etch. by Steven Edwards in Brighton and Hove

Excellent: one of the best vegetarian meals I’ve ever had (I’m an omnivore). Great staff, lovely atmosphere

OM life what a wonderful restaurant, by far the best food in Brighton. I applaud this place for its incredible food, hospitality & setting. First of all loved the fact one of us could order a pescatarian tasting menu & one meat. The call back to confirm was much appreciated (it’s the little things that make a difference) The staff all delightful, taking the time to be personable as well as knowledgeable (a balance that a lot of fine dining don’t get right). So before we get to the food, cocktail was delicious, wine not exorbitant & the main event of the food…wonderful, considered & beautifully prepared. This was our first time here but definitely won’t be our last. This restaurant is deservedly mentioned in the Michelin guide. Totally delicious

First time at Etch and it was first class, 3 hours we were in there for, nothing felt rushed, the attention to detail was spot on (folding of napkins if they were left on a chair crumpled up, waiting to clear plates until both of us were seated… the small touches) every dish had incredible flavour, the restaurant also makes you feel at ease, fine dining without the pretentiousness. Would recommend to anyone wanting to celebrate an occasion with a fine dining experience.

Just divine! Food and cocktails absolutely incredible, etch is my favourite restaurant in Brighton, hands down!

This place is amazing. I went here last night and they fully catered for me being a coeliac. The food was on another level and I can easily say it's the top of the list of places I have been. The service was fantastic, engaging and the team really knows thier stuff. Good suggestons, good humour and all round great service. Thank you.

Incredible experience. Expensive; but luxury from the beginning to the end. Can't fault anything. The personal attention was incredible.

Fantastic, interesting food. Friendly knowledgable staff. I was really impressed by how the kitchen was so consistently calm ! Amazing experience, will definitely be back!

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Etch by Steven Edwards in Brighton, and I can confidently say it was one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in recent memory. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with modern yet comfortable décor that set the tone for a truly elevated dining experience. The menu, a celebration of seasonal ingredients and innovative cooking techniques, offered a delightful blend of creativity and finesse. Each dish was expertly crafted, balancing bold flavors with delicate textures. Standout moments included the scallops cooked to perfect and the marmite infused bread, where the precision in cooking was evident in every bite. The use of locally sourced produce added a fresh, vibrant touch to each course, and the presentation was nothing short of stunning. Service was attentive without being intrusive, with staff offering knowledgeable recommendations and explaining the inspiration behind each dish. The wine pairings, too, were thoughtfully chosen, complementing the flavors of the meal beautifully. What impressed me most, however, was how Etch manages to combine a fine dining experience with a relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for both special occasions and casual indulgence. In short, Steven Edwards has created a restaurant that not only excels in flavor but also offers an experience that feels both personal and extraordinary. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Brighton who appreciates exceptional food and great service.

Absolute delicious food and a fantastic experience, from start to finish. We have visited etch a few times now for special occasions, and have always had an amazing time. Every dish is beautifully presented, nearly flawless in every way, and timed perfectly in terms of when it is served at the table. The service overall is impeccable, and it's extra special when Chef Steven comes along to serve a course or three! Our favourite dishes this time around were (in no particular order) - Marmite bread and seaweed butter, the cheese/truffle snacks, halibut, duck, beef, cauliflower veloute, and the beetroot and chocolate desserts (okay, so I've practically named everything we had as part of a seven-course tasting menu). We also had two cocktails (something akin to a negroni, and another one with gin and cucumber that I can't remember the name of), which were delicious and strong and not very sweet at all (which is how we like our drinks). But nothing could surpass the food, and I can't wait to go back to etch again :) It's expensive, of course, but 1000000% worth it.

Eaten here twice. It's pretty much faultless for the price point.

The best meal out in Brighton we have had in a very long time. A proper tasting menu, prepared with creativity and care, and great ingredients. The sommelier created a superb flight of wine that worked beautifully with the menu. There are other restaurants in this price range in Brighton but they don't come close to Etch for overall dining experience, making Etch the best value for what you get.

