Guidebook for Hove
Food Scene
treacle & ginger
164 Church RdBrilliant brunch, best coffee in Hove
Shandiz Persian Cuisine
118 Church RdPerfect Persian.
Siam Siam Takeaway Hove
162 Portland RdTop Thai Takeaway
Pizzaface Hove
202 Portland RdExcellent takeaway Pizza.
Fatto a Mano Hove
65-67 Church RdPeerless Pizza.
A superb Italian restaurant run by the eponymous Franco, a Milanese perfectionist and chef patron.
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Franco's Osteria Deli
4 Victoria TerraceA superb Italian restaurant run by the eponymous Franco, a Milanese perfectionist and chef patron.
Best ice cream in the city, made by a man who knows his stuff. Highly rated by Richard - he says the "mouth feel" is amazing.
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Boho Gelato
6 Pool ValleyBest ice cream in the city, made by a man who knows his stuff. Highly rated by Richard - he says the "mouth feel" is amazing.
Iydea
17 Kensington GardensGreat lunchtime place for vegetarians.
A much-loved local institution since 1969.
Pizzas, pasta, seafood and ice cream. You can also drop in for coffee during the day. Great for families or couples.
Open late as well as early.
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Marrocco's
8 King's EsplanadeA much-loved local institution since 1969.
Pizzas, pasta, seafood and ice cream. You can also drop in for coffee during the day. Great for families or couples.
Open late as well as early.
Hove Tandoori Restaurant
175 Church LaneTakeaway, delivery or eat-in. Good food.
Pelicano Coffee
28 Sydney StGood coffee in this tiny and quirky joint.
Richard's favourite coffee joint in Brighton. The exploding junk store aesthetic is not to everyone's taste but Mr. B knows his stuff and is drawn back to this place like the migrating salmon is drawn to its spawning ground. He also likes the "Withnail and I" reference in the name, but then he would, wouldn't he?
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Marwood Bar & Coffeehouse
52 Ship StRichard's favourite coffee joint in Brighton. The exploding junk store aesthetic is not to everyone's taste but Mr. B knows his stuff and is drawn back to this place like the migrating salmon is drawn to its spawning ground. He also likes the "Withnail and I" reference in the name, but then he would, wouldn't he?
If, by some chance, you happen to wander up Edward Street - maybe you are lost or have just appeared in the Crown Court that lends its name to this unassuming but wonderful place - then make a stop here for coffee. Richard's second favourite coffee joint in Brighton AND the lunches are excellent and the ambiance calm. There are dozens of great photobooks at the back of the cafe for you to read (Mr. B is a photographer so you can understand the attraction) and, when the weather is fine, you can slip out the back door and eat in the little park adjacent to the building. Jazz in the evening.
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Roxanne @ The Verdict
159 Edward StIf, by some chance, you happen to wander up Edward Street - maybe you are lost or have just appeared in the Crown Court that lends its name to this unassuming but wonderful place - then make a stop here for coffee. Richard's second favourite coffee joint in Brighton AND the lunches are excellent and the ambiance calm. There are dozens of great photobooks at the back of the cafe for you to read (Mr. B is a photographer so you can understand the attraction) and, when the weather is fine, you can slip out the back door and eat in the little park adjacent to the building. Jazz in the evening.
Sugardough
5 Victoria TerraceSimply wonderful, great coffee and peerless baked goods. Drool.
Lucky Beach Cafe
183 Kings RdBest burgers outside of LA's Apple Pan.
When we were several decades younger and lived in Brixton we would often visit their first branch, a hole in the wall joint in the covered market off Electric Avenue, tucked in amongst the wig sellers, fabric stores and fishmongers.
The food created now, in Brighton, is nearly as good as it was then, in Brixton, no mean feat for a much bigger operation. Service is brusque but very friendly, sometimes even charming, and the food served quickly.
Doesn't take reservations, so great for spontaneous dining. The pizza is always excellent and kept to a simple range of tasty and authentic options. The wine is a little overpriced, but that is a small niggle for an otherwise terrific place.
