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Best restaurants in Hove

Hove has long been one of the most desirable places to live in the UK offering the perfect combination of bustling nightlife and relaxed seafront, but did you know it’s also home to an eclectic mix of first class restaurants and cafes too? Making the most of its coastal location, you’ll find plenty of independent seafood spots, as well as eateries that utilise local produce from further inland. We’ve rounded up what we believe are the best of the lot, so you’re one step closer to your next delicious meal.

Updated on 22 February 2024

Hove may only be relatively small, but it packs a punch - you’ll find enough great restaurants, cafes and bars in this trendy west Brighton offshoot to compete with almost anywhere. Pound for pound, we reckon Hove is right up there with even some of London’s best food neighbourhoods - just another reason why plenty of people are choosing to up sticks and mosey on down to the sunny south coast.

If you’re looking for the best places to eat in Hove, you’ll likely find most of them along one particular stretch. Many of the best restaurants in Hove are situated down Church Road - the main road that runs between Brighton City Centre and Portslade - which makes finding a spot to stop for dinner relatively easy.

Hove has a bit of a rep for great vegetarian and vegan food. You’ll find plenty of easy going cafes and fine dining restaurants offering plant based dishes that could fool even the strictest of carnivores. Of course, there’s also plenty of seafood options too. Being in such close proximity to the coast, many of the restaurants are able to get their ingredients straight from the source, and offer an unrivalled level of freshness to what you might find inland.

However, where Hove really punches above its weight is the quality of the eateries that can be found in this compact town. Move aside Brighton, with its casual dining and seaside cafes, because Hove boasts a number of fine dining venues like Etch by Steven Edwards and Duncan Ray’s Little Fish Market - a restaurant that regularly places highly in the SquareMeal Top 100 UK Restaurants list.

If you’re a Hove native or just planning an easy trip to the south coast, have a look through our pick of the best restaurants in Hove. Don’t forget - if you find a restaurant you like, you can click through and book directly from the restaurant page.

Nostos

Nostos

63a Holland Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1BA

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. 

£30 - £49
Greek
Oeuf Cafe

Oeuf Cafe

8 Third Avenue, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2PX

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.

Under £30
British
Carne

Carne

141 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2AE

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.

£50 - £79
British
Cin Cin Hove

Cin Cin Hove

60 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1JD

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.

£30 - £49
Italian
Botanique

Botanique

31a Western Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1AF

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. 

£50 - £79
Modern European
Vegan
Etch by Steven Edwards

Etch by Steven Edwards

216 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2DJ

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.

Over £80
Modern European
British
Rockwater

Rockwater

Western Esplanade, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4FA

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.

£30 - £49
Modern European
International
The Ginger Pig

The Ginger Pig

3 Hove Street, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2TR

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.

£30 - £49
British
Gastropub
The Little Fish Market

The Little Fish Market

10 Upper Market Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN3 1AS

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.

Over £80
British
Fish
SquareMeal UK Top 100
Jo & Co

Jo & Co

115 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2AF

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.

Under £30
British
The Urchin

The Urchin

15-17 Belfast Street, Hove, Brighton, East Sussex, BN3 3YS

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.

Gastropub
Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi

121 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2AF

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.

£50 - £79
Japanese
Wild Flor

Wild Flor

42 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FN

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.

£50 - £79
Modern European
Brasserie
Wine Bars
Bistro
Fatto a Mano Hove

Fatto a Mano Hove

65-67 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2BD

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. 

Under £30
Pizza
Italian
Fourth and Church

Fourth and Church

84 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2EB

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.

Under £30
Modern European
Tapas
Wine Bars
The Gather Inn

The Gather Inn

330 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4LW

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.

£30 - £49
Pubs
British
Shiraz

Shiraz

28 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FN

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.

Under £30
Persian
Middle Eastern
Paris Wine Bar

Paris Wine Bar

119 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2AF

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.

£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
Wine Bars
Semola

Semola

6 Church Road, Hove, West Sussex, BN3 2FL

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.

Under £30
Mediterranean
Italian
Aji Sushi

Aji Sushi

Unit 1, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3JE

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.

£30 - £49
Sushi
Japanese
Market Restaurant

Market Restaurant

42 Western Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN3 1JD

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. 

£30 - £49
Tapas
Spanish
International

Looking to explore more of the south coast but not sure where to go next? How about checking out all that the Isle of Wight has to offer - with its mesmerising beaches, infamous Needles landmark, and of course a whole host of incredible restaurants. This island is known for producing some first class ingredients, including the Isle of Wight tomatoes that make their way into kitchens across the country, and the garlic farm that grows our favourite root veg - it’s no wonder the food here is second to none. Whether you want to explore the traditional pubs inland or the array of seafood restaurants along the coast, take a look through our best restaurants on the Isle of Wight list to find your next meal.

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