NEW RESTAURANTS IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE

By Kim Peci

We all know there’s never a shortage of enjoyable restaurants to visit in Brighton. If you’re an avid foodie and you’re looking to expand your palate this Spring, here are a few new restaurants opening up in Brighton and Hove.

Popeyes

Starting off strong with Popeyes, a burgeoning American fried chicken chain which opened up in Brighton in December. The restaurant is located on North Street, not far from the Clocktower. It claims to own the “chicken sandwich that broke the internet” following its breakthrough and widespread attention in the US. The spicy chicken sandwich and chicken tenders on the New Orleans-style menu are based on the restaurant’s Louisiana background. The restaurant achieves its famous ‘shatter crunch’ by marinating their chicken for 12 hours and hand battered with buttermilk. The restaurant is open from 11am to 10pm on Mondays, and 10:30am to 10pm the rest of the week.

Shared

Next up we have Shared, a new restaurant opened by Duncan Ray in Curds and Cases on Western Road in late January. It is a dining establishment that serves shared meals, and Ray, the creator of The Little Fish Market, crafted the menu. Shared adopts a more fun approach to dining rather than haute cuisine. The incorporation of modern flavours into traditional comfort foods is complemented by Ray’s exquisite meticulousness and culinary expertise. He intends for Sharing to make it possible for you to have a taste of Duncan Ray’s cuisine whilst maintaining the cost per head low. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, and bookings are only done by phone.

Mowgli

Following on from that Mowgli Street Food is an Indian cuisine restaurant that was first established in Liverpool, and has recently expanded to Brighton on Duke Street and opened on the 24th of February. Mowgli serves to create a working environment for customers that nourishes and fulfils them. The founder of Mowgli, Nisha Katona says “Mowgli is not about the intimate, hushed dining experience”, but the way Indians dine in their own homes and street food stalls. You can pick from the delectable mains or small plates of healthy and fresh food. The tiffin boxes for one are a wonderful way of playing food roulette: explore more flavours with an element surprise.

Carne

In the midst of Hove, Carne has recently opened, presenting a cuisine centred around meat dishes prepared from ingredients gathered locally and ethically. The menu includes simplistic platters with beef as the star element. Phil Bartley, the founder of Great British Charcuterie, created Carne. Predinner refreshments made by Steve Pineau of L’Atelier du Vin are available at the cocktail bar. The wine selection includes British wines with expert guidance. During the day, you can stop for a quick coffee and even relax on the comfy couches and armchairs in the lounge. And at night, the soothing cocktail lounge is the ideal spot to enjoy your favourite drink. The restaurant is open every Wednesday to Sunday.

Ivan Mazemen

In the lively Shelter Hall on Brighton’s seafront, a new pop-up shop has debuted. For the first time in the UK, Ivan Orkin, a ramen master and specialist in Japanese cuisine, will debut his new ramen concept, Ivan Mazemen. Starting in February, Orkin began a twelveweek residency in Brighton. He has formed a menu featuring his signature dishes from his widely respected ramen restaurants in Japan and New York, as well as dishes from his starring role in the 2017 Netflix Chef’s Table series. The menu includes dishes such as Triple Chicken Triple Garlic Mazemen, Katsu Curry Mazemen and Cold Sesame Noodles. Make sure you visit the shop whilst you can, as there is limited availability.

Embers

This April, Brighton chefs Dave Marrow and Isaac Bartlett-Copeland (Chef Patron, Isaac At) will combine to launch Embers in Brighton’s historic lanes. A new restaurant featuring Sussex produce cooked over a wood-fire, with unique cocktails. Embers, which opens on April the 3rd, is the first collaboration between long-term friends Marrow and Bartlett-Copeland. The concise menu will emphasise robust flavours made from locally grown foods and will have parts of each dish cooked exclusively over local, kiln-dried ash and birch wood, avoiding the use of gas and electricity entirely. A broad drinks menu with a selection of well-made, classic cocktails makes Embers a popular late-night drinking and dining spot.

Dilsk

Moving on we have Dilsk, a restaurant located at Drakes Hotel that centres around sustainability while serving flavourful food inspired by the South Coast with a tantalising menu. After working together at 64 Degrees, Tom Stephens and Madeline Riches are now launching Dilsk. A dining room with 28 seats will initially be available, and a private dining room with 12 seats will open later. Located in East Sussex, Dilsk is a classy and laidback fine dining establishment that strives to provide a masterfully designed gourmet journey from start to finish through the menu. The restaurant’s opening day will be on April the 12th.

MORLEY’S

YORI

Carrying on in the same vein, Yori has officially entered the Brighton culinary community, bringing its Korean cuisine and culture. Located in the centre of the Lanes, the restaurant is now open for lunch and dinner. The menu includes Korean appetisers, soups, noodles, pancakes, fried chicken and the classic barbecue meat that you prepare at the table. Drinks include sumptuous cocktails, soft drinks, beer, wine, and flavoured Soju. Experience delicious Korean BBQ on Brighton’s lively seaside. Being Yori’s biggest branch, the restaurant offers a lot of seats and gorgeous décor. So, head on down and enjoy your Korean BBQ with a wonderful view of the seaside as it’s an absolute must.

To complete this list, Morley’s makes its way to Brighton. This fast-food eatery initially began operating in London in 1985, specialising in fried chicken, wings, barbecue ribs, and burgers. Opening up on St. James Street in Kemptown, fans of the chain will be able to share the experience of their fellow Southerners from London. The restaurant is popular for hosting the comedic YouTube series, Chicken Shop Date, by Amelia Dimoldenberg. In a survey done by the company, Brighton was the most requested city to strategically expand their business. CEO Shan Selvendran called Brighton “another place to call home” and a “place we wanted to call home” as they bring their London influence to the lovely seaside.

Don’t hesitate to visit these funky new restaurants in Brighton and broaden your taste.