The Better Half in Brighton and Hove

Nice little pub, when we went, they weren't serving food

Best pub I’ve been to in a while - excellent food (battered halloumi and chips), really friendly and traditional pub vibes - also super welcoming of dogs!

We came here for the roast dinner and ordered the pork belly and nut roast. The pork belly was amazing however, the nut roast was slightly overcooked and solid on the inside. The staff were super helpful and took care of half the bill for the nut roast and then stopped serving it to the rest of the customers as they didn’t want to serve a sub par item. Great food, even better service.

Visited for an evening meal while here on business, and found this gem 💎. Amazing food, staff were excellent, atmosphere was exactly what i needed too. I hope I can visit here again on my next trip!

Best roast in Hove, difficult to get a table - would recommend booking. Thank you Simon, chef and team for a great gastronomic experience, service and atmosphere.

Lovely pub with really nice staff - we will be back

Excellent food, good variety of choice. Service was first class

Hello, As a Hovian, it's disappointing to have to post a poor review! Well, we arrived to meet friends around 8ish and having not catched up for a while we fell into funny anecdotes ordered wine, beer and some chips all served by a friendly welcoming person behind the bar. The friendly laughing and joking between us continued for a couple hours until .......when the pub was basically not busy at all....a guy in a t-shirt told us off for laughing too loudly. He explained his chef had complained ...not any actual customers🤔. Now we enter the realms of finding ourselves in a scene from the Old Vic with Peggy dressed in a T-shirt confronting our query about the fact no-one had complained (accept steven siegal in the Kitchen). You've had too much to drink ... he tells one rather confused member of our five some (2 boys 3 girls)...40 plus in case your wondering....she has had too much to drink and Get out my Pub. Have to admit as quick as a Flash...her companion suggested 'Peggy' should calm down; he didn't instead he now said get out or I'm calling the Police. I'm sorry but we couldn't help but laugh at this; officer arrest these customers they are laughing too loud and my chef doesn't like it ... plus they called me Peggy!. PC Jones, I'll have to take statements first but was the dog involved too....was it barking or can I let him go. Peggy: I don't think the dog was involved but by association I think he too should be charged. Right you are Peggy, I mean sir!. Right you lot ... your all coming down the station with me! We tried to reason with Peggy but he simply doesn't seem to understand customer service and the fact he raised the drunk and disorderly flag after he was asked who complained. So Peggy, in a right old strop now...strutted and stuttered up and down in front of what was basically only one other group of customers....an extended family...who appeared totally bewildered by the scene unfolding. We decided not to contest his authority further ....instead politely said we would leave and finished with a separate last attempt to explain perhaps his aggression towards our female friend was over the top and very upsetting. Did this last ditch attempt .....to perhaps give feed back and guidance to help poor Peggy see the value in good customer service and not throwing out paying customers......nope; instead hand on hips Peggy reiterated his managerial status....he lives above apparently (parents must be thankful)...that he's the boss and he can choose to throw out whomever he likes, whenever he likes; cos it's his pub....sort of! I know what your thinking ....when will the Fabulous Five be back there; I'll keep you posted.

