The festive season is steadily approaching and along with it comes the excitement of gift-giving and receiving, mulled wine, snow-capped rooftops, and of course a traditional Christmas dinner. While some may be looking forward to rocking up to a relative’s house and cosying up on the sofa to watch Christmas classics until the turkey is ready, others are fretting about giblets, oven space, vegetable timings, and household brussel sprout consensus.
Whether your reasons are, whether you can’t cook or won’t cook, Brighton’s pubs and restaurants have you covered for a delicious meal on Christmas Day. Below are eight of our favourite picks for a great Christmas Day lunch and dinner in Brighton without a mountain of washing up waiting for you in the sink!
Where to eat Christmas Dinner in Brighton 2023?
Shakespeare’s Head
Located in Seven Dials, Shakespeare’s Head has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere which is commonly found in a traditional local pub. However, unlike a typical local place, Shakespeare’s Head has none of the clique dynamic, meaning you won’t feel like an outsider if it’s your first visit.
Surrounded by three separate outside areas, this pub features multiple sun traps in Summer, and cosy canopies in the Winter. Inside, the wooden furnishings and low lighting make for a great place to relax with one of their excellent local ales.
‘Shakies’, as it’s colloquially known to regulars, is famous for its mix-and-match sausage and mash which boasts eleven sausage varieties, seven flavours of mash, and six tasty gravies to choose from. They are also renowned for their award-winning Sunday roasts, which bodes well for anyone looking for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings!
The Shakespeare’s Head’s Christmas menu is simple and classic – ensuring care and attention to your roast dinner – with the option of a traditional roast turkey, or a butternut squash filo parcel for vegans.
Address: Shakespeare’s Head, 1 Chatham Place, Brighton, BN1 3TP
Website: www.shakespeareshead.pub
North Laine Brewhouse
Laine’s beers are a steadfast regular sight at most Brighton pub’s taps; the North Laine Brewhouse is where they’re all created. Having a brewery right next to the bar at the North Laine guarantees you’ll always be getting a fresh pint pulled, it also means that North Laine is the first to showcase all the experimental brews they devise on site. This is a pub every beer enthusiast should want to visit.
The massive floor space in North Laine allows for a plethora of seating from cosy window tables, to a beer hall area, and even a covered outside area. However, this multitude of tables doesn’t mean you should delay making your reservation for their Christmas Day dinner in Brighton as it’s likely to book up fast.
This year, North Laine is offering a family-style dinner with a herb-infused turkey crown and their in-house signature gammon as centrepieces with the expected roast potatoes and veg, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings and gravy to compliment. For vegetarians, North Laine Brewhouse will be serving an individual homemade mushroom wellington.
Address: North Laine Brewhouse, 27 Gloucester Place, Brighton, BN1 4AA
Website: www.northlaine.pub
The Stoneham
The Stoneham is a family-run, dog-friendly pub with a huge pub garden fitted with heated booths. And a grassy area for furry friends. With its multitude of seating, and wide selection of drinks – including a massive selection of rums and gins – The Stonham is a great choice for a big Christmas function.
The kitchen, headed up by chefs from Pickled Oyster, serves food which aims to tailor traditional pub flavours to a more modernised palate. Incorporating international cuisine, hearty dishes, and home-cooked favourites, the kitchen regularly creates one-of-a-kind themed weekend events.
The Stoneham’s open-plan venue allows big or small groups to sit down and enjoy a homemade meal over a glass of wine and if you’re looking for something more private, they also have a function space kitted out with a private bar and outdoor terrace. On Christmas Day, The Stoneham in Brighton is serving a seven-course lunch and dinner menu packed with variations and big flavours. They are hosting three dining slots: 12:00-14:30, 13:00-15:30, and 15:00-17:30, book soon!
Address: The Stoneham, 153 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QJ
Website: www.thestoneham.co.uk
The Salt Room
The Salt Room is a modern British seafood restaurant that celebrates traditional methods of cooking over charcoal. Boasting uninterrupted views of Brighton seafront and the West Pier ruins, The Salt Room uses a Josper oven to grill seasonal, sustainably sourced, local fish, seafood, and meat dishes. The same ideations around seasonality and innovation also carry over into their cocktail menu with a selection of drinks utilising sea spices and earthy herbs which change throughout the year.
