BEST FINE DINING
FURNA
Winner
Chef Dave Mothersill’s chic, stylish restaurant has to be on the bucket list of any discerning Brighton food lover. The open kitchen allows diners to watch him and his brigade of supremely talented chefs at work, cooking and serving both a £95 tasting menu and a la carte options, with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients and classical techniques. The optional wine flight is a real treat and highly recommended, making the whole Furna experience an absolute must-do for the discerning diner.
6 New Rd, Brighton, BN1 1UF
01273 031594
THE LITTLE FISH MARKET
Runner up
The technically brilliant seafood cookery at chef Duncan Ray’s intimate restaurant, tucked away just off the seafront, remains as great as ever. With just one £85 tasting menu on offer per service, diners put their trust in Ray’s hands, and never fail to be thrilled by such dishes as gilthead bream with mussels, fennel, apple and shellfish sauce … and of course the Little Fish Market signature ‘egg and soldiers’. A seafood lovers’ dream.
10 Upper Market St, Hove, BN3 1AS
01273 722213
THE SET
Runner up
Housed at Café Rust on London Road, The Set serves a single £90 multi-course tasting menu to a maximum of just 18 diners. Expect a procession of exquisite, surprising dishes combining Asian, European and British influences – or as chef/owner Dan Kenny describes his cookery: “big flavoured, umami and fat-led food”.
50 Preston Rd, Brighton, BN1 4QF
01273 933 795
DILSK
Runner up
Enjoy tasting menus based around local and seasonal ingredients in an intimate and stylish semi-basement room in Drakes, a boutique hotel on Brighton’s seafront, where you’ll find skill and invention on show from head chef Tom Stephens. The laminated brioche and wild garlic butter are almost worth booking in for alone, but beautifully presented dishes such as Orkney scallop with Jersey Royals and dilsk butter sauce wow even more. The set lunch and dinner menus offer exceptional value.
44 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1PE
01273 696934
ETCH
Runner up
Steven Edwards’ sleek, sophisticated Hove restaurant is bigger and better than ever after expanding next door and adding a smart subterranean bar. The innovative, seasonal tasting menus start from £55, and the tome-like wine list remain as cutting-edge as ever. We’d recommend treating yourself to the wine flight, ably selected by sommelier Sam Weatherill.
214-216 Church Rd, Hove, BN3 2DJ
01273 227485