Restaurant Brighton's guide to
Hove Restaurants Guide
Our top picks
Best Restaurants in Hove
Hove restaurants are drawing a lot of attention, nationally and locally as there are a growing number featuring in the Michelin Guide and plenty are rated among the best restaurants in Brighton.
The smaller community of Hove restaurants enjoy a closer knit of friendly rivalry, inadvertently pushing each venue forward toward new culinary heights. Although there are fewer Hove restaurants than there are Brighton restaurants, it would seem there are a greater concentration of quality eateries. These include seafood restaurants, steak restaurants, tapas, Italian, greek, fine dining and much more.
Here is our pick of the best Hove restaurants, served in no particular order. You may also enjoy our round-up of Hove pubs and Hove Cafes.
E39 restaurant in Hove brings you the true taste of the Mediterranean to Sussex. Italian influences reign supreme in this gorgeous restaurant where the passion is not only captured in the food and drink, but the team that welcomes you. Great food, fabulous cocktails in the surroundings of an elegant and inviting atmosphere, make E39 a regular dining destination for Lunch or Dinner.
At E39, everything Italian is celebrated – you’re guaranteed an authentic experience with fabulous seafood, mouth watering steaks and the most incredible pasta.
Cin Cin is an award-winning modern neighbourhood restaurant located on Western Road that welcomes families. It’s renowned for its authentic and seasonal Italian cuisine, with a monthly-changing menu. Their exceptional service and outstanding food ensure that people keep coming back for more. Cin Cin offers both lunch and dinner, as well as a tasting menu for those seeking something extra special. If you’re planning an event, Cin Cin can be reserved for parties, or you can utilise their private room at the back for your next celebration.
The impressive multi-venue Rockwater is located in pride of place on Brighton and Hove seafront. Standing three stories tall, the remarkable building houses a warren of outstanding eateries and bars. You’ll find spaces for all occasions and events, as well as hospitality to host them all. Each restaurant boasts all-day service, with an offering that ranges from high-end luxury to gastro-classics, cafes and bars. There’s something for everyone, and the best way to discover what’s there is to go experience it for yourself!
Relatively new to Brighton’s Holland Road is Nostos, a Greek restaurant cooking traditional Mediterranean cuisine fresh daily. Inside, tiled floors and hanging greenery give Nostos a chic and stylish feel; moving away from the usual taverna restaurants. The menu showcases some of Greece’s best and most well-known dishes, as well as more unusual recipes passed down through generations of Greek families. Nostos serves up the very best of Greek cuisine with none of the clichés. Winner of Best International Cuisine at the 2023 BRAVO Awards.
Fourth and Church on Hove’s Church Road is a neighbourhood restaurant and off-license. The food is modern and a mix of fine dining tasting menus and a la carte, which change week by week. The wine selection is from small, low-yield producers who are often non-certified organic. If we were to describe Fourth and Church in one sentence it would be ‘relaxed flexibility without compromise on quality.’ A quality Hove restaurant. A regular contender in the top 20 best restaurants in Brighton and winner of BRAVO best wine list in 2023.
This Hove restaurant opened in 2017. Steven Edward’s (Masterchef Winner) restaurant etch has celebrated local and national acclaim and review, with three AA rosettes, a Michelin Plate, NRA Top 100, 5 Good Food Guide and BRAVO 2019, Best Restaurant in Brighton, all under its belt. The small Hove restaurant serves a five, seven or nine-course tasting menu, available as meat and fish, or vegetarian. Each dish features only two main ingredients and is prepared without any spices: instead, the flavour is cultivated through reducing and enhancing the inherent quality of the ingredients.
You’ll find Wabi Sabi on Church Road in Hove serving their traditional Japanese menu for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday, where you’ll be greeted by their friendly staff and transported to Japan during your visit. From the decor with the maple leaf garlands, torii gate and Japanese lanterns, to the freshly prepared food and drinks. Wabi Sabi is for the whole family and is available for private bookings to host your next celebration.
You will pronounce Hove to sound like Oeuf as soon as you’ve been to this lovely breakfast and brunch café on Third Avenue. It’s the done thing. The joie de vivre that this beautifully campy-yet-classy venue provides is quite addictive. Locally sourced ingredients are key to the brunch serving with a mix of classic dishes and some more innovative affairs (check out the Frumpets, french toast battered crumpets, o la la!). As the name suggests, oeufs (eggs) cameo on the menu, although there’s also great selections for vegetarians and vegans. What the name doesn’t suggest is they do really very eggcellent cocktails too (egg puns will also be a side effect of a visit). Voted best cafe in Brighton and Hove at the 2013 BRAVO Awards.
