Dishoom Permit Room Brighton

Permit Room stands out instantly in Brighton’s Lanes, its vivid orange frontage glowing among the independent shops and cobbled streets. Step inside and the energy shifts: it’s darker, moodier, with red leather booths, warm lighting and earthy tones that give the space a stylish but cosy atmosphere. The big open bar dominates the room, and even midweek the buzz is undeniable.

We visited on a Tuesday evening and found the place packed, with every table full and the air alive with chatter and spice. It’s a lively space, so if you’re after a quiet dinner, this might not be it. The atmosphere is infectious, though the acoustics could be softened by a few more fabrics.

The food, designed for sharing, is bold and confident. Spinach chaat set the tone - crisp leaves layered with yoghurt, tamarind-date chutney and pomegranate, offering crunch, tang and sweetness in perfect balance. It was one of the highlights of the night. The smoky house daal was another standout: rich, comforting and perfect with soft, buttered naan. The chef’s lamb curry brought a deep, peppery heat, the meat falling apart at the touch of a fork, while the chicken biryani arrived fragrant and steaming, with sweet cranberries cutting through the warmth of the spice.

The drinks list is inventive. The Blushing Dawn Paloma gave a sharp citrus hit followed by a subtle spice that lingered, while the mangosteen daiquiri was bright and tropical, lifted by a sherbet-like finish of lime oil. Not everything landed: the Orange Wine Margarita, described on the menu as 'obscenely good for your health', was well balanced but too sweet for us, with sherry-like notes that won’t suit every palate.

With its bold flavours, creative cocktails and vibrant energy, Permit Room is the kind of place that pulls you back in again and again. We left already planning what we’d order next time.

Nestled in the heart of the Lanes, the Dishoom Permit Room Brighton is an all-day bar and café, serving it all from breakfast bacon naans to late-night cocktails and brews. It’s a spin-off concept, an offshoot of the eminently popular Dishoom restaurant, inspired by the beer bars and drinking holes of post-prohibition-era Bombay.

As with other sites, interiors revolve around retro features with the occasional turquoise and amber accents. Artwork by local artists on the walls adorns the walls, and a pumping playlist blasting funk, hip-hop, disco and soul creates a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of place suited to casual gatherings and midweek dates as well as lively celebrations and late-night cocktails.

Drinking at the Dishoom Permit Room is just as exciting as eating. Cocktails are inspired by the flavours of Bombay, presented under the subsections Highballs, On the Rocks, Twisted Classics, Short and Boozy, Frozen Lipsters, Morning Glories and non-alcoholic Teetotal options. Examples include Mango Lassi Punch, Chai Caffe Martini, and a Blushing Dawn Paloma formed of kumquat juice, chilli-infused tequila, spices, and pink Himalayan salt. You’ll also find a rotating roster of beer collaborations with local suppliers and breweries.

The Permit Room menu is designed to complement the drinks, with over 50% dedicated to vegan and vegetarian dishes and no red meat at all. Alongside a selection of breakfast dishes in the morning, the all-day menu offers drinking food. While you can expect some Dishoom favourites, this is an entirely new menu. Think sharing plates and snack items, such as chaats, patties, curries and sweet dishes. Popular items include jackfruit berry pulau and the signature Dishoom black daal. Cooked for 24 hours, it’s a rich and buttery dish that has garnered national cult status. Elsewhere, dessert and sweet options include rum-soaked gulab jamun (a milk-based dumpling), sweet malai toast, and ice.

What of the interiors? Expect the same relaxed, retro vibes at its other sites, with artwork by local artists on the walls, and a pumping playlist blasting funk, hip hop, disco and soul.