Cin Cin in Brighton and Hove

Lives up to the hype. Definitely the best Italian in the city. Lovely staff and a great atmosphere.

Waiter place wrong food order with kitchen- so my partner and I ate at different times. Our waiter hugely rushed us, coming over every 2 minutes to push us to make the next decision. It was unpleasant as we felt under pressure by his constant return to the table. We were all done in under an hour. Not relaxing at all. No doubt- food is amazing though!

I visited Cin Cin restaurant in Hove for lunch after it was recommended to me, and it certainly lived up to the praise. I was warmly welcomed on arrival, and I believe I was greeted by the owner, which added a personal and genuine touch to the experience. The staff were attentive throughout, setting a relaxed and inviting tone for the meal. I ordered from the lunch menu, starting with a Caesar salad that was light, fresh, and full of flavour. For the main, I had the spicy lamb tagliatelle ragù, which was cooked to perfection with the fresh pasta served al dente and beautifully seasoned, clearly crafted by talented chefs who take pride in their work. I also really liked the open-plan kitchen, thoughtfully designed with tabletop seating around it. It creates an engaging and intimate atmosphere where you can watch the chefs in action and truly appreciate the skill and precision behind each dish. The restaurant had a fine selection of wines, cocktails, and other beverages that would complement dishes perfectly. Overall, I highly recommend Cin Cin restaurant in Hove to anyone looking to treat themselves to a memorable, first-class dining experience.

Lovely intimate restaurant, great menu, wonderful food. Run by lovely people. Definitely recommend. Give them a try.

Our favourite meal since moving to the area. Lovely to sit at the bar and watch the chefs cook. Great atmosphere and excellent food. Can’t wait to go back!

We got in early without a reservation and was lucky to get three counter seats. Very friendly and attentive service from start to finish. The food was amazing, antipasto, pasta and meat dishes. I have spent a lot of time in Italy as my parents lived there and I can say the lamb ragu was one if not the best I have ever had. Small clever details shows a kitchen that really cares about the food. The kitchen staff are young and ambitious, something that makes me very happy!! This was the only meal we didn’t book but ended up being the highlight of our weekend trip.

We were a party of 5 and everyone had a really delicious meal. Everything was perfectly cooked. There was something for everyone on the menu. Great wine list too.

For context, I am not ordinarily a fan of Italian food, but don't judge me. However, having first visited Cin Cin back in December, I was desperate to return, to hopefully repeat an amazing culinary experience with Jamie and the team; which I did earlier this month and was not disappointed. The Chef's Menu was absolutely incredible - delicious flavours, exquisite twists, and phenomenal service from Hal. Topped off by an exceptional wine menu and a relaxed atmosphere. Would highly recommend, and I am looking forward to returning in June for a special birthday celebration.

What an absolutely fabulous evening we had! We had the chef's tasting menu and every course was fantastic. For me, the pasta course was an absolute standout: I can't remember the last time I had such a stellar pasta dish. Lovely friendly, knowledgable service. A great flight of wine pairings. Excellent value. This was our first visit and I hope for many more - what a gem of a restaurant.

My new favourite restaurant in Brighton. I popped in for their lunch menu yesterday which was very reasonable for 3 courses, and each one was fantastic. Luckily it was a sunny day so made good use of the lovely terrace. Staff were all very knowledgeable and friendly, really the cherry on the cake of a great experience. Definitely one to return to so I can try more of the menu! Ps be sure to finish your meal with their homemade limoncello - it was divine!

Wonderful food, great service and a quality negroni.

A wonderful restaurant: delicious food, super hospitality and great value for money. A gem

We went for the chef’s menu with the wine pairing. Every dish was incredible and all the staff made the night very enjoyable

Food was fantastic , and the four on atmosphere was really of our making as we came at 3 so in between sittings Great restaurant we shall be back !!

