Craving something new and tasty in Brighton? Check out these minority-owned restaurants. Bringing a vibrant mix of flavours and cultures to the table, they offer a unique dining experience alongside mouthwatering food. From Caribbean jerk chicken to Ethiopian stews, here’s your guide to some amazing restaurants in Brighton.
Minority-owned businesses may face challenges like access to funding and economic inequalities. Being aware of these potential challenges and supporting these restaurants can help to create a more inclusive and vibrant food scene for Brighton. It’s a win-win, where we get to enjoy tasty dishes and highlight some special restaurants around the city. You can read more about supporting minority-owned businesses here.
Blue Man Brighton🌸
📍 Address: 95 Gloucester Road, Brighton BN1 4AP
📖 View the menu here.
Blue Man Brighton is one of my favourite restaurants in Brighton. I highly recommend checking this place out if you are after beautiful and creative dishes. The Blue Man offers Algerian small plates and a range of cocktails. Run by owner and chef, Maji Bensliman who has been serving up North African food in Brighton for over 25 years. His passion for his heritage and his mother’s cooking skills really shines through. If you’ve been to his other spot, the Village pub, you’ll know why The Blue Man is also a favourite in the area.
The menu at The Blue Man is packed with tasty options. Start with the sferia, cheesy dumplings served with their own harissa mayonnaise, or try the merguez, spiced lamb sausages that are full of flavour. For a vegetarian option, the makli, spiced cauliflower koftas are superb. The jej chermoula, with marinated chicken thighs, crushed potato, and green beans is also great. They also have rotating specials like pan-seared tuna with roasted pepper salad and black olive tapenade, and a vegan special of spiced courgette and aubergine fritters with beetroot hummus.
The food isn’t just delicious, it’s beautifully presented with colourful ingredients and lovely garnishes. Seriously instagrammable. But don’t let the classy presentation fool you, the atmosphere at The Blue Man is laid back and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal with friends. Prices are reasonable for the quality and attention to detail that you get.
Speaking of drinks, the cocktails are tasty! They offer a spicy bloody mary with their own harissa, sure to wake up your taste buds, alongside classics like mojito’s. For wine lovers, they have a respectable wine list featuring unique options like “The circle of life,” a Sauvignon blanc blend from South Africa which is a natural wine.
So, next time you’re in North Laine, stop by The Blue Man and enjoy the flavours of Algeria in a comfortable and stylish setting.
Moyos Burgers 🍔
📍 Address: 85 Preston St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 2HG
📖 View the menu here.
Moyos Burgers (formerly known as Bad Boys Burgers) are cooking up a fusion of African, American, and Caribbean flavours. This unique spot is the brainchild of Chef Brian Moyo, whose Soulfoo Philly Cheeseburger “Jerked Burger” was a finalist in the 2018 National Burger Awards. Moyos are known locally for their bold and slightly whacky creations!
The menu includes a variety of burgers that you’ve likely never had, such as the Scotch Bonnet and Smoked Paprika Beef Patty, Jerk Chicken Burger with homemade jerk paste and Cajun spices, and several vegan burgers made from ingredients like plantains, lentils, and chickpeas.
Customers often compliment them in reviews for their accommodating service. Despite its simple interior, Moyos Burgers are some of the tastiest bites you’ll find in the city. Seating is limited, so get there early and don’t be surprised if you have to wait, it’s worth it. Or you can just take it away!
Moyos offers a 20% discount on first orders (on their website at the time of writing, July 2024) and a loyalty points scheme for regulars. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Moyos Burgers is a destination that’s worth adding to your list.
Bready’s Delights 🍚
📍 Restaurant Location: 61 Blatchington Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3YJ
🚚 Food Van Location: The Avenue, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 4FZ
📖 View the menu here. (this is a link to Just-Eat)
A local favourite for Jamaican flavours, Bready’s Delights is a must try. Whether you visit their cosy restaurant on Blatchington Road or their van near Brighton University, you’re in for a tasty time. Recently recommended by Restaurant Guru (June 2024), Bready’s Delights has continued to build it’s reputation.
The menu at Bready’s Delights offers a range of dishes. The curry goat is a standout, with tender meat and rich spices. As well as the jerk chicken (of course!), often mentioned for being the best outside of London. Perhaps a more adventurous dish for many, the oxtail is also tasty.
Bready’s also offers a selection of patties, including jerk chicken, salt fish, vegetables, and cheesy beef, and sides like plantain pieces, rice, or chips. The banana cake is also highly recommended! It’s got a great fluffy texture and is the perfect way to finish your meal.
