Franco's Osteria Deli in Brighton and Hove

Had the tasting menu and it was very good ,lots of flavour and a great home made feel - Its rustic but cosy and the rather quirky ,owner's customer service almost adds to the experience

Great tasting menu, they have a number of dishes and u get everything. I think we had 7 courses. Clean, well cooked and great ingredients. Staff seemed a little disengaged/ weary. Mistake made with our drink at the end of the night.

How nice to find an authentic Italian restaurant, where you rely on the cooking and they choose the (excellent) food to serve their customers. It's just great. Drinks too. Highly recommended.

Popped in after seeing their A board of the deli focaccia sandwiches they do. They are so good and service was lovely. Really good value for money

Wonderful authentic Italian deli. Been twice. Had amazing home made ravioli first time and huge focaccia sandwich next. Delicious. Wonderful Italian owners. Great espresso…

Lovely Italian with unique dishes and fair prices. The service was good and the atmosphere was great.

Franco's is an excellent restaurant; great food, good wine, great service, good atmosphere. I always enjoy eating and drinking here.

One of the best meals I have ever had, absolutely fantastic,perfectly cooked food matched with a lovely wine, can't wait to go back. Service was excellent, very friendly and efficient.

A unique dining experience - mixed unspecified antipasti ordered and followed by a choice of 2 or 3 verbally described pasta dishes. I think there may be a third meat/fish course available, but there was no printed menu or proper explanation from staff. The dishes comes to the table in quick succession, again without explanation, served by the harrassed-looking owner (I'm guessing). Everything was fresh and delicious, with flavours ranging from butternut squash in orange citrus sauce, to pumpkin ravioli in sage butter, and delicate pasta shells with rich Ragu sauce, all washed down with a perfectly decent house white, in a tiny intimate dining space. Overall fantastic food, but I would've enjoyed the experience more if I'd had a clearer idea of what to expect. They could do with a calm, knowledgeable person to wait on the tables really, but even so, I'd definitely go again.

We found this place by accident and were so pleased with it! The staff are friendly, helpful and welcoming, the food is freshly cooked, tasty and original. The chef has a light touch with the food so the little plates (tapas) weren’t too solid or filling, the fish cakes - flaked fish with chopped courgette - were delicious. Would definitely recommend it for anyone in the Hove area.

Word has got round about Franco's on Hove seafront near the old King Alfred's Leisure Centre, so it's essential to book of an evening or you'll be turned away - it doesn't take many to fill the place,.which has a buzzy, funky, down-home vibe without the need for the usual overbearing pop music to attempt "atmosphere". Franco himself is in the thick of things and is dead serious about what he does - and some have found his attitude arrogant and dictatorial. That's possibly because he's proud of his standards, and the format is what it is - and he has little patience with those who don't "get it". It's an Osteria, not a restaurant... The format, then, is quite rigid: you have antipasti, pasta and mains (with a specials board) More than two people have to take a sharing menu - two sizes, two prices. The bigger option at £28.50 brings you all the antipasti on the board, a couple of pasta dishes and a main of either fish or meat, a delicious array of dishes arriving one after the other, whatever it is they're preparing that night.. In a sense, you put yourself in their hands - you'll probably have to ask if you want to know what the meat or the fish are, but unless you eat like a horse you won't go hungry. And the flavours! The produce is clearly of the highest quality and everything has a depth of flavour that is quite stunning, on top of which lovely notes of lemon, mint and herbs dance across the palate. On this recent occasion, with four of us opting for the meat, an odd note was struck by a plate containing four pieces of steak, four pieces of sausage, yet three lamb chops - so someone went short. The steak was rump, which if you don't mind chewy meat, was flavoursome, but I find it too much like hard work. .Another criticism would be that a bottle of Puglian red wine (a Primitivo - also known as Zinfandel elsewhere) was of distinctly average quality, and at £33, overpriced, when for example, there is an excellent Primitivio di Manduria at Waitrose, with balance, structure, complexity and length for about £11.They could buy something like this in and sell it on at £33 a bottle, for a better food pairing.and a handsome mark-up. Having said this, it was great evening, in what felt like an authentic atmosphere, the busy kitchen in plain view producing a cornucopia of wonderfully vibrant dishes of an altogether different standard than the usual high street Italian restaurants.

