Food for Friends

Food for Friends is Brighton's original vegetarian eatery, & has plied its trade in the South Lanes since 1981. Times have changed since the sackcloth days of lentil casserole, & FFF has moved with them, expanding to occupy three units of a pretty wedge-shaped building. To coincide with its 30th birthday, the interior was given a major revamp with stylish olive-green banquettes & textured wallpaper enhanced by ethnic touches such as gourd-shaped vases. There's a contemporary, global feel to the menu, with eclectic influences aplenty in dishes spanning everything from parmesan & sun-dried tomato beignets or chickpea, aubergine & harissa stew to mirin-glazed sesame tofu with shiitake stir-fry, kohlrabi & mooli salad. A set lunch, children's menu & afternoon tea add variety, while staff are unfailingly chirpy. English wines star on the short but well-balanced list.