Best restaurants in Hove

Being so close to the source, it comes as no surprise that Hove has the odd seafood restaurant or two, and The Urchin is the perfect spot for a lassaiz fare meal with a pint or two.

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.

Intimate, sophisticated and packed full of French wines and tapas, Paris Wine Bar lends itself as the perfect spot for date night, catching up with friends, or even taking a solo moment to collect your thoughts.

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.

You wouldn't necessarily know it from the unassuming entrance, but the wine offering at this relaxed bistro wine bar is absolutely world class. A relaxed menu of modern European cooking matches up and staff are brilliant at recommending accompanying wines at all price points. Wild Flor is the sort of place that locals should feel very fortunate to have on the doorstep.

This three-storey multi-venue space boasts, among other things, a beautiful south-facing view out towards the sea and a gorgeous rooftop that is absolutely packed on sunny days. There are lots of restaurants and bars within, spanning all occasions from smart celebration dinners to relaxed drinks with friends - if you're entertaining someone or hoping to eat somewhere beachside, Rockwater could be the one.

Wabi Sabi is all about combining Japanese tradition and culture with local, seasonal ingredients, adding its own flare to each dish. Think squid karaage and dirty fries topped with okonomiyaki sauce.

The clue’s in the name with this one, so expect plenty of high quality and high welfare rare breed beef to fill the menu. Food is cooked over a state-of-the-art synergy grill and wine comes from the cellar that boasts over 100 different varieties.

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. 

Duncan Ray's magnificent restaurant is proof that good things do come in small packages. Despite the limitations of a small kitchen and restaurant, Ray and team serve some of the most delightful food in the country. Menus are mostly fish and seafood based as you might guess - The Little Fish Market is a regular in our Top 100 UK Restaurants list, so we'd call it an essential visit.

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. 

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. 

Like nearby Brighton, Hove has a reputation for good vegan and plant-based food and Botanique is one of the stars. As well as offering a thoughtful menu of elevated vegetarian cooking, Botanique also boasts the UK's first onsite, indoor hydroponic kitchen-garden, so much of the produce and herbs in the restaurant has been grown on-site and picked just hours before it hits the plate. 

This popular sushi counter exudes a stylish Japanese minimalism inside and out, with sleek wooden counter surrounding an open kitchen and a compact menu of classic nigiri and maki meeting premium bites like seared Wagyu, scallop, eel and tuna tataki.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re looking for a table with a view, then head to The Gather Inn where it has it by the bucket load. This seafront spot offers up pub classics and Caribbean plates, plus a fabulous Sunday roast.

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.

Etch chef patron Steven Edwards won MasterChef The Professionals in 2017 and his restaurant has been one of the best in all of Brighton ever since, scooping award after award and drawing punters from all over the country. Edwards cooking is elegant and precise, rooted in British seasonality - the tasting menu changes from month to month, celebrating the best of each month's produce, and vegetarian tasting menus are also available.