Never ever again food gave me diarrhea i waste my new year sitting on toilet. I ordered meatball with cheese after 3 hours I start having stomach issues

Exquisitely presented and absolutely delicous food. I can't hardly wait to visit again

Class! I booked Etch for my anniversary as I’d heard great things. Pleased to say it lived up to the deserved hype. We did the 7 course wine and food. It was perfectly paired together and I’d definitely recommend the bass and the venison. We arrived and were greatly by super friendly staff who went above and beyond. The staff gave us an anniversary card which made us feel really welcome. The serving staff continuously waited on us and were really respectful. The sommelier had fantastic knowledge of the wines and had a wide array from far off regions. The chef came and explained the dishes which added an extra touch, how they come up with the mixtures and flavours is an art in itself. The kitchen staff were constantly cleaning their work station which really does show how much pride they take in their work. The person who greeted us was also really attentive when we turned up and made us feel welcome. Even the booking process was easy and they called me to make sure they had my booking correct. Class act!

Another amazing night at etch. 5 stars all round. If you want a perfect evening out - head here - highly recommended. Just booked in for another visit.

This place just seems to get better and better every time I visit: the people, the experience, the food (the food was sooo good this time!), and the wine - it made for an amazing afternoon! I can't recommend Etch enough. It's classy with some immense thought that has gone into planning the experience and the dishes. Each dish is delivered with such precision and such flavour consideration, I can't believe it's yet to have a Michelin star. Just wonderful. Can't wait to return.

This place is absolutely incredible. I’ve never experienced a chef so competently match food with wine. The flavours are stunning. Congratulations.

We went for our anniversary and had the 7 course menu. Every dish was a winner and my husband had the wine pairing and I had the soda menu - if you're not a drinker or just looking for a change, I would really recommend this. Each juice is carefully considered and are different and delicious - when compared to the Fat Duck where their non alcoholic pairing was very similar and not especially pleasant.. Wonderful food aside, everyone we met was a delight and we were in good hands. The menu at Etch changes with the seasons and we'll definitely be back. If you get a chance, head to Ink their cocktail bar for a pre dinner drink - the pumpkin spice Old Fashioned was an absolute banger!

I've always felt a bit intimated by Etch. It looks so fancy from the outside, and that's not to say it isn't fancy, but the vibe is so lovely and welcoming! We managed to get a table during Octoberbest...what a treat! The food was amazing, each dish was full of flavour. We have had tasting menus before where one or two dishes were great and the rest a bit meh, but these were all 😍! The staff are lovely too. I messaged to say I was pregnant, and they called beforehand to chat through the menu and to check that I was happy with the alternatives they had planned for me! Take about going the extra mile. Can't wait to go back!

Excellent good Excellent staff All round a great experience

Amazing experience, phenomenal food, in a relaxed atmosphere, no too serious or old school, i will be back definitely

Top notch experience from the beginning till the end. We absolutely loved it , enjoyed every dish! This restaurant deserves the star!

The food was high class with an excellent mix of flavours. Wonderdull service.

Absolutely amazing tasting lunch at Etch. From the initial cocktails, to the tasting menu with wine flight, everything was as beautiful as you would expect. My wife had the soda flight which was given as much care and attention as the wine, and in particular the smokey one with the beef was stunning. The staff were unfaulteringly lovely and attentive, able to explain the food and wine but also personable and with their own personal experiences. A great experience.

Having a visit on 4 October 2024 for 5-Courses Autumn Menu and a glass of red wine. The food is absolutely tasty containing the variety of flavors. The atmosphere of the restaurant has a good vibe and the staffs are really nice. You won’t be disappointed by this great restaurant owned by Steven Edwards (the 2013 MasterChef UK Winner) and his wonderful team.

Just visited today for a double birthday. What an amazing experience. Thank you to all of the staff who made our day special. The food is the best I've ever tasted.

Celebrating our Wedding Anniversary at Etch, Lovely Local fizz in the downstairs bar before the dinner . Food in the 7 course tasting menu was Superbly Presented and Explained by the Excellently trained Bar Staff I opted for an extra Scallop and also a Cheese Course It was ALL Thoroughly Delicious Professional Masterchef Steven also made time to have a conversation with us and is a Kind and Thoughtful Person who goes Above and Beyond to Maintain a Superb And Smooth Experience . The Michelin Guide Really need to pay this Establishment a Look Rebooked Immediately !

