Tiny reviews of Brighton food and drink
I’ve been to one of these up north but was taken here to have a chateaubriand as the search for fantastic steak continues. At £65 for two (including sides) it should really be memorable, but instead it was just ok. If I had it for £20 a head, fine, but it wasn’t! Staff were helpful but this is very much a hotel restaurant – just ok.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 2 Ship Street
Burger place, a couple of notches above super casual but a nice relaxed vibe. Plenty of room, fantastic service, and impressed with the burgers. Personally had never had a burger with a strong cheddar in it and it worked really well – chips great as well, and the price point is excellent.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 87-93 Dyke Road
Fairly large Italian, one of three in a very close vicinity. Clearly a proper authentic Italian place run by Italians, which is great; service however wasn’t great, things being forgotten and apologies not forthcoming. However, outweighed by exceptional food – amazing meatballs, gnocchi and one of the best chocolate mousses I’ve ever had. Just don’t be in a hurry – will be interesting to see the other Italians in the area.
Our final stop through the Gingerman Group was sadly disappointing. Pros are a very nice setting, and some excellent main courses – steak especially good. Let down by £8.50 desserts which were deeply average (would have been fine for £5.95 but at that price you expect more) and a £7 petit fours that looked like five things out of a box. Most of all, deeply uninterested service; there weren’t many diners to staff but they were hard to get and food all took ages. Hilariously, three normal desserts came and had to wait for petit fours, which, as noted, clearly came out of a container somewhere.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location: 12 College Place
Lovely charcoal grill Turkish place, really juicy meat and a nice interior. Just a quality Turkish. Extra points for free baklava at the end.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 28 Church Road
Debated whether to include this but it’s a part of our Brighton experience so I think it counts. Semi-rural restaurant with a lovely beer garden and a short drive from Brighton – we were drinking outside in the sun at half five easy. And the restaurant is small and quite charming, that great sort of place where everyone is lovely but the food is storming. Amazing rib croquettes with chipotle mayo, potato and truffle soup, crispy lamb shoulder, chicken pie or beef fillet with duck fat chips – all amazing and actually very well priced.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: Muddleswood Road, Hassocks
Classic excellent Chinese restaurant – not much to speak of re decor, but comfortable, with an enormous tasty menu at bargain prices. Peking duck especially good.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 33-35 Preston Street
It doesn’t seem promising – its website is garbage and the exterior looks budget. But that is totally wrong, this is one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever been to. Not dramatically original inside but clean, spacious, and friendly, and with a really interesting and varied menu. Mysore chilli chicken really special, and lamb rogan josh extremely excellent. All for very affordable pricing.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 58 London Road
Chain this one, but pretty nice inside, lots of room! I enjoyed my brunch burger and thought the fries were excellent, but chicken burger a bit uninspired and the service, frankly, very annoying, so points off. Happy hour bargains though including half price beers!
Verdict: Ok
Location: 15 North Road
Neapolitan pizza, renowned in Brighton and Hove but honestly, only ok. Pizza pretty good, but Brighton is lousy with top flight Neapolitan pizzerias. Cheap, yes, but the place is small, hot, and pretty plain. Basically, you’ll have a pretty solid meal but much better to be had.
Edit 25/3/20: Had a delivery from these guys and it was amazing, so just get delivery!
Verdict: Ok / Edit: Awesome
Location: 77 London Road