Some reviews do mention that it can feel on the pricey side, though I thought it was fair portions for the service and quality. It’s possible that people expect lower prices from a food van vs a restaurant. The price is pretty fair for the quality. I’d make a trip there sometime soon if you’ve not yet tried it!
We Got Soul 🧇 🍗
📍 Address: George Street, Hove, BN3 3YG
📖 View the menu here.
Found on Goldstone Villas, Hove – We Got Soul is relatively new to the scene but it’s another food van that’s worth a visit! Bringing a fusion of American-Caribbean style dishes. If you’re craving a classic chicken burger or in the mood for something unique like their waffle burger (served literally in waffles instead of buns), this is a heavy hitter in the area. They also offer vegan alternatives for all their burgers! With a mirrored menu for any plant-based foodies!
Many of the menu highlights are based around their ‘soul sauce’, such as the soul chicken burger, with plantain, fried onions, and cheese, available on a traditional bun or swapped out for waffles. Personally, I preferred the BBQ jerk cheeseburger but both were fantastic.
You can also grab a portion of crispy plantain pieces or mac and cheese balls (yum). A decent selection of sides.
Keep an eye out for their free samples during opening hours! We Got Soul are currently open from Friday to Sunday, from 12 PM to 8 PM, offering tasty food at fair prices!
Abyssinia 🥘
📍 Address: 29 Baker St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4JN
📖 View the menu here. (This is a link to Uber Eats)
Abyssinia is Brighton’s well-loved (and first!) Ethiopian restaurant. This restaurant is seriously a must try if you’re into your food. They’re serving up traditional dishes, such as Doro Wot, Key Wot, and Misir Wot, all served with lovely injera flatbread.
You’ll be glad to know that there are spicy beef and chicken dishes, but also a decent range of vegetarian and vegan options. The veggie sharing platters are highly regarded in-particular, so that you can enjoy a range of Ethiopian flavours to get the full experience.Reviews often mention the traditional Ethiopian coffee, roasted in-house. Abyssinia also make their own Berbere Kulet Cooking Sauce which you can buy and take home.
If I’m being honest, the decor was a little uninspiring, but the food and service make up for this and ultimately it’s an enjoyable experience and that’s what matters. Some reviews suggest that the dishes are best enjoyed fresh at the restaurant, rather than home delivered. So I’d recommend to sit-in if you can! Given its popularity, especially during peak times, making a reservation is recommended.
Note: This restaurant is cash only! There’s a cashpoint up London Road.
Afrori Books ☕ 📚
📍 Address: Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1YD
📖 View the website here.
As you might guess, this place is primarily a bookshop but they do have a cafe inside, and I really want to give them a shout out because they are doing so much for the community. Afrori Books is a safe space with a cracking little cafe inside. For a cup of tea, coffee, or maybe a slice of cake. The staff are friendly and always happy to recommend something if you’re stuck for choice.
The owner, Carolynn Bain, is a local inspiration – she’s won awards for being a bookseller, started Brighton’s Book Festival, and is a champion for anti-racism. This passion for community shows in everything Afrori Books does. They host loads of events, from author talks and book clubs to anti-racism workshops and yoga sessions for women of colour.
So, if you’re looking for a good read, a friendly face, and a place that gives back to the community, Afrori Books is the place to be. It’s a gem in Brighton, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Pop in next time you’re nearby!
Honorable Mention: Le Baobab Cuisine 😢
📍 Address: 8 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EQ
Le Baobab Cuisine is run by Chef Abdoulaye Gaye is a Senegalese restaurant in Brighton. Though, the restaurant has faced some operational inconsistencies, with recent unexpected closures and booking problems. Despite these challenges, Le Baobab Cuisine remains a cherished spot in Brighton and we hope to see it reopen fully soon! Keep an eye out for updates, and hopefully, this one will be back to full strength in the near future.
Show Your Support!
This is just a taster of the brilliant minority-owned restaurants that Brighton has to offer. So next time your stomach’s rumbling and you fancy treating yourself while supporting some awesome local businesses, be sure to give these places a go.
Know another tasty spot?
P.S. If you’re aware of any other minority owned food spots in Brighton that are worthy of a mention (tasty, friendly or ideally both!), give me a shout and I’d be happy to consider putting them on to this list. Note that I’m not interested in only including them simply because they are minotiry-owned, the foods gotta be banging.
Based in Brighton since 2023, Mitch is all about uncovering hidden gem restaurants and supporting independents over chains. With a seasoned palate developed from years of eating out, he’s your go-to for discovering the best local spots.
