Restaurant Brighton's post on

A Honey-Lover’s Paradise in Brighton

Apiary has flown onto the Brighton and Hove foodie scene, and the buzz is deafening!

Brighton hospitality power couple Noemi and Alistair have taken on a shiny new venture that is as sweet as honey and just as smooth. Apiary is exactly the kind of laid-back, sophisticated, cocktail bar and bites venue that Brighton loves without having to drudge into the may-lay of town. 

exterior shot of the Apiary in Brighton

Made for locals and welcoming to everyone, Apiary is a breath of fresh air.

From the moment you step through the doors, this contemporary oasis welcomes you with open arms. The inviting space is both relaxing and warming, filled with stripped-back wood, decorative lighting, and gently lit by a warm glow of amber light.

cosy interior shot of the Apiary, a honey restaurant in Brighton, people sitting enjoying their drinks and food, dim lights

Once seated we were greeted with menus and a brief explanation of the honeycomb concept behind the restaurant. Apiary was born from a deep love of honey and beekeeping. Alistair and Noemi are not only extraordinary restaurateurs, but actual beekeepers, who produce a modest but delectable Sussex honey which is featured in their cocktails and dishes. 

picture of the Apiary menu, a honey restaurant in Brighton

Mead and more!

With sweet nectar in the mind each dish, drink, and delicacy is inspired by honey and honeycombs, bringing continuity of both brand and flavour. The cocktail menu is elevated and exquisite with unique yet familiar flavour combinations that suit any palette. From rich and creamy, to smoky and fresh, Alistair has outdone himself with a complex yet inviting menu of options for all tastes. Not only does Apiary have an impressive selection of cocktails, but they also offer honey-based meads, lagers, and ales that won’t be found on an average Brighton menu.

Let’s see what all the buzz is about.

To start, Lucy and I chose a couple of choice cocktails that were as pretty as they were delicious! The Langstroth Margarita is made with mezcal, cedar and vetiver liquor, fresh lime, and of course a drop of sweet Sussex honey. Smooth, light, bright, and fresh with just the right amount of kick, it went down far too easily. 

honeycomb biscuit topped Honeygroni and The Langstroth Margarita

Next up was the honeycomb biscuit topped Honeygroni which had a rich and round mouth feel and a bittersweet finish that was to die for. The delicate honeycomb biscuit was paper thin and melted in your mouth. 

Time to try some bites.

Lucy and I are easy going foodies who absolutely love recommendations, so when Alistair shared his top dishes we were more than happy to try the lot. 

Sea Bass crudo served with thinly-sliced summer peaches, and zesty segments of pink grapefruit, topped with micro herbs, and drizzled with honey and olive oil. Apiary - a honey restaurant in Brighton

To start we had the light and refreshing Sea Bass crudo served with thinly-sliced summer peaches, and zesty segments of pink grapefruit, topped with micro herbs, and drizzled with honey and olive oil – picture perfect and faultless. 

pirata with paper thin slices of smoked pork loin, layered with crunchy crostini, refreshing pops of pickled shiitake mushrooms, creamy ricotta, and dollops of rich and tangy olive tapenade

Next a pirata with paper thin slices of smoked pork loin, layered with crunchy crostini, refreshing pops of pickled shiitake mushrooms, creamy ricotta, and dollops of rich and tangy olive tapenade. This was 11/10 delicious, and ideal for sharing. 

Lucy’s favourite dish of the night was the velvety cheese, leek and mustard croquettes. Creamy, crunchy, more-ish morsels, topped with grated parmesan; we will be back just for these. 

The three cheese toastie was an unexpected star of the night. Thin ribbons of three strong, rich, rind cheeses were curled atop a spread of flavourful pickled walnut ketchup, and served with a crunch of toasted baguette drizzled with honey. Unexpected, but absolutely exceptional. 

Will you look at these gorgeous gambas!

Black tiger prawns cooked to a glorious pink with charred edges, presented head-on for an extra depth of prawn flavour. The tiger prawns were served swimming in a rich and flavoursome guajillo mulato chilli sauce, which was delicately spiced, and absolutely bursting with creamy garlic, again finished with a flourish of local honey for balance. 

Black tiger prawns cooked to a glorious pink with charred edges, presented head-on for an extra depth of prawn flavour.

For me, it was a toss up between the crudo and this dish for my personal favourite of the night, but the Heritage Tomato Salad eked out the win with the expert use of their buttery, crunchy anchovy crumb topping. Fresh thick slices of heritage tomatoes that tasted like summer sunshine were topped with heady basil and sweet balsamic shallots. It was summertime on a plate and there wasn’t a single crumb left. 

A need for mead!

After absolutely gushing to Alistair about the dinner, he suggested we finish the night on a sweeter note and did a mini tasting of his honey infused beers and wines. First up was Gosnells Hazy Nectar, a crisp and refreshing honey lager. I have never experienced this flavour before and absolutely loved it. Somewhere between a cider and a beer, it had a gentle sweetness with a refreshing finish, an ideal summertime bevvy. 

a person holding a bottle rose in hand, Apiary - honey restaurant

Next the Wildflower Dry Sparkling Mead absolutely blew me away. Crisp, bright and bubbly with a distinct honey finish, its unique flavour woke up all our taste buds and was a delicious after-dinner delight. 

Something sweet perhaps?

To finish our meal we shared Apiary’s soon-to-be-legendary Honey Toast topped with Bee Pollen Ice Cream. The ice cream was made with just the right amount of sweetness, balanced beautifully by the satisfying crunch of salty toast, and made even better when paired with a glass of liquid gold mead. What a gorgeous finish to an outstanding evening. 

Honey Toast topped with Bee Pollen Ice Cream

Alistair and Noemi’s clear passion for exceptional food and creative cocktails is evident everywhere at Apiary, and I cannot thank them enough for inviting us. Lucy and I have since recommended Apiary to anyone who will listen. Every single sip and bite was exceptional. Apiary’s chef has created edible art that is nothing short of extraordinary in both presentation and taste, and I cannot rave about it enough. 

Whether you are popping in for a quick bite, or staying to share a spread of delicious dishes, Apiary’s menu is sure to impress. We will be back many times in the months to come!

Want to know more about Apiary?
Find Out More
Getting there
Map for Apiary
50 Norfolk Square, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 2PA
Opening Hours

Monday Closed

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday 5:00pm11:00pm

Thursday 5:00pm11:00pm

Friday 9:00am11:30pm

Saturday 9:00am11:30pm

Sunday 9:00am11:00pm