Fantastic food and excellent service. Every course was a delight but the highlight for me was as the mushroom and truffle ‘snack’ at the beginning

Delicious food. Deserves a Michelin. I had the autumn tasting menu, the chefs and waiters were lovely and welcoming.

Oh my goodness, what a restaurant! Came with my partner to attend the Kray Treadwell collaboration. The stand out dishes for us were the Kray FC to start, the soup of the day, duck, dippy eggs and the chocolate raisin pudding - but it was ALL delightful. Service was great, very attentive throughout the evening. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, thank you for hosting such a memorable evening.

Fabulous service and catered to our specific needs well 😋

My husband and I came for an anniversary meal on 5/9 and all we can say is WOW! From start to finish we were made to feel a million dollars and there are no words to describe the food. The staff were so attentive, knowledgeable and professional and we will definitely return.

Couldn’t fault it. Everything was on point

Just enjoyed an absolutely wonderful dinner at etch. The menu, which we were told changes every two months, comprises of 5 dishes with two optional additions. Each of the six dishes we were served was exquisitely presented and delicious. The quality of food was matched by with excellent service, from start to finish. All round superb!

Fancy getting down with fun. Fabulous place for a date night! 🍾💚

Fantastic food and drinks. Great personal service. I had a little trouble hearing all the detailed descriptions of the food and wine which is a shame because it was all very interesting.

We dined at Etch, coinciding with a guest chef evening featuring Tom Hamblet, the current Master Chef The Professionals winner. The food was a wonderful blend of innovation and elegance with each dish meticulously crafted using fresh local ingredients. Chef Hamblet’s dishes were a highlight adding to an already exquisite menu. The wine pairing was exceptional and enhanced the complete experience. Steven and his team provided impeccable service, great knowledge of the food and wine while balance utter professionalism with warmth and personality. This restaurant rightly deserves it place as one of the best in the UK.

I've been here twice over the past year and honestly my last experience was disappointing. I was a bit disappointed that a lot of the items on the menu were the same again. For something so expensive and experiential I was expecting to have something different this time. I also thought the ambience was off. Our table had a crack in it, the sofa had a split in the cushion, there was dust on the decorations, and our bill was presented in a cracked old leather wallet. For a place that is so expensive and has such high end food I would expect these finishing touches to be up to scratch. It feels like this place is due a little refresh and I think next time I want to go for a special meal I'd probably go to one of Brighton's other fine dining experiences.

We went for 7 course tasting menu and was not disappointed. Absolutely delicious with an excellent range of different flavours to try

What a fantastic evening of excellent food and service.It's been at the top of our 'food list' to visit for a while and it more than lived up to our expectations! The personal touches added to the experience, from being greeted by Chef Edwards, to the explanation of dishes from various chefs and serving staff.Highly recommend a visit and we will definitely be back for one of the next seasonal offerings.Thank you for making it a very special evening.

A real education but as a former food critic I am inclined to notice everything !!! Disappointing wines, not one I'd wish to return to, bar the dessert wine & of course the sparkling Nyetimber. Fennel as a stand alone vegetable would not be my first choice ?!?

Such a treat. We were very well looked after and food was a real experience. My son has never had food like it before and now wants to be a chef.

Excellent food with great service

It's always a special evening at Etch. The food is consistently delicious and beautiful, so the eye prepares the stomach for a delight. The service is excellent without being intrusive. We will be back to sample further creations. Thank you

Wonderful evening celebrating our anniversary. The food was amazing!

Amazing meal, we had the 5 course lunch menu and it was to die for - absolutely would recommend

Fantastic lunch. We had the 5 course tasting menu and a few extras! The food was exceptional, service too, we thoroughly enjoyed every bite. Will be returning. 5 Stars.

Always a special place to visit Exemplary service and fantastic menu Fantastic wine selection 3 hours for lunch

Stunning. I was very well taken care of by Isabella today. Food was amazing. Lovely clean flavours. Beautiful restaurant and lovely staff. This place is magic!

Well worth the wait, we had the full weekend menu and it was great. Quite pricey but not surprising given the quality of food, service, and number of dishes included.