Hello, As a Hovian, it's disappointing to have to post a poor review! Well, we arrived to meet friends around 8ish and having not catched up for a while we fell into funny anecdotes ordered wine, beer and some chips all served by a friendly welcoming person behind the bar. The friendly laughing and joking between us continued for a couple hours until .......when the pub was basically not busy at all....a guy in a t-shirt told us off for laughing too loudly. He explained his chef had complained ...not any actual customers🤔. Now we enter the realms of finding ourselves in a scene from the Old Vic with Peggy dressed in a T-shirt confronting our query about the fact no-one had complained (accept steven siegal in the Kitchen). You've had too much to drink ... he tells one rather confused member of our five some (2 boys 3 girls)...40 plus in case your wondering....she has had too much to drink and Get out my Pub. Have to admit as quick as a Flash...her companion suggested 'Peggy' should calm down; he didn't instead he now said get out or I'm calling the Police. I'm sorry but we couldn't help but laugh at this; officer arrest these customers they are laughing too loud and my chef doesn't like it ... plus they called me Peggy!. PC Jones, I'll have to take statements first but was the dog involved too....was it barking or can I let him go. Peggy: I don't think the dog was involved but by association I think he too should be charged. Right you are Peggy, I mean sir!. Right you lot ... your all coming down the station with me! We tried to reason with Peggy but he simply doesn't seem to understand customer service and the fact he raised the drunk and disorderly flag after he was asked who complained. So Peggy, in a right old strop now...strutted and stuttered up and down in front of what was basically only one other group of customers....an extended family...who appeared totally bewildered by the scene unfolding. We decided not to contest his authority further ....instead politely said we would leave and finished with a separate last attempt to explain perhaps his aggression towards our female friend was over the top and very upsetting. Did this last ditch attempt .....to perhaps give feed back and guidance to help poor Peggy see the value in good customer service and not throwing out paying customers......nope; instead hand on hips Peggy reiterated his managerial status....he lives above apparently (parents must be thankful)...that he's the boss and he can choose to throw out whomever he likes, whenever he likes; cos it's his pub....sort of! I know what your thinking ....when will the Fabulous Five be back there; I'll keep you posted. ...... Thank you Simon for sharing your truth! It's wonderful to have owners of pubs like yourself pay attention to reviews and offer up such responses. Just for balanced reporting ....you were not a there. I can categorically confirm there was no aggression from myself, the other four or the Dog. So I need to call you out... because...like I said...you..were not there. I have made no comment on any other aspect ...in fact I complimented the female staff member who first served us and bought her drink too. I commend you for defending your business and your staff. But don't step too far from the truth and offer up tales of aggression and a like. That did not happen. So to be clear to anyone who reads this; the Better Half is a good pub, the foods ok and generally you will find it mostly welcoming. I recommend you visit....if only to have a drink and view the now infamous case of Laughter Crime. PS. Simon for some reason I thought you might invite us back....or offer up a refund for the last round we were forced to abandon. A voucher would be ok too ...the chips were excellent...please let the Chef know 😎

The Better Half pub is a true gem in Hove. Their food is simply fantastic, with a menu that offers a delightful variety of dishes, all prepared to perfection. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty meal or something a bit lighter, you'll find something to satisfy your taste buds. What sets the Better Half apart is their incredible value for money. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable, making it a great spot for both casual dining and special occasions. The friendly staff at the Better Half make every visit a pleasure. They are always welcoming, attentive, and ready to go the extra mile to ensure you have a wonderful experience. Their warm hospitality adds to the overall charm of the pub. In summary, the Better Half pub offers fantastic food, great value for money, and a friendly atmosphere that makes it a must-visit in Hove.

We’ve recently started visiting The Better Half more frequently, and I can’t help but wonder—where has this place been all my life? It easily stands out as one of the best pubs in the area. The food is consistently excellent, with the Pie of the Week being an absolute must-try every time. Their selection of lagers on tap is top-notch, offering quality and variety that keeps us coming back. The service is always warm and welcoming, and the value for money is unbeatable. Whether you’re after a great meal, a perfectly poured pint, or just a relaxed atmosphere, The Better Half delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended!

Beware the overly ambitious staff desperate to serve you at your table with drinks orders for an added 10% service charge. A new trick many public houses recently adopt to make up for their loss during Covid/Ukraine/brexit/Gaza….pints are already expensive enough as it is in the uk. Shame as always been a lovely pub but the eagerness to have you sat down and ‘add it to the tab’ is way too obvious!

Having recently moved to Brighton, we are on a mission to try as many local Sunday roasts as possible in 2025. The Better Half Pub was a great find with an excellent choice for vegetarians. Service was top class and food was excellent. We booked to go back the following Sunday with an extended invitation to friends. Couldn't recommend highly enough

We went here on 20th Dec for a small works "do", and were all so pleased with the amazing food, the attentive and friendly staff, and the chilled ambience, a perfect wee treat to round off the working year. Thanks to everyone there. Highly recommended.

