The Southeast Restaurants

If you're in a seaside town, look for that great British staple, fish-and-chips. Perhaps "look" isn't the word—just follow your nose. On the coast, seafood, much of it locally caught, is a specialty. Try local smoked fish (haddock and mackerel) or the succulent local oysters. Inland, sample fresh local lamb and beef. In cities such as Brighton and Tunbridge Wells there are numerous restaurants and cafés, but out in the countryside the best options are often pubs.

Sort by: 7 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Due South

    $$

    One of the finest dining options on Brighton's seafront, Due South draws young professionals who also appreciate its celebratory atmosphere. The menu changes monthly and showcases clever takes on classic seafood dishes. You'll find everything from cured wild bass with wasabi crème fraîche to saffron monkfish with rock samphire, all fresh off the boat. Even the vegetables are sourced locally. Desserts are decadent. Big windows overlook the sea and let in plenty of light.

    139 King's Rd. Arches, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN2 2FN, England
    01273-041667

    Known For

    • Seafood-focused fine dining
    • Locally sourced vegetables and fresh off the boat fish
    • Sea views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
  • 2. Gelato Gusto

    $

    No seaside town would be complete without an ice-cream store, and the delicious, housemade, artisanal gelato on sale here is a real treat. Everything is made fresh daily; try the cherry cheesecake flavor or maybe a scoop of the delicious chocolate and sea salt. There are also dairy-free options available, as well as a full menu of desserts, including the "gelato burger" (sandwiched between brioche with chocolate sauce) and the old-school British concoction known as the knickerbocker glory (a tall glass filled with a mixture of ice cream, whipped cream, fruit, and nuts). Alternatively, if you have high levels of self-control, you could just have coffee.

    2 Gardner St., Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1UP, England
    01273-673402

    Known For

    • Delicious Italian ice cream
    • Indulgent desserts
    • Essential part of the Brighton seafront experience
  • 3. Riddle & Finns The Lanes

    $$

    White tiles, bare metal tables, and sparkling chandeliers set the tone as soon as you walk through the door of this casually elegant restaurant. The house specialty is oysters, fresh and sustainably sourced, served with or without a foaming tankard of black velvet (Champagne and Guinness) on the side. Other options include squid and shellfish risotto and Sri Lankan monkfish and prawn curry. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so come early or be prepared to wait. However, you can reserve a table at their sister restaurant, Riddle & Finns The Beach overlooking the sea. The menu is largely the same, with a few meaty options thrown into the mix.

    12B Meeting House La., Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1HB, England
    01273-821218

    Known For

    • Romantic atmosphere
    • Supremely fresh seafood
    • No reservations policy so be prepared to wait

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 4. Iydea

    $

    This popular restaurant and café is a must for visiting vegetarians, though even the most ardent carnivores are likely to leave satisfied. The food is laid out cafeteria style (or "canteen" style in British English), so you choose your meal based on choices of main dishes, sides, and toppings. You could go for a chile bean enchilada or pea-and-goat cheese arancini (breaded and fried rice balls), maybe with some Cajun spiced potato wedges or sugar snap slaw. The restaurant also does a very popular vegetarian breakfast.

    17 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 4AL, England
    01273-933060

    Known For

    • Top vegetarian restaurant
    • Delicious international cooking
    • Popular veggie-focused breakfast
  • 5. Terre à Terre

    $$

    This inspiring vegetarian restaurant is incredibly popular, so come early for a light lunch or later for a more sophisticated evening meal. The food here has a pan-Asian influence, with dishes such as Korean fried cauliflower with kicking kimchi and steamed buns stuffed with ginger-braised halloumi. There's also an excellent collection of wines from around the globe.

    71 East St., Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1HQ, England
    01273-729051

    Known For

    • Asian-influenced cooking
    • Excellent vegetarian dishes
    • Great wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. The Mock Turtle Tea Room

    $

    Less than five minutes' walk from the Royal Pavilion, the Mock Turtle is a great old-fashioned, homey café. Alongside a decent selection of teas and coffees are four types of rarebit, soups, and scones as well as cakes and enormous doughnuts.

    4 Pool Valley, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1NJ, England
    01273-327380

    Known For

    • Popular stop for tea and coffee
    • Excellent cakes
    • Location close to Royal Pavilion
  • 7. The Witchez

    $$

    Owned by talented graphic designers and photo artists, the Witchez Photo Design Restaurant is certainly a unique concept: delicious German- and Polish-influenced comfort food served in the middle of a design studio (which means you can have your passport photo taken while you wait). Never mind the weirdness of the concept; this place is a whole lot of fun, and the food is good to boot—schnitzel, pierogi, German sausage, potato dumplings, and pizzas. It's only open in the evening (from 5 pm Wednesday through Friday and from 4 pm on Saturday).

    16 Marine Parade, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN2 1TL, England
    01273-673652

    Known For

    • Truly unique concept
    • Tasty German and Polish dishes
    • Great atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. year-round and Tues. Sept.–May. No lunch

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video