Maré

What’s the vibe? 

Refined and modern yet pleasingly laid-back, Maré is Brighton and Hove’s first Michelin-starred restaurant in nearly 50 years, clinching the accolade just six months after it opened its doors last September. 

It’s owned by the two Michelin-star chef of London’s Da Terra Rafael Cagali, and at the helm in the kitchen is head chef Ewan Waller, but while these names and promptly-acquired awards are impressive, you needn’t worry about it being an overly flouncy dining experience. 

Sure, this restaurant is sleek and high-end, with both the food and the service polished and precisely executed. It’s a pretty, minimally-decorated space with disco music humming politely in the background, but there’s a warmth to the restaurant which ensures that, when you arrive to celebrate a big occasion (which I highly recommend you do), the vibe is welcoming as opposed to snooty. 

What are the prices like?

Opt for the Taste of Maré, and the team here will bring a selection of their favourite dishes from the menu for your entire table to share. It’ll cost you £90 per person (with the optional addition of a sommelier-selected wine pairing for another £65), but in such a classy setting with so many dishes, it’s worth it for a special occasion. 

What should I order?

The menu rotates here regularly, but standout dishes from our meal were tempura oysters, and a surf and turf course of dreamily tender beef and lobster with rice cooked in lobster bisque. ‘Maré’ translates from Portuguese to mean ‘tide’, so whatever you do, order at least one seafood dish. 

What’s worth visiting nearby?

Maré is in Hove (actually) so walk off your meal with a trip down to Hove Lawns to see the beach huts, and get an ice cream from Marocco’s (if you’ve got room). Heading back east into Brighton? Stop at Palmeira Square for a drink at The Well, one of Time Out’s favourite bars. 

Time Out tip: A set lunch menu is available for £55 per person – give this a go.

🦐 Check out the full list of the best restaurants in Brighton.