LatinoAmerica on Church Road was the first Argentinian restaurant in Brighton, Hove and East Sussex. Here you’ll find all the great things South America has to offer: warm hospitality, superb wines and arguably the best prime steak in Brighton. There are weekday offers, kids’ menus and deals to make dining Argie style an affordable as well as delicious experience. If you’re planning a classic steak night date then LatinoAmerica is not one to miss and comes rated as one of our favourite Hove restaurants. A frequently placed venue among the top 20 best restaurants in Brighton and Hove.
Shoreline Coffee and Kitchen bring a large dose of Californian sunshine to coastal Hove. This gorgeous cafe is all about nurturing their community with amazing food and friendly service. Open every day, they offer fresh homemade breakfast, brunch, and lunch using local suppliers, all put together beautifully by their in-house chef. Expect nourishing, hearty food with an extra sprinkle of flavour. Grab and go or sit in their stylish cafe, or take a seat alfresco when the weather is on our side. Shoreline also hosts a fantastic rotation of food events – local food trucks who regularly park up offering great dishes, supper clubs, wine tastings and more. What a welcome addition this is to Hove.
The Little Fish Market is tucked away in a primarily residential street, and it is from this unassuming location that they garner national critical praise and awards. The ethos of Chef and owner, Duncan Ray, “Precision, Restraint and Simplicity.” The fish restaurant’s set menu changes seasonally using the finest sustainable produce available. The front of house for the 20 cover restaurant is headed up by a small, passionate team, and your table at The Little Fish Market is yours for the whole night. BRAVO 2020 winner of the best restaurant in Brighton.
Market is a social dining restaurant inspired by the flavours of Spain, and serving modern tapas and sharing plates. The menu is divided into types of market stands, fishmonger, butcher, baker and greengrocer. Daily deals like Tapas Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, and Cava and Oysters Thursday make for tasty and affordable reasons to return. Food is prepped and served from the open kitchen-bar where you can also sit for a casual but exquisite quick lunch or dinner. Regularly among the Top 20 best restaurants in Brighton at the BRAVO Awards.
Novellino restaurant is a contemporary cafe-restaurant in Hove, offering modern Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, Jewish staples, and Sephardic dishes alongside bistro classics. With fresh ingredients, vibrant flavours, beautiful interiors, and a friendly neighbourhood vibe, it’s a standout addition to the Hove restaurant scene. Notably, it is the only Kosher restaurant on the south coast, making it a unique dining destination.
Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Also a great place to enjoy a coffee with sandwiches and deli items available.
Fatto a Mano in Hove offers a warm and welcoming venue perfect for families, small and large groups. The restaurant serves delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The spacious interior and sunny south-facing terrace provide ample space for dining and socialising. Fatto a Mano also accommodates private hire for special events. With gluten-free pizza options and a variety of Italian dishes, it caters to diverse dietary needs and preferences, making it a go-to spot for a delightful lunch or dinner in Hove.
The Coconut Island, located on the Brighton and Hove border, was too good not to include in our Hove restaurant round-up. This vibrant Sri Lankan restaurant offers a laid-back, island-inspired atmosphere with colourful dishes perfect for sharing. The menu celebrates Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage, influenced by South Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian flavours, with dishes like crispy hoppers, fragrant curries, and spiced sambols. Fresh, healthy ingredients and aromatic spices like coconut, cardamom, and curry leaves take centre stage. Pair the food with tropical cocktails and enjoy a relaxed, joyful dining experience.
Wild Flor Hove offers its diners a relaxed but sophisticated setting to enjoy an exquisitely curated dining experience. You can expect anything from the old-time favourite comfort dish to luxurious fine dining. Be sure to take full advantage of their extensive world-class wine list and sample some of their most delectable options at fantastic value for money. We think Wild Flor is a Hove restaurant to watch for the future.
Jo and Co in Hove is an award-winning cafe-restaurant renowned for its exceptional brunch offerings. This cosy and welcoming establishment is a go-to spot for a delightful morning or midday meal. Beyond their renowned brunches, Jo and Co also extend their culinary prowess to Friday and Saturday evenings, creating a delightful dining destination that caters to a range of tastes – and they do cocktails. Whether for pancakes, or full English, vegan or gluten free, steak or Jo’s fish pie, there is something for everyone, inspired by the owners travels from around the world.