Everything was perfect, celebrating a birthday with family. The food was amazing, the tastes & different flavours put together was imaginative & beautifully presented

Outstanding dishes, great atmosphere, great service! Can’t wait to go back !

Went with some friends for a belated Christmas lunch - food, atmosphere& staff were delightful. We'll definitely come again!

The whole experience was lovely . Nice vibe and the food was superb . Service friendly and attentive .. but food superlative

We booked in the morning for that evening, opting for the ‘Chefs Table’ tasting menu, with wine flight. The team were really welcoming upon arrival, we had pre-ordered drinks alongside our online booking and these were delivered promptly. Seated around the U shaped bar, alongside the open plan kitchen, we got to see our food being prepared and head chef Jamie took time to chat with us, and other guests, about the food and his team preparing it (great to see a youngster working hard in the kitchen, doing a great job and being guided by a top chef, keep up the great work Elliot!). The bar team explained the wine pairings and surprised us with choices we wouldn’t normally make but really enjoyed - special mention to Hal! Our food was exceptional and we had an absolutely fantastic night - making our 21st wedding anniversary memorable and we very much look forward to returning in the near future.

My partner and I had a fantastic meal at Cin Cin to celebrate my birthday. We opted to go with the Chef's menu which, while on the pricier side, was good value in terms of trying what the restaurant had to offer. In particular we were really pleased that there was a vegetarian chef's menu which you don't always find, as well as multiple vegetarian options on the a la carte menu. Overall we found the quality of the food to be excellent and the service was very friendly and attentive (but not overbearing). The perfect balance of a 'special' meal without a stuffy or pretentious atmosphere, just what we were looking for.

Went for the first time and was really impressed. Great wines by the glass (and I presume bottle) Pasta was excellent too. Where we sat was right in a walkway for the team to get wine etc so would take a stool by the window but apart from that really really good place to go. Very buzzy too!!

Absolutely fantastic! Delicious food, great atmosphere and excellent service. Will definitely be back!

My wife and I had the chefs menu at Cin Cin. It was fantastic. The food and wine paring were delicious. The service and atmosphere were brilliant. We are looking forward to going again.

Great food, great service and lovely setting.

Delicious food, attentive staff, great wine. Will definitely be back!

Great restaurant, great staff Really recommended

Great find. Delicious and unusual menus. Very friendly staff and good atmosphere midweek.

My partner and I went here for our anniversary and we had one of the best meals I’ve eaten. I am gluten free and the food was delicious across all three courses.

To celebrate my spouse’s birthday, we decided to try the tasting menu as a group of three, along with a friend. I’m not sure where to begin, but in short, it was a complete disappointment. While the restaurant may have been in the Michelin guide before, I truly believe it’s overrated. First of all, if you’re offering olive oil and bread as a starter to your customers, both the bread and the olive oil need to be above standard. The bread wasn’t bad, but the olive oil was so ordinary that it felt like a warning that the meal would be a disappointment. I can’t complain about the olives, though. The “Arancino of slow-cooked chicken & leek, cacio e pepe emulsion” was, in my opinion, the only genuinely tasty course of the night. My wife’s arancino was slightly damaged and patched up with some Parmesan, but since the flavor was good, she didn’t mind. After all, it’s the taste that matters most. The next course, “Caramelle, roasted celeriac & Gorgonzola fonduta, brown butter & pear,” had a flavorful celeriac sauce, but the pasta was chewy, indicating it was undercooked. No matter how tasty the sauce was, the undercooked pasta ruined the dish. Not being able to cook al dente pasta is an unforgivable mistake for an Italian restaurant. The main course, “Grilled fillet of sea bream, Jerusalem artichoke caponata & kale,” was cooked well, but the fish lacked flavor and the sauce was unacceptably salty. One of us couldn’t even eat the fish, and no one bothered to ask why. Clearly, they didn’t care. My partner and I forced ourselves to eat it, trying to hide how salty it was from each other so as not to ruin the mood. It was a truly unpleasant experience. For dessert, we were served “Warm chocolate & chestnut cake, crème fraîche, Vin Santo sultanas.” Honestly, you’re more likely to find a tastier, more complex cake at your favorite coffee shop. I have no idea why this was included in the tasting menu. I ordered a cocktail and I liked it. I decided to get the same cocktail one more time. However, despite both cocktails containing the same ingredients, the second one tasted different because a different recipe was used. If I’m ordering the same cocktail twice in the same restaurant, within the same hour, I expect them to taste the same. When making the reservation, we were asked about the occasion, and I mentioned it was a birthday. In such cases, a small dessert or gesture is usually offered to make the guest feel special. However, no one acknowledged the occasion, which made me question why they even asked in the first place. The ambiance of the place was nice. I do enjoy open-kitchen restaurants, but without good food, the ambiance doesn’t matter much. Overall, it was a weak experience, and I don’t think the meal justified the price we paid. All the staff were friendly. Honestly, the Manager was a bit tense. If you still want to dine there, I’d advise keeping your expectations low. We trusted the high ratings and positive reviews, but our experience was the complete opposite.