We dined at Etch last night while in Brighton to celebrate my birthday. The whole evening can only be described as outstanding!!!! We were contacted in the run up to confirm the booking and any dietary issues. We were welcomed warmly and guided downstairs for a pre meal cocktail in the bar. Once at our Table the staff were on point immediately, with friendly attentive service throughout the night. The attention to detail with each staff member bringing out different dishes and explaining them, along with the wine being topped up just as required was superb. But the food…. Oh the food… just sublime.. the flavours, intense yet delicate, everything was balanced to perfection and Steven’s passion and skill are plain to see on the plates. This is the second time we have dined with him (but at different venues) and this is without doubt THE BEST food we have ever had. Thank you to the whole team for a wonderful birthday evening . We will be back soon for sure.

***Edited following response*** Booked in for taster lunch with around a month in advance. Advised as directed to mention both diners had a dairy allergy. Received a call 4 days before the reservation asking if we ok with them putting a little dairy in anyway as thats what they usually do. They said other wise they cannot serve anyone with a diary allergy which they then say they confirm on their website and so we should have noticed this. There is no mention on their menus that they cannot serve people with a dairy allergy, although it is mentioned on the booking pages. I would expect however, something more prominent or a faster response when booking. Utterly shocking service in this day and age that people with allergies are treated like this. I would not expect this treatment in a fast food chain never mind a fine dining experience such as this.

I brought my chef husband nick (baldchefnick) to etch to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary… the team were all awesome, we loved our table, thank you so much for the unexpected Nyetimber at the beginning. The food & cocktails were awesome! 🤩 I particularly adore the marmite rolls with seaweed butter & rye dippy eggs. I would say nicks favourite was the scallop & shrimp & the lamb. Absolutely brilliant. I think nick will have the best time working with you 😁

A very lovely experience from the cocktail bar to the 5 course taster menu. Superb flavours

Perfick!!!! Had the 7 course taster menu with wine flight, amazing.

So we wanted a last minute date night and called etch who accommodated us at 8pm. We opted for the 5 course menu over the phone and paid deposit. On arrival we was warmly greeted by front of house and the head chef peering out of the open kitchen. We was seated opposite the open kitchen and this added to the atmosphere. It was fascinating watching the experts work their magic. Service was impeccable, every staff member knew the ingredients of each course. We added on the scallop at a costly £18 but probably the best scallop we will ever taste! Stand out courses were the soup, dippy egg and Stevens trademark marmite bun. We will be back and this will be on our food reviews on insta

Food is amazing well deserved 3 rosettes Totally booking again

I, a person living nowhere near Brighton and Hove, just received 17 spam phonecalls from this company. I don't even need to visit to know a company is trashy when I see it.

Great food excellent wine pairing couldn’t fault the service all the team were great

Dinned as a private hire for our Christmas Party in December. The food was incredible and you get a lot more than expected. The plates and small but several per each course so it certainly fills you up! The service was fantastic from helping us organise our night to the delivery of food, I loves how engaging they all were and the detail the waiters give at each serving as to what is in the dish, it makes it even more appetising. Incredible Food, Excellent Staff, Fab Night - will definitely be returning! Thank you Etch.

Amazing food, service and atmosphere. 5⭐

Fantastic food. On a personal note I found the decor a bit depressing.

The most gorgeous restaurant, food and service i have ever had. 10/10 throughout and they even hand wrote a card to congratulate me on my new job. I think this place is hard (if not impossible) to top! Thanks for the best lunch ever.

Dinner. A former Masterchef Professionals Winner. This has been on our list for ages, and we finally got the chance on our recent stay in Brighton. We've had some tasting menus in our time, but this has got to be affordable fine dining, £50 for five courses. There is a seven course for £75, which we chose and options to add extras. On arrival, we were shown downstairs to their cocktail bar named INK, after it used to be a tattoo studio. You are best to pre-book this. It's a very dark, moody space,well it is totally black with low lighting and a chill vibe. A couple of cocktails ordered,one being their house MI DISPIACE, NEGRONI Tom Cat Blueberry Gin | House Bitter Liqueur | La Fee Absinthe | Grapefruit | Orange Bitters |Greek Yoghurt £14. Then it's off upstairs to the restaurant with its open kitchen, taking the centre of attraction in the clean modern dining room. Once seated, we were served a complimentary glass of Nytimber,which was totally unexpected and much appreciated. Dinner started with a couple of snacks and their bread and butter. All the dishes that follow are quite simply devine. The fish course of Halibut was one of the best we've experienced in a long time. And then there's the Dippy egg.Wow! We had to have the extra dish of Scallop £18. Not forgetting the Beef & Celeriac,so sweet and tender. The finale of two beautiful and tasty desserts. We just loved everything about this outstanding restaurant. The staff and service were impeccable. So much so this has got to be our restaurant of the month. How does it not have a Michelin Star? or at the least a Bib Gourmand. Get booked in,you will love it.