Really enjoyed this place, the lamb is really delicious 😋

Great local, had a disco night on when I visited. Really cool interior.

Its not often I write a bad review. We took our family to Better Half pub for its quirky decor, good selection of beer and hoping for festive atmosphere. We are disappointed by unwelcoming service by member of staff which wasn’t absolutely unreasonable (we were first customers there so maybe a bit too early as anticipated ). Will think twice to visit again. It’s a shame.

15 of us for late Sunday roast for a big family birthday. Between us I think we had all the roast options both meat and veggie, all were lovely. A good selection of beers. Staff were helpful and attentive even though the pub was busy late afternoon on a Sunday, easy to pay split bills. Would definitely go again to try the main meal menu.

Booked for the festive menu for the 2 of us so already pre-ordered which made it easier. Turned up early but thankfully our table was ready for us. Asked if okay to start bringing the food out which was fine. Soup was spot on, nice and hot. Mushroom pate was really good with a nice kick to it as well. Wife had the chestnut and cranberry wellington with a great selection of veg. I had the vegan bourguignon, was asked if I was vegan as the mash had butter in so given the option of having crushed new potatoes. Choc mousse to finish. All in all great vegan options, all cooked well and good portion size. Service was great. Will certainly come back based on this visit.

Catered for our group of 11 so well. All of the food was v tasty and the service v friendly - thanks guys

Great atmosphere, service and food! Highly recommend!

Not as good as it was last time. Our food did not come out together. Then decided to add 10% which I spotted after I left. gluten free fish and chips in the menu turned out not to be. Now removed from my places to recommend

Only went in for a drink but was very happy in there. Nice mood and service was good.

Had eaten here before but outside in the courtyard. This time we were booked for the Sunday roast. Wow superb quality and presentation. Which was only exceeded by the taste of each piece of food. Would I recommend this. In a heart beat. Another great reason to visit my son and DIL in Hove.

My favourite pub at the moment, friendly, welcoming and staff are great! Good Guinness also!

Friendly, comfortable and good lace to relax with friends. Appears to have live music from time to time......this was a friday lunchtime and afternoon

We went to The better half to celebrate the successful completion of the probationary period my girlfriend has been in, you can't ever be to careful with a new prospective partner. It had been her suggestion to go there and this in itself was a big tick. The food was spectacular and the portions hefty. The vodka was decent and the measures sufficient. My girlfriend settled upon a merlot or two and managed to contain herself as she likes a drink, although she prefers the term 'functioning', however she did insist the barman took a photo of us on this impressive occasion. Fortunately he was a student of photography and did a wonderful job. It's a beautiful pub and the staff are attentive and kind. I will certainly be returning and seeing as she has successfully passed probation I guess I won't be alone. Thank you people Of The Better Half

Lovely bar tender, working alone, very polite and attentive

Went for a Sunday roast with two friends and it couldn’t have been better. Fantastic roast, great wine and such friendly staff. Really good with gluten free as well which can be rare with a pub roast, I could even have a Yorkshire pudding. Will definitely be back.

Really great experience. Lovely original vegan food - usually hard to find - yummy vegan roast and well cooked seasonal vegetables. We were served promptly by several different people and they were all helpful, friendly and well-informed. Food arrived in good time. I'd avoid the tables with benches either side if you're on the larger side, they're quite a squeeze to get in and out from but we were re-seated with ease. Lovely atmosphere and quirky surroundings. Really has its own personality.

Absolutely great food: lamb burger, Korean ribs & mushroom pasta. Beer was ☆ too. I'm looking forward to coming back again.

Great beer, great service and great jazz

Visited 23rd August 24, had a huge fish n chips × 2, with 2 sparkling waters £41, realistically priced, doggie friendly and live music, Was very impressed, staff friendly, our canine was supplied with water, very nice atmosphere. Deffo lives up to the glowing reviews. As the saying goes " I (we) WILL BE BACK" 💯

Delicious food, great find hidden amongst the houses. Staff were friendly and had a lovely atmosphere

Tasty food. Live music 3 times a week. The food quantity is really good.

