Diners' Choice: Great for creative cocktails restaurants in Brighton

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best handcrafted cocktails in Brighton? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Velvet Crab

4.8

4.8 (61)

£41 and over

Seafood

Brighton

About the restaurant

The Velvet Crab is a truly one-of-a-kind seafood restaurant in Brighton.

We're proud to serve luxurious seafood boils, fresh oysters and epic seafood platters. Every dish is made with the finest locally and sustainably sourced seafood.

Inside our seafood restaurant, it's all dark walls, chandeliers, velvet and gold. It's stylish but never stuffy, cosy and full of character.

Pull on a bib, crack a claw, and dig into Brighton's boldest seafood experience.

Top review

Jax

Dined on Oct 30, 2026

Excellent experience at the Velvet Crab, lovely food, great service and ambience, really friendly and welcoming. Will definitely return.

Wahaca Brighton

4.7

4.7 (219)

£25 and under

Mexican

Brighton

About the restaurant

Vibrant, Mexican small plates, made with over 200 ingredients, everyday by talented chefs. Cocktails freshly shaken to order, from iconic margaritas, made with 100% blue agave tequila, to mezcalitas and beautifully crafted non-alc cocktails. A taste of authentic Mexican flavours from Oaxaca to Wahaca. With a relaxed, laid-back vibe, where everyone’s welcome, any time of day.

Cooking with fresh, local, ingredients, with a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, Wahaca has been consistently recognised as a leading sustainable restaurant.

Wahaca Brighton is just minutes from Brighton’s famous seafront, Theatre Royal, and Royal Pavilion. It’s a vibrant and colourful space for seaside visitors and locals. Enjoy tacos and margaritas with a side of seaside air.

Top review

Mark

Dined 3 days ago

All staff were super friendly and our waitress was brilliant with talking us through various menu items when we couldn’t decide what to have. Food came out quickly, was piping hot and tasted great. Couldn’t fault anything and we were both very impressed with our first ever visit and we will definitely visit Wahaca again

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Experience

Pre-Theatre Menu

Experience

Festive Feasting Menu

FUMI Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (419)

£26 to £40

Japanese

Brighton

About the restaurant

There’s a saying in Japan, ‘Ichi-go ichi-e,’ which means, every moment is one-of-a-kind and something to be treasured. This is the philosophy of our neighbourhood restaurant FUMI, located in the centre of Brighton.
A slow restaurant in a fast-moving city, FUMI is a place where flavours, service and interiors are harmonious.
A simple Japanese inspired menu driven by the seasons, our moods and by whatever is fresh and exciting in the moment.

At FUMI, we source all our produce, meats and fish from small, local suppliers. Nothing is mass-produced or served out of season, with everything we create coming directly from the farm to your table. Each meal at FUMI is a celebration of bountiful harvests, beloved community, and our favourite pairing of food and friends.
We hope you enjoy.

Top review

SarahGold

Dined 3 days ago

Great meal at Fumi, the service, the ambiance and most importantly the food was great. Char Siu pork is always our favourite dish, but all the dishes are tasty and beautifully presented.

Burger & Lobster Brighton

4.7

4.7 (101)

£26 to £40

Seafood

Brighton

About the restaurant

Famous for beaches, buzz and bars, allow us to introduce you to Brighton’s newest restaurant: Burger & Lobster.

Whether you’re soaking up the seaside air, charity shop shopping, or strolling along the beach with a seafood craving, you’ll find the best burgers, lobster, and now brunch in town on Market Street.

Just moments from Brighton Beach and steps away from Old Steine Gardens, our latest restaurant brings the finest wild Atlantic lobster and beef to the heart of bustling Brighton. Pop in for brunch, cocktails by the beach, bring the whole family together, and enjoy the most delicious surf & turf at one of your new favourite places to eat in Brighton!

Top review

Suzanne

Dined 6 days ago

It was a relatively quiet Tuesday night but the staff were great, food delicious and drinks fabulous. Special birthday was acknowledged and we had a lovely evening.

The Vine House

4.7

4.7 (59)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Brighton

About the restaurant

The Vine House opens mid-June 2026 in Kemptown Village, Brighton & Hove.
Tim Hall, Marc Wise, Mat Snook & James Thomson bring a wealth of hospitality experience to the table & you can expect first rate hospitality.
With a menu by Wild Flor & chef George Upshall, beautiful central bar, spacious south-facing garden, a wine shop & a private dining room; The Vine House promises to be a bustling & energetic venue, pouring the finest wines, pulling top quality pints & serving vibrant plates of European dishes.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Top review

Alan

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent menu, very friendly service, great atmosphere. Dogs warmly welcomed.

Indian Summer

4.6

4.6 (166)

£26 to £40

Indian

Brighton

About the restaurant

Indian Summer – Brighton
In the heart of The Lanes, just steps from Brighton’s seafront, Indian Summer bursts with colour, flavour, and personality. Walls are adorned with vibrant street-art murals, Bollywood nostalgia, and bold splashes of pink, teal, and gold, while hand-painted tables and chandeliers create a space that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate.

