Luxury Brighton City Guide
Taking a trip to the seaside? These are the restaurants, bars and shops to add to your itinerary—according to a local.
Where to Eat
Brighton has a plethora of independent restaurants, exploring a range of cuisines and adapting to a broad spectrum of dietary requirements and preferences.
Burnt Orange
If you’re in the mood for a particularly bougie evening meal or want to celebrate a special occasion in style, then Burnt Orange is the only reservation you need to make. The talk of foodies throughout the city, this restaurant is becoming somewhat of a rite of passage. Their menu caters to vegan diners and prides itself on sustainable practices, even being nominated in the “Sustainability Champions” category at the BRAVO awards, at which they have also claimed the “Best Restaurant” award. Book ahead if you’re visiting Brighton for a fleeting visit—these tables fill fast, and weeks in advance.
LOAM
Calling all coffee and sweet treat lovers—a wander through the North Laine to LOAM isn’t a trip you’ll want to miss, or one you’ll forget fast. Offering a cosy ambience and a selection of beans from sustainable farms, the real star of the show (imo) is this cafe’s selection of cakes and pastries. If you take one piece of advice from this guide, get the chocolate cinnamon bun with biscoff buttercream—life will never be the same.
Red Roaster
If responsible dining with a side of luxury is your MO when visiting Brighton, then a table at B-Corp certified Red Roaster isn’t to be missed. With a diverse selection of dining options, from brunch to evening, coffees to cocktails, this eatery has everything the sustainably-conscious diner could wish for. There are two locations in the city to choose from—visit them in Kemptown or for a pre-show bite at the Brighton Dome.
Fatto a Mano
If you’re craving pizza within a Brighton postcode, the only place worth a visit is Fatto a Mano. With locations in Hove, North Laine and London Road, this pizzeria delivers authentic handmade Italian flavours that are hard to beat. A supporter of local charities and initiatives, Fatto a Mano also sources ingredients from local suppliers and producers in Naples.
More Restaurants Worth a Reservation:
- Purezza: A fully vegan pizzeria
- The Flint House: Small plates, perfect for date night
- Nowhere Man: Pancakes for those with a (very) sweet tooth
- Halisco: Small plate Mexican street food
- Bincho Yakitori: Affordable (yet 10/10) Japanese small plates
Where to Drink
Sip a drink in the sunshine, by the sea or tucked away in a small bar in North Laine—Brighton has something for every outing.
Helm Gallery
If you’re seeking a few classy drinks with a splash of culture, take a trip to Helm. Doubling as an art gallery, this venue offers a refreshingly modern drinks area, where visitors can immerse themselves in artwork from a range of local creatives. This space also hosts regular events and workshops, so keep an eye out.
The Winkle
If, like many, your trip to Brighton brings you down to the tides of the city’s famous seafront, the undercover offers plenty of choice when looking to sip in the late summer sunshine. For those looking to escape the busy bustle and noise of Brighton on a particularly hot day, The Winkle offers both drinks and dining just a few strides away from the sea, but tucked away from the hustle.
Bohemia
For those who like to indulge classically, Bohemia, a staple of Brighton’s South Lanes, is the place to go. Offering (dare I say) the best selection of cocktails you can stumble across when wandering through the city, Bohemia’s aesthetic is reminiscent of an old jazz bar, with a healthy dose of ‘90s R&B thrown in for good measure. Have a “Strawberry Fields” for me if you pay a visit.
Third Avenue
If you decide to take a trip to Hove when visiting Brighton (the posh older sister) and want a chill hideout to grab a glass of wine after a long day, then stop by Third Avenue. With a quiet patio area, this bar is the perfect place to visit on a sunny day, soaking in the rays and admiring Hove’s many terraced houses.
More Bars to Add to Your Itinerary:
- Pearly Cow: Ideal for sunny weekend drinks, set just back from the seafront
- No. 32: Sister to Third Avenue, if you’re after the same vibe but more central
- Plateau: For those who love a good glass of (natural) wine
- The Gin Tub: Sit back, relax and order your drinks using a retro phone
Where to Shop and What to Do
From independent stores in North Laine to boutiques by the sea, one thing you’ll never be in Brighton is bored.
