Restaurant Brighton's guide to

Restaurants in the Lanes Brighton

Our top picks

Special occasion | The Lanes Brighton

Located in the The Lanes Brighton. The little sister in a triad of first-class local restaurants. Burnt Orange has been dubbed as a “grown-up hangout that’s open all day and just the right amount of night.” They serve a menu of modern style small plates, a carefully curated selection of classic Brighton cocktails and an enviable wine list. Sophisticated interiors and stylish decor make this restaurant stand out as one of the hottest new destination venues in the city. In 2022/23 Burnt Orange was voted best restaurant in Brighton. 

Known for its exceptional steak offering The Coal Shed is a go-to place for those seeking guaranteed quality cuts and chops. The prime Brighton steak restaurant does offer fantastic options across all dietary specifications but is really famed locally for its meat offering. Dishes are cooked over coal on a Josper Grill. In fact, The Coal Shed was the first of its kind in the city to do so. Located close to the seafront in The Lanes Brighton.

English’s of Brighton might be said to be the beating heart of The Lanes. Occupying the corner of East and Market Street, the iconic facade and glorious summertime terrace are a draw for locals and visitors alike. The fiercely loyal clientele come back time and time again for the classic seafood-led dishes, charming service and old-school glamour. A cornerstone of the Brighton restaurant scene.

Find one of the country’s top vegetarian restaurants tucked away on East Street in The Lanes  Brighton. Terre a Terre is famed as being an iconic restaurant with a long list of top awards, their acclaimed offering is one that must not be missed and is a standout vegetarian restaurant in Brighton! The exquisite menu offers innovative dishes that champion stunning flavours, and local ingredients and provides visually beautiful feasts. You can also enjoy their exceptional organic wine list and elevated hostility. Proving itself as Brighton restaurant royalty year after year, Terre a Terre needs to be sampled by all! 

Post House is a cafe, restaurant and bar hybrid that’s well worth venturing into the Lanes for. The interiors are a stylish balance of restored original features and modern design. It’s a spacious and versatile space with an offering to suit almost every palate. Freshly baked bread and pastries are a big thing during the daytime cafe hours and if you are looking for an elevated brunch or lunch then their delicious menu crafted by Humble Plates is a must try. Evening service sees the restaurant transformed into a more intimate ambience, serving small plates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can expect great things from the bar too, attentive service and cocktails made with creative flair. 

Casual | The Lanes Brighton

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in the Lanes – Oculist has to be at the top of your list to visit! Whether it’s to enjoy a drink or two on their fab spacious roof garden or dance the night away. Tucked away on Boyce’s Street, you’re almost a stones throw from the seafront, so the perfect place to head for a bite to eat after an afternoon on the beach. The BaBBab menu will have you drooling for more, serving up their popular Middle Eastern dishes  that go down a treat with one of their deliciously crafted cocktails or crisp pint.

*The kitchen at the Oculist will be closed until spring 2024

Discover Vios Cafe in Brighton’s historic Lanes, a hidden Mediterranean gem. With its inviting atmosphere, this charming cafe welcomes food and beverage enthusiasts to relax with a cup of coffee or indulge in a delicious meal. From pancakes to meze, their menu offers a tantalising range of options, complemented by comforting hot drinks and exquisite Greek wines. Embark on a culinary journey with a Mediterranean twist at Vios Cafe.

For a treat that’ll set you up nicely for your trip around the Lanes Brighton, head to Knoops. Chocolate drinks are their speciality and they’re on hand to help you find your perfect blend of cocoa and flavour. Be it a fully interactive Knoopology experience or simply a hot (or iced) choc to go take into the Lanes – Knoops will satisfy all your chocolate cravings.

Lost in the Lanes is a stylish oasis in the boutique and antique shopping area of the Lanes. The restaurant is spacious and accessible, giving you room to breathe and soak up the tranquillity for breakfast, brunch and lunch in Brighton. The menu by head chef Sophie Taverner is short and cameos seasonal dishes, and small plates, each containing elements of creativity and culinary skill that make this a stand out breakfast & lunchtime destination. A thoughtful wine list and a Brighton cocktail menu of classic and signature drinks make Lost in the Lanes a highlight when enjoying a day in Brighton’s iconic lanes. 
 
