Indian Restaurant Brighton Guide
Our top picks
Indian Restaurants in Brighton: From Curry Classics to Modern Street Food
Brighton is full of flavour when it comes to Indian dining. From traditional curry houses serving Brighton curry favourites to modern small plates at Mowgli Brighton and Bombay-inspired dishes at the Dishoom Permit Room, there’s a restaurant for every mood and occasion.
For those who love home-style cooking, Majahma delivers wholesome Indian tiffins straight to your door, while The Coconut Island adds a Sri Lankan twist with dishes that carry Indian influences alongside island spices. Down on the seafront, Kolkati at Shelter Hall serves vibrant street food like kati rolls, perfect for a quick bite by the beach.
Whether you’re looking for vegetarian Indian restaurants, southern Indian flavours, or a traditional curry restaurant in the Lanes, Brighton’s Indian dining scene is as diverse as the regions of India itself.
Mowgli Brighton serves Indian street food in a vibrant setting on Dukes Lane. With vegan, allergen-friendly, and children’s menus available, there’s something for everyone. Dishes arrive in tiffin containers as they’re ready, creating a casual, homely atmosphere. Enjoy spiced dishes made with fresh herbs, like the popular Mowgli Chat Bombs—crispy bread puffs filled with chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, tamarind, and coriander. Can’t decide? Try the Tiffin Roulette, where the chef selects a delightful curry potluck for you! Mowgli is a new addition to our Indian restaurant Brighton guide for 2024.
You’ll find Dishoom Permit Room in The Lanes. Its warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with the gentle smell of incense and the best chai in town, will transport you to India. Explore small plates inspired by different regions, including chaats, savouries, snacks, curries, salads, and more! Don’t forget their breakfast to kickstart your day with one of their Naan Rolls. Their award winning cocktails are the perfect accompaniment to a few nibbles. Whether you’re looking for a feast, a quick bite, or just a drink or two, you’re always welcome at Dishoom Permit Room Brighton a wonderful addition to our indian restaurant Brighton guide.
Great food is not hard to find in this city. Pure veg and home-made Indian food is a different story. Majahma has brought something quite unique to Brighton and their flavourful, nutritious, homemade thalis are available by delivery only. By subscribing to their tiffin service, you’ll be able to indulge in their finish at home meals on a weekly or fortnightly basis. You can skip weeks or cancel at any time, however we doubt you’ll want to! Each tiffin tin typically contains a curry, dahl, salad or soup, rice and two freshly made chapatis. Once you’ve finished, simply clean and start the countdown to the next tahli day, when Nish (the friendly face of the company) will swap your empty with full fresh tiffin. Majahma are also voted the most sustainable restaurant in Brighton in the 2024 BRAVO Awards.
Sri Lankan food is a unique blend of Dutch, Portuguese, English, Arab, Malay, and Indian influences, so we couldn’t leave The Coconut Island off our Indian page round-up. Located on the Brighton and Hove border, this vibrant restaurant brings relaxed island vibes and bold, exciting flavours. Expect fragrant rice dishes, rich coconut-based curries, and spiced sambols bursting with colour and freshness. With its focus on sharing or small plates, The Coconut Island offers a modern take on Sri Lankan cuisine, where aromatic spices and fresh ingredients create a joyful, tropical dining experience.
Kolkati serves up a colourful taste of Kolkata right in the heart of Brighton’s Shelter Hall. Inspired by India’s famous kati rolls, founders Kate and Jack fill egg-fried parathas with spiced meats, chickpeas, and vibrant homemade chutneys. The result is a handheld feast bursting with flavour, warmth, and nostalgia. Combining Kolkata street food traditions with London market flair, Kolkati’s kati rolls bring spice, comfort, and crave-worthy energy.
The Chilli Pickle is a pioneering modern Indian restaurant in Brighton, well-loved for its vibrant, flavour-packed dishes and unique atmosphere. Established on Meeting House Lane in The Lanes before moving to MyHotel in 2011, it’s become a formidable name in the city’s Indian dining scene and remains one of Brighton’s favourite Indian restaurants. Known for its innovative approach and high-quality ingredients, The Chilli Pickle offers an unforgettable dining experience. Excitingly, the team is planning a new location soon—making it a must-watch for fans of inventive Indian cuisine in Brighton.
