Table of Contents
- Which Indian restaurants in Brighton are worth trying?
- Why is The Chilli Pickle one of the best Indian restaurants in Brighton?
- What makes Vel a strong pick for South Indian food in Brighton?
- Why do locals keep going back to Indian Summer?
- Takeaway Favourites
- How do Indian Summer and Chilli Pickle Takeaway compare for ordering in?
- Tips for Enjoying Indian Takeaway
- Where to find the best Indian small plates in Brighton?
- What small plate specialities does The Chilli Pickle feature?
- How do small plates enhance the Brighton Indian dining experience?
- What are the top Indian takeaway favourites in Brighton?
- Which Brighton Indian restaurants have the best vegetarian and vegan options?
- Why is Planet India one of the best vegetarian Indian restaurants in Brighton?
- How to book and find special offers at Brighton Indian restaurants
- FAQ’s
- Conclusion
- Useful reads
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Last Updated on 5 May 2026 by Dave King
Brighton buzzes with great food, and its Indian scene is a highlight. The best Indian restaurants in Brighton cover everything from regional curries and South Indian staples to clever small plates and dependable takeaway favourites. Whether you live here or are visiting for the weekend, you will find spots that deliver authentic flavours, creative plates and convenient delivery. Read on for recommended venues, top takeaway orders, tips for reheating and the best vegetarian and vegan options.
Which Indian restaurants in Brighton are worth trying?
Brighton offers a range of Indian restaurants to suit different moods, from relaxed neighbourhood spots to more adventurous kitchens. These are the strongest current picks if you want a mix of regional cooking, South Indian dishes, broad menus and plant-based options.
| Restaurant | Best for | What to order | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chilli Pickle | Modern regional Indian cooking | Butter chicken, biryani, street snacks, house dal | City centre |
| Vel | South Indian food | Dosa, idli, vada, biryani | Kemptown |
| Indian Summer | Broad regional menu | Chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, paneer tikka masala, thalis | The Lanes |
| Planet India | Vegetarian and vegan Indian food | Vegetarian mains, vegan dishes, takeaway menu | Kemp Town side of Brighton |
The restaurant focus, menu style and locations above reflect current official sites and live menus.
Why is The Chilli Pickle one of the best Indian restaurants in Brighton?
The Chilli Pickle is still one of the easiest Brighton recommendations because it does not feel stuck in a standard curry-house mould. Its official menu says the restaurant is built around its own spin on regional Indian cuisine, while still keeping a fondness for Anglo-Indian curry house favourites. That gives you a menu with more personality than the usual safe-but-forgettable options.
It is also one of the stronger all-rounders because the dine-in reputation and the takeaway side both feel well established. The takeaway page highlights British Curry Awards wins and Deliveroo recognition, and the current delivery menu includes dishes such as butter chicken, chicken biryani, Punjabi peanut and aubergine curry, paneer jalfrezi and house dal.
What makes Vel a strong pick for South Indian food in Brighton?
Vel is the clearest answer if you want South Indian food rather than a more generic mixed menu. Its official site places it on St George’s Road and centres the offer around South Indian staples such as dosa, idli and vada, which makes it a good fit when you want something a bit more specific than the standard curry-and-rice route.
That South Indian focus matters because it gives Brighton a different type of Indian restaurant experience. If your idea of a good Indian meal leans more towards dosa, biryani and regional specialities than a familiar Friday-night curry order, Vel is one of the best places in Brighton to start.
Why do locals keep going back to Indian Summer?
Indian Summer remains a good all-round pick because it covers a lot of ground without feeling too generic. Its official site describes it as award-winning, authentic Indian cuisine in the heart of Brighton, with dine-in, takeaway and collection available, and menus that cater for a broad range of dietary needs.
The menu range is part of the appeal. Current listings include chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, chicken jalfrezi, paneer tikka masala, tarka dal and different thali-style options, so it works well for mixed groups where not everyone wants the same thing.
Takeaway Favourites
For dinner at home, Brighton has dependable Indian kitchens that deliver both flavour and value. If you want the safest current choices, start with The Chilli Pickle Takeaway, Indian Summer and Planet India.
| Venue | Best for takeaway | Standout dishes or strengths |
|---|---|---|
| The Chilli Pickle Takeaway | Regional curries and street snacks | Butter chicken, biryani, vegan curries, strong takeaway reputation |
| Indian Summer | Broad family-style order | Chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, paneer tikka masala, dal |
| Planet India | Vegetarian or vegan takeaway | Pure vegetarian and vegan menu, takeaway and delivery |
These are the clearest currently supported takeaway picks from official sites and live ordering pages.
How do Indian Summer and Chilli Pickle Takeaway compare for ordering in?
Both are reliable, but they suit different moods. Indian Summer is the stronger choice if you want a more traditional broad menu with crowd-pleasers like chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh and paneer tikka masala. The Chilli Pickle Takeaway is better if you want a more distinctive order built around regional dishes, street snacks and a slightly more modern menu style.
If you are ordering for a group, Indian Summer is the easier “something for everyone” option. If you want something that feels a bit more like a restaurant meal at home, The Chilli Pickle Takeaway has the edge.
Tips for Enjoying Indian Takeaway
A few simple tips will help your takeaway taste closer to the restaurant experience.