After roasting in the sun all day, me and Mr G found this place just off the seafront. Not only was the selection of local beers top notch, the food was also banging 😁 the fish is huge, it's supposed to be cod but it's the size of a bloody whale... I'll definitely be going back in for round two...

We had a lovely late lunch here yesterday. Make sure to arrive hungry and try the blackpudding Scotch egg - it's big and beautiful. Fish and chips were very good too. The staff are very friendly and clearly motivated. When was the last time you were invited to criticise a meal? Lovely cask ales and wonderful background music at just the right volume. We could easily hold a conversation. All in all, a great pub with a traditional atmosphere. Well done.

3 friends popped into the Better Half pub in Hove. Quite hidden away, but certainly worth finding. Great choice of non alcoholic beers plus alcoholic ones too. Didn't eat but saw some lovely meals coming out of the kitchen including a huge burger. Staff were very helpful and polite. Nice and clean and quirky. Paintings on ceiling. Will pop in again next time in Hove.

We love the Better Half for its service and atmosphere. Being on the backstreets of Hove it’s a hidden gem.

Lovely cosy pub! We called to book a table last minute and they were so sweet to find one for us. Food is top quality such is service.

delicious food in a cosy, friendly setting. Staff are lovely too.

Fantastic roast at this great pub. We all had the pork which was lovely. Crackling, cauliflower cheese, veg and Yorkshire pudding were amazing too. The staff were helpful and attentive despite the pub being full. I would highly recommend and look forward to visiting again soon.

Friendly staff, excellent food, dog friendly. One of our favourites! I’m an American and my burger with blue cheese and bacon was delicious.

My food was excellent but my wife's nut roast was too sweet, too many cranberries.

Very welcoming - nothing too much trouble.nice bright quirky and clean interior with a little patio out the back. Dog friendly which is alway nice.Background music was cool - and it looked like they were setting up some live music for later (we were there for Friday lunch) Our party had sausage and mash, the burger, portobello mushroom salad and the pie of the week- all were excellent. Great choice of drinks and the Sussex Best very well kept. Will come again.- thanks for a lovely time !

Sunday Lunch and we had pudding (which we forgot to photo as it was too yummy to wait) Great atmosphere, everything hot and tasty. Will definitely call again. Oh and very dog friendly 👍🏼

Amazing roasts, lovely atmosphere

Had a lovely eve there last night. Great food staff really helpful as we had a wheelchair user they were ready with a ramp. Thank you. A dog friendly pub as well, Bert loved meeting everyone. Would recomend a visit

Lovely dinner & evening at The Better Half tonight. Staff were very helpful with my elderly & disabled mother & uncle. Food was lovely & service excellent. Great atmosphere, & best of all, lots of gorgeous dogs 🐕 for me to ruffle & for our young furry fella to sniff...

The place was busy but not crowded. Great atmosphere and the staff were excellent. The food was amazing. Highly recommend

Nice vibe. Just come here for a couple of drinks. Staff were excellent.

Hands down the best Sunday roast we have ever had in a pub. Everything was perfect even down to the flavour of the gravy. Portion size was spot on. 100% recommend this pub for service and Sunday roast. We will return thank you x

Quaint pub, very quiet. Bar service was good We didn't eat.

Enjoyed a lovely Saturday afternoon lunch and would definitely advise booking. Fish & chips really good, flavoursome and not at all greasy; gluten free chicken burger was yum & the menu gives us gluten challenged diners good tasty options which is refreshing. Staff are also really lovely & the pub is very dog friendly too.