The partner and I decided to get some romance on and booked Valentines at Cin Cin. We sat at the bar and I can rate it as one of the best culinary experiences we've had. The team of staff were attentive and witty and quickly dealt with my serviette which somehow caught fire from the candle. Apologies for nearly falling off my stool laughing. Excellent wine by the way and a superb Moscat which I will have on my return. Thank you

Great value lunch menu with interesting choices for starters, main and desert. I’ll definitely be back!

Can’t fault CinCin, staff were friendly and helpful, food was SUPERB and we had a great evening. We love Italy and it was so good to experience authentic Italian food.l

Had the best time at cin cin 3rd visit and will always come back, head chef Jamie is so lovely and chatted to us about what we were eating what was in it and what we were supposed to taste, waiters were lovely! Can’t wait to come back

I had the Rigatoni fennel sausage ragu. It was really delicious. I really like the different flavors in the meal. The staff is very kind, and welcoming and the restaurant decoration is lovely. I really like the warm low lighting.

Excellent food & friendly service. Reasonable prices too. I had the pasta (perfectly cooked) with duck ragu; a generous portion of robustly flavoured food. My wife had sea bream which she pronounced to be delicious though paired with a heavily flavoured Jerusalem artichoke & tomato sauce which perhaps drowned out the delicacy of the fish. We both enjoyed our choice of wine. The house Cin Cin red is very good. Decent espresso she says

Really delicious food , the gluten free risotto was exceptional. Every thing tasted great , attentive service and fantastic Italian wine selection. Would definitely recommend

Gorgeous food. Attentive staff. Really enjoyable atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Cin Cin is a true gem in Brighton, serving up a wonderful mix of global flavors in a stylish and inviting atmosphere. The vibe is perfect—chic yet cozy—great for both romantic dinners and fun outings with friends.

delicious food, friendly and professional service in a cute little hideaway in Hove. Will def be back.

Fantastic restaurant that we have loved visiting for several years now. Wonderful food and service!

Such a fabulous dinner! The flavours were incredible, the cocktails yum (loved the negroni), service lovely, the rosé was delicious - way too easy to drink! Thank you!

Superb food which offers a contemporary take on Italian classics. The service is friendly and attentive and efficient. Highly recommended!

Limited menu , small portions therefore over priced . House wine £29 . What food we had was lovely If you are looking to satisfy hunger as well as eat well be prepared to have a light snack before you go More quantity , larger choice I I wouldn’t have minded paying their prices .

