Brighton is a magical place at Christmas time, with a joyous mix of seaside charm and festive warmth. There are so many great things to do at this time of year in Brighton, from seeing the incredible light displays around the city to ice skating at The Royal Pavilion. And with a huge selection of top restaurants and great pubs, you can experience some fabulous festive flavours in Brighton too! After a long day of shopping, or that final week of work before the big day, what could be better than settling in for a Christmas dinner? Especially one where you don’t have to do any of the cooking (or the washing up!).
If you’re after haute cuisine with a festive twist or a good old-fashioned roast with all the trimmings (Brussels sprouts optional!), there’s the place for you on our list of the best places for Christmas dinner in Brighton.
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Our top picks for the best Christmas lunches in Brighton
The Best Christmas Dinners in Brighton
The Geese
- 16 Southover St, Brighton, BN2 9UA
- https://thegeesebrighton.com/
Slightly out of the way on Southover Street, The Geese rewards those who venture out on a Sunday with the best roast in Brighton (awarded in the BRAVO Awards 2023). The Geese is known for its sensational bangers & mash offering the rest of the week, but for the full festive experience book in for a Sunday afternoon. You can grab yourself a table at the link above, although do take note that you can only book for four or more people.
The Salt Room
- 106 Kings Rd, Brighton, BN1 2FU
- https://saltroom-restaurant.co.uk/
The Salt Room is one of Brighton’s best seafood restaurants, with delights from the depths served up all year round at this chic seafront venue. At Christmas, a festive twist is added to the excellent menu, with a seasonal menu complimented by specific offerings such as a feasting menu available for large groups and a Christmas Day lunch. You can find all these menus and further information in The Salt Room Christmas brochure at the link above.
The Shakespeare’s Head
- 1 Chatham Pl, Brighton, BN1 3TP
- https://www.shakespeareshead.pub/
The Shakespeare’s Head is another great Brighton pub with a solid reputation for its bangers & mash (is this just a Brighton thing? Who knows!), this time located just up the hill from the centre of the city in the Seven Dials area. At Christmas time ‘Shakies’ still serves up bangers & mash but also a specific Christmas menu offering such classics as roasted chestnuts and roast turkey. So no matter if you want your sausages to come with a side of mash or wrapped in bacon, The Shakespeare’s Head has got you covered this festive season! You can see their full Christmas menu here, where you can also book a table.
Cyan
- 97-99 Kings Rd, Brighton, BN1 2FW
- https://cyanbrighton.co.uk/
Cyan is a great restaurant housed inside one of Brighton’s most famous hotels, The Grand, located right on the seafront. Cyan offers a menu that changes with the seasons so as the nights start getting shorter and the Christmas lights come on you can expect a whole host of festive dishes to be on offer. The seasonal delights aren’t limited to the food, you can also enjoy a seasonal cocktail with your meal for that extra bit of Christmassy goodness.
The Grand Hotel
- 97-99 Kings Rd, Brighton, BN1 2FW
- https://www.grandbrighton.co.uk
Whilst Cyan is The Grand’s primary food offering, at Christmas time the hotel offers another level of seasonal cheer with its Festive Party Nights. For £75 per person, you get a three-course meal, coffee and half a bottle of wine, all served up in the fabulous Empress Suite of this famous hotel. The party nights are only taking place on the 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th December, and you’ll need to book in advance using the link above.
The Basketmakers Arms
- 12 Gloucester Rd, Brighton, BN1 4AD
- https://www.thebasketmakers.pub/
The Basketmakers is a classic Brighton pub in the North Laine area of the city with bucketloads (basketloads?) of quintessential English pub charm. There are few places better to settle in at Christmas time for a cosy pint or a glass of mulled wine, and the Basketmakers has an extensive Christmas offering to really max out on the festive feel-good vibes. You can find their full Christmas menu here. It’s worth giving them a call and booking a table in advance as the cosiness of this pub does translate into it being full up rather often!
Terre à Terre
- 71 East St, Brighton, BN1 1HQ
- https://terreaterre.co.uk/
Terre à Terre is a classic Brighton dining spot, holding a place at the very top of the Brighton restaurant rankings for years and having a strong claim to being the best vegetarian restaurant in the country. For anyone looking for a veggie Christmas dinner in Brighton Terre à Terre is a must-visit. You can find their full Christmas menu here, with highlights including an ingenious take on a mince pie main course and a figgy pudding dessert called ‘Santa’s Little Belter’.
The Walrus
- 10 Ship St, Brighton, BN1 1AD
- https://thewalrusbrighton.com/
The Walrus is an enormous pub nestled between the sea and The Lanes on Ship Street which manages to retain a cosy and traditional atmosphere despite its cavernous size. The Walrus can host all sorts of Christmas parties, so whether it’s an office party, family meal or a seasonal date night, it’s a great choice. Prices start from £28 per person for a three-course set menu or £18 per person for a Christmas buffet, you can check out their entire Christmas offering here.
At Christmas time Brighton really does become a winter wonderland, and that’s as true in its brilliant restaurants and pubs as anywhere else. If you want a classic Christmas roast in a cosy pub then there are plenty of options, from The Basketmakers Arms and The Geese to The Shakespeare’s Head and The Walrus. If you’re after something a bit fancier then either The Salt Room or Cyan offer up a tasty slice of festive fine dining, as Brighton’s most outstanding vegetarian restaurant, Terre à Terre. Finally, for a full-blown festive bonanza, you can book in for one of The Grand Hotel’s Festive Party Nights. Whichever one you choose, you’ll have a very merry Christmas in Brighton!
