Kemptown Restaurants
Kemptown's Best Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes
Kemptown restaurants have long been Brighton’s best kept secret, a bohemian pocket of the city where independent spirit and slow paced charm take priority over polish. Just beyond the crowds of the seafront and North Laine, Kemptown restaurants and cafes reward the curious with an eclectic spread of flavours, from candlelit tasting menus and wood fired seafood to vegan sourdough pizza and a proper Sunday roast in a Brighton pub garden. Kemptown Village itself is a maze of antique shops and vintage boutiques, and its restaurants and cafes carry that same quirky, unhurried personality. Whether you are after a lazy weekend Brighton brunch, a late night cocktail in one of Brighton’s best LGBTQ+ venues, or an unforgettable Northern Thai barbecue, this guide to Kemptown restaurants will point you towards the neighbourhood’s finest tables.
Best Restaurants in Kemptown
The Velvet Crab Brighton brings something fresh to Kemptown’s vibrant dining scene. Just a short walk from the Brighton seafront, this lively seafood restaurant is all about indulgent feasts, wood-fired cooking and memorable moments around the table. Expect bold flavours, dirty martinis and dishes designed for sharing with friends. It’s fun, a little decadent and perfect for long lunches or lively evenings out.
Looking for a great value and delicious breakfast in Brighton, then get down to Mac’s Cafe in Kemptown. This traditional cafe is a little gem with a big garden where comfort food meets generous portions and great value. Tucked just up from Black Rock, this family-run Brighton café serves up everything from traditional English breakfasts to omelettes, ham, egg & chips, bubble & squeak and all-day freshly made sandwiches or toasties. With 13 classic breakfast combos, including the hearty Mac’s Special. There’s something for every appetite. Relax in their garden with a proper cuppa or cracking coffee and enjoy one of Brighton’s best spots for hearty food and friendly service.
Just a short stroll from Kemptown, MEO Brighton is a welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike. Known for generous brunches, vibrant bowls, and excellent organic coffee, it’s the perfect pit stop before or after exploring the neighbourhood. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, or a sweet pastry with friends, MEO’s warm service and relaxed atmosphere make it a go-to favourite near Brighton’s buzzing seafront.
The Bell Tower is an exciting addition to Kemptown’s lively pub scene, located on Arundel Road. Combining modern style with traditional charm, it offers a welcoming space for everything from casual drinks to leisurely meals. The drinks menu highlights local Brighton craft beers and ales, including options from Harvey’s, along with a well-curated wine list and creative cocktails. With a spacious beer garden and a calendar of live music and DJ nights, it’s a vibrant destination in Kemptown.
Nanima Asian cafe and kitchen is nestled on a corner in Kemptown Village. Charming and intimate the venue is perfect for providing a friendly boost to your day. They serve pan-Asian cuisine in Brighton, which changes daily and is made fresh. Expect home-cooked meals that instil warmth and good feeling. Deeply sustainable in its ethos, Nanima works to a minimal waste policy, they are entirely plastic-free and sell reusable vessels for takeaway purposes. There are also Brighton brunch options available on Saturdays, sandwiches for midday grab-and-go meals and a good selection of sweet treats, which they’d recommend pairing with their famous Vietnamese coffee.
Kemptown is the Bohemian heart of Brighton, itself a rather non-conformist city. So it’s no surprise that this should be the birthplace of the UK’s first entirely vegan pizzeria. Here you’ll find authentic toppings on real-deal sourdough pizzas. Replicating classics such as margaritas and marinara meatballs but 100% plant-based. Brighton pizzas at Purezza are so good they’ve picked up awards in world championships and locally in the BRAVOs. Purezza has gone on to become a national dining group with restaurants in major UK cities, and it all started here in quirky Kemptown.
Hidden away in the heart of Kemptown Village is a door – blink and you miss it – behind which lies the wonderfully unique world of The Kemptown Klub. A LGBTQ+ private members venue for over-25s, Kemptown Klub is part cocktail lounge, part Brighton neighbourhood bar, part night club which welcomes everyone. The bar serves hand-mixed cocktails plus a selection of wines, continental beers and ciders. There are plenty of fun events including quiz nights and singalongs. Downstairs offers a great spot for a private party. Owners Peter and Rachel offer a personal touch and new members are welcome at no charge.
Starfish and Coffee Brighton is located right next to the beautiful Queens Park in Brighton and specialises in brunch, pastries, homemade cakes and excellent tea and coffee. From Brighton pancakes with bacon and maple syrup to a luxurious eggs Benedict or a big slice of fresh homemade cake baked by Brighton baker, Berkson Bakes. There are vegetarian and vegan options plus gluten-free bread and pastries available.
Dilsk is a modern British restaurant in Kemptown, Brighton, set in the intimate basement of Drakes Hotel. It offers a refined Brighton tasting menu (five or ten courses) with wine pairings or exceptional non-alcoholic options. Focused on sustainability and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Dilsk combines culinary innovation with ethical dining. Expect a high-end experience with elegant service, creative cooking, and wines from Sussex, Kent, and beyond.
Located on St. James’ Street, Social Board Brighton is renowned for its top-notch sandwiches crafted with the freshest local ingredients by skilled chefs. Their irresistible sandwiches keep customers coming back for more. Whether dining in, grabbing on the go, or opting for delivery, they cater to your needs anywhere in Brighton. From signature sandwiches and brilliant baps to full breakfasts and tasty sides, Social Board in Kemptown is the go-to spot for satisfying your brunch and lunch cravings.
More Kemptown restaurants
Well known for its great locally sourced food and an impressive selection of drinks, Busby and Wilds is a homely neighbourhood Brighton gastropub. Here you have a modern menu geared to what their customers like eating, with a selection of bar snacks to match. Dishes range from traditional British, modern French and classic pub with plenty of sides and sharers to choose from – all served in a spacious light environment.
Cafe Marmalade is a secret people who live in Kemptown like to keep to themselves. This independent cafe is cosy and welcoming and is open daily delivering your coffee fix from 8 am – 6 pm. Serving fresh pastries and great coffee this venue is perfect for a low key weekend breakfast. If you pop in for lunch be sure to try one of their freshly prepared salads or homemade sandwiches, they are delicious!
Redroaster at the bottom of St James’ Street is something of a city institution, ethically sourcing and hand roasting their coffee and serving it alongside top-quality brunch and lunches with flair and style. The venue itself has a cool Scandinavian look and even cooler sustainability policy as one of the UK’s highest-scoring restaurants in the Sustainable Restaurant Awards.
This pizza restaurant remains a family-run business five generations after the family first established a shop in Naples back in 1845. With over 150 years of experience under their belts, you can be sure that VIP know what they are doing! However as passionate as VIP Pizza Brighton are about their history they also know that they must move with the times. This is reflected in their menu which has plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
