffee all too easy.
Brighton’s food & drink scene is as eclectic as its neighbourhoods. Let’s take a little wander.
Brighton’s best pubs are often the ones tucked away on residential streets, with hidden gardens, cosy corners, proper Sunday roasts & an easygoing atmosphere made for after-work pints & long catch-ups.
Street food has become a proper part of eating out in Brighton, with food halls, markets & pop-ups giving local traders somewhere to serve dishes without the formality of a restaurant.
For the nights when cooking is absolutely not happening, Brighton’s independent takeaways come through with big flavours, generous portions and food you’re genuinely excited to see turn up at the door.
Brighton does a dangerously good line up when it comes to sweet stuff. Independent bakeries, cake counters, ice cream shops & chocolate makers make “just one” surprisingly difficult to stick to.
We’ve answered the most popular questions to help you experience the best of Brighton & Hove’s food scene.
If you’re planning to go for dinner in Brighton on Friday or Saturday, you should definitely try to book a table in advance. For impromptu lunch and dinners during the week, walk-ins are normally no problem. If you’re a big group, it’s safer to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Brighton is one of the UK’s best cities for vegan and vegetarian food, so you’ll never be stuck with just chips or a side salad. From fully vegan pubs serving burgers, kebabs and Sunday roasts to plant-based sushi, cafés baking incredible vegan pastries and ice cream that’s so good you won’t believe it’s vegan.
If you’re looking for bars, clubs, DJs and somewhere to dance until the early hours, head to North Laine, Kemptown or Brighton seafront. If you’d rather settle in with cocktails, a glass of wine or a few drinks with friends, The Lanes and Hove are packed with stylish bars offering a much more relaxed and intimate atmosphere for date nights in Brighton.
Brighton isn’t short of award-winning cafés and brunch spots. Discover the city’s favourite matcha in The Lanes, expertly brewed third-wave coffee in Hove, and an eclectic mix of interiors to sit back, watch the world go by or catch up with friends. Enjoy botanical conservatories, french-inspired interiors and rustic spots where dogs are just as welcome as people.
Brighton has a handful of rooftop bars where cocktails come with panoramic views across the city, beach and coastline. Expect open-air terraces, rooftop gardens, sunset drinks and some of the best spots to watch the sun go down on a warm summer evening.
Brighton’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is mostly around St James’s Street and Marine Parade in Kemptown, where you’ll find some of the most popular gay bars, drag and cabaret venues. While Brighton doesn’t currently have a standalone lesbian bar, many venues are proudly inclusive and popular with queer women.
You’ll also find regular LGBTQIA+ events taking place across Brighton & Hove, subscribe to our newsletter & keep an eye on our What’s on page to see what’s happening in Brighton this month.
Brighton serves up street food markets and outdoor pop‑up feasts most of the year, while the Brighton Open Market often hosts seasonal foodie celebrations (Easter, October, December).
The official Brighton Foodies Festival is an annual event that celebrates top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks & live music. It usually held early May over the early May Bank Holiday weekend every year.
If you run a food and drink business in Brighton & Hove, you can create a Spotlight or claim an existing one on Brighton.co.uk. Every Spotlight includes a dedicated business page where you can showcase what you do, whether you operate from a permanent premises or provide food and drink services across the city.
Looking to reach even more people? Take a look at our advertising opportunities and put your business in front of more locals and visitors.