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Franco Manca
Regent StreetWhen we were several decades younger and lived in Brixton we would often visit their first branch, a hole in the wall joint in the covered market off Electric Avenue, tucked in amongst the wig sellers, fabric stores and fishmongers.
The food created now, in Brighton, is nearly as good as it was then, in Brixton, no mean feat for a much bigger operation. Service is brusque but very friendly, sometimes even charming, and the food served quickly.
Doesn't take reservations, so great for spontaneous dining. The pizza is always excellent and kept to a simple range of tasty and authentic options. The wine is a little overpriced, but that is a small niggle for an otherwise terrific place.
I'll be brief, because a place this good deserves hyperbole. Here goes: It is expensive. It is quiet. It is the best restaurant in Brighton and Hove.
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The Little Fish Market
10 Upper Market StreetI'll be brief, because a place this good deserves hyperbole. Here goes: It is expensive. It is quiet. It is the best restaurant in Brighton and Hove.
I confess, I have never eaten here, but I know enough folk who have and recommend it. Good seafood.
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Riddle & Finns
12b Meeting House LnI confess, I have never eaten here, but I know enough folk who have and recommend it. Good seafood.
As with Riddle and Finns, I have never eaten here, but I know enough folk who have and recommend it. Good Thai food.
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Giggling Squid
129 Church RdAs with Riddle and Finns, I have never eaten here, but I know enough folk who have and recommend it. Good Thai food.
This is an interesting one. A small crowded place that serves authentic Japanese noodle dishes. It is pretty cheap and always full. I like it a lot and dine here whenever I am in Brighton during the week and need to eat.
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Pompoko
110 Church StThis is an interesting one. A small crowded place that serves authentic Japanese noodle dishes. It is pretty cheap and always full. I like it a lot and dine here whenever I am in Brighton during the week and need to eat.
Drinks & Nightlife
Quintessential old man pub. Not for the faint of heart but a very authentic old school experience. Richard says the beer is well kept, and apparently that is very important, so I shall defer to the fearless Mr. B - who has been known to walk into hardcore American desert biker bars and befriend everyone without flinching - on that point. Frequent music nights.
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The Neptune Inn
10 KingswayQuintessential old man pub. Not for the faint of heart but a very authentic old school experience. Richard says the beer is well kept, and apparently that is very important, so I shall defer to the fearless Mr. B - who has been known to walk into hardcore American desert biker bars and befriend everyone without flinching - on that point. Frequent music nights.
The Great Eastern
103 Trafalgar StExcellent pub. Very eclectic crowd. Lively.
The Foragers
3 Stirling PlNice local pub with good food tucked away on a Hove backstreet.
If you stomach the eye-wateringly expensive prices then this is pretty good as the beer is excellent!
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BrewDog Brighton
52-54 Grand ParadeIf you stomach the eye-wateringly expensive prices then this is pretty good as the beer is excellent!
What was once a sad drinker's haunt - you know the type of place, lots of moderately evil blokes dressed in shorts, standing outside drinking lager, even in the middle of winter - was transformed into a super seafood bar with excellent food, craft beer and good wine.
Guaranteed noisy when busy - great atmosphere can become grate atmosphere if it becomes that Hove combo of property prices, nasal nouveau-riche braying and jewellery rattling - and the high seating is a bit uncomfortable, otherwise well worth a visit.
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The Urchin
15-17 Belfast StWhat was once a sad drinker's haunt - you know the type of place, lots of moderately evil blokes dressed in shorts, standing outside drinking lager, even in the middle of winter - was transformed into a super seafood bar with excellent food, craft beer and good wine.
Guaranteed noisy when busy - great atmosphere can become grate atmosphere if it becomes that Hove combo of property prices, nasal nouveau-riche braying and jewellery rattling - and the high seating is a bit uncomfortable, otherwise well worth a visit.
Average pub with huge garden in a remote spot on the Ouse; what makes this venue, other than the total lack of passing cars, is that you can rent boats and go for a paddle on the river! Exceptional in its own way.
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Anchor Inn
Lewes RoadAverage pub with huge garden in a remote spot on the Ouse; what makes this venue, other than the total lack of passing cars, is that you can rent boats and go for a paddle on the river! Exceptional in its own way.
