The Good Companions in Brighton and Hove

Arrived with friends to eat Sunday roast. They don’t take bookings and were told it would be a 45min wait for food. I’m celiac and they told me I could have my roast gluten free so we paid in advance and sat down with beers to wait. After a few minutes we were approached and told the kitchen wouldn’t serve us and we all had to leave with refunds. All in all it felt a bit chaotic, there was a misunderstanding, the waitress was apologetic but all in all a bit of a mess.

Great atmosphere and excellent food. Perfect for veg options too.

Great food and atmosphere! Highly recommended.

Great food and service. Excellent function room upstairs.

Have been here for a couple of private parties. Good sized private function room upstairs, friendly landlord, excellent food options.

Banging food, good atmosphere. Busy and staff could deal with it well 🥳

Just had an exceptional roast dinner here. Two adults and two children, we had pork belly and roast lamb. All meals were really really good. Worth the price, friendly staff and a great atmosphere for a late Sunday afternoon.

So the tomato soup and cheese toasty was amazing I got another cheese toasty really nice . Filling and the best cheese toasty you can get around seven daily and great price on the special s you got to try thanks cheff and bar team great work 👍

If I could leave 0 stars I would. Experienced a hate crime on Saturday night and it was dealt with horrifically. Not safe for queer people!

My friend experienced a hate crime at this venue which was dealt with terribly. Do better!

Great roast dinner A bit on the pricey side but delicious! Can't fault it

Went to Brighton for the day and had a roast dinner here, had the beef which was really nice and also tried a piece of lamb which fell apart and not fatty. Great selection of veg and a giant yorkshire. Great meal.

Quiet in the afternoon. Lovely array of drinks. Absolutely delicious Sunday roast...

Great vibes and staff. Food is pretty good. What's up with the house wine being terrible though? It's like £26 for a bottle of wine that tastes like it cost them £2.10 to buy? Also the beer selection is shite.

Lovely friendly pub with patio heaters and a covered beer patio.

I really love this pub. The last few times I've been here the staff have been miserable and it's killed it for me. Especially the shorter girl who recently dyed her hair from blonde to brunette. I really genuinely don't enjoy ordering from her. I know bar work can be challenging but if I'm going to be £8.20 for a club Tropica please don't make it harder by looking at me with complete contempt through the entire pour man...

I’ve been here a couple of times now and have really enjoyed their meals. The burger selection particularly stands out. They also have a good choice of beers, spirits and soft drinks. Great place for a social event or just a meal.

Cool pub with a unique interior and beer garden. The menu has a big selection and interesting BBQ dishes but they tasted really mediocre and under flavoured. The service was unfriendly and a bit rude - the staff made me uncomfortable to be there.

Always a great atmosphere and a good companions. The Sunday roast here is particularly good. And they have a great selection of beer on tap

Nice place for a Friday evening pint. A bit pricey but plenty of beer on offer

Don't know what attracted me to this pub with so many others on offer, but I'm delighted that we chose it! From the menu it would appear that Mac dishes and Burgers are their forte, so that was what my wife and I went for. My wife had the Mac with crumb top, and I chose the American burger. Just to make things interesting I ordered an extra side of fries and a green side salad as well. We enjoyed pale ale as we waited for service which wasn't over-long considering how busy they were. We've eaten.in many good pubs and restaurants in Brighton so competition is tough but this was exceptional! My wife's Mac was great, helped down.by one of the most simple but freshest green salads we've had. If I could achieve this standard on a regular basis at home Id be delighted. The fries were dry, crisp and plentiful. My burger was a welcome mix of flavours that I thoroughly enjoyed Solved the problem.of where we"ll eat tomorrow evening. Good Companios? GREAT Comanions! Cannot recommend this pub highly enough

Great pub! Fantastic outdoor area come rain or shine given the retractable canopy. On balance, prices are probably what you would expect for 7 Dials, just a shame they ran out of 8 y/o Barcardi and charged me the same for the 4 y/o. I suppose it was just good they had it, in fact the drinks selection is really wide.

Standard food and beer. Way overpriced.

Bar staff were on it even though it was rammed. Would fully advise going and will be back next time we’re in town.

Me and my partner have been regulars at this pub for years and have always loved the food here. We went last night and were very disappointed. We had the cauliflower wings which are usually our favourite - instead of the normal large portion we were served 5 and instead of red hot sauce it’s been replaced with a horrible sweet sauce that ruined our experience - we also had the vegan burger and we’re not very impressed as usually this is one of our favourite food spots pls change it back to the way it was 💔

So disappointed as it’s a local pub that has always been good .. now its roasts are tasteless , boring not offensive but leaving you flat and depressed ..every table next to us started a discussion on how they have gone from tasty to rubbish … avoid till they either change the chef or figure out how to deal with large amount of people. Deeply deeply disappointing ..for drinking great for garden great for staff great for toast total pants

Lovely set-up in a nice location. We had the upstairs booked for a birthday and really enjoyed it. Fair price for drinks and very polite members of staff!

It's a nice pub in a convenient location, but it does seem fairly expensive (e.g. £9.20 for 2 bog-standard low-ABV drinks).

Great sunday roast, and they were shwoing the footy

Awful full of coke heads bouncer isles just on the door with his mates all night not checking the garden where fights and arguments are constant had to leave as very uncomfortable

I actually experienced a homophobic incident in this pub, which I'm really surprised by given that we were in Brighton. I witnessed mid level homophobic abuse in the toilets. Apart from this, the pub seems nice, but this made the atmosphere feel extremely unsafe, and I'd like to know if the pub has any policies on dealing with incidents like this - I couldn't see any signage related to how to handle this.

Lovely lively pub with a great beer garden.

Lovely pub for a drink and staff very friendly but food not great. The Roast Chicken was a slightly dry breast, no brown meat, no skin and the potatoes were a bit hard. Gravy and carrots were tasty. Maybe offer brown meat?

Brilliant service from a kiddie in here. A vast array of lovely drinks, and a fantastic beer garden with a big moveable roofy-thing if it lashes it down. Good stuff.

Great Pub huge garden front n back coverd if rain a must visit good selection food loved it all

My only issue was being mislead about the wait time for food. We were going to a wedding, so I specifically asked how long the food would take before confirming the order. I was told 20 minutes, which would have given us plenty of time to have a leisurely meal. After paying and waiting 40 minutes I went and asked how long the food would be, I was then told it was an hour from the time I placed the order and apparently I should have been told this. The food ended up arriving at the table after one hour twenty minutes!!! It's not as if the place was even busy. The quality of the food was relatively good though.

I regularly visit Good Companions as their food is so good. Nice friendly vibe, family friendly.

It's really improved lately, and now has a nice atmosphere. The food is okay if a bit pricey, but where isn't?

Generally good. A friend suggested meeting here for a Sunday lunch and service was good and the food well prepared and a generous portion. Only quibbles were the lad at the bar asking 'What's a nut roast?'. There is a vegetarian option (Wellington) and a vegan one (Nutroast) however all roasts come with the same accompaniment, including a probably non vegan cheese croquette and I am not sure what was in the gravy, so check if vegan. Said nut roast did seem like it might have sat in the fridge/ freezer until required and I'd say the vege made the meal not the small nutroast, but as I said a good sized meal, well presented and I left pretty full.

Definitely have to go back to do the pub quiz, good production value!

Popped into The Good Companions for lunch and have had lovely lunches before in here. We ordered a BLT and a 6 chicken wings at the bar along with a ginger beer for my friend and an apple juice for myself. We picked a table in the garden and were told our food would be coming. We sat down and sipped our drinks. There was a large crowd of people in, perhaps 