Brighton is full of great restaurants but in this guide you’ll find the quirkiest restaurants in town! So if you’re looking for a rotating table, or a musical performance with your meatballs then get stuck in. These quirky restaurants are ideal for a fun date night, to host a group of friends, or if you just fancy something a little different. These spots were hand picked because they all bring something unique to the table (sometimes literally!).
1. The WitchEZ – Spells, Skulls and Sauerkraut
📍 3 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB
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If you’ve ever wished your dinner came with a side of gothic glamour, Polish pierogi, and possibly a ghost sighting – welcome to The Witchez. This adult-only creative lounge is part restaurant, part design studio, part photo lab, and somehow still manages to pull off genuinely delicious home-style European food. It’s tucked in The Lanes, and you’ll know you’ve found it when you spot the velvet rope across the entrance – just give the bell a ring and await your magical summoning.
Inside, it’s all skulls, suspended book pages, Victorian oddities, and candlelit corners. Think haunted library meets eccentric Eastern European aunt – the one who makes her own sausages and dabbles in tarot. The menu is a wild European road trip, with everything from grilled Polish cheese with cranberry sauce to a Peruvian-inspired chocolate and chilli chicken dish that absolutely slaps. The “Little Hooves” potato dumplings are a must-try (especially in stew form), and their pierogi workshops are apparently legendary – full of flour, laughter, and shots.
Plant-based pals are well looked after here too, with dishes like Rösti, fried cheese, pesto dumplings and beetroot mash all making an appearance. There are vegan options marked throughout the menu (*V), and a fair few gluten-free choices as well – just have a chat with the staff to make sure.
Service is friendly, theatrical, and personal, and you’ll see that reviews are quick to point out how knowledgeable the team are. The Witchez might not be on everyone’s radar, but for those craving something offbeat, comforting and utterly original, it’s a great shout.
2. Bom-Bane’s – Belgian Bites & Musical Madness
📍 24 George Street, Brighton BN2 1RH
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Bom-Bane’s isn’t just a restaurant – it’s an intentionally odd, wildly joyful, fully immersive experience, lovingly curated by local legend Jane Bom-Bane. If you’ve ever wanted your dinner served with a side of Belgian beer, rotating tables, and spontaneous musical numbers, congratulations: you’ve found your place.
Tucked down a side street in Kemptown, this tiny, twinkly café is home to a rotating cast of puppets, harmoniums, mechanical hats, and songs about palindromes. Jane herself will likely be cooking your meal, singing between courses, and possibly inviting you to chime in (literally – some tables do that). The whole thing feels like being inside a surreal children’s book for grown-ups, where the salt shaker sings and everyone knows the words.
The food is hearty, homemade, and deceptively humble. Expect warming Belgian dishes like cherry beer meatballs or stoemp and sausages with proper gravy, alongside vegan-friendly aubergine involtini and frittatas swapped for hummus if needed. If you’re vegan, veggie, gluten-free, they’ll sort you out – just let them know.
Bookings are recommended, as this place is small! (especially on performance nights), spread over a quirky ground floor and a cosy little basement. You’re not here for a quick bite – you’re here for the show, the soul, and the sort of evening that makes you feel like Brighton really is the centre of the universe.
3. Unithai – Thai Noodle Bar at the Back of a Grocery Store
📍 10 Church Rd, Hove, BN3 2FL
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There’s “off the beaten track” and then there’s through the soy sauce aisle and past the freezer section. Unithai is a Thai café hiding in plain sight at the back of an Asian supermarket in Hove – and once you’ve been, you’ll understand why locals queue before midday to grab one of the handful of tables inside.
This place has no website, no social media strategy, and absolutely no gimmicks. It doesn’t need them. What it does have is bold, brilliant Thai food – rich curries, lip-tingling stir-fries, and broths so fragrant they could double as aromatherapy. It’s a proper no-frills setup: fluorescent lighting, basic tables, mismatched décor, and a tiny kitchen churning out flavour-packed dishes with more depth than most fine dining spots.
The menu is compact but mighty. Favourites include pad kee mao (aka “drunken noodles”), red duck curry, and kuay-tiew rua – a five-spice pork broth that genuinely feels like a hug in a bowl. You can go mild or go full chilli-sweats – just ask. They’re super accommodating with spice levels and offer solid veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options too.
It’s first come, first served, and by 12:15 the place is usually full – so aim for just before noon if you want to dine in. And once you’ve devoured your noodles, you can stock up on Thai ingredients, including the kind of fresh herbs and snacks you’d usually have to fly to Bangkok for.