An outstanding country pub that barely merits the word as it is so much more; fab view, fab food, fab wine list. Go go go and spend spend spend.
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The Griffin Inn
An outstanding country pub that barely merits the word as it is so much more; fab view, fab food, fab wine list. Go go go and spend spend spend.
Crap venue for brilliant gigs. The Moonlandinz gig was pure fire, Jane Weaver was sensational.
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The Haunt
10 Pool ValleyCrap venue for brilliant gigs. The Moonlandinz gig was pure fire, Jane Weaver was sensational.
Great venue, mediocre pub. Saw Hare and Hoofe there in a room the size of my lounge and blew me away.
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Prince Albert
Great venue, mediocre pub. Saw Hare and Hoofe there in a room the size of my lounge and blew me away.
Shopping
Amazing, award winning wine and beer store. Knowledgable staff, amazing selection.
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Quaff Wine
139 Portland RdAmazing, award winning wine and beer store. Knowledgable staff, amazing selection.
Very special candle store - you have to visit it to believe it. Not a hippy vibe at all; super stylish and friendly proprietors.
Wick Candle Boutique
120 Portland RdVery special candle store - you have to visit it to believe it. Not a hippy vibe at all; super stylish and friendly proprietors.
Seemingly one of the last of its kind, an independent book seller. These guys are not only committed, they are helpful and friendly too.
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City Books
23 Western RdSeemingly one of the last of its kind, an independent book seller. These guys are not only committed, they are helpful and friendly too.
Essentials
Brilliant wholefood store, stocks a staggering quantity of tasty food, remedies, personal care products and home care brands such as Ecover. Highly recommended.
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Down To Earth
128 Portland RdBrilliant wholefood store, stocks a staggering quantity of tasty food, remedies, personal care products and home care brands such as Ecover. Highly recommended.
Long opening hours and right around the corner.
Mr. B has much respect for the business' commitment to Fair Trade, keen prices and quality.
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The Co-operative Food
67-71 Portland RdLong opening hours and right around the corner.
Mr. B has much respect for the business' commitment to Fair Trade, keen prices and quality.
Sainsbury's Local
123-125 Portland RdLong opening hours and right around the corner.
Waitrose & Partners
130-134 Western RdThe holy of holies.
Asda Brighton Marina Superstore
off Carden AvenueIf this is how you swing, I will not judge.
Tesco Superstore
Church RoadIf you must.
Like Boris Johnson, big but somewhat pointless unless it's really your thing.
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Sainsbury's
27 New England StLike Boris Johnson, big but somewhat pointless unless it's really your thing.
Essentials does what it says on the shop front. Need bleach? They have it. String? Glue? Bin Bags? Dust Pan? Broom? Light bulbs? Storage boxes? Polish? Yep. They stock such a mind boggling variety of items as to render ordering from Amazon or purchasing from your supermarket utterly nugatory; this shop is the Aladdin's Cave of household items.
This is family-run business, too, and friendly service is assured.
Essentials Hove
101 Portland RdEssentials does what it says on the shop front. Need bleach? They have it. String? Glue? Bin Bags? Dust Pan? Broom? Light bulbs? Storage boxes? Polish? Yep. They stock such a mind boggling variety of items as to render ordering from Amazon or purchasing from your supermarket utterly nugatory; this shop is the Aladdin's Cave of household items.
This is family-run business, too, and friendly service is assured.
This business is a local institution. Service is friendly, prompt and at a fair price; if there is a problem with timing or an issue with your cleaning they will tell you. The proprietor is an expert cleaner and we have relied on him many times to revitalise mucky clothes. Highly recommended.
Bestways Dry Cleaners Ltd
150 Portland RdThis business is a local institution. Service is friendly, prompt and at a fair price; if there is a problem with timing or an issue with your cleaning they will tell you. The proprietor is an expert cleaner and we have relied on him many times to revitalise mucky clothes. Highly recommended.
Entertainment & Activities
Wow, what a place. New arthouse cinema and event space with very high standard of programming. Great bar too.
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Depot
Pinwell RoadWow, what a place. New arthouse cinema and event space with very high standard of programming. Great bar too.
