The Chilli Pickle

Now firmly bedded in behind a huge glass frontage in the ultra-modern Myhotel complex, this idiosyncratic eatery continues to wow Brighton’s creatively minded foodies with its deft and complex take on Indian cuisine. Chef Alun Sperring (ex-Cinnamon Club in London) has drafted in a team of chefs from across the subcontinent to give the menu a strong regional bias, while his wife Dawn is a friendly presence out front – where splashes of colour, fairy lights and shelves of provisions add extra zest to the canteen-style dining room. Signature dishes such as red tandoori sea bream, oxtail Madras and ‘nagaland’ pork (crispy belly pieces in a fiery hot-and-sour curry laced with habanero chillis) remain as fragrantly enticing as ever, although it’s all about freshness and attention to detail – from potent homemade green chilli pickle to the last-minute sprinkling of perfumed rose water over mutton biryani. Sunday brunch is family buffet fuelled by Bloody Marys and Bavarian beers, while on Monday lunches are dedicated to the ‘king thali’ (£10). Punchy New World wines stand up well to the vibrantly spiced food. Visit the CP food cart parked outside for takeaway boxes.

Feeding Brighton locals since 2008, The Chilli Pickle has become a bit of an institution in this south coast city thanks to a huge array of dishes that showcases Indian food from coast to coast. The restaurant itself is in the heart of Brighton’s Lanes, making it easy to get to from practically anywhere in the city. For those living a bit further out (or just not wanting to leave the house), The Chilli Pickle also offers delivery, bringing those delicious Indian flavours to your door.

The Chilli Pickle’s interiors are clean and tidy, with a colourful assortment of chairs brightening the space alongside natural wood and cutesy star-shaped fairy lighting. Don’t be fooled by the easy-going interiors though - the kitchen is dedicated to proper Indian cooking, and features a huge open fire grill as well as a raging hot clay oven to produce naans, grilled meats and more.

There are lots of different menus to choose from - The Chilli Pickle offers separate lunch menus for weekdays and weekends, as well as a full dinner menu and a takeaway menu. Unlike classic curry house menus, the menu here is compact and broken down into street food-style small plates, biryanis, dishes from the tandoor, curries and sides. Some dishes stay relatively true to their authentic roots, such as the tandoori butter chicken, tarka dal and naans, whilst others take a bit more creative license to make something delicious (the restaurant’s popular chicken biryani is the perfect example, made with a peanut gravy).

On the drinks front, Chilli Pickle serves a smart cocktail menu that ranges from Espresso Martinis to the ever-popular Chilli Pickle Bloody Mary, and there are wines, beers, soft drinks and more available too. The Chilli Pickle currently holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, given to restaurants that the guide recognises as offering excellent value for money.