HOT NEWS: LOST are launching LOST NIGHTS’ Saturday Suppers from 26th August 2023 and we highly recommend booking your table now at www.lostinthelanes.com
 

For guaranteed great coffee and superb social hangouts, head to The Trading Post. This Brighton coffee shop offers countertop treats in the form of flakey bakes, cakes and sweet and savoury pastries. Where they really shine though is their prime position on Ship Street, ample outside seating and quality coffee brews that’ll set you up for a day of pursuing the historic wonders of the Lanes Brighton. Go here too for your take out coffee beans which are roasted on site and we think the coffee is amazing. 

International | The Lanes Brighton

This eye-catching restaurant is another reputable Brighton Lanes resident that’s located on Ship Street. The vibrant and inviting decor aptly pathes the way to a meal of equal vibrancy. Serving the best of Southern Indian cuisine, made authentically with attention to quality ingredients and exceptional flavour. Curry Leaf Cafe is not your average Indian restaurant, you won’t leave here with a bellyache, in fact, you won’t leave until you’ve scheduled your next visit. 

Family-run restaurant located in the heart of the Lanes Brighton. Donatello specialises in serving classic Italian cuisine and providing a warm and friendly atmosphere that’s treasured by locals and visitors alike. Dishes here are heartwarmingly authentic, they use traditional recipes that are easily enjoyed by all the family. Go here for some of the best pizza in Brighton.

Contemporary aesthetics, progressive principles and serves excellent and ethical Japanese cuisine. Moshimo provides a dining experience that’s interactive, fast and nutritious. Guests can opt for table service or if they’re feeling more hands on they can sit at the bar side and select their dishes as they pass on the sushi conveyor belt. You can find out more about their ethical fishing practices here in their feature on sustainability. 

Traditional French cuisine served by the sea. Petit Pois is an acclaimed French bistro in Brighton located on Ship Street. Using top-quality ingredients to create and celebrate contemporary French cookery. Their exquisite wine list is notably one of the most refined in the city and the first-class service reflects the elegance of the restaurant. Located in the Lanes Brighton, very close to the seafront and the two piers. 

Visit Permit Room any time, indulging in breakfast Naan Rolls, work lunches, and evenings alive with a DJ’s soundtrack. Friendly faces welcome you, catering to all, whether you seek a warm post-shopping drink, cocktails with friends, or a family celebration. The diverse menu of Indian small plates offers options for every palate, allowing you to choose as much or as little as you like. The kitchen is open until 10.30pm, satisfying late-night cravings.

From day to night | The Lanes Brighton

Although open throughout the day, and well known for serving great Brighton pub grub from a Brighton brunch through to dinner, The Black Lion really stands out as a party venue. They’re open late and often host fun fuelled nights of music and dancing. If you’re looking for a great central spot that’s great for mingling and hot on the social scene then The Black Lion is a great option for you.

Classically styled Bohemia gives the impression of stepping into a Victorian gentleman’s smoking room. The bartending here is theatre. The flare and expertise that’s demonstrated through their wizardly mixology is impressive and will certainly have you ordering the more obscure drinks on the menu. More than a Brighton bar, guests will find comfort here over three floors, a Brighton roof terrace and a late lounge. As well as a restaurant serving an a la carte menu of small plates and international favourites. 

Brighton’s oldest standing pub and if the walls could speak you’d want front row seats to their story. The Cricketers serves traditional Brighton pub favourites, which include a reliably well-stocked bar, gastro classics made with well-sourced ingredients, sports screenings and decor that’ll transport you back a century or two. 

Hot on the social scene, with hidden rooms, secret bars, a roof terrace and an exciting programme of live music and DJs. The Mesmerist is a failsafe venue for some full powered nighttime fun. They serve around the clock Brighton cocktails, along with weekend brunches (including the Brighton bottomless lunch kind) and a lunch-to-dinner diverse menu featuring Tex-Mex inspired dishes alongside classic favourites. You can dine outside on their secluded roof terrace or sit street-side and watch the Lanes life go by.

The Rum Kitchen could just as easily sit in our international section as it does here. They serve a menu of freshly prepared jerk BBQ and Caribbean classics alongside an extensive menu of specialist rum cocktails. But it’s the immersive experience that makes us think this is a place for partying while you eat. Live weekend DJs and attentive servers keeping you topped up on those oh-so-sippable cocktails, dark interiors and spicy, energising, fun fuelling food makes this a place to party. Start early with happy hour, finish late. Bring your friends and let loose.