Indian restaurants are a staple of British culture, so much so that many dishes we consider Indian heritage are no more authentic to India than pie and mash. For some Indian food has become bland, boring, and even predictable to the point it starts to taste like the colour grey, which couldn’t be further from the bold flavours that made Indian food so popular in the first place. However, it need not be this way!
Prepare to re-discover your love for Indian food, as I present to you a selection of the best Indian restaurants in Brighton! These fine establishments will let your taste buds experience real Indian cuisine, or at the very least, provide you with your favourite, at a higher quality than anywhere else around.
Curry Leaf Cafe
Inside its vibrant, green and orange exterior, lies a haven for South Indian food. Curry Leaf cafe has an excellent array of dishes to pick from, whilst sticking to a manageable menu. It’s always a precursor for quality food when the menu doesn’t overwhelm you with choices, and Curry Leaf has a menu the chefs are incredibly confident with.
No matter the order you will be getting fragrant, uplifting food; prepared masterfully. The Sea Bass curry is my personal pick. The fish is tender, well seasoned and complemented by a light creamy sauce that adds just a little bit of punch to bring out the subtle flavours of the bass.
Address: 60 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AE England
Website: curryleafcafe.com
The Chilli Pickle
With a veritable slew of awards under its belt, that would span hundreds of words were I to list them all, The Chilli Pickle is surely a no-brainer. Of course, food is subjective, and critical success may not always translate to monetary success, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to be highly regarded by the ‘experts’. Luckily, as a humble uncultured food lover, I can comfortably say on behalf of the public, that the food here is divine, and was one of the best Indian meals I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying.
I had the Goan curry, as I’m always excited to try fish-based dishes at Indian restaurants, especially in Brighton. It’s a real make-or-break dish; it can so often either be gorgeous, tender and well made, or an utter car crash. But of course, The Chilli Pickle prepares a perfectly succulent fish curry, creating an exquisite hot and sour coconut base, and combining it with local fresh bass to create a swaddling flavour that slowly dances atop your taste buds.
They also offer fantastic sharing meals and delightful starters. You may even want to forgo curry entirely and indulge in fine recreations and interpretations of some of India’s finest street food. A twist on a well-travelled classic, there’s something about the Samosa Chaat here that just leaves me needing more. If I wasn’t bound by the confines of money, I’d happily sit and eat it all day.
Address: 17 Jubilee Street, Brighton BN1 1GE England
Website: thechillipickle.com
Manju
Manju is the most authentic choice on this list, standing out not just for its food quality, but for the intimate dining experience it provides. You won’t find Kormas or chicken tikka here! Instead, Manju’s offers a small but perfected menu of sharing plates, allowing for you to experience a full range of flavours, and conquering the prospect of food envy in the process. Manju’s is one of the most homely Indian restaurants in Brighton, with fantastic service, and a real feel-good factor. The story behind the business is quite uplifting, and a beautiful example of following your dreams.
As they regale us on their website: “Manju arrived in London with just £12 and 2 very young boys. She went to work in a factory and stayed there until she retired. Her dreams of owning and running a restaurant were forgotten for six decades! Until now…”. A powerful statement to those who believe age is a limiting factor to achieving your dreams.
It’s the history and belief behind the food that makes it that extra bit nicer, it might not be everyone’s idea of Indian food, but it is far more a faithful creation than most local curry houses in Britain. Manju acknowledges its individuality, describing itself as “what Classic FM is to Planet Rock” promising a different, eating experience steeped in culture, tradition and belief.
The menu is entirely vegetarian, not through pandering, or by choice, but through the traditional values that Gujarat cuisine holds dear. This is an absolute must-go for foodies, vegetarians, or anyone interested in trying real, authentic Indian cuisine, and not the same dishes you’ve tried time after time.
Address: 6 Trafalgar Street North Laine, Brighton BN1 4EQ England
Website: manjus.co.uk
Indian Summer
An award-winning Indian, offering yet more uniquely inspired dining. Whilst there are some classics on the menu, such as the butter chicken, Indian Summer has a range of exciting curries, starters and Biryani to choose from. My favourite, however, would be the Thali. For me there’s nothing better than having a large range of small dishes to eat from, to savour all these different flavours, expanding one’s palette, it makes for a perfect meal.
The first few bites of any good dish are always the best, but if your meal is made up of lots of little dishes, then you’re experiencing those first few mouthfuls over and over. With sushi surging in popularity, partly thanks to a similar premise, I’m surprised we haven’t seen a Thali explosion yet, given our love for Indian food. It may yet happen, however, as the Thali here has certainly converted me, and has only left me craving more!
Address: 70 East Street, Brighton BN1 1HQ England
Website: indiansummerbrighton.co.uk
Bayleaf
Bayleaf is your typical British Indian restaurant experience. For those wanting something more familiar you can’t go wrong with Bayleaf. Offering all the usual suspects, this curry house is perfect for a Saturday night takeaway/evening meal out. Whilst for some its familiar menu might be a turn-off, its more typical selection is not why it’s on this list. It does familiar food better than you remember it.
Bayleaf is simply a cut above other restaurants of its ilk, with quality of food, service and consistency. They simply do things better than the competition; and sometimes, no matter how authentic or adventurous your tastes may be, a comforting, well-prepared classic, can’t be beaten. Easily the best out of the more typical Indian restaurants in Brighton.
Address: 49 St. James’s Street, Brighton BN2 1RG England
Website: bayleaf.co.uk
