Brighton does Italian food well, from decades-old family trattorias in the Lanes to a Michelin-recognised small-plates kitchen in Hove. This guide covers the best Italian restaurants in Brighton, what each one is good for, and the practical things worth knowing, like which are best for a special meal, which suit families, and which to book ahead.
The scene splits roughly into long-standing traditional restaurants and a newer wave of pasta and Neapolitan-pizza specialists, so there is something for you whether the plan is a classic three-course dinner or a plate of fresh pasta and a glass of wine.
Italian Restaurants Featured in This Guide
| Restaurant | Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cin Cin | Hove (Western Road) | The standout, small plates and pasta |
| Al Duomo | The Lanes | A Brighton institution, pizza |
| Donatello | The Lanes | Families and groups, good value |
| Pinocchio | New Road | Pre-theatre, near the Dome |
Table of Contents
Cin Cin
Cin Cin on Western Road in Hove is the one to book if you want the best Italian meal in the city. It grew from street-food and supper-club roots into an award-winning restaurant that holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the guide’s mark for good food at a fair price.
The style is seasonal Italian small plates and handmade pasta, with an all-Italian wine list. Part of the charm is that you can have a different experience depending on where you sit, in front of the open kitchen, at the horseshoe counter or in the quieter back room. The homemade pasta is the thing to order, and there is usually a daily special on the blackboard worth asking about. It is compact and popular, so book ahead.
Al Duomo
Al Duomo is a Brighton institution, serving the Lanes since 1979 and named after the dome of the nearby Royal Pavilion. It is a large, characterful place spread over several floors with an outdoor terrace facing the Pavilion gardens, so it suits big groups and a lively atmosphere as much as a couple out for pizza.
The original wood-fired oven is still going, turning out stone-baked sourdough pizzas, and the wider menu runs through handmade pasta, seafood, risotto and antipasti. There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options throughout, including vegan mozzarella on the pizzas. It is at 6-7 Pavilion Buildings, BN1 1EE.
Donatello
Donatello is another long-running Lanes favourite, a family-run restaurant that has been a go-to for locals and visitors for years, and one of the most reliable Italian restaurants in Brighton for a group meal. The draw here is value and reliability: large portions of familiar Italian classics at fair prices, in a busy, friendly setting. There is a dedicated children’s menu, which along with the big tables makes it one of the easier choices for families or larger groups. It is the dependable, crowd-pleasing option rather than the fancy one, and it does that job well.
Pinocchio
Pinocchio sits on New Road, right by the Theatre Royal and Brighton Dome, which makes it a natural choice before a show. It is a classic trattoria, cosy inside with outdoor seating on the pedestrianised street, serving traditional Italian food at sensible prices. The location and the quick, friendly service make it good for a pre-theatre dinner, though it works just as well for a relaxed evening meal. Like the other central spots, it is worth booking around show times.
Other Options Worth Knowing
Brighton has more good Italian food beyond the main picks. Fatto a Mano, with branches across Brighton and Hove, is the go-to for proper Neapolitan pizza, made with a long-proved sourdough base. Tutto offers a more modern, regional take on Italian cooking if you want something a little different. And in Kemptown, Purezza is a well-known plant-based pizzeria, a good shout if you want vegan Italian done properly.
How to Choose
There are plenty of good Italian restaurants in Brighton, so it comes down to the occasion. For the best meal overall, Cin Cin in Hove is the one to book. For a Brighton institution and a proper wood-fired pizza, Al Duomo in the Lanes is hard to beat. For families and groups, Donatello offers value and space. For a pre-theatre dinner, Pinocchio’s spot by the Dome is ideal, handy if you are pairing dinner with one of Brighton’s comedy clubs or a show. And for a more modern Italian meal, Tutto is worth considering.
The thing worth remembering across the best Italian restaurants in Brighton is that the smaller, more characterful places, Cin Cin especially, fill up fast. Book ahead for those and you will eat very well.
FAQs
What is the best Italian restaurant in Brighton?
Cin Cin in Hove is the most acclaimed, holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its seasonal small plates and homemade pasta. It is small and popular, so booking ahead is essential.
Which Italian restaurant in Brighton is best for families?
Donatello in the Lanes is a strong choice, with large portions, fair prices, a children’s menu and room for bigger groups. Al Duomo is also spacious and family-friendly.
Where should I eat Italian before the theatre?
Pinocchio on New Road is right by the Theatre Royal and Brighton Dome, making it ideal for a pre-theatre meal. Book around show times, as it gets busy.
Do Brighton’s Italian restaurants cater for vegans and vegetarians?
Yes. Most offer good vegetarian and vegan options, and Al Duomo has vegan mozzarella and gluten-free choices. Purezza in Kemptown is an entirely plant-based Italian pizzeria.
Do I need to book?
For the smaller places like Cin Cin, yes, particularly at weekends, as it is compact and popular. The larger venues like Al Duomo and Donatello are easier for walk-ins and bigger groups.
Final Thoughts
The best Italian restaurants in Brighton range from the Michelin-recognised cooking at Cin Cin to the decades-old charm of Al Duomo and Donatello in the Lanes. For a special meal, a family dinner, a pre-theatre bite or a romantic evening, there is a strong option here. Book ahead for the small, characterful places and you will not be disappointed.
