Six of the best… vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Brighton

Brighton, the south England coastal resort, is one of the UK’s cities at the forefront of vegetarian and vegan dining. And it’s a reputation that’s well deserved; there’s an impressive choice of plant-based and meat-free eateries, whether you’re looking for something casual, something high-end or something unique.

Good for… pizza

Purezza

As the first vegan pizzeria in the UK, Purezza has been honing its craft since 2015, aiming to make its plant-based menu on a par with – and even surpass – the taste of traditional pizzas. Its passionate about flavour and has created its own vegan mozzarella in-house, using an Italian brown rice milk, and offers pizza bases created either from sourdough, hemp flour or that are gluten-free. You’ll find some wonderful flavour combinations here; try the Couch Potato, which uses a white base with smoked mozzarella, fried aubergines, oven-roasted potatoes, basil leaves and seitan and all topped with garlic mayo; or the Fumosa, with smoked tofu pieces, oven-roasted mushrooms and smoked beetroot carpaccio, finished with a drizzling of BBQ sauce.

Good for… a high-end meal

Terre a Terre

Situated in the narrow alleys of the 17th-century Lanes – a maze of eclectic shops and unique eateries – Terre a Terre is about indulgent vegetarian cuisine and has been making delicious vegan and vegetarian food in Brighton since 1993. Expect dishes such as porcini polenta plumps, steamed rice buns stuffed with Szechuan marinated halloumi and ginger bok choy – this also comes as a vegan option – or aubergine genie, where aubergine is slow baked with tahini, sesame and white miso. If you like what you’ve eaten, you can buy a full range of Terre a Terre’s products in-house and online, such as jams, pickles, chutneys and sweets. It’s also a great place to go for vegan or vegetarian afternoon teas.

Good for… breakfast and brunch

Longhouse Café

Serving all-vegan breakfasts, lunches, light snacks and delicious cakes, The Longhouse Cafe is a community-run café whose menu is also packed with gluten-free choices. Smoothies, mezze, curries and salads dominate the menu and supporting local traders is very much part of this café’s ethos. That also extends to hosting a range of event and workshops, such as film screenings and vegan wine and cheese pairing nights.

Good for… Sunday roasts

Six Brighton

There are meat dishes on this popular restaurant’s menu, but it also boasts a fantastic selection of vegan options including a vegan Sunday roast. There’s a strong focus on healthy eating; every ingredient used is sourced locally, its seafood comes from ethical and sustainable suppliers, and meat is bought from family run small-holdings. Fruit and vegetables are mostly organically grown, plus the restaurant also roasts its own organic coffee. As well as the tempting Sunday vegan roasts, try its mouth-watering vegan desserts such as vegan artisan apple pie or vegan chocolate and coconut ganache tarte, which uses a cashew and almond raw base served with plant-based strawberry and yuzu artisan gelato.

Good for… Indian cuisine

Planet India

With a branch in Brighton and another in neighbouring Hove, Planet India is all about the best of vegetarian and vegan food from India, particularly showcasing its awesome street food. All vegetarian options on the menu can also be made vegan. Try the Dhai Behl Puri, for street food to share, chickpeas covered by thin sev, puffed rice, yoghurt and its in-house tamarind sauce and enjoy it alongside the vegan hot mixed pickle, sweet mango chutney and chappaties. The menu is honest and welcoming, which is reflected in the restaurant’s ambience.

Good for… ice-cold sweet treats

Gelato Gusto

On a sunny day, what better than to cool down than with vegan gelato and sorbets at this ice cream parlour by the beach. So popular are these flavours that the parlour has turned a whole freezer over to the vegan combinations. Its aim has been to make the best-tasting vegan flavours using a range of different milks from soya to oat, almond to coconut – and the proof came when it scooped two Great Taste Awards in 2016 & 2017 for its vegan pistachio and vegan chocolate brownie gelato. There’s also a great range of vegan-friendly sorbettos, including Great Taste award winners’ lychee and rose, orange and mint and pink grapefruit.