We found this place by accident and were so pleased with it! The staff are friendly, helpful and welcoming, the food is freshly cooked, tasty and original. The chef has a light touch with the food so the little plates (tapas) weren’t too solid or filling, the fish cakes - flaked fish with chopped courgette - were delicious. Would definitely recommend it for anyone in the Hove area.

Great food and friendly service- a wonderful birthday dinner!

I’m so delighted this authentic (and I mean authentic) Italian restaurant made it through covid. Franco’s food is fresh, really the tastes from Bari, and, well my mum and aunt who are from Bari, love it. And let me tell you that is a very rare thing. It’s also a delicatessen with divine food.

Very nice and cosy place, good home made pasta but very pricey for this type of food!

Fantastic food. Simple but delicious.

Not best Italian food but best food in Brighton! Also beautiful and cozy place that really travels you! Highly recommend

Very authentic Italian restaurant with high quality food. Price is great as well! Highly recommended.

Excellent coffee and breakfast, nice vibe good service and top quality food

Best meal I’ve had in a long time!! We were visiting from London this weekend and absolutely loved our dinner here. Unpretentious outstanding small plates and pasta, great house wine and the best tiramisu I’ve ever had, apparently made by a 73 year old local. Great service, especially grateful for our waiter who ran after us after I left my hat. Much appreciated!

Nothing particularly bad about Famous Sichuan but if you're a vegetarian you'll be disappointed by the tofu- it's been kept frozen for too long and the effect is lifeless, odd-tasting bits of sofa filling, not the spongey succulent stuff that chinese food can be so good at. Eating in seems much better than take away for portion size and quality. I've heard Sichuan Garden next door is good so we'll be trying there next!

We had booked an Igloo during lockdown and this was the first time we could re-book. They were so flexible with booking. Friendly welcome. Excellent service. Igloo is very good idea even in the sun as so private. Also dog friendly. Drink menu outstanding and excellent choice. Food choice was average as doing too much on one menu. But in a positive note it suited a family on a Sunday. Would return just for the best Bloody Mary and excellent drink service.

Nice atmos. Near seafront. Amazing baked breakfast and lovely coffee. Will be back. Liam

Excellent brunch, kind of English-italian fusion with baked eggs, grilled veggies and delicious tomato sauce, served with fresh focaccia. Amazing value - food and coffee for just £8. Main menu also excellent and extremely authentic - I lived in Italy for eight years and this place feels like home ;)

One of the best places in Hove.

Fantastic. If you want genuine great food, this is the place. Small menu, fantastic food

The food was amazing! The dishes kept on coming and it was just pure heaven for each ones! The owner is super nice! Best Italian restaurant in the UK! Will definitely get back and tell my friends to go there too! I would recommend it over and over! You must try it! Thank you guys!

Me and 3 friends visited Franco's osteria yesterday...Being Italian i tend not choose Italians restaurant as most of the time i end up having disappointing meals....Yesterday I had probably the best pasta dishes outside Italy, tasty and cooked to perfection..Well done to Franco and his team..we will definitely come back soon

A thoroughly lovely evening at Franco’s last night. He has changed the Osteria concept to a classic menu and you order small plates. Everything we ate was delicious, fresh and interesting accompanied by the house red which was also delicious. The ravioli with sage and butter and the nduja baby gem were exceptional. Easily the best Italian food around.

Original Italian restaurant, everything fresh, different concept.. excepcional service.. I love it!! I will back 100%

The food is THE best, if you like Italian food and you are anywhere in the neighbourhood of Franco's then don't hesitate!

Stunning food, great for vegetarians. I loved that you don’t know what you’re going to be served as it’s a set menu. The Italian white wine was so delicious and paired so well with every dish. I absolutely loved the candles in the wine bottles, it’s authentic, rustic & romantic. Perfect for a date night! I have been to Italy, and ordered tiramisu plenty of times I can easily say that Franco’s have the best tiramisu. Highly recommend.