We absolutely love The Better Half for a drink, it’s local to us, they have a great drinks selection - I had one of the nicest wines I’ve ever had in a pub here! - plus the interiors are well decorated, and quirky. We’d always wanted to eat dinner here in the past, so we decided to try it one evening. I’m very sad to say unfortunately, we were really disappointed. I went for the chicken burger and my partner had the beef burger. My chicken burger was very dry, and I could tell it had originally been frozen, which is disappointing. The burger sauce was homemade and delicious, as were the onion rings. Those were my favourite parts of the meal. To be fair, my partners beef burger did taste good, and had a nice flavour, but also slightly on the dry side too. We will happily return for a drink as we always do, but we won’t be dining again.

Came here for Sunday roast, unfortunately we were a little disappointed as the potatoes weren’t v crispy and the cauliflower cheese arrived late and was cold. Would go back for drinks

Probably best Sunday roast I've had so far! Highly recommend

Lovely place with lots of atmosphere. Good food and friendly service. Dogs welcome.

Lovely local pub, the ambience is perfect for those looking to eat or just have a drink. Food was spot on, and the chefs special of clam and mussel pappardelle was delicious. The team are always very welcoming. Definitely would recommend!

It's a great place to be. I loved the food and the wide range of beer. People we're very friendly. I will come again.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Better Half in Hove on Saturday night. Traveling from Melton Mowbray to spend time with my daughter and her boyfriend, we enjoyed a delightful evening of food, drink, and conversation at this upmarket pub. The Harvey's Bitter was a truly wonderful pint, and the fish of the day, a Bream, was simply beautiful. I even took a moment to extend my compliments to the kitchen for their perfect preparation. With extremely reasonable prices for the high-quality offerings, I look forward to revisiting this fine establishment when I'm back in the area, hopefully in a few months' time. Apologies for the photo which I appreciate is as relevant as a penguin in the desert.

Now my favourite pub in Brighton and Hove. Really lovely staff, food was gorgeous (mushroom pate with focaccia, nachos, charcuterie board, milk chicken burgers) and they didn't mind the kids!

The best roast I've had out in ages! The cauliflower cheese was to die for. Staff were lovely and informed us of the wait on food as a big table had just arrived. Gave us some nuts to keep us going, the wait wasn't that bad anyway. Will definitely go again. Thanks guys. Dog friendly with loads of lovely pups there ❤️

The service and the atmosphere were great, however I was slightly disappointed with the Sunday Roast. I’d heard so many good things but unfortunately didn’t have a good experience. The potatoes were so crisp they were hard to eat, and there was a lot of fat on the roast beef - pretty much more than half of the meat I was unable to eat. I didn’t have a good experience. Would go back for drinks but not for food unfortunately.

We went there for sunday roast - vegan/vegetarian options as well as the meat options were really good. Can definitely recommend if you are visiting Brighton.

Roast was 4 stars. Staff service was very good and music wasn’t played too loud. 100/100 minimum characters completed.

Out first visit. A cosy little pub with a nice atmosphere. Well be back.

An amazing pub / restaurant, great selection of drinks, very good table service. We had ox cheek cottage pie and ribs - both were absolutely amazing, some of the best ever! Well worth a visit

Wow, a lovely little pub with BIG personality! Cozy areas, fun decor, great drinks, everything about this place wants me to live here! A great range of drinks, including non alcoholic cocktails! Roast dinner is a winner! Doggies welcome too! Go and enjoy well done staff, u make a huge contribution to the business, happy, friendly, informative, excellent evening thankyou. Philippa

It was our first visit yesterday and was on a busy Saturday night. We were able to book on the day, and we called, but there is also a booking system online. The staff were very pleasant, friendly and looked after us really well. Our table for six people and one dog was next to another with about twenty people, so it was incredibly noisy and very lively, but everyone was jovial and smiley. The staff realised it was far too noisy for us and helped move us to another table, which was much appreciated by all of us. The food was excellent, we tried a couple of the starters to pick between us all - if you like pork belly, you must try the pork belly bites - we had a couple of the pork bites and some delicious olives. Everyone enjoyed their main courses. There's a good selection of gins and tonics, which we all had as well as beer/ larger on tap and a good selection of soft drinks. Our Labrador came and was very welcome by the staff. There were another two or three dogs in the pub. Parking is all street parking, zone N in Hove, and paid for between 9-8 daily. Just use the main PayByPhone app. We booked our table for 8pm and I found a free spot just a road away. Overall, it was a great little pub with very decent food and excellent team. It's close to where our daughter lives so we will be visiting again soon. Recommended.

