Hi all, off to Brighton on Sunday for three nights with the good lady. Our first holiday together sans kids in a lot of years.
Would like to explore nice bars, restaurants, and anything you can recommend.
Thinking I’ll need to book for most things rather than just have a wander- or will I?
THANKS!
I think the Brighton Spiegletent still has some events coming up this week so that could be worth a look to see if there's anything on that interests you.
If the weather is nice, I don't think you can beat a drink in one of the bars on the seafront. I can't help with food as it's been ages since I've gone out for a meal in town.
Riddle and Fin in the lanes is a favourite of mine. You can't book there, but don't imagine wait would be too long if you're there midweek. Helps if you like fish!
Another good fish place is the Urchin in Hove.
Pubs you can't go wrong really, also Lewes is worth a look if you fancy a boozy wander.
Not been to Brighton or Lewes since covid though so can't say if the experience has changed.
Assuming you’re not vegetarian eat at Baqueano, an Argentinian restaurant. The food is superb and great service too. It’s a must visit for us every time we go to Brighton in the future.
Book! Full of people last Friday when I went for my jab. Salt Room is good as is their other restaurant, coal shed.
Depends on your price point etc.
Bars - Lion & Lobster, The Hand In Hand, The Wick, The Cricketers, Revolution Bar is where the kids start out.
Eating - The Set, The Market, The Little Fish Market, Etch, The Gingerman (though I doubt you will get in), The Ginger Dog in Kemptown, Murmer, 64 Degrees, Food for Frineds, for the cheaper eat - La Choza ( great Mexican food), Fatto a Mano Pizza, Bincho Yakatori, Chili Pickle, Terre a Terre (for veggie), The Salt Room, The Coal Shed, Isaac at, Cin Cin, Donatello’s is a Brighton institution ( but TBH, I find it a bit average)
All the fish and chip shops on the front are gash - Bankers is good , or Wolfie’s nr Hove station are the best.
Things to do - wanders round the North Laine area and take in the Brighton vibe, the boardwalk for true Brighton kitsch( on the beach is meant to do nice burgers), Devils Dyke, Hove Lawns, Brighton Museum, the Pavilion, i360 if you must …
Hang around 7 Dials with the hip and the groovy
Boho Gelato for ice cream ( and yes, the queue is with waiting in)
Drink Harveys, Dark Star, or Brighton Bier company beers
Bread and pastry stuff from Real Patisserie
Nudey beach
Hang around near the peace statue for some late night fun
Terre a Terre is not just for veggies. Delicious - though pricey - food.
Undercliff walk to Rottingdean
Stroll on the South Downs way
Unbarred tap room for exceptional Brighton beers.
Terre A Terre is amazing, ignore the fact it's veggie. Just double up on the mixed starters, they're small versions of the mains.
(It's also opposite the alleyway from Quadrophenia for instagram selfie purposes)
Duke of York Picturehouse for cinematic pleasure.
open top bus up to Devil's Dyke if it's nice.
I asked for similar advice on here a couple of years ago and was recommended Riddle and Finns in the lanes as above. Was one of the best meals we’ve ever had.
Oh man, thank you so much, what great info.
The wife is an ex vegi, so some fab ideas.
Thanks all.
So far…
Sunday night is football so probably stay in for that, Riddle and Finns for Fish, Baqueano for meat and Terre a Terre for vegi.
Drinks we’ll wander, I’m guessing Monday night will be quiet.
Under cliff walk sounds good, as does bus thing.
Awesome
+1 for Riddle and Finns in the Lanes, they also have a new outlet in the new Shelter Hall bottom of West Street on the front, which also has a great street food gallery downstairs.
Riddle and Finns also run Due South (seafood again) which is under the arches overlooking the beach with outside dining - lots of good reports from there recently.
Bills is good for breakfast/brunch
A long-time go to pub is The Basketmakers in Gloucester Road which never changes and attracts a great mixed Brighton crowd
17grams for coffee in the lanes (much better than smallbatchr and wolfox) was ace in September.
Sophie Darling for a treat the wife will appreciate.
I'd also propose not going to NorthLaine Brewhouse - it was just a crap bar.
There's a street food market on the sea-front which is worth a look too.
I know a bit of dancing is out but and cool bars playing decent music. Ex raver but anything chilled/ funky/ not jungley (if confined to chairs) gay or not just fun.
Terre a terre has gone under, sadly.
Riddle & fins is nice but pricey, theres a nice seafood place called the copperclam under the arches which is more homely.
Oshyo does great asian food (trafalgar street).
If you can sneak into unithai (hove) for lunch, you'll get amazing thai.
Best option for mexican is carlito burrito (near st peters church).
Pubs are all over the shop now, I wouldnt know where to start!
Thanks scrumfled.
you sure about Terre? They had some bother but stayed afloat, I haven't been over this year but I thought it was still open.
trip advisor has reviews from 5 days ago. 🧐
Unithai was amazing, used to go all the time pre kids, is it still just a shop that they put tables in the aisle? I've never sweated so much 😂
the north laine (pub) is good if you've a large group (as it can be tricky to get in lots of places) - for 2 of you I'd avoid it.
St James Street can be fun for a bit of 'alternate' night life. Some good (normal) pubs along there too.