10 years, and unknown. Franco's osteria in Hove is unashamed at being properly an Osteria not an Italian Restaurant. The food is presented with a single minded determination that sticks to the menu of the week. No choice , no soft soggy pasta nor pizza. This is as it should be. Cooked as if you are in the casa with Nona. Franco and his team prepare an experience that is not found anywhere else in Brighton. Representing Italian food not an imitation often found in most others. Go and enjoy true northern Italian food that is cooked as you wait. Expect a no apologies presentation of meats and cheese, bone risotto, cod without tomatoes, and many other dishes. In my opinion if you go accept what is served and do not ask for versions that meet your palate, experience the food as it is intended to be. Brilliant. Loved it

Osteria, defined as an Italian eating place, serving wine and simple foods .. and what lovely meals the 4 of us had. So lovely food, followed by gelato ice creams and Illy coffees. 6 stars? All day long. 👍

We had a lovely dinner here - superb Italian food. My favourite was the antipasti or maybe the osso bucco. My wife loved the ravioli. I would say come hungry because it was a lot of delicious food!

Truly traditional Italian deli super friendly staff and excellent coffee highly recommended.

When I booked and I was told no menu, they serve what's part of the deli that day, I was worried I had made a bad decision, especially that my husband wanted to carb load ready for Brighton marathon 🤦‍♀️ Complete opposite, what a diamond find, an absolute must try., fantastic food and service, we will return. I've seen a few negative posts, they are not in context and unfair. If you are looking gor a fab Italian, this is the place for you 😀

A lovely experience. Having checked for allergies you get whatever the chef feels is good. Total for two was 50 quid and worth every penny.

A++++ Great little restaurant. Exactly like when you go in a countryside restaurant in Italy " the food keep on coming" it's delicious. You don't have to pick on the menu, whatever the chef makes, you eat. But don’t worry they have so many dishes, they're some for everyone. Enjoy it. (No disable toilet) XXG Gilles Guichard

Really authentic Italian food, I would say the best in Brighton and Hove. No menu, the food just kept coming, starting with anti pasta. I couldn't count how many dishes they brought out. Baked stuff fennel really unusual and really good... only 5 tables so booking a must

The food was amazing. Best Italian meal I have had in years!! If you are wanting a massive bowl of mediocre pasta go to a chain, if you want loads of delicious dishes come here!! Also tiramisu and pistachio gelato were fabulous!!

Fantastic meal last night… A taste of Italy … couldn’t recommend enough!

Lovely atmosphere, delicious food, really friendly staff and superb wine. We even left with a parcel of homemade focattia bread to take home! I will definitely return

One of my favourite places for lunch! Really great value for money with delicious and authentic food as well as very friendly staff :)

Food was good but overpriced. Never experienced such a rude manager openly verbally abusing his young staff in front of customers with foul expletives. To his credit which saved him from a more damaging review here he did email this morning expressing genuine remorse. He said he has lessons to learn. I hope he does.

Shame the owner/chief swore at the very friendly young waiter. There was a mix up on orders on another table but to hear f__k this and that as the owner bareted his staff was a evidently wrong. I cannot think of such an example of poor behaviour in any eating environment in front of house. Food was OK. But the insistence of not sharing the ingredients of every dish to enable clients to taste wore rather thin. Lasagne was stodgy. The soup rather baby foodish.

This is an Italian osteria, so you don't get obsequious service, but you do get some of the best and most genuine Italian food in the Brighton and Hove area, cooked freshly from authentic ingredients.

If one expects a friendly welcome forget it. The owner doesn't care about being friendly or good manners. Waitress was caring and kind and professional. All the courses were good. We were four and for what you see in the pictures plus a 1\2 carafe of red we spent 25 each.

