It’s that time of year again.
The best chefs from across Brighton and Hove gathered at Komedia last night to celebrate the city’s dynamic restaurant scene at the Brighton Best Restaurants awards.
Voted for by local experts including food writers, chefs, restaurateurs, business leaders, critics and gourmands, all of whom boast an intimate knowledge of the Brighton and Hove food scene, the awards celebrate what the best restaurants in the city have to offer.
The Little Fish Market in Hove took home the top spot, with chef Duncan Ray also awarded the Best Chef accolade.
Meanwhile, 64 Degrees, which has taken the top spot for the previous two years, was pipped to second place by izakaya-style restaurant in Brighton’s food mecca of Preston Street, Bincho Yakitori.
New additions Pascere, Pike & Pike and Murmur and Pascere each received a nod, landing in 8th, 14th and 18th respectively.
See below for the full list – all of which will be taking part in OctoberBest later this year.
1. THE LITTLE FISH MARKET, Upper Market St, Hove
Three AA rosettes and now Best Brighton Restaurant, The Little Fish Market is run by former Fat Duck chef Duncan Ray, who cooks up a storm of a tasting menu for up to 20 people at a time.
The chef brings out the best flavours of the local waters, his Michelin-starred background shining through as he brings both simplicity and skill to his dishes; it’s no surprise he also gained a nod as Brighton’s Best Chef.
2. BINCHO YAKITORI, Preston Street, Brighton
Bringing the complex flavours of Tokyo’s izakaya bars to Western tastebuds is no mean feat, yet it’s something Bincho handles with aplomb.
The atmospheric Japanese restaurant offers everything from pork belly and crispy tempura to grilled aubergine spread with miso, with the menu changing each week.
3. 64 DEGREES, Meeting House Lane, Brighton
Michael Bremner’s 64 Degrees took the top spots in the awards in 2016 and 2017, setting the scene for the city’s restaurant revolution.
Bremner may be most famous for his ox tongue dish ‘The Grass is Greener’, which won him last year’s Great British Menu, but his ever-changing menu of inventive small plates is something to be reckoned with.
4. CIN CIN, Vine Street, Brighton/Western Road, Hove
This cosy Italian restaurant can now accommodate more diners than ever with its recently opened second site in Hove. Its handmade pasta is a treat, but that’s far from all the restaurant has to offer – owner David’s award for Best Welcome proves just that.
5. THE SET, Regency Sq, Brighton
Situated in the boutique hotel Artist Residence, The Set specialises in multi-course tasting menus that sparkle with cutting edge, seasonal dishes that won’t break the bank. Expect experimental cooking and a lot of fun.
And the rest…
6. THE CHILLI PICKLE, Jubilee St, Brighton
7. ETCH, Church Road, Hove
8. PASCERE, Duke St, Brighton
9. THE SALT ROOM, Kings Road
10. THE GINGER PIG, Hove St, Hove
11. SILO, Upper Gardner St, Brighton
12. ISAAC AT, Gloucester St, Brighton
13. PLATEAU, Bartholomews, Brighton
14. RED ROASTER/PIKE & PINE, St James St, Brighton
15. FATTO A MANO, London Road, Brighton/Church Road, Hove
16. 1909, East Street, Brighton
17. FOURTH & CHURCH, Church Road, Hove
18. MURMUR, Kings Road Arches, Brighton
19. PETIT POIS, Ship Street, Brighton
20. THE GINGERMAN, Norfolk Square, Brighton
Best Sunday Lunch
Dizzy Gull at Brighton Beer Dispensary, Dean St, Brighton
Best Barkeep
Jake Goldstein at The Plotting Parlour, Steine St, Brighton