Take your bike = Stanmer Park 😉
Home town! just back from the pub that used to be an old fav The Eagle. Opposite another old fav the Basket makers (proper traditional pub) . It's really the best bit of town to hang out in i think. Away from the Seafront nobbers, still tourist friendly but locals too. The Eagle has had a make over since i was last in and has got an amazing Thai kitchen doing the food now. Bit different from the usual thai menu and they don't take bookings so you can be spontaneous and should be able to get in no problem.
It's hard to keep up with all the new restaurants coming and going but I'm going to have a go this summer! On my list to try is The Shelter hall and KUJIRA (Japanese which has got some amazing reviews)
Preston Park is a nice place to hang out and people watch on a nice summer's evening.
Oh and block bar on St James Street used to be good for a cheeky rave up. Not been since pandemic but i believe they are back in business doing what they can within restrictions
The Eagle has had a make over since i was last in and has got an amazing Thai kitchen doing the food now. Bit different from the usual thai menu and they don’t take bookings so you can be spontaneous and should be able to get in no problem.
Seconded. Chef that runs the kitchen is a friend so I'm biased but her food is amazing.
Oshyo does great asian food (trafalgar street).
I agree 🙂
Okay, what about a cafe for breakfast/ brunch, anything standout?
Thinking more eggs Benedict than bacon sarnies, but TBH I can swing both ways.
Also realised I missed a ',' earlier and it sounded like I didn't want gay club/bar, I meant to say ',gay or not'. Thanks for listening.
TBH I can swing both ways.
You’ll fit in just fine in Brighton
I’d just wander in the North Laine until you see somewhere you fancy.
Definitely the Lion and Lobster. Have a lovely meal in the cozy restaurant and get lost (literally) in the myriad rooms that make up the rest of the pub before heading up to the 'village' on the roof.
Is the Fortune O War still open? My favourite pub of all time! (a sticking hovel but I loved the place when I was at Uni there!)
Oeuf or mange toute for brekky
Went to the Fortune of War a week ago - they gave me al sort of shit about having a bike with me, and said that I had to leave it outside "their" outside area ( which the don't actually own, BTW).
Maybe said member of staff was having a bad day - but I would recommend to anyone.
Portion size at Gelato Gusto in the North Laine has gone back up so I would recommend them again. Basketmakers Arms is a good traditional boozer. The Campbelltown in Kemptown in a nice vibe. I do like the Barley Mow in Kemptown but it is very rough and ready.
There is also a good pub in the road parallel to running up to station that is Dark Star Brewery owned.
Be warned that this weekend , Brighton does appear to be Hen and Stag party Central
Well, we are here, very easy to drive in I must say.
Staying in the Oriental just off the sea front.
Having a can of Doom Bar in my pants, then heading out for an explore.
I had so many good nights in the Eagle watching the Fish Brothers. Is the 24 hour cafe at the market still open?
Sorry late to this one
Fortune O War....yep still there.
I've been loathed to recommend anything as Covid has had an effect on so many places. Some are just not coping and places I liked are rubbish now. Boozers are fairing up nicely. I like the Hand And Heart, the pub cat is ace and I hate cats. Even has it's own instagram.
Eating places are plentiful, though I'd not put my name to one at the mo. We eat in town every week and I've never been disappointed
When we have visitors with kids. We nearly always do a day on the Downs, a day on the front and mostly I cook, but restaurants well pick any.
If you want something else to do for a couple of hours, jump on the train to Shoreham, walk down to the river over the new glass bridge, turn right and walk past all the home made houseboats, they are genuinely mind blowing. Once you reach the end, turn right, over the road bridge, pint in the bridge, grab some chips and wander back to the station.
https://karlpoelz.com/visiting-the-bizarre-houseboats-of-shoreham-on-sea-near-brighton-in-sussex-uk/
I do like the Barley Mow in Kemptown but it is very rough and ready.
+1 for the Barley Mow, great for a lunchtime pint & ordering in a pizza 🙂
Went to The Eagle but it was full, ended up at a Mexican street food place just up from there- it was very good.
Pictonroad that looks amazing, definitely gonna go, maybe on way home. Great idea.
pint in the bridge, grab some chips and wander back to the station.
Think the Bridge is still closed as one of their staff members had covid and most of the staff are having to self isolate. The Crown a little further along the high street has a nice garden that overlooks the river. If you want chips, go to Bludens just off the High street, their fish and chips are way better than the Ropetackle.
@pictonroad you were right, terre a terre HAS survived. Great news!
Deffo one that should be on anyones list when they visit…
Food for friends is my favourite for vegetarian and is a long standing Brighton classic.
Muggomatic ..
You must live near me.
Bludens is rubbish - the Shoreham Fish Bar on Buckingham Road is excellent. Nearly as good as Chipwick in Worthing.
Takeaway food other than in Shoreham isn't so great - Kids Pizza is hit and miss. It is miss at the moment as they seem to be trying to recoup lost earning by putting very little on their pizzas.
If you want a Shoreham pub, look no further than the Welly. The Bridge is full of people who think the are yummy mummies or their husbands. The Crown and Anchor is okay. The Ferry Rigg has a reputation. The Royal Sovereign all of the locals just stare at you ( as they did in the Marlipins - however the rude woman behind the bar seems to have left). The Buckingham arms is a "good , honest boozer full of all os West Sussexes builders.
Go to the airport and the Hummingbird Cafe - nice food and the building is a great 1930 example
Has an amazing Thai at the Eagle in Brighton, after a decent pint in the pub opposite.
Great recommendations.
Glad you enjoyed it!