The Salt Room offer a variety of elegantly decorated private dining spaces and large tables in the restaurant making it a great choice for a stress-free big family Christmas Day dinner in Brighton. They have curated a special festive feasting menu tailored for larger groups, removing the need for pre-orders and making the whole experience organised so you can set your attention to festive celebrations. Their Christmas Day menu features inventive starters such as chestnut ravioli, and treacle cured gravlax; and their main courses consist of bronzed turkey, vegetable tarts, and salt-aged beef.
Address: The Salt Room, 106 King’s Road, Brighton, BN1 2FU
Website: www.saltroom-restaurant.co.uk
The Thomas Kemp (The Kemp)
Situated in the heart of Kemptown, just north of The Sea Lanes, The Kemp is a vibrant community pub whose priority is to make people from all walks of life welcome. Serving classic pub staples and Mediterranean sharing plates, with a focus on Greece and Spain, The Kemp uses seasonal produce to bring sunnier climes to Brighton. With a large selection of craft beers, wines, soft drinks, and rotating house ales, finding a drink to pair with your burger or catch of the day should be a doddle.
On Christmas Day, The Kemp in Brighton is open for bookings of parties of two or more to dine inside or outside in their covered and heated garden. Their Christmas menu offers a two or three-course option with classic stuffed turkey, red wine-braised beef, pan-fried pollock, or a mushroom and chestnut pithivier (enclosed pastry). Finish off your meal with a traditional Christmas pudding, chocolate brownie, or lemon and thyme ice cream! For a more informal Christmas experience, The Kemp is also hosting a buffet service sure to keep picky eaters happy!
Address: The Kemp, 8 St Georges Road, Brighton, BN2 1EB
Website: www.kemp.pub
The Lion and Lobster
Tucked away on Sillwood Street, and still within walking distance from the seafront, The Lion and Lobster is one of the oldest, and most traditional pubs in Brighton and Hove. Spread over three floors comprising of a cosy pub area, their Regency restaurant, and a fantastic, heated roof terrace, The Lion & Lobster is renowned and loved by Brightonians. The interior of this historic pub is an embracing rabbit warren of nooks and crannies to find a table at and the décor is crammed with an eclectic mix of curios and bric-a-brac.
The size of the building allows The Lion and Lobster to have a room appropriate for any size group or party, and the atmosphere is always warm and vibrant. Their award-winning food uses ingredients sourced from local suppliers to create updated versions of classic pub grub.
The Lion and Lobster will be offering a three-course set menu and – along with the classic roast turkey – they will be serving up hearty mains such as confit duck leg, and lentil & winter roots wellington. For a pudding, this pub has put a festive twist on the classic Italian tiramisu, their ‘Christmisu’ features coffee-soaked lotus biscuits, vanilla cream, and cranberry & hazelnut granola. The Lion and Lobster are also offering a prosecco or martini reception on arrival to kick off the celebrations!
Address: The Lion and Lobster, 24 Sillwood Street, Brighton, BN1 2PS
Website: www.thelionandlobster.co.uk
Hove Place
Over the past few years, Hove Place’s mixture of high-end pub classics and quirky bistro-style dishes has earned them a reputation for providing top-quality and interesting dishes which have proved popular with the foodies of Brighton & Hove. Just a short walk from Palmeira Square, you won’t have to venture too far from Brighton town centre to find this lovely little gastro-pub.
Their stunning al fresco garden offers a tranquil space to unwind and is covered, heated, and well-lit during Winter. All year-round Hove Place offers you the opportunity to enjoy your meal amongst the Italianate Garden theme complete with lush greenery, white columns, and statues aplenty.
On Christmas Day, Hove Place will be hosting sittings at 12 pm and 3:15 pm and recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Their Christmas Day three-course menu features a delicious collection of British, Italian, and French dishes. Along with their inventive twist on a classic turkey dinner, Hove Place will also be offering steak, monkfish, and wild mushroom mains.
In the lead-up to Christmas, Hove Place is also hosting wreath-making sessions, which are sure to get kids and adults alike into the Christmas spirit!
Address: Hove Place, 37 First Avenue, Hove, BN3 2FH
Website: www.hoveplace.co.uk