Nestled on Church Road with its dark-painted facade is the unassuming Paris Wine Bar. Step inside to discover its roomy and welcoming interiors that are ripe for idling away a few hours over their extensive wine list. There’s a menu of modern British tapas perfect for sharing and a massive, secluded and sheltered rear garden. Paris Wine Bar is one of Hove’s treasures that locals would rather you not know about.
New to our Hove restaurant guide is Apiary, an all-day café and bar in Brighton that’s a must-visit for food lovers. Inspired by bees, honey, and everything from the hive, this unique venue is owned by passionate beekeepers whose love for honey shines through in the decor, menu, and ambiance. Centrally located opposite Norfolk Square on the Brighton & Hove border, Apiary is the go-to spot for quality cocktails, wine, mead, and local honey. Their imaginative honey-infused food menu, available throughout the day, offers a delicious and unique dining experience. What are you waiting for?
The only Sri Lankan restaurant on the south coast, Moonstone, serves authentic food in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Featuring a variety of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, the food is comforting, fresh and delicious. Made using spices that have been sent by the owners family back home, there are a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes all with their own distinctive style. To top it off Sri Lankan cuisine uses less fat than other cuisines of a similar style making it a viable healthy option.
The Ginger Pig is a consistent presence in the top Hove restaurants; part pub, mostly restaurant and always excellent. The Ginger Pig serves classic European dishes with a modern twist, backed up with a superb wine list, excellent cocktails and consistently high service. The Ginger Group, with venues throughout Sussex, sets and maintains a standard to which many strive.
Persia Restaurant in Hove offers a unique Mediterranean dining experience with a modern twist, right in the heart of Hove. Known for its vibrant flavours inspired by the Persian Gulf, the menu features a mix of traditional and contemporary Persian dishes, including succulent grilled meats and fresh salads. The stylish and welcoming atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or a casual meal. With an extensive drinks menu from the Redemption Bar, Persia Hove is a must-visit dining destination. Our favourite is the mixed Grill platter, ideal for sharing!
Not many Hove restaurants can claim that their food is literally fit for a prince, but Bali brasserie can having been picked to cater for a visit by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. With almost 30 years in the Brighton and Hove restaurant scene, this Malaysia and Indonesian restaurant is an institution in the city. With a “tropical bar” for pre-dinner drinks and a welcome just like home, the Bali Brasserie has a popular following in the area. Fusing the influences and spices from India, China and Malay the food is a cacophony of a flavour and character.
Pizza is one of the country’s favourite foods, and Hove restaurant Morelli Zorelli are doing a great job in maintaining this. Using a 150-year-old Sicilian sourdough recipe, the dough is left for three days to leaven before being cooked for 90 seconds in the woodfired oven. This locks in the moisture resulting in an authentic taste of Naples, with a little bit of local flair. You can eat in and enjoy the theatre of the pizzaiolos preparing your meal, or order take away and have it delivered to enjoy at home.
The luxuriously revamped Third Avenue Hove restaurant can be found on Church Road. The Hove restaurant bar is decked with stunning Art Deco inspired interiors, opulent velvets and grand golden features. It really has the wow effect. From the food you’ll be charmed by tasty brunch offerings and the lunch to dinner menu of tantalising Mediterranean inspired small plates offer a culinary rainbow of treats, from fish veg and meats. Here cocktails are key, the spirit-led mixes from the house menu are imaginative and outstanding. You’ll also have a healthy choice of great International wines and beers to enjoy.
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According to the BRAVO Awards (Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online) which had 56,983 votes, Hove is extremely well represented in this years public vote. The Little Fish Market, etch, Fourth and Church, Market restaurant, Palmito and LatinoAmerica all feature in the top 20 best restaurants in Brighton.
Rockwater is the only seafront restaurant in Hove offering a south facing terrace, plenty of dining options, drinks and light bites. Here is a seafront restaurant round-up for Brighton and Hove.
Oeuf cafe is voted best cafe in 2023 at the BRAVO awards and was placed runner-up for brunch by the Brighton and Hove public. Here are all the BRAVO 2023 best cafes and best brunches where there are many Hove venues featured. Here is our guide to Hove cafes.