Planet India on Richmond Parade has earned a near-cult following in Brighton as a standout authentic Indian restaurant, cherished by locals who love discovering incredibly genuine spots. Specialising in home-cooked, vegetarian Gujarati-inspired dishes, around half of which are vegan, Nilesh and his team offer a truly memorable dining experience. Recipes passed down from mother to son and daughter-in-law are brought to life in dishes brimming with immense flavours. With generous portions, affordable prices, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, this venue guarantees a good time and embodies the charm of a local hidden gem that’s a must-visit for food lovers and an essential inclusion in our Indian restaurant Brighton guide.
Pavel
Pavel is a popular Indian restaurant in Brighton’s lively Kemptown, known for its authentic Indian flavours and welcoming atmosphere. Serving the Kemptown area as well as nearby Bevendean, Coldean, Hangleton, and Hove, Pavel has earned a reputation as one of the best Indian restaurants and takeaways in Brighton. Diners can expect a wide selection of traditional dishes, from aromatic curries to perfectly spiced biryanis, making it a go-to spot for anyone craving authentic Indian cuisine in Brighton.
A true institution in Hove, this legendary restaurant—founded by the iconic TC—has been delighting locals for 40 years. Nestled on beautiful First Avenue near Hove’s seafront, this unique underground venue offers a memorable experience with its ‘Tropical Bar’ for pre-dinner drinks. The menu is distinct and bursting with flavour, featuring Indonesian-Malaysian influences alongside Indian-inspired dishes, so it’s far from your typical Brighton Indian curry house. Regular live Brighton events, including Elvis nights and a Brighton karaoke bar, add to the vibrant atmosphere, making it a must-visit spot for a truly unique dining experience.
Jamun
Jamun, located on West Street in central Brighton, offers a vibrant casual dining experience with a focus on Southern Indian street food. Known for its flavourful curries and aromatic biryanis, this spot brings the authentic taste of India to the city. Guests can expect a laid-back atmosphere with dishes inspired by the rich culinary traditions of South India, featuring bold spices and fresh ingredients. Jamun is ideal for those seeking a relaxed yet flavourful meal on one of the busiest streets in the city.
Combining recipes from Gujarati and East Africa, Kitgum brings a truly unique offering to Brighton restaurants. Located on Preston Circus the restaurant is modernist-chic with food focused dining that champions flavour, quality and wholesome dishes. The small plates menu is recommended at two to three plates per person and no doubt you’ll be glad to sample more of the menu. The atmosphere is delightfully upbeat; infused with a binge worthy playlists and enticing smells from the open kitchen. There’s little wonder why Kitgum is has become one of the hot spots on Brighton’s culinary circuit
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Q
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The best Indian restaurant in Brighton depends on your taste. For bold street-food style flavours, Mowgli Brighton is a popular choice with its vibrant small plates. If you’re looking for a relaxed drinking and dining spot, the Dishoom Permit Room serves Bombay-inspired dishes alongside cocktails. For more traditional flavours, Brighton also has long-standing curry restaurants offering all the classics.
Yes. Vegetarian Indian restaurants in Brighton often draw on Gujarat’s rich meat-free traditions. Majahma’s tiffin service is an excellent option for vegetarians, offering healthy, home-style curries, dals and breads. Many sit-down restaurants also feature dedicated vegetarian and vegan menus with vibrant plant-based dishes.
For a fresh, modern take, Mowgli Brighton serves small plates and street-food classics, while the Dishoom Permit Room brings a taste of Bombay’s café culture with cocktails and sharing plates. On the seafront, Kolkati at Shelter Hall is loved for its kati rolls packed with bold Indian flavours.
Majahma is a local tiffin delivery service in Brighton and Hove providing healthy plant-based home-cooked thalis and they deliver them to your door weekly or fortnightly. Each week the menu changes ensuring variety for customers.
Yes. In the historic Lanes, you’ll find popular Brighton Indian restaurants offering both traditional curry dishes and modern Indian small plates. The area is perfect for combining a meal with a stroll through Brighton’s most atmospheric streets.
Indian restaurants in Brighton reflect dishes from across India:
North India: butter chicken, tandoori grills, fluffy naan.
South India: dosas, coconut curries, sambar.
West India: Goan seafood curries and Gujarati vegetarian thalis (Majahma offers a homely tiffin service with Gujarati roots).
East India: fish curries and mustard-based dishes.
Street-food-inspired venues like Mowgli Brighton and Kolkati at Shelter Hall bring modern takes on regional recipes, perfect for casual dining.
Traditional Indian restaurants in Brighton focus on time-honoured recipes, breads from the tandoor, and richly spiced curries. For a modern twist on traditional flavours, try Dishoom Permit Room with its Bombay-style dishes, or explore long-established Brighton curry houses for that authentic feel.
