5 of the best fine dining experiences in Brighton, UK

Brighton is host to one of the World’s best rated food festivals which is held twice a year turning the city in to a foodie haven. With its unique charm, fresh local produce and Brighton’s ’boutique’ style, it’s no great surprise that Brighton & Hove has a wealth fine dining and full service restaurants offering the very best dining experiences. Although there is no shortage of restaurants for the visitor to Brighton, here are my recommendations if you want to experience the best culinary delights.

The Gingerman

Cited by many as one of the best places to go and eat in Brighton. Situated close to the sea front the restaurant offers a uncomplicated menu which is full-on flavour, made from the very best fresh ingredients and only uses seasonal produce. The Ginger Man has a very relaxed ambience and an intimate feel with impeccable service. With prices around 18 for lunch and 35 for the dinner menu, the food here will put a smile on your face.

Graze

Offering modern cuisine cooked by talented chef Will Stanyer, this award winner restaurant offers a sophisticated fine dining experience. Take a journey of taste discovery with the seven course tasting menus or the new British menu where classic British favourites like fish n’ chips are given their unique twist. All menus have a focus on culinary excellence, impeccable service and a warm atmosphere, it’s a real gem!

The Restaurant at Drakes

With fantastic food and service, Drakes offers one of the most exciting dining experiences in Brighton and it’s easy to see why they have been awarded two AA rosettes. Only using the very best locally sourced ingredients including fish caught daily by local fisherman, the menu features classic cuisine with an emphasis on strong flavour. With an intimate and sophisticated tone the restaurant is subtly lit, the food excellent and is the perfect place for a special night out.

Sam’s of Brighton

Tucked away in a little corner of Kemptown, Sam’s is friendly, affordable, relaxed and has probably one of the best steaks I’ve ever tasted. With exceptional food and unpretentious, Sam’s is classically English and offers a mouth watering bistro style menu which changes to offer the best seasonal produce and you can certainly taste the quality. The tables may be a little too close to each other but with prices at around 30 per head it is difficult to fault this restaurant.

Terre a Terre

If you think vegetarian food is boring, then it’s time to think again! Terre a Terre features a menu focusing on taste and satisfaction, with influences from all over the World, you’ll experience a gastronomic experience like no other. Dishes have been put together with imagination, mixing traditional with innovative ideas to produce food that gives the ‘two veg’ a whole new gourmet edge. Some may say that it’s a little pricey but this rustic, comfortable restaurant is a must.

Bonus tip: The Foragers, while not fine dining as such is a little ‘tucked away’ gastro pub situated in a residential street in Hove, it’s unassuming and has a little twist about it making it very unusual. With a focus on sustainability, their highly talented team not only work with fresh local organic produce, but as the name might suggest also use seasonable foraged greens, herbs and spices found wild around Sussex. The pub has a nice laid back and welcoming feel about it and an exciting menu with bags of taste and an excellent service. If you would like great food, somewhere totally relaxed, then this is your place.