It’s not fancy. It’s not big. But Unithai delivers some of the most comforting and consistent Thai food in the city – and once you know, you know.
4. The Gallery Restaurant – Student Chefs Serving Up Fancy Food
📍 Whitecross Street, Brighton MET College, BN1 4FA
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Inside Brighton MET College’s main campus, The Gallery restaurant offers something surprisingly special: beautifully prepared dishes, thoughtful service, and a real love of food – all at affordable prices.
Run by hospitality and catering students, this training restaurant combines confident, contemporary cooking with a relaxed, canteen-style atmosphere. Menus change with the seasons and reflect a broad range of techniques – from classic British mains to more ambitious, fine-dining-style plates. You’ll often find the sort of dishes you’d expect in a much pricier setting: fresh herb oils, jus reductions, clever garnishes, and excellent desserts.
What makes The Gallery stand out isn’t just the food, though. It’s the pride the students take in preparing it. They’re keen to explain the ingredients, chat about the method behind a sauce or glaze, and talk through any dietary needs with care and clarity. You’re not just eating – you’re being invited to appreciate the whole process.
The presentation is a highlight in itself, with plates arriving immaculately styled. This is a place where food is celebrated – not just served. It’s only open on select weekday lunches and Tuesday evenings during term time, and booking is essential. But if you want a meal that’s full of heart, technique and intention – without the premium price tag – The Gallery is a hidden Brighton gem well worth seeking out.
5. ARTBOX Cafe – Kawaii Overload
📍 5–6 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HP
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If you’ve ever dreamt of sipping bubble tea in a pastel pink tea room surrounded by Sanrio characters, then ARTBOX Cafe is your spiritual home. This ultra-kawaii character-themed cafe is Brighton’s answer to Tokyo’s pop-culture scene, and while it’s been known as the “Hello Kitty Cafe” for years, the current theme is a My Melody & Kuromi tea shop that’s unapologetically cute and Instagram-ready.
Food-wise, don’t come expecting a full meal, this one’s more about the vibe than the volume. Think cheesy toasties (served with edible flowers, of course), colourful cakes, handmade ice cream, matcha lattes, and bubble teas in themed cups. It’s all vegetarian, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, and it’s probably the only place in Brighton where your milkshake comes with a cartoon character wafer and a free souvenir coaster.
The sit-down menu has been slimmed down recently (toasties, wraps, cake, drinks – that sort of thing), but it’s still a solid shout for a quirky pit stop or a sugar-fuelled date with your most photogenic mate. They’ve scrapped the bookings system too, so it’s now walk-ins only – just be prepared for a bit of a wait if it’s a weekend or the sun’s out.
Upstairs, you can expect pastel decor, themed seating, and more photo ops than your phone storage is ready for. Yes, it can feel a bit chaotic, and service can be slow at times, but for Sanrio superfans and kawaii culture lovers, this is a must-visit. Cute, chaotic, and completely one of a kind.
6. Tempest (Puffin) – Crab Rolls and Caves
📍 159 Kings Rd, Brighton, BN1 1NB
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If you like your lunch served with a sea breeze and a hint of subterranean mystery, Tempest might just be your new favourite. This quirky seafront spot is tucked inside Brighton’s famous beach arches, where a maze of cave-like rooms gives the place its signature charm. But don’t let the moody lighting fool you – the food here is fresh, fun, and perfect for a daytime pit stop.
The new kitchen residency, Puffin, has been making waves since it landed in early 2025. Their menu is all about laid-back seaside eating: think juicy crab rolls, chilli chicken burgers, Cajun shrimp, mac ‘n’ cheese, and golden tater tots that were practically made for munching in the sun. It’s the kind of food that feels indulgent but not too heavy — exactly what you want with the sea just metres away.
Outside, Tempest boasts one of the biggest beachfront terraces in Brighton. It’s an ideal spot to grab a beer, soak up the sunshine, and watch the world (and the occasional seagull ambush) roll by. Inside, things get a little more atmospheric — exposed brick, low ceilings, and cave-like corners make it feel like a secret hideaway, especially once the music starts up.
Yes, it can get a bit lively in the evenings – DJs, dancing, and the occasional sunset party, but during the day, it’s a solid shout for food with a view and a side of coastal weirdness. Come for the crab rolls, stay for the caves.
Brighton is wonderfully weird!
We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering these wacky food spots that offer a little adventure, and remind us that eating out should be fun! So next time you’re bored of booking the same old spots, treat yourself to something a bit weird instead. You’re in Brighton, after all.
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.
