Market Restaurant & Bar

Tapas joint where you can sit around the “bar” with them making tapas behind; there are tables, but “bar” is best.  Top points on everything – really awesome staff who couldn’t be more friendly and helpful, very nice cocktails.  Food – really great.  We had pork belly, squid, crispy pig croquettes (a special), macaroni cheese, and more, all rock solid.  For tapas, very big servings, so I would say treat their suggestion of 3-4 dishes and a side each very conservatively.  We had 3 each with a small side and it was huge.

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 42 Western Road

http://www.market-restaurantbar.co.uk

The House Restaurant

Bills itself as a bistro in a converted Victorian house, and it is.  Really nice staff, and a very pleasant open (if echo-y) space – lots of wood.  I had steak benedict which was a delicious steak with black pudding, egg and bacon with root mash; really rather good.  Garlic focaccia tasty and acres of it, although could stand to be more garlic-y.  Couple of starters had didn’t set my companion’s world on fire but mine was really, really excellent.

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 37 East Street

https://www.thehouserestaurant.co.uk

The Rose Hill Tavern

Looking at the web results for this, there was a heroic effort to save this pub from developers for the community (ed: see comment below). Power to them, but as a result I guess it feels like walking into someone else’s house. Could be funky and cool, instead you feel like you’re intruding. I feel bad for saying so but the staff can’t be bothered either; best go to a real pub.

Edit: See comment below, I’ve removed the website. Apologies to the community effort, sorry it didn’t work out!

Verdict: Don’t go

Location: 70-71 Rose Hill Terrace

Brighton Chippy

Initially: Standard chippy, but just ok; chips a little dry. Superior options available.

Revised: I don’t know if they changed ownership or what, but the guy is a total legend and I think the crispy crunchy fish is probably the second best I’ve ever had.

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 4 Terminus Road

Can’t find a website

The Old Bank Steak & Ribs

A simple interior but with comfy booths if you’re lucky, and lovely service. A steak was had and was delicious, but the famous ribs, well, deserve to be famous. Really excellent BBQ sauce and tasty chips. Also, Monday is all you can eat ribs and wings, and the wings were pretty great too. All of which comes for not much money at all. Brilliant.

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 120A St George’s Road

https://www.oldbankkemptownbrighton.com