Edwardian cinema, excellent leg room in the restored auditorium. Huge lobby, and a bar!
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Dome Cinema
21-22 Marine ParadeEdwardian cinema, excellent leg room in the restored auditorium. Huge lobby, and a bar!
Komedia Brighton
44-47 Gardner StExcellent cinema, good programming.
The niggles: tiny lobby, tiny bar, overly cavernous auditorium, and much of the clientele (who walk into the cinema expecting a round of applause when, seriously, getting to 60 in Brighton is no longer the miracle it used to be.)
The positives: tolerable mainstream programming, comfy seats, polite staff.
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Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton
Preston RoadThe niggles: tiny lobby, tiny bar, overly cavernous auditorium, and much of the clientele (who walk into the cinema expecting a round of applause when, seriously, getting to 60 in Brighton is no longer the miracle it used to be.)
The positives: tolerable mainstream programming, comfy seats, polite staff.
Arts & Culture
This imposing, impressive and spacious modern building is every inch the magnificent art destination that Brighton needs but does not have.
A good rotation of excellent and well curated shows and other activities such as films throughout the year. This venue always punches above its weight.
The Towner is mostly free, with a good cafe that serves a decent cup of coffee and nice sandwiches, an oasis of calm and reflection far, far away from the often distasteful tableau vivant of Eastbourne Esplanade. It even has balcony seating! To paraphrase Roy Strong, it's an Ace Caff with a very nice gallery attached.
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Πινακοθήκη Towner Art
College RoadThis imposing, impressive and spacious modern building is every inch the magnificent art destination that Brighton needs but does not have.
A good rotation of excellent and well curated shows and other activities such as films throughout the year. This venue always punches above its weight.
The Towner is mostly free, with a good cafe that serves a decent cup of coffee and nice sandwiches, an oasis of calm and reflection far, far away from the often distasteful tableau vivant of Eastbourne Esplanade. It even has balcony seating! To paraphrase Roy Strong, it's an Ace Caff with a very nice gallery attached.
Parks & Nature
Ashdown Forest
Wych CrossThe land of Pooh.
Unless you plan to visit the house, drive along the A283 for another mile and turn left through the narrow, but clearly marked, entrance for the deer park parking area; £3 all day parking. Once parked you can walk into a landscape specifically designed around the notion of "landscape" - itself a potential source of all-day debate - a beautiful 700 acres sculpted by Capability Brown, well-stocked with deer and full of shady nooks, resting places and vantage points to delight all but the irredeemably jaded. Take a picnic.
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Petworth
Unless you plan to visit the house, drive along the A283 for another mile and turn left through the narrow, but clearly marked, entrance for the deer park parking area; £3 all day parking. Once parked you can walk into a landscape specifically designed around the notion of "landscape" - itself a potential source of all-day debate - a beautiful 700 acres sculpted by Capability Brown, well-stocked with deer and full of shady nooks, resting places and vantage points to delight all but the irredeemably jaded. Take a picnic.
Some say it's from Mars. Or one of the seven stars that shine after three-thirty in the morning. But it isn't!
Dungeness is far stranger than that. Richard's travels around the UK have taken him to some very odd backwaters, and Dungeness is one of the oddest, most distinctive and enjoyable rare groove nooks in these islands.
The area is a vast shingle headland, deposited by thousands of years of longshore drift and jutting several miles out into the Channel. It is home to sandy beaches, shingle beaches, nuclear power stations, artists, pubs, fisherman's shacks, a miniature railway and, above all, Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage. Go. Make a day of it.
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Dungeness
Some say it's from Mars. Or one of the seven stars that shine after three-thirty in the morning. But it isn't!
Dungeness is far stranger than that. Richard's travels around the UK have taken him to some very odd backwaters, and Dungeness is one of the oddest, most distinctive and enjoyable rare groove nooks in these islands.
The area is a vast shingle headland, deposited by thousands of years of longshore drift and jutting several miles out into the Channel. It is home to sandy beaches, shingle beaches, nuclear power stations, artists, pubs, fisherman's shacks, a miniature railway and, above all, Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage. Go. Make a day of it.