When you pay £94 for the meal you also expect the service to be reflected as such, which sadly and obviously, it is not. No warm welcome was given as the first pre-booked customers through the door. An exasperated explanation of their menu set-up which wasn't obvious. Plates slammed onto the table. And when approaching the end of the '2 hour' dining slot, you are given an aggressive assertion to leave promptly. And finally a goodbye or any sense of that you're custom was appreciated, is manifested as a bark in the face, a cold shoulder and a squirt of antibacterial spray onto the still warm table. Started happy enough. The food is nice, but there is no excuse for this kind of service, for these kinds of prices. Try treating your customers with some respect - you're in the hospitality business. Left feeling stressed enough to immediately write this review. Will not be recommending or coming back.

Food was decent - a bit too salty if I'm honest. Certainly not amazing enough to justify such abysmal service. The owner was visibly grumpy and made us feel like we weren't welcome right from the start. We had a 2 hour slot which probably isn't enough time for that many courses as it was extremely rushed and we didn't have any time to digest between courses. As we were enjoying our last glass of wine from the bottle we were sternly warned that we will have to leave in a few minutes and were made to feel extremely uncomfortable (in spite of there being 3 empty tables). We had to quickly down our wine and leave - not at all the relaxing and pleasant evening we were hoping for. Left feeling stressed, annoyed and now we now have indigestion from eating and drinking too quickly. It was expensive for what it was - we spent a lot of money for all the available courses. I have eaten in much better Italian restaurants than this. I have never experienced service like this and have never had to down a glass of wine in front of a waitor. It had the haughtiness you may expect of fine dining (although in my experience fine dining service is usually extremely friendly) with none of the class, quality or professionalism. If you want a pleasant evening with good people and some, dare I say, hospitality do not come here.

A Wonderful variety of food! Wonderful staff!

Great......as long as you are NOT a vegetarian. Lovely little deli that does a restricted set menu in the evenings. We chose the antipasta and 2 pasta dishes. I was asked if I had any dietary requirements? I declared my vegetarianism (not vegan). I was further asked if I ate fish, I said no. All good so far. The waitress was lovely and really attentive. The drinks were large and boozy, just how I like them. Then the food came out. 3 large dishes of antipasta only one of which I could eat as the other 2 were meat based. Then the pasta, 2 dishes of home made pasta, only one of which I could eat, a delicious walnut gnochi with sage and butter sauce. The vegetarian substitutions was......."eat round the meat". On entry it should been explained that there strictly wasnt any substitutions and you get what you are given or allowed me to pay for the dishes I could eat (a la carte). I got less than a third then everyone else in my party for a set price. In this day and age, as Brighton is the vegetarian capital of the UK, this really isnt acceptable. No matter how lovely the food is. 2 stars for the 2 dishes I could eat. This place so easily could be a 5 star if there were some element of choice, but maybe that is the point. Vegetarians beware you will leave disappointed as everyone else's food looks amazing.

Amazing place. Food is original and fabulous.

Food was amazing and plenty of it. Such great value. Highly recommend

A little hidden gem in Hove. With a rustic décor, wooden tables, and quiet Italian music in the background, it makes the perfect spot for a chilled dinner out. They offer a fixed 'osteria' style menu that comes with a wide variety of antipasti, two small portions of pasta, and meat or fish as main. The quality of the food is exceptional, very fresh and tasty 💚 We will definitely go back.

I asked for the larger glasses to go with our wine. I was told by the owner that since they were crystal and cost £10.00, I would not be given them. I honestly thought he was joking. He was not. I then told him that I was 54 and fully capable of drinking from lovely wine glass without breaking them, he asked me if I wanted to have a good time tonight, insinuating that if I didn’t shut up that I would be asked to leave. The food was perfectly decent however the owner of this restaurant has absolutely no idea on how to treat his customers.The only reason that I did not stand up and leave is because I was with friends who frequent this restaurant often and that we were very hungry and just wanted to eat. Don’t go here. The owner is rude and does not value his customers.

Some of the best antipasti and pasta I've had outside of Italy - or even in Italy for that matter. Sensational.

An amazing find - thank you Franco for a memorable evening!

One of the best meals we've ever had - will definitely be back!

If there's a queue at a fish and chip shop it usually means it's good, and it was. Lovely cod and chips, piping hot and freshly coooked.