Cin Cin has been on my list since it opened eight years ago! I can see it from my mothers window, and I often walk past, admiring the dishes being prepared in their open kitchen. We were greeted by a friendly waiter who offered us two seating options when we entered. We chose the back area because it was cosy and had lower seating. The seating around the open kitchen and bar area is lovely, but the high stools make it a better spot for a snack and a cocktail. Seeing how beautifully the space was transformed from its previous life as a Thai restaurant was fascinating. We started with the duck ragu arancini, a large ball oozing with cheese—delicious. A generous parsley and garlic emulsion complemented it. Next, we tried the sweet potato tortelli with truffle sauce, amaretti, and sage, which was light and delicious, thanks to the handmade pasta. The Sussex beef rump, with a rotolo of slow-cooked shin, Gorgonzola, spinach, roast shallots, and beef sauce, was one of the best dishes I've ever had. It was well-balanced and perfectly seasoned. It was so good that we returned a few days later to order it again. We also tried the panettone bread and butter pudding with marmalade ice cream. I usually don’t like marmalade, but I’m now converted! The espresso martini was a bit on the sweet side for my taste. On our second visit, we had a lovely waitress, one of the nicest ladies—so warm and friendly. It truly is the best restaurant! Next time I’m back home, I’m eager to try one of their meal boxes 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

We went to CinCin for our anniversary and it was a fabulous experience. The atmosphere was classy, cool and vibrant - just like the food and drinks. After a warm welcome and a complimentary bellini to celebrate CinCin’s 8 years, we sat down at the counter. The menu is overall Italian with some surprises thrown in (eg kimchi). Hard to choose, everything sounded delicious. The trout we had as a starter was perfectly seasoned throughout the flesh, which the bartender told us was thanks to a salt curing process. Honestly it was SO succulent! Mains were incredible, hand made pasta with a fennel-y duck ragu then I had some pasta ‘sweets’ stuffed with salt cod and served in a heavenly reduction. So good I could have licked the plate. Can’t wait to go back!

We dropped in without a reservation walking back from town early on a Saturday evening, the guys were very welcoming and found us a space at the counter. As usual the food was fantastic the arancini absolutely delicious as were the two special’s caramelle of salt cod, squid ink roasted porcine kale and picked girolles and Venison osso bucco al a Milanese, both really flavoursome with generous portions. The staff really enhance the experience knowledgable ,attentive friendly and fun.

Really great experience, food excellent, service fine also. It was a very cold evening and in the back area it wasn’t terribly warm. The kitchen staff did a great job. Next time I’d eat at the bar!

We had the NYE at home box and was really impressed with the delicious simplicity of the 3 course meal. So easy to prepare and SO tasty, can’t stop thinking about it. Highly recommended

Delicious food and wines and delightful staff made this a lovely experience.

What a terrific place this is! Deserving 5 stars for everything. The food is outstanding and a treat to sit by the kitchen to see the team at work. We were made extremely welcome and service was just right. The place was busy.. which says a great deal. Worthy of all its accolades. We will be back soon.

Managed to get a last minute booking and we opted for the tasting menu. Every course was delicious & presented well. The wine pairing was so good despite me being apprehensive when I saw “Lambrusco” on the first course pairing! Our server was attentive, knowledgeable & happy. We will be back. We found it good value and would definitely recommend the tasting menu.

Really enjoyed our lunch at Cin Cin today. The food was stunning and the team were so friendly and welcoming! Will definitely be coming back!

Great food, friendly service, lovely vibe. Will definitely be back.

A fabulous restaurant. Miguel really looked after us, the service was faultless. The food was amazing. The arancini starter was delicious. The special venison dish was excellent. The tables are close together, which initially is a bit off putting, but we got over this. Thank you for a lovely evening.

Wonderful! We chose the 5 course festive meal. 1st course, excellent. 2nd course, excellent. 3rd course, excellent. 4th course, excellent and finally the desert. It’s great to find a restaurant you would recommend to your friends. We will be back. Thank you CIN CIN.

Came here with my girlfriend for her birthday. Everything was exceptional, food, cocktails, service, ambience. We sat at the bar and the chefs and waiting staff took time to talk us through the dishes and drinks. Enjoyed every dish, the arancino, ragu and venison special were all amazing. High end Italian scran in a relaxed atmosphere.

