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The Set

British·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of The Set

Silver Award

Brighton isn’t short of great restaurants, but even in this eclectic city there’s nothing quite like The Set. Dan Kenny’s moody restaurant lies out of the city centre towards Preston Park, but make the journey north and you’ll find one of the most unique, ambitious restaurants anywhere in the UK.

The rustic, dimly-lit interiors and mismatched furniture have quite a unique vibe and if you’re longing for a restaurant that is warm, cosy and inviting, The Set may not be to your tastes. That said, there’s a special resourcefulness happening here that is worthy of note - the space doubles up as a cafe during the day, but The Set takes over on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings with a unique, Asian-flecked tasting menu. Dan and sous chef Marcin dive in and out of the tiny kitchen during service, using a small barbecue outside to cook many of the dishes.

Given the limited capacity of the restaurant and equipment, some of the food they turn out is remarkable. A handful of single bite snacks set the scene, including a crispy oyster katsu and a clever combination of beef with a bearnaise croquette. The Set is all about big, bold flavours and from here, the menu doesn’t let up, from the intense, delicious scallop tikka masala to comforting chocolate and miso pudding at the end. There’s a danger of The Set being all brawn and no brains, but there’s clever thinking on the menu too, as shown by a bread course of milk bread and cheese burger butter, and a Delica pumpkin pre-dessert.

With only a handful of tables, very rustic interiors and a single sitting on three evenings a week, The Set might not coalesce with exactly what everyone looks for in a restaurant. If what you care about is great food, we’d recommend you book a table - you won’t be disappointed.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Over £80
Cuisines
British
Ambience
Cosy, Dark and moody, Fun, Quirky, Romantic
Awards
SquareMeal UK Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

The Set in Brighton is an intimate dining experience that serves just one ever-changing tasting menu from Wednesday to Friday. The restaurant takes great care when it comes to sourcing and provenance, focusing only on micro-seasonal British ingredients, heritage slow grown vegetables, sustainable seafood and native rare breed meats. Serving between 16-20 courses in the evening to just 18 customers, eating at the restaurant is a unique experience that takes guests on a journey of never-tried-before flavours.  

Because the menu is dictated so closely by the seasons, it constantly changes depending on what’s fresh and local at the time. Each description of the dishes is succinct yet brief so as to retain the element of surprise when diners are presented with each plate. Examples might include dishes entitled chalk stream sushi, set breakfast, bread and butter, BBQ pork belly, nacho and a sweet dish simply named strawberry. Do with that what you will.  

There is an optional drinks pairing available at an extra cost, which includes a carefully selected range of delicious drinks.  

The restaurant itself is cosy and rustic with distressed wooden flooring, small wooden tables and a fireplace set against a red brick wall. Guests are able to take a seat at the counter, which overlooks the open kitchen, and enjoy a drink before dinner at one of its bar stools. The relaxed, shabby-chic feel of the space provides a rather pleasing contrast to the refined, contemporary plates turned out by the kitchen team. 

When you book a table at The Set, it is yours for the night with the recommended dining time being between 2.5-3 hours. Do note that due to a small kitchen team of two, the restaurant is unable to cater for dietary requirements.


FAQs

Does the restaurant cater for dietary requirements?

Due to the small nature of the kitchen team, it is unable to cater for dietary requirements

Helpful? 0

Is the restaurant open every day?

No, the restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday-Friday

Helpful? 0

Location

50 Preston Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4QF
Website

Opening Times

Dinner
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 18:30-23:00
Thu 18:30-23:00
Fri 18:30-23:00
Sat Closed
Sun Closed

Reviews

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6 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

anna Q

25 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Absolutely stunning fine dining. Great team!great food! 

Anon

25 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Incredible flavour packed food

Anon

25 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Innovative & delicious

Frank K

29 June 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Unique dining experience

18 courses of big flavoured, original and unpretentious food in a relaxed setting. A must if in Brighton and after a hidden gem.

Anon

23 June 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Fantastic tasting menu from a tiny team and kitchen. Best high end in Brighton

I don't do high end often, I'm more a cheap eats girl so I thought I may not like this place. My word - it was fantastic !!! Amazing food, really creative and tasty. And super service, friendly and attentive. Really have nothing bad to say about it. It's value for money for the experience for sure and I will be back. 

anna Q

23 June 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
hidden gem in Brighton UK

The Set restaurant is amazing!

The food is fresh, innovative with wonderful flavours. The mix of modern techniques, local produce and asian influence in their food is outstanding. The team is small and works well together with chefs sometimes delivering food to tables, this adds a unique interaction for us customers.

A definite must in you are in brighton

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