Hello friends,
Our city by the sea is brilliant at bringing people together over food and drink and this Friday, that simple pleasure can do some serious good. The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning events raise vital funds for the charity’s extraordinary work supporting people living with cancer. So, whether you’re pouring, baking, hosting or simply stopping by for a cuppa, support a Macmillan Coffee Morning near you if you can. We hear The Ladies Mile is going all out in support on Saturday! Hospitality matters to our city – and sometimes, it matters even more.
Ultimate. Comfort. Food? Your city needs you.
Astronomical autumn has officially arrived – gasp! – with the autumn equinox landing in the early hours of yesterday. It’s time to put the big duvet back on, ready for snuggle nights, which also means that comfort food makes a welcome return to the menu.
We’ve been busy building our Comfort Food Guide and we’d love you to get involved. What’s your favourite comfort food dish or venue? Tell us by emailing hello@restaurantsbrighton.co.uk – think of it as your gooey, feel-good deed for the day. We’re aiming to create the ultimate go-to spots for comforting belly hugs. The results will launch in an October newsletter so keep your eyes peeled…
“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”
So said Benjamin Franklin, presumably while under the influence. This week we’re raising a glass to etch., which has just been named the AA Wine Award winner for England – a brilliant achievement for Steven Edwards, Wine Director Sam Weatherill, and the team. The etch. autumn tasting menu is live – book here!
Three other wine lists worth exploring:
- Plateau – A pioneer of natural wine, with a carefully curated selection of organic and biodynamic bottles and more than 20 wines by the glass, which regularly changes.
- Curio – Wine gets a wonderfully modern treatment here, with an ever-changing selection on tap alongside bottles, sparkling wines and regular tastings.
- Mange Tout – Its organic, low-intervention list mirrors the kitchen’s ingredient-led approach, focusing on characterful wines made with minimal intervention.
Discover the BRAVO Best Wine Lists here, including 2026 winner Poco!
A bigger conversation: BrightonFoodStory is coming.
There’s much more to Brighton’s food scene than what’s on the plate. BrightonFoodStory, spearheaded by award-winning food writer, author and podcaster Gilly Smith, is bringing a new kind of food festival to the city from 2–4 October, with Food Street, talks and discussions, plus Long Table Supper Clubs and events.
The idea is to explore the stories and systems behind what we eat – from seasonality and sustainability to food waste, local sourcing and community. Restaurants Brighton’s very own Ivanka Majic will also be facilitating one of the discussions. It’s an important conversation for a city with such a rich food culture – and one we’re very pleased to be part of.
Want to get involved? Subscribe to the BrightonFoodStory Substack for the latest stories, ideas and updates.
Image credit: Discover Brighton, October Unpacked
The Pub Capital of the UK? Cheers to that
Apparently, Brighton & Hove has been crowned the UK’s pub capital in a new study – and frankly, we all knew already, right? With around 340 pubs across the city there’s apparently one for every mood, from a quick post-work pint to a Sunday roast that quietly becomes an all-day affair.
From The Setting Sun’s sweeping views to the characterful The Dorset and Fiveways favourite The Cleveland Arms, there’s plenty to discover. And with the closure of some of the city’s inns, it’s time to get inn-side and sip to keep!
Check out our Brighton Pubs Guide
Fish that’s scalable, food that’s sustainable
UK Recycle Week has just happened, but bear with us (we know it’s not the most exciting topic for some) because the good news is that you can eat, enjoy and engage without sacrifice. Take Majahma, for instance, where sustainability is built into dinner delivery. Their freshly cooked Indian meals arrive in reusable steel tiffin boxes, which are collected and swapped for a full set with the next delivery. Better still, everything is cooked from scratch to order, helping minimise food waste. A simple, clever approach to making dinner convenient without the mountain of single-use packaging.
We recently dived into the wonders of fish, ‘Beyond the Big Five’. Discover how to eat deliciously and sustainably in the Sussex UNESCO Biosphere here – easy and do-goody!
WIN: A two-course meal for two plus a bottle of wine at The North Star!
The Vibe: On our Radar
- Maré in Hove has created a new brochure to showcase its private dining options. Because every day can be a special occasion, right?
- Marley’s Supper Club is collaborating with Bonsai Plant Kitchen, and we hear there’s an amazing new vegan dish on the menu from 1 October. Learn more on their Insta!
- Kemptown Village is evolving with lots of new venues and good stuff. Deep Dive jazz bar, the soon-to-open Slip and Rim, and the always delicious Open Bakery are helping shape a cool new quarter. To celebrate, our new Kemptown Village Guide is live.
Editor’s Picks
- We’re going dotty for Barbino’s new opening, Dots! Get a sneak peek via their Insta.
- The Greenhouse has a new kitchen residency: Gatherin. They’re offering 30% off all food while they settle in and, trust us, the ‘Flakein’ croissant packed with sausage, bacon, egg and cheese is worth every calorie.
- The Fig Tree in Hurstpierpoint is ten! And what a decade it’s been. To celebrate, a special new-season menu is ready for action.
- Mowgli’s 50% curry offer was so popular they’ve extended it until 12 October. Who will you get spicy with?
RB Diary
Last Sunday, our Emma visited The Hartington for a roast, captured some flashy photos and found reason to return during the week for BOGOF drink deals, £5 burgers and quizzical shenanigans. Did you know that on Sundays they offer free dog roasts with all paying doggy parents? Woof!
The RB Team worked from the spacious Coppa Club Brighton and managed to find time to try their new brunch bowls and fresh juices.
Steffan dined at Fourth & Church and discovered that the deeply earthy duo of black pudding with runny egg yolk was divine. Join him for small plates heaven here!
Torsten is still dreaming of his latest visit to Carne – watch his ‘Tour de France’ film to whet your appetite for Carne’s next event on 13 October.
Nick met with Dom at his new venture, Lunch, at The Open Market, while Ivanka chatted with David Toscano at Cin Cin and got up-to-date with all things BrightonFoodStories with Gilly Smith at Casazul.
And Jude is getting behind the counter at Wild Flour Pizza tomorrow, before boarding The Regency Routemaster for afternoon tea on Saturday. Ding ding!
Yours, with approximately 340 pubs to try,
Torsten and Team RB x
P.S. Know someone who loves great food? Share this newsletter and be thanked later!