Amazing food at a reasonable price and really nice service

Initially we were a little surprised at how the restaurant is arranged, with a large central seating area, high stool seating and then a larger table area at the back, Our seats at the front, worked out okay, but maybe check if you are adverse to stool seating or prefer a standard table set up. The staff were very helpful and attentive. Taking time to explain the dishes, checking all was well and not rushing you. We had an amazing food experience. Every dish was a unique joy. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and will certainly return!

Made a last minute booking and thought we would try the 5 course taster menu. One veggie version. One meat. I also had the wine flight. Stunning. Every course was a delight. So surprised to get the level of quality from what I thought was just a regular Italian round the corner from our house. I now see why they have won so many awards including a Michlen Bib. The service was excellent as we were talked through each course in detail and the reasons for the wine pairing. Great staff. Fabulous atmosphere and good value. We will return very soon. Highly recommended 👌

Friendly , great atmosphere , delicious food

We were a group of three and had three courses with extra sides. Each dish was delicious ! Would highly recommend.

Excellent night great service and lovely food

Fabulous evening. Great food and wine, service exceptional

Highly recommend the arancino, ravioli and the piedmontese chocolate. Great ambience and super good service

Nice food, but service was disorganised and not up to the standard of others in the area at that price point

Came here for fiancé's birthday. Amazing food. Really great for a special occasion. No complaints at all will definitely visit again.

Best Italian I've had in Brighton - every dish was delicious and perfectly cooked.

We had a lovely family dinner at Cin Cin for my daughters birthday, we even brought the dog! Excellent food, service and atmosphere. I would highly recommend this great restaurant. The venison was particularly good.

Great Italian food with a good atmosphere

Delicious food, great atmosphere, very friendly staff. Solid price

An excellent late lunch with friends food was delicious we had 3 courses and aperitifs and lovely red wine

Just popped in to take advantage of the early evening special and it was fantastic. Amazing food, we didn’t drink as it’s early, but the drinks list is impressive. As a chef myself and I’m very particular about eating out as I know the industry too well I was very impressed

Can’t wait to go back. Everything on the menu was very tempting so it was hard to choose but we were delighted with our selection. The chefs clearly love what they do and the chocolate torte is a must! Service was attentive but not intrusive. We’re definitely going back!

Lovely restaurant! Food is always great and service is friendly and attentive. It’s not too expensive either. Great place for food in Brighton/Hove and one I often recommend to people coming to stay.

Stunning service and truly fantastic food which absolutely blew us away! Me and my partner tried all the dishes on the tasting menu + more, and will definitely be back ASAP, especially for the Arrancini and tiramisu. The wine was really excellent also…

We had a wonderful time at CinCin, the staff really looked after us and provided an unforgettable experience. The food is really unique and provides something different to other Italians, with very fresh flavours and delicious combinations eg the lamb tagliatelle! They still have the usual classics eg tiramisu which was delicious - velvety and rich, obviously of a very good quality and the best way to end the meal. Thanks again, we can’t wait to come back.

We attended Cin Cin last night for an anniversary dinner. The food was amazing & the staff were very friendly. Banging cocktails we’ll be back 🍸

Amazing food and vibe. Will come back

Amazing food both times me and my partner have been. We had the chefs menu both times and just loved being able to try so many different things from the menu. We shared the wine flight both times and would definitely recommend - really adds to the experience and the staff are so knowledgeable about each dish and each wine accompaniment. The portions are a really good size and the food is so creative and different, but always tastes amazing. Would definitely recommend!!

Warm reception, professional and discreet service, great tasting food & wine choices.

Went for the lunch menu, had the polenta and then the tagliatelle. Both were gorgeous. Shared a bottle of the house white, which was lovely!

