Smokeys Brighton | Classic American Restaurant and Bar

Homestyle American food at Smokeys

Dining at Smokeys is like taking your very own road trip throughout the South West of the US. Think, cruising in a Californian Cadillac followed by Texan horseback riding – cowboy style – and then throw in a little New Orleans blues for good measure! And the heart and soul of U.S. cuisine can be found right here in central Brighton.

The cuisine, in admiration of the modest BBQ, represents a modern twist on a classic southern US diner experience (but with its very own hand-cooked Southern meats); make that, ‘hickory smoked’ and grilled to order.

In their own words: ‘Smokeys have taken the best of classic roadside cuisine from the heart of the States, added a pinch of spice from South of the border in a unique home-style setting’.

Whether it is a sunny Californian Brunch or a colossal Texan BBQ dinner you are after, Smokeys ticks all the right boxes. Oh did I mention they have a shiny new bar?

American food anytime!

Smokeys was born back in 2013, bringing something unique to Brighton’s International food scene and in keeping with their roadside dining ethos. The team have thought long and hard about how to take their patrons a uniquely southern food journey and have even got the good ol’ U.S. hospitality to match.

We stopped by on a cold spring morn for an impromptu lunch, but Smokeys had already been open for hours. Brunch kicks off as early as 8am (for those wanting an earlier start to the weekend) and can run as late as 3pm – after which they switch to a generous evening menu.

Dinner is a whole other story. Smokeys offer evening platters that are not for the faint hearted, aka, major blow out territory and hence are ideal for parties, sharing or just very hungry guests.

The breakfast/lunch menu caters for almost every taste, from a light, savoury quesadilla to their popular eggs royale or just simple, classic home-style pancakes presented in a no fuss way (icing sugar, maple syrup and blueberries).

Burgers for us

We opted for burgers – mine chicken breast and the other one pulled pork, with all the trimmings to which I quote from my fellow diner ‘best pork burger in Brighton’. Washed down with fresh OJ and hot coffee.

The sides were also generous in size and true to form to the restaurant’s style while being slightly elevated than the average BBQ slaw.

No fuss, no frills pancakes

Having been somewhat overwhelmed by our mains we chose to share dessert and chose a classic pancake dish. No fuss, no frills just tasty pikelet sized pancakes.

Hotel guests and regulars frequent Smokeys as their local watering hole, nibbling on peanuts and washing it all down with a cold bottle of beer. It just has that type of atmosphere where anyone feels welcome. Even kids and babies to boot (minus the beer).

New cocktail menu

Their new cocktail menu features 10+ drink concoctions including, best selling Brighton Breeze – Smokeys take on a summer breeze. Steak nights are every Thursday and be sure to order the T-bone steak fit for T-Rex himself.

The space even doubles as a venue so keep Smokeys in mind for your next party or event. Open every day of the week, even public holidays and for all those non-locals it is conveniently located next to new iconic i360. You can’t miss it.

Food fresh from the grill

Don’t let the name put you off… there isn’t a pipe smoking Ol’ Joe in sight just food fresh from the grill. The story of Smokeys is the story of the BBQ and the brunch… a culmination of tales from around the world and across time… head to their website to hear more about Smokeys’ history.