Franco’s Osteria Deli hands down does one of the BEST pizzas I have ever had in Brighton. Forget a popular ice cream shop around the corner and grab yourself a perfect pizza. Crispy base makes for a the best bite every time. Currently a 2-4-1 deal, it makes the best first date meal or perhaps a late seaside lunch. 10/10 can’t wait to come back and try the rest of the menu!

Have had several takeaway meals. They are EXCELLENT value. Really tasty fresh cooked pizzas. Just had Sunday lunch delicious and again very affordable. Well done Franco.

Most delicious italian food in Brighton and Hove.

Ok so the owner has some very odd views on the current pandemic. The only food available when I called was a focaccia which was poorly cooked in that burnt on top and raw dough inside. It was the window display one even more worryingly.

The best and most authentic Italian restaurant in Brighton. In the area you cannot find a place as friendly, as good quality and as rustic as this one, even if you spend more. Normal priced, but the quality is far superior than all the ones with the same prices (I can guarantee after trying all of them) and it is the only one with the nice "osteria" feeling. It has a SIMPLE menu, which means good quality, fresh products! It is very pleasant to stay in, despite it is small and not luxurious, because everything is made of real WOOD, with stone walls. This gives a very good energy, and a rustic and natural feeling. The music is very pleasant and quiet, which is a very good point for a restaurant, as most of them play annoying and quite loud music, it is very rare to find a quiet place where to sit and eat. The kitchen is open so you can actually see how the food that you get is processed, which is another really good point, not common at all in restaurants. I can feel the people working in the kitchen are very dedicated to what they do, this enhances the good energy of the place. They make EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH, no readymade sauces, desserts or doughs, which is another thing I really appreciated, as I never found restaurants the area that make desserts from scratch, it was a big relief for me. The tiramisù was very authentic (I can confirm, as Italian) and very light, I am really impressed that I didn't feel bad at all after eating it. Also loved the terracotta dishes. With love and sincerity, Enrico

Loved this place. Delicious food, great staff. Lovely authentic atmosphere. Excellent value for money, £20 each for about 6 amazing dishes and I was well catered for as a vegan. The owner is very passionate about this restaurant and it shows. Cannot recommend enough.

The food here was absolutely fantastic. We had a great time and everything was very authentic. Great service, interesting food. Thumbs up all round. 25 quid a head for the version including a fish course was great value given the food on offer. Cheers Franco and staff, it was a perfect birthday treat.

Excellent food in a cosy personal atmosphere

Excellent food and service!!! Will be back!

Amazing! Real Italian experience. Great food, caring service and brilliant atmosphere.

Amazing experience! We ordered the osteria sharing menu and were provided with about 5 beautiful starting dishes and two pasta dishes which were incredible. A lovely personalised experience and you can tell the owner is very passionate about what he does. It was like being invited into a homely Italian kitchen and I can’t wait to go back!

Such a nice evening! The food is excellent! A huge number and variety of dishes, each one better than the last! If you want a foodie experience then this is the place to go! Highly recommended!

This is a great little restaurant, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed it, the service was very personal and all the food was as amazing. We all agreed it was the best Italian food we had had since we were in Italy

Me and my Gf come to dine here . As we went to sit down the owner did not know i could see him and put his head down to look up my partners skirt. i asked him what he thought he was doing and we would no longer be eating there . He was very rude and made us feel very uncomfortable That was a disgusting thing to do.

I feel like I'm back on the shore of Lake Como. Please visit this place and have the anti pasta. You won't regret it. Ask for the grilled figs and cheese, mind blowing.

Stumbled across this whilst walking past and was drawn in by the beautiful smell of pizza. Have been going back every week since, easily the best Italian food I've had, can't wait for lockdown to end so I can have a proper sit in meal!

Just had a deliveroo with them. Really nice pizza. Thanks for the quick process.

Exquisite food, friendly service, quaint setting. I'm so glad I got to try all the different antipasti as this traditional Italian is very special

This is the place for fish and seafood. Excellent quality. It’s a very small restaurant so advisable to book.