For over two decades, we’ve been serving some of the city’s most celebrated Indian food — a refined yet relaxed dining experience that blends the rich traditions of Southern India with a fresh, contemporary twist.

Our menu is a vibrant journey through authentic flavours, crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold spices. Standouts include our Tandoori Paneer Tikka, the indulgent Mutter Butter Paneer, and the aromatic Lamb Mewari — with thoughtfully created dishes for vegetarian, vegan, and meat lovers alike.

Top review

David

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food and tons of vegan options! Staff were amazing, they couldn’t do enough for us and every one of them were welcoming and attentive. We can’t wait to come back and would highly recommend to everyone. 10 out of 10!

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Experience

Table only (A' La Carte)

Experience

Thali Time

Experience

The Indian Summer Experience

IL Bistro

4.6

4.6 (425)

£25 and under

Steakhouse

Brighton

About the restaurant

In 1976 Michael Garman returned to Brighton and opened IL Bistro
after being inspired by the Italian and French culture and cuisine
during his travels to the Provence and the western coast of Italy.
His goal was to open Brighton’s first Mediterranean steakhouse.
For the first time, Brightonians were able to order fresh pasta,
arancini, dry aged beef, tiramisu and negronis.

50 years later and now owned by Michael's son Abe,
IL Bistro still stands by the same principles, using local suppliers
and produce, fresh and seasonal ingredients and the best available dry
aged British beef. The restaurant is situated in an 18th century
fisherman’s cottage which we find rather fitting after Michael
spent years in Portofino, Livorno and Saint-Tropez, Europe’s
most famous fishing villages.
Booking info:
We ask for a £10 per person deposit which gets deducted from your final bill.
One of our team will be in touch to take your deposit, bookings will only be confirmed once the deposit is paid

Top review

Chris

Dined on Oct 3, 2026

Wonderful experience, fantastic food & service! Great portions! Very Tasty! Will visit again when next in Brighton. Lovely evening.

Pho Brighton

4.5

4.5 (454)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Brighton

About the restaurant

Pho Brighton is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant with loads of vegan and gluten free options.

We specialise in phở, the Vietnamese noodle soup and also serve delicious curries, rice dishes, wok-fried noodles, and fresh salads too. Our starters such as summer rolls and spring rolls are perfect for sharing with friends and family. We also offer an entirely gluten free dessert menu with dishes like Pandan waffles, condensed milk ice cream and a Vietnamese affogato.

Over a third of our menu is vegan, and nearly all of it is gluten-free, so we are a great destination for people who follow those particular dietary restrictions. We are also accredited by Coeliac UK.

Aside from our lovely food we offer a brilliant range of healthy juices, as well as delicious wine and beer, and a fantastic cocktail menu too.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Ps, we are dog friendly so your 4-legged friends are always welcome.

Top review

Sally

Dined on Oct 30, 2026

Lovely early evening meal at pho Brighton. Fabulous food, great gluten free options. Staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommend

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Experience

Christmas party menu

The Coconut Island Brighton

4.5

4.5 (34)

£26 to £40

Sri Lankan

Hove

About the restaurant

Bringing the sun-drenched spirit of Sri Lanka to the vibrant streets of Brighton, The Coconut Island is a soulful celebration of authentic island life. The restaurant seamlessly blends a rich culinary heritage with a contemporary menu that honours traditional techniques through bold, modern flavours, featuring signature dishes like classic hoppers, aromatic kothu, and flavourful curries. Designed to evoke the relaxed energy of a tropical beach bar, the atmosphere is elevated by eclectic playlists that provide a rhythmic backdrop to every meal. With a commitment to warm, inclusive hospitality and, the space offers a welcoming environment for everything from casual bites to large gatherings. Whether enjoying a spice-infused feast or a signature Arrack cocktail, guests are invited to experience a genuine taste of Sri Lanka in the heart of the city.

Top review

Angela

Dined on Nov 1, 2026

Wonderful experience. Very nice staff, food delicious .

The Ivy Asia, Brighton

4.3

4.3 (4995)

£26 to £40

Contemporary Asian

Brighton

About the restaurant

Tucked among Brighton’s famous Lanes, The Ivy Asia Brighton brings bold Asian-inspired flavours and theatrical dining to the heart of this vibrant seaside city. Just a short walk from Brighton beach and the Royal Pavilion, it’s a memorable Brighton restaurant for lunch, dinner, cocktails and special occasions. Step inside to discover dramatic interiors and a lively atmosphere, creating a colourful escape from the bustle of the historic Lanes. The menu celebrates flavours from across Asia through sushi and sashimi, vibrant small plates, sharing dishes and contemporary favourites, with vegetarian and plant-based options throughout. Creative cocktails and weekend entertainment add another layer to the experience, while the Umi Room offers a striking setting for private dining and celebrations. Whether you’re exploring Brighton, meeting friends or planning dinner and drinks, The Ivy Asia Brighton is designed to turn a meal into an occasion.

Top review

PETER

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

As always a delicious meal with attentive staff and lovely surroundings. Never in doubt that we'd have a great meal here. Can't wait for the next time

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