We tried the £50 winter menu recently and it is fantastic value! The quality, the attention to detail and every dish was consistently delicious. I had the pescatarian menu (Turbot and stone bass) the menu also includes snacks, the amazing marmite bread with seaweed butter and the dippy egg The service was lovely and the food is stunning. Nearly time for the spring menu. Can't wait.

ate with friends recently and it was a great experience all round. As we were a party of 6 we got a private room in the basement which was good as we could chat without shouting (as you have to do in some places) Friendly and informative staff great food great service

5 years since we first went there and it didn’t disappoint. The restaurant has expanded and the decor changed but still very comfortable, modern, great ambience, great service and staff and the food was exceptional. If you can, go. With Steven Edwards bringing each dish to the table and explaining what you’re about to eat. etch. currently holds a Michelin Plate | 5 Good Food Guide | 3 AA Rosettes.

This restaurant takes food to a whole new level. Not only was it aesthetically pleasing and described in detail by both the staff and chef but the subtle flavours left you wanting more. Highly recommend for a special occasion.

Unquestionably the best tasting menu in Hove.

Our first time at Etch and it was amazing. Exceptional food and the service from the time of booking to leaving was superb. Really great team - we will be back for sure for their spring menu! Thank you team etch.

Fantastic birthday lunch! Sam, Scott & Isabella were amazing. We had a beautiful tasting menu with seamless service.

Really lovely food in an elegant space with charming staff- you couldn't ask for more!

Superb food and excellent service as always. Lovely to chat to Steven, who was there all evening working front of house. Highly recommend a visit.

What a treat! We had a delightful evening at Etch and can’t recommend it highly enough. Amazing food and a special atmosphere..made all the better by being able to see the chefs creating away in the immaculate kitchen. A stand out experience!

Consistently good food, friendly service. One of the best restaurants in Brighton

We visited for the September set menu. The service was good but a little flat. The food was fine but nothing memorable. Everything needed a touch more seasoning and when we asked for salt we were told they don't normally provide it. We shared the additional cheese course which was delicious however the final course was a fig tart and fig leaf Ice cream that none of us wanted to finish, despite its small size. The wine recommendations were great and reasononably priced. We've eaten similarly priced taster menus, in Brighton and elsewhere, that were far better and felt more special and therefore wouldn't return.

We had the £25 OctoberBest menu, it was simply outstanding. Incredible flavours and amazing customer service. The cocktails were also out of this world. Couldn't recommend it more! Definitely going to return to experience the full menu soon.

I have plenty of favourites, but this one is special, and a cut above anything else the city has to offer. It is, without doubt, the best restaurant in Brighton! It always feels like such a special treat to be cooked for, and looked after, by this talented bunch. I’ve been coming here since it first opened, and just love it. It seems to get better every time. Steven and the team do such an amazing job of making you feel so welcome. It’s a perfect balance of sophisticated, yet relaxed. The food is simply another level. So much flavour in every bite and all presented in such an elegant way. The service is always fantastic. A very welcoming team, who always go above and beyond to make your night special. We are very lucky to have this talented chef in our city, and the restaurant deserves all the accolades and praise it receives. Thank you again for another amazing night. See you again soon.

Everything was perfect! The food was delicious and had unique flavors! We love every minute of the experience! We want to thank everyone!

It’s been 5 or so years since I’ve dined at Etch so the return visit was well overdue. Pleased to report that the visit was absolutely divine from start to finish. Welcome and the service were warm and lovely - pro tip, start with a drink in the cocktail bar before moving to your seat. The food was absolutely gorgeous - flavour exploding from every bite. We went for the five course which was great value for money. In terms of favorite dishes, it was very difficult to choose. The opening snacks were divine - mushroom truffle bite was a WOW flavour bomb. Similar for the tomato soup - the elevating of humble ingredients were super impressive. Great wine list too - we went for a lovely orange wine which complemented the meal nicely. Highly recommend and I will not be going 5 more years before visiting again!!

Really wholesome evening. Top food and wine pairing was good too. Knowledgable staff, and very attentive. Nice touch having Steven Edwards coming round to talk through the courses. Will visit again!

What can I say but WOW! Booked as a solo diner and requested specific seating which was taken into account. A call before my booked dinner reservation, asked me about any dietary requirements or allergies which were confirmed upon arrival - not lost in a chain of office to restaurant email communication. Was warmly greeted and the staff made me feel so at ease. Opted for the tasting menu as didn't want a heavy main course, and this was just perfect. The service was impeccable - each of the course contents thoroughly explained upon arrival. Would go as far as saying that this was the best dining experience I've ever had. Thank you to the team at Etch.

Great ambience and food and service to match. We had the 5 course menu and every course was well explained, served in good time and of exceptional quality to rival its London equivalents. Will be back for sure.

What a treat, had the most delicious and beautiful meal here! It is expensive but such a memorable menu, felt extremely lucky to eat here. It’s amazing!

Great lunch in December, always interesting to have a tasting menu, which challenges you to eat dishes you might avoid and inevitably they are a success. Outstanding cauliflower soup, and amuse bouches. Only criticism was very loud music and a generally noisy restaurant.

A really special place. Have lived nearby in Hove for a few years and until this week had not ventured into etch. Great experience. Wonderful food. Special touches really appreciated with the birthday card left on the table and Steven popping out of the kitchen to welcome us into his “home” and serving at the tables. Hope to be back. Thank you to the whole etch team

Great experience, unfortunately my wife was not feeling too well and this meant we left early so couldn’t finish the final courses (nothing to do with the food). The staff were exceptionally understanding. We can’t wait to rebook and complete the evening. The staff venue and food (we had) were all. outstanding I cannot recommend enough

Wonderful environment and incredible food

This is a must for foodies- the atmosphere, the service, the wine list and the taster menu are sublime. I took my best friend for his birthday lunch and everything was perfect and delivered to the highest standard. Will definetly return! Couldn't fault anything. Every course was a delight to eat. Thank you for an exquisit afternoon!

A really special place. Have lived nearby in Hove for a few years and until this week had not ventured into etch. Great experience. Wonderful food. Special touches really appreciated with the birthday card left on the table and Steven popping out of the kitchen to welcome us into his “home” and serving at the tables. Hope to be back. Thank you to the whole etch team

Such a wonderful experience. Beautiful food. Casual environment but special at the same time. Can't recommend highly enough. Treat yourself! You won't regret it.

Amazing food, service and quality from Steven and his team. Many thanks....we are booked back in already!

Absolutely incredible. Best food I’ve ever eaten. 10/10 for food and amazing service. The team there are amazing. Definitely coming back.

Food was delicious, price very reasonable. Great cocktails too and atmosphere was top notch. Highly recommend!

A really special place. Have lived nearby in Hove for a few years and until this week had not ventured into etch. Great experience. Wonderful food. Special touches really appreciated with the birthday card left on the table and Steven popping out of the kitchen to welcome us into his “home” and serving at the tables. Hope to be back. Thank you to the whole etch team

Great lunch in December, always interesting to have a tasting menu, which challenges you to eat dishes you might avoid and inevitably they are a success. Outstanding cauliflower soup, and amuse bouches. Only criticism was very loud music and a generally noisy restaurant.

What’s not to like . from the moment we entered through the pre dinner drinks and of course throughout the superb Anniversary supper the staff and Steven were efficient friendly knowledgeable and made the evening. Loved it

I was nervous before I went as I'd never been or ate in such a high end place . Staff were amazing, I was made to feel so welcome , all the dishes were explained , then the absolutely gorgeous lovely chef brought over dessert & asked us about our experience. Absolutely amazing experience, thankyou . Highly recommend

Incredible tasting menu and cocktails. All courses were outstanding with the added bonus of being served by the chef for a few. A wonderful experience!

Incredible food. Incredible service. It’s a must go.