Cote Brighton

French Inspired Brasserie, Cote Brighton

Cote Brighton is part of a celebrated group of restaurants inspired by the great brasseries of Paris, and it sits in one of the most enviable locations in the city. Positioned at the entrance to the North Laine on Church Street, directly opposite the Brighton Corn Exchange and Brighton Dome, it draws a constant and loyal crowd of residents and visitors who return again and again for its consistent quality, relaxed atmosphere and broad appeal. Other restaurants in Brighton nearby include Tinto Taperia for Spanish tapas, Furna for small plates and Al Duomo for outstanding Italian restaurant dining. For a pre or post dinner drink, Bar Valentino is a jewel in Brighton’s cocktail bars repertoire and well worth your time.

Inside Cote Brighton

Step through the door and the art deco inspired interior immediately sets the tone. High ceilings, warm lighting and a beautifully considered space give Cote Brighton an elegance that feels genuinely Parisian rather than merely themed. The restaurant is open seven days a week from breakfast through to dinner, making it one of the most versatile dining options in the city centre. Whether you are dropping in for a leisurely weekend brunch, a quick and well-priced weekday lunch or a long and indulgent evening meal, Cote Brighton accommodates all of it with the same easy confidence.

The Menu

The menu at Cote Brighton is rooted in the French classics that made brasserie dining so enduringly popular, executed with care and cooked to order on every visit. Starters include a gloriously rich French onion soup topped with Comté rarebit sourdough baguette, chicken liver parfait with macerated figs and seeded sourdough, and a twice-baked soufflé with melted camembert and creamy onion sauce. Steak tartare arrives classically prepared with shallots, capers, cornichons, egg yolk and cognac; clean, precise and utterly satisfying.

Among the main courses, the grass-fed steaks are a perennial favourite and come with Cote’s legendary free-flow frites, which keep arriving until you admit defeat. Confit duck is a consistent crowd-pleaser, the whole roast corn-fed chicken from Northern France is slathered in butter with fresh garlic, rosemary and thyme, and the beef cheek with mushrooms, bacon and creamed potatoes is the kind of deeply comforting dish that justifies a visit on its own. For those after something lighter, moules marinières, a tuna Niçoise and pan roasted haddock in smoked French bacon with braised puy lentils all demonstrate the kitchen’s range.

The specials menu changes monthly and has been known to feature whole grilled lobster and scallops, so it is always worth asking what is on when you arrive. The wine list shows real knowledge of France, covering a thoughtful range of regions at prices that remain genuinely accessible.

For dessert, the Grand Chocolate Mousse is a thing of serious indulgence, while crème brûlée, scoops of vanilla, chocolate or salted caramel ice cream and a lemon or raspberry sorbet round things off with classic aplomb.

Food for Everyone

Cote Brighton is admirably inclusive when it comes to dietary requirements. Vegan and vegetarian options run throughout the menu, with dishes such as a shallot, butternut squash and caramel puff pastry tart with Boursin and a vegan ratatouille showing real thought rather than afterthought. Gluten-free options are available across the menu and clearly signposted. Children are always welcome, and the set menu offers represent excellent value throughout the week.

Alfresco Dining and Pre-Theatre at Cote Brighton

The covered terrace at Cote Brighton is one of the most appealing outdoor dining spaces in the city centre, beautifully situated and large enough to host private events and parties. On a warm day it is an exceptional spot, and the cover means it remains a viable option year-round. The terrace is also available for private hire, making Cote Brighton a versatile choice for celebrations and group gatherings.

With its location a matter of moments from the Theatre Royal Brighton, Brighton Dome and Komedia, Cote Brighton is one of the most natural choices for a set menu pre-theatre dinner in the city. The weekday set menu runs Monday to Friday and offers two or three courses at genuinely generous value, making a theatre evening feel like something to savour from the very start.

Cote Brighton is located at 115-116 Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UD.