Isle of Avalon
An independent perfume boutique is a rare find these days, but one with scents that can compete with the top luxury brands is rarer still. Isle of Avalon can be found in the south Lanes, offering a selection of hand-formulated, refillable scents, both personal and for the home. Each product comes in swoon-worthy packaging and a scent that goes the distance—you can even book a workshop to make your own candle with friends. Give Myyrh and Amber a smell if you stop by, I guarantee it will become your go-to scent from there on out.
Dowse
Another one for the lovers of knick-knacks, but packing a bit more of a colourful punch. Located again in North Laine, DOWSE offers a curated range of homeware and accessories that any maximalist will love. You can’t help but feel happy and lifted when walking into this store, and not picking up the most adorable croissant-shaped candle you’ve ever seen feels almost impossible. A little further along the coast? DOWSE also has a space in Worthing to explore.
Rebound
Brighton has no shortage of vintage and second-hand shops, but many of them fail to hit the luxury mark. If you’re seeking designer labels at a fraction of their RRP, take a trip down to the seafront and tucked away, you’ll find Rebound. This small consignment store is a gold mine for vintage and contemporary second-hand clothes, bags, shoes and accessories.
More Places to Visit:
- Orelia: For a selection of responsibly made jewellery
- Resident Music: An independent record shop with every genre you could imagine
- Photomatic: Get a memento of your trip in this shop’s old-school photo booths
- Brighton Museum and Art Gallery: A vibrant mix of exhibitions, among them a tribute to the city’s rich LGBTQ+ heritage
Where to Stay
Whether you’re coming for a short but sweet weekend or packing for a few weeks to soak up the summer sun, make sure to check out the hotels below.
Artist Residence
For those who want to remain central with easy access to the beach, but without the noise and bustle of Brighton’s busy main streets, consider booking a few nights at Artist Residence. This boutique hotel resides in one of the city’s famed strips of terraced houses and offers a bohemian vibe in keeping with the city itself. It also has a restaurant and a speakeasy-style bar if you don’t want to stray too far for dinner.
No. 124 by GuestHouse
My FYP on TikTok has been getting a little too local lately, and this hotel has been all over it. With to-die-for sea views and stunning, contemporary furnishings, even I’m tempted to book a room, and I’m a local. For those looking to escape the rat race of busier cities, No.124 also boasts its own spa and is dog-friendly if you want to bring along your furry friends to enjoy the stay.
Drake’s Hotel
Located only very slightly out of central Brighton in Kemptown is Drake’s Hotel. Overlooking the Pier (you can probably almost smell the doughnuts), you’ll be hard pushed to find rooms with a better sunset view. Even better, all of their amenities are eco-conscious, so you can soak in the bath overlooking the sunset on Brighton’s beach strip with responsibility in mind.
Where to Co-work
If you’re travelling for business rather than pleasure, fear not, Brighton has plenty of locations to bunker down, laptop in tow—and here are the standouts.
Projects
A truly aesthetically pleasing place to host a Google Meet, Projects has two locations in Brighton and offers memberships as well as day passes for those making a fleeting visit. Perfect for freelancers and start-up teams alike—make sure to grab a coffee and bite to eat on lunch next door at Lost in the Lanes. Oh, and they are also B-Corp certified, so kudos.
Brighton Beach House (Soho House)
If you’re lucky enough to claim Soho House membership, or (more like me) are happy to slide in as a +1, then be sure to make to most out of its beachside location for team catchups and brainstorming sessions. Visiting during the summer? Make sure to bring your swimsuit for a dip in the attached infinity pool after a long day’s work.
Platf9rm
If you’re a creative or freelancer in Brighton seeking a like-minded community, then head straight to Platf9rm in Hove. With opportunities for hotdesking, private meetings and day-to-day networking, as well as social events, this space aims to do the impossible and make working fun. There’s also another location on the other side of the city, so simply take your pick.
Share This Story
Related Posts
