The best restaurants in Hove

A go-to for anyone on the hunt for incredible vegetarian and vegan fare, Botanique offers a thoughtful menu of elevated plant-based cooking using local and seasonal ingredients. Head chef Alexander Mackay follows a farm-to-plate philosophy, and draws from influences across the globe to create innovative, unique dishes. 

Fatto a Mano started in Brighton, but these crusty Neapolitan pizzas have quickly become popular all over the place, from Hove all the way to London. Dough is proved for at least 24 hours before pizzas hit the 450 degree oven, being baked for no more than 90 seconds in the true Neapolitan style. 

If you’re looking for a table with a view, The Gather Inn sits right on the seafront and boasts panoramic views of the water from its sea view bar. Expect traditional pub classics, from burgers to bangers and mash, and a Sunday lunch with all the trimmings to round off the week.

MasterChef The Professionals winner Steven Edwards is the chef patron of Etch, an award-winning restaurant rooted in British seasonality. Weekly-changing tasting menus celebrate the best of seasonal produce, and are surprisingly affordable considering the quality and skill on show here. 

Everything The Ginger Group touches turns to gold it seems and The Ginger Pig is just another of their triumphs - a gastropub with genuine pub atmosphere, delicious modern European dishes and a thoughtful wine and cocktail list. A regular award-winner in the Brighton and Hove area.

Keep an eye on the specials board at this popular brewery and shellfish pub, which heroes some of the freshest seafood you can find in Hove. The pub garden is lovely in the summer, and dogs are welcome. Book to avoid disappointment!

An intimate and sophisticated bistro serving delicious French wines and seasonal tapas dishes. The atmosphere is always cosy and welcoming thanks to soft lighting and ambient music, and don't miss the charming Italian-style garden with lush greenery and a gazebo.

Traditional Persian dishes cooked with great love and care - we love this little neighbourhood joint for its generosity and a menu packed with enough great food to last you many years of visits. The grills and platters are really good value as well.

One of Brighton and Hove's best neighbourhood spots, this modern European bistro champions fresh, local produce to create its ever-changing menus. Head chef George Upshall leads the kitchen team, where he turns out ultra seasonal dishes such as trout with purple sprouting broccoli and blood orange hollandaise

Duncan Ray's magnificent restaurant is proof that good things do come in small packages. Despite the limitations of a small kitchen and dining room (just 22 covers), the team turn out some of the finest fish and seafood cookery in the area. Think cod and squid croquettes with beans, chorizo and ink mayonnaise.

Fourth and Church is the sort of modern wine bar and bistro that has become phenomenally popular across the UK, combining elegant British small plates and biodynamic wines. This Hove stalwart is just as good as any of those in the capital, and it gets pretty busy as a result, so we’d book ahead if you’re planning a visit.

This Instagrammable cafe-restaurant does a decent trade in brunch and its bottomless equivalent, with decadent fry-ups, homemade pancakes and twists on eggs benedict pulling crowds from weekdays to weekends. It’s open all day though, and the a la carte features a fine selection of elegant European classics.

Tucked off Church Road near Palmeira Square, this charming pub has built a solid reputation for its quality cooking, from bistro classics to burgers, focaccia sandwiches and deli sharing boards. The Italian garden is one of Hove’s best kept secrets – a real sun trap in summer, and with outdoor heaters during the colder months.

Who needs to go on holiday when you’ve got Jo & Co’s light and airy mediterranean decor combined with the soothing sound of the sea in the distance? The focus here is on quality ingredients and flavours that pack a punch.

Cin Cin's easy going Italian cooking has been a smash hit in Brighton, and the Hove restaurant is even bigger than the city centre one. Expect simple fresh pasta dishes, cicchetti and excellent aperitivi.

White tiled interiors and an abundance of foliage give Nostos a pleasant Mediterranean vibe, and this chic taverna delivers on the food front as well with a menu that covers traditional Greek favourites and lesser-known dishes. 

Wabi Sabi combines Japanese tradition and culture with local, seasonal ingredients, adding its own unique flare to classic dishes. Think squid karaage and dirty fries topped with okonomiyaki sauce. Reviews are excellent for this place - find it perched on Church Road.

Throughout the week this quirky Gothic tavern earns its keep serving European small plates, from chicken schnitzel to pretzel and pickle boards, while on Sundays punters line up for its mega Sunday roasts and Bloody Marys. Sounds like our kind of pub.

This multi-faceted venue is part restaurant, part community space, and boasts a sunny rooftop terrace (a hot commodity on sunny days), as well as a beachfront cafe and smart first floor restaurant. Whether you fancy a cocktail with a view, or a celebratory dinner, there's a space for you here.

Oeuf knows a thing or two about a good brunch, and it’s a must visit if you’re looking for some mid morning indulgence in Hove. Expect everything from lemon and blueberry cheesecake pancakes to hot honey chicken waffles.

If you love Italian food, you're not short of options in Hove. Aside from the others in this list, Semola is where we'd take the pasta-lover in our life. There's nothing fancy about this cosy little eatery but someone in the kitchen knows how to make great, bouncy pasta, as well as rich, full-of-flavour sauces. A local favourite.

Inspired by the flavours and general conviviality of Spain, Market's modern tapas dishes have proven very popular in Hove. Seeing dishes prepped from the open kitchen and counter is always fun, and ultimately, the delicious food seals the deal.