Reheating: Reheat naan, parathas and fried snacks in the oven where possible to keep them from going soft. For curries and dals, a gentle reheat on the hob usually works better than blasting them in the microwave.
Pairing suggestions: Fresh sides like raita, pickles or chutneys can brighten richer dishes and help balance spice.
General advice: If you are ordering for a group, several smaller dishes often work better than one huge main per person. That is especially true with menus like The Chilli Pickle and Indian Summer, where the variety is part of the appeal.
Where to find the best Indian small plates in Brighton?
Small plates are a great way to taste across a menu, and Brighton has a couple of strong options if you want a more social, shareable meal. The Chilli Pickle is still one of the clearest picks, and Permit Room Brighton is also worth knowing if you want snacks, sharing plates and curries in a more casual all-day setting.
What small plate specialities does The Chilli Pickle feature?
The Chilli Pickle’s current menus and delivery listings make it clear that smaller dishes and street snacks are a big part of the experience. Poppadoms and chutneys, onion bhajis, chicken tikka and other sharing-friendly dishes sit naturally alongside its curries and biryanis, which makes it one of the better places in Brighton to order across the menu instead of sticking to one main.
How do small plates enhance the Brighton Indian dining experience?
Small plates make Indian dining feel more relaxed and social. They let everyone at the table try different textures, spice levels and styles of cooking, which suits Brighton well because places like The Chilli Pickle and Permit Room are built around snacks, sharing plates and moreish curries rather than a stricter starter-main-dessert rhythm.
What are the top Indian takeaway favourites in Brighton?
When ordering in, a few dishes consistently stand out for flavour, comfort and how well they travel.
Butter chicken or chicken tikka masala: Rich, familiar and easy to share. The Chilli Pickle currently lists butter chicken, while Indian Summer’s live menu includes chicken tikka masala.
Lamb or chicken biryani: A strong option if you want something filling and still good after the journey home. Both The Chilli Pickle and Indian Summer currently list biryani options.
Dal and vegetable curries: If you want a meat-free order that still feels substantial, Planet India and Indian Summer are both strong places to start. Planet India is fully vegetarian and vegan focused, while Indian Summer clearly marks vegetarian, vegan and dietary options on its menu.
Which Brighton Indian restaurants have the best vegetarian and vegan options?
Brighton’s Indian restaurants cater well to plant-based diners, and several menus now include a strong mix of vegetarian and vegan choices. The clearest names to know are Planet India, Indian Summer and The Chilli Pickle.
| Restaurant | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planet India | Fully vegetarian and vegan-focused meals | Eat in, takeaway and delivery |
| Indian Summer | Mixed groups with dietary needs | Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and non-gluten-containing options marked |
| The Chilli Pickle | Creative vegetarian and vegan dishes | Vegetarian and vegan dishes clearly marked |
The vegetarian and vegan strengths above are supported by current official sites and menus.
Why is Planet India one of the best vegetarian Indian restaurants in Brighton?
Planet India is the clearest specialist recommendation in this guide. Its official site describes it as pure vegetarian Indian food in Brighton, with pure vegan and pure vegetarian dishes available to eat in, take away or have delivered. The Brighton page also confirms inside tables, an outside terrace, and current opening from Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 9.30pm.
That makes it especially useful if one person in the group is vegan and another is vegetarian, or if you just want an Indian meal where the meat-free dishes feel central rather than secondary.
How to book and find special offers at Brighton Indian restaurants
Booking ahead can make a busy evening much easier, especially at well-known spots in central Brighton. The Chilli Pickle, Indian Summer, Planet India and Permit Room Brighton all currently offer booking or ordering information through their websites.
For offers and menu updates, the safest places to check are restaurant websites, official takeaway pages and social accounts. The Chilli Pickle’s takeaway page highlights combo options and ordering links, while Indian Summer and Planet India both keep menu and order details live on their sites.
FAQ’s
What are the typical opening hours for Indian restaurants in Brighton?
Hours vary by venue. Planet India currently lists Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 9.30pm, while Permit Room Brighton says its all-day menu is served from 12pm daily.
Are there any Indian restaurants in Brighton that offer gluten-free options?
Yes. Indian Summer says many dishes can be made gluten free and marks non-gluten-containing options on its menus. The Chilli Pickle also provides menu guidance, but it is still best to ask directly if you have a strict allergy.
Do Indian restaurants in Brighton offer delivery through third-party apps?
Many do. The Chilli Pickle and Indian Summer are both currently listed on Deliveroo, and Planet India advertises takeaway and delivery through its own site.
What are some popular vegetarian dishes to try at Indian restaurants in Brighton?
Paneer dishes, dals, chickpea dishes, vegetable curries and thalis are all strong starting points. Current menus at Indian Summer, Planet India and The Chilli Pickle all support that pattern.
Are there any Indian restaurants in Brighton that focus on sustainability?
Detailed sustainability policies are not always published clearly, but Planet India’s fully vegetarian and vegan model is one of the easiest lower-meat dining options to point to in Brighton.
Conclusion
Brighton’s Indian restaurants offer a lively mix of traditional and modern cooking, from rich curries to shareable small plates and dependable takeaways. The Chilli Pickle, Vel, Indian Summer and Planet India all give you something slightly different, so the best choice depends on whether you want regional flair, South Indian cooking, stronger vegetarian and vegan options or reliable takeaway favourites for a night in.
