Restaurants Brighton guide to
Latin American Restaurants in Brighton and Hove
Our top picks
Nikkei Cuisine Arrives in Brighton
Brighton and Hove’s South American dining scene spans an entire continent of flavour, and many great names lead the way.
Fogo de Chão brings Brazilian churrasco and unlimited grilled meat to West Street, Lima Nikkei introduces Peruvian and Japanese fusion to the seafront, and Tapestry in Hove serves bold Argentinian small plates through its Masa kitchen.
Together they capture what defines South American cooking, open fire grilling, punchy citrus and chilli, hearty sharing plates and a genuine warmth around the table. Whether it is Argentine steak, Peruvian ceviche or Brazilian barbecue, this is food built for good company and long evenings.
Nikkei Cuisine on the Seafront – Lima Nikkei
Lima Nikkei on Marine Parade is Brighton’s only dedicated Nikkei restaurant, founded and run daily by head chefs Alejandro and Carlos. The cooking fuses Peruvian ingredients with Japanese precision, and everything on the menu is built around sharing plates designed for grazing and conversation rather than formal courses. Ceviches and tiraditos sit at the heart of things, with local fish dressed in tiger milk, aji amarillo and rocoto chilli, while a vegan version built on oyster and shiitake mushrooms shows real thought.
The sushi and maki selection brings its own creativity, from precise nigiri to the Acevichado Roll layered with tempura prawns and citrus. Chicharron in bao and slow smoked baby pork ribs add warmth to the grilled dishes. Pisco leads the drinks list, with a properly made Pisco Sour, a passion fruit variation and an umami driven cocktail built on shiitake and nori.
Fogo de Chão, Brazilian churrasco
Fogo de Chão on West Street brings Brazilian churrasco to the heart of Brighton, an all you can eat rodizio experience where waiters carry skewers of beef, lamb, chicken and pork straight to the table.
A simple card, turned green or red, controls the pace, while the extensive buffet adds hot and cold sides alongside the meat. Caipirinhas and a South American wine list round things out. It is a lively, sociable choice for groups, celebrations and anyone with a serious appetite for grilled meat.
Masa at Tapestry, empanadas and flame licked tacos
Masa is the Argentinian kitchen operating out of Tapestry, Hove’s neighbourhood bar on Victoria Grove. Expect hand pressed empanadas, flame licked tacos and generous, punchy fillings, all built around local Sussex produce and designed for sharing. The setting suits everything from lazy brunches to an evening of creative cocktails, with a well balanced wine list and continental lagers alongside. Sunday brings a classic roast for those after something more traditional. It is a relaxed, sociable spot for catching up with friends or settling in for date night.
Kusikuy – Peruvian cuisine and pisco bar
Kusikuy brings the flavours of Peru to Brighton, showcasing traditional Peruvian cuisine with a contemporary twist. From Peruvian favourites such as Lomo Saltado to vibrant ceviche dishes, the menu celebrates the country’s rich culinary heritage, alongside classic cocktails including the Pisco Sour. With bold flavours, colourful plates and a warm atmosphere, Kusikuy offers guests the chance to discover the tastes and traditions of Peru in the heart of The Lanes in Brighton.
Baqueño, wet aged angus beef
Baqueño on Western Road is a family run Argentine steakhouse from chef Jorge and Adriana, serving grass fed, forty five day wet aged Angus beef alongside a warmly hospitable, personal style of service.
The ribeye and skirt steak draw particular praise, paired with a chimichurri sauce built on garlic and herbs, while the wine list leans heavily on Argentinian varietals. Empanadas and a mushroom soup make for a satisfying start. It has built a loyal following as one of the city’s most consistent Argentine dining rooms.
LatinoAmerica, Argentine steakhouse
LatinoAmerica on Church Road remains Brighton and Hove’s original Argentine steakhouse, built around grass fed beef from Las Pampas and a full bodied list of South American wines. Dark woods, leather seating and exposed brickwork set the scene for empanadas, prime grilled cuts and a Sunday sharing platter that rivals a classic roast. Private dining upstairs suits larger celebrations.
Fusion and Small Plates
For a different take on Latin cooking, Palmito on Western Road blends South and Central American ingredients with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and British influences across a lively small plates menu. Spiced mackerel and pork birria tacos are among the dishes diners return for, alongside a strong selection of vegetarian and vegan options. The atmosphere is buzzy and sociable, better suited to sharing several plates across the table than settling on one main course. It sits comfortably among Brighton’s more adventurous kitchens, where bold spicing and confident flavour combinations take priority over convention.
Cocktails and Late Nights
Las Iguanas on Jubilee Square brings a flame grilled, party friendly take on Latin American dining to the heart of Brighton, with a menu of shared plates built for grazing over cocktails.
It is a dependable choice for a lively evening out, particularly for groups after something more relaxed than a formal sit down meal. Rum based cocktails and a buzzing atmosphere make it a popular pre or post night out stop, and the flame grilled dishes bring a smoky, charred character that runs through much of the menu.
Malo Empanadas
Malo Empanadas, with sites in the Lanes, Kemptown and Hove, is a family run Argentine deli from the team behind Baqueño, serving over fifteen handcrafted empanada varieties baked rather than fried.
Fillings run from classic beef and chorizo with chimichurri to blue cheese with walnuts and sweet options like banana and Nutella. Alfajores, dulce de leche and Argentinian wine complete the counter. It is a relaxed, good value spot for a quick bite, a takeaway lunch or a proper taste of Buenos Aires.
Q
&
A
Nikkei cuisine is a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cooking, born from Japanese immigration to Peru over a century ago. It combines Japanese technique with Peruvian ingredients and heat.
Lima Nikkei on Marine Parade is the first restaurant in Brighton to specialise in Nikkei cuisine, serving ceviche, tiradito and sushi with a Peruvian twist.
LatinoAmerica Hove is widely regarded as the best Argentine restaurant in the city, known for its grass fed steaks and South American wine list.
Las Iguanas on Preston Street offers a sociable, flame grilled menu with cocktails, making it a popular choice for groups and evenings out.