Excellent meal and very reasonably priced.

We had the Sunday roast. Between the four of us we had chicken, lamb and beef. They were up there in my top 3 roasts and we'll be back.

Truly excellent Sunday roast. Lovely and cosy on a cold wet December afternoon and we all loved the food - tasty well cooked and lots of different veg.

Excellent pub, with good food 👌

Great atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing food and lovely decor. We come here all the time, especially to enjoy vinyl Friday.

Potatoes very poor really disappointed the whole meal was average .I usually go to hove place ,like to try somewhere else but not here next time I heard new club is good

Super traditional public house. Great real ales, Timothy Taylor, Harveys and Longman. Definitely worth a visit

Really enjoyed this place, hid from the rain and had a late lunch. Only sadness is that the fish and chips comes with normal peas and not mushy peas :(

One of my fave pubs! Great atmosphere, lovely staff and incredible roasts.

we had a fantastic lunch today and the team and the food were fantastic and by far the best roast I’ve had in Brighton. I lived in Brighton for a few years and never managed to get a booking and so glad we were squeeze us in today.

Without doubt, a cracking crackling roast. Highly recommended if you're in Hove on a Sunday.

we had a fantastic lunch today and the team and the food were fantastic and by far the best roast I’ve had in Brighton. I lived in Brighton for a few years and never managed to get a booking and so glad we were squeeze us in today.

Great pub with good traditional food, staff are very friendly and helpful, gets busy so best to book a table if you want food.

I had my leaving drinks from work here on a Friday evening and can't help but praise the pub! From everything from making the booking to the actual evening, they ensured things went smoothly. I wouldn't hesitate in coming back for a drink or booking a private event here again - they're just the best!

Great Sunday Roasts. We really enjoyed all the food and the staff were nice too!

First time at this pub despite living locally. Tried the Sunday roast (beef and chicken leg) and both were outstanding. Especially liked the large variety of veg on the plate. Will return!

Not great today ….. We came in August and were impressed by the best roast dinner out! We came today, after booking some weeks ago as a family, to celebrate a birthday, and felt very let down. Three dishes off the menu and only one left of another veggie option. Not a good choice of what to eat and then the food quality really didn’t match our last visit. If only they had let us know of restricted menu choice beforehand, or took a pre- order, or offered some other options instead (?) The pub still has a nice atmosphere though, it’s clean with quirky decor, and the service was efficient and thoughtful. To their credit the manager apologised and compensated us. That’s much appreciated … but still the special lunch together was a disappointment. Not sure if we would return… we’ll see. …..

Friendly staff, great beer selection and excellent food.

Great selection of beers and really good food.(pulled pork baguette and vegan risotto). Very quiet on our Thursday lunch but would like to be here on a buzzing Friday afternoon with the jazz.

Nice atmosphere and friendly staff

Nice for a quick lunch. Not somewhere I'd rush back to unless it was my local.

I love this boozer, friendly staff, lots of books and crannie to get comfortable in, great selection of booze and the food is delicious, one of hives best kept secrets… go on have a vist

Lovely little pub with a big great atmosphere.

Friendly service. Had a terrific steak and my partner had a very good fish and chips.

Delicious catch of the day and extremely polite staff.

Fantastic pub. Great decor, very attentive friendly staff & lovely food. Easy to find parking on the streets. Highly recommend

Pop in for a drink after dining in the area, super stylish pub and very helpful staff. The staff even made a cocktail off the menu for my mother which was much appreciated. I will be back for food.

Great friendly pub with top quality jazz on Friday afternoons

Noisyish friendly slightly older trendy liberal crowd, good range of beers, comfortable smart cozy, good sociable pub.

Drinks Were Very Expensive Large Gin and Tonic & Pint of Lager Just shy of £20.