Have eaten here countless times and also recently took part in their pasta masterclass. The food is always fantastic, the staff friendly and we will keep coming back

*Updated from original review* The Owner took the trouble to reach out and discuss my issues which shows that they care about their business! A little disappointed to be honest seeing as our bill for two was north of £120 plus service for snacks, a Negroni, a glass of Lambrusco, two large glasses of rose, two starters, two main courses and two sides The food was good quality let down by the portion size. The restaurant was empty when we arrived and we were given a small table to the rear, the very next couple that came in rather than giving us some space were parked right next to us elbow to elbow. The staff were very nice throughout our visit.

Our favourite Brighton/Hove restaurant for a meal that's just a bit special. Great food, lovely people, great atmosphere. I am coeliac and this is catered for admirably.

Incredible food, great service! Best risotto we've ever eaten in our life. Unique flavours and fantastic customer service! Definitely will visit again! Hope they keep that risotto on the menu 😆

Fantastic lunch, very fresh flavours and great selection of food and drinks. The lemoncello was delicious. Can't wait to come back

My experience at CinCin was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The attention to detail in both the service and the quality of their traditional dishes really stands out. Each visit feels like a celebration of great food and hospitality, and it’s clear that the team is dedicated to constant improvement. Kudos to the entire CinCin team for making every meal memorable!

Excellent food, great ambience and attentive service - couldn't ask for more.

Delicious food and great service - friendly and knowledgeable wait staff - meant we had a lovely evening at Cin Cin. There are many restaurants in this area but Cin Cin, along with just a few others, has that extra something. We will be back.

Great authentic Italian kitchen.

I have been eating at Cin Cin since they first opened, and after an incredible lunch today, I wanted to try to put in words the feelings, thoughts and admiration that come from each meal I have had there. Cin Cin doesn't serve just good italian food, it's a place you go if you are eager to learn the origins and history of the most authentic cuisine and wines, from its products, farmers, producers, recepies, atmosphere, friendliness of the staff, that in Italy has been passed from generation to generation throughout centuries to the modern days, but sadly have started to disappear and be forgotten even within Italy itself, and that more than ever count on passionate, dedicated, perseviring, honest, talented people like Jamie and David to be kept alive. Every meal brings me down to memory lane where I grew up, the smell and taste of my mother, grondmothers, aunties and their family friends cooking evry single day all their family recepies, the scent of my family vineyards.. Thank you Jamie and David for keeping that wonderful complex world of each corner of Italy alive and not be forgotten.

Surprisingly adventurous dishes, high quality Italian. Negronis and wine selection - top-top. And the team is lovely! Will be back for sure. Perfect for a date or an intimate meal 😌

As a regular at Cin Cin's London restaurant in Bloomsbury I have never had a bad experience. From the friendly welcome, to the great recommendations and delicious food, it is always a pleasure to enjoy the amazing tiramisu or a new pasta recipe!

Excellent, Food, service and ambiance

Lovely authentic Italian food. Informal atmosphere and good choice of wines. As Italian, living in Hove, this is my favourite Italian locally! 🙌

Fantastic food and the most generous and interesting wine flight I have ever had. Add to this the impeccably attentive, informative and friendly service of our waiter, Hal, what a wonderful experience. Thank you

Absolutely delicious food, came quickly and with a lovely wine pairing. Staff were very friendly and knowledgable and the chef even delivered one of our meals. 10/10 will definitely come again!

The quality, taste and presentation of the food was excellent as was the service. Friendly, prompt, helpful and pleasant A very good experience all in all

I had the Gorgonzola ravioli with ragu and I have never tasted a saltier meal. My partner had risotto which was much nicer and balanced. The focaccia was also a disappointment and like a loaf of hovis bread. Wasn’t impressed for the price.

Was really looking forward to visiting this restaurant. Unfortunately, we found the service to be painfully slow. Food to be underwhelming and found the whole meal expensive and disappointed.