We sit down with Abe Day-Garman, second-generation owner of IL Bistro, one of Brighton’s longest-serving restaurants. Located in the heart of Brighton’s Lanes, IL Bistro has been a local favourite since 1976, proudly holding the title of Brighton’s first Mediterranean steakhouse.
Set in an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage, this intimate restaurant blends timeless tradition with modern dining, serving flavourful Italian and French cuisine for nearly 50 years.
Known for its warm hospitality and commitment to quality, IL Bistro remains a true Brighton institution. We speak to Abe about the restaurant’s legacy, his family’s influence, and what keeps this iconic venue thriving.
Describe the experience at IL Bistro.
We are a family run restaurant that first opened back in 1976.
We are one of the longest serving restaurants in Brighton and Hove and Brightons first Mediterranean steakhouse.
The restaurant is set in a quaint 18th century fisherman’s cottage which makes us perfect for an intimate candle light dinner but we are also big enough to host the perfect family gathering.
IL Bistro in Brighton’s Lanes – since 1976!
Tell us about your father, the founder of the business and describe how the IL Bistro restaurant came about?
In the early 70s my father traveled around the Western coast of Italy and the Provence.
After being inspired by the Italian and French culture and cuisine he returned to Brighton and opened Brightons first Mediterranean steakhouse.
Abe with his father
What top tips or advice would you give aspiring hospitality folk when it comes to running a business?
The first bit of advice I could give is to be passionate about your craft. If you don’t have a passion for what you do you’re in the wrong game. And the second piece of advice would be never make a decision based on emotion.
What do you love most about working in hospitality here in Brighton?
I think for me its seeing the amount of regulars that we have. I love seeing the same faces coming back time after time.
It proves to me we are doing something right.
Which Sussex suppliers do you work with?
All of our suppliers are local, from The Menu Partners and Adams for our fresh fruit and veg to Fish Galore for our seafood and Burts Catering Butchers for our meat.
We have always used local suppliers and will continue to do so.
Tell us about your award winning team – what makes them special and tell us about the BRAVO Award you won in 2024?
Its such a cliché but we really do have such an amazing team. We won the BRAVO Best Team award in 2024 which the guys fully deserved.
With such high staff turn over in the hospitality sector we have always managed to retain our team.
Even former members of the team that have left Brighton always make sure to come in for an espresso whenever they are back in Brighton passing by.
The IL Bistro team celebrating their 2024 win at the BRAVO Awards
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
When i’m not working (which my partner Alessia will say thats never) I love to run long distances along the Brighton and Hove seafront, take my son swimming and walking our dog Winnie along the under-cliff.