Perfectly authentic Italian food

Oh me oh my! I recently reviewed CinCin saying I had a new favourite restaurant in Brighton, well that was short-lived, Franco's has grabbed the lead! All the food was delicious - such fresh ingredients. Beautiful pasta served al dente, just right. And I can honestly say we were served the one of best tiramisu I've found anywhere, Italy herself included! We'll be back here for many more dinners I have no doubt. Thank you 🙏

Went there with a small group and the hosts were welcoming and very accommodating to us all. They even let us go off menu to help with our budget! Food was great and came in good time.

A wonderful little welcoming restaurant, the food is delicious! We had a girls dinner with lovely wine and a warm atmosphere. I'd definitely come again!

Veramente buono!!! C'è poco da dire solo da provare.

A little bit of Italy in Hove. Great pasta and lovely people. We particularly liked the veggie Ravioli. Looking forward to returning.

Fantastic food, lovely cosy restaurant, great service.

Had a very great evening, relaxed environment and we were well looked after. The food is freshly made and very authentic with some brave fusions. Reading some reviews in here complaining that is over priced; Perhaps it is as the final bill was a bit higher than expected but you get what you pay in here: excellent Aperitivo drinks (we had so many, amazing Martini drink!), fresh and tasty dishes (that Ragú it is just like mamma makes it!) serviced with courtesy without invading the guests chats (thank you the the girl she was amazing!) very accommodating too as we had a preliminary drink on the outside area... Highly recommended for special small gathering occasions, definetly will be back again!

Fresh and authentic Italian food. The service was great and the atmosphere was super friendly, very impressed by this little local gem.

The food is nice, all the rest is not.

Amazing. One of the most flavoursome meals had. Intimate and friendly. What more could you want?

Fantastic little Italian, warm welcome and great food. Reasonable prices.

Mixed views on this beautifully interment bistro. Had some lovely meals here....... but a couple of not so good .

This place is the real deal. Absolutely loved it. Fantastic. Thank you for a fabulous meal. X

Went for a Birthday meal with friends. Ordered a glass of sparkling wine which was tiny, when querried the waitress told me that this wine was a 125ml serving instead of the normal 175ml, not a great start at £8! My friends ordered the whole fish option (£35) which came with some veg. Then the waitress then returned to update the veg would be an extra charge we weren't thrilled. The fish wasn't much food after disecting the meat as served whole with the head and tail intact. My friend had to then add added potatoes to make a meal making the end cost very steep for the still small amount of food. Our table was right under some shelves that had plates on it, these almost fell on my friends head when the chef repeatedly grabbed for them in that hetic chef way, no applogy for their bad design choice. I could hear him being shirty to his waitresses and had a general arroant vibe about him which spoiled the meal for me with his constant stressy comments right in my ear shot. I personally don't think being a chef gives you the right to treat people horribly! To conclude It was overpriced apart from the pizza and thinks it is better than it is. The food wasn't bad but just didn't have that relaxed vibe. Spend your money in the Ivy instead and have a brilliant experience. I for one won't be returning.

Excellent food! A bit pricey but the portions (outaide the sharing menu) are REALLY big so worth the spend.

Excellent restaurant- food is amazing. Can be busy but just go with it- it's worth it

What an amazing find!! We really loved everything about an impromptu lunch at Franco’s. The food was wholesome, fresh and just fantastic. Great to see lovely Italian service too. Open kitchen, a small menu are all signs that it would be good and it surpassed all expectations. We will be back!!

Have been meaning to go here since we moved in, excellent Italian cooked breakfast/brunch after Parkrun. Delicious and planning to return for dinner soon !

Perfect neighbourhood Italian with outstanding homemade pasta and bread. Well cooked meat dishes, perfect squid, excellent antipasti. Stylish and cosy interior, great value, interesting wine list. Good service and everyone we spoke to happy to answer questions about the menu. Felt just like being in Italy, I loved it. Can't fault it and can't wait to return.

Went here for aperitivi and a quick bite. Cosy atmosphere, friendly staff, good cocktail and good prices. I personally enjoyed the mixed starter, super delicious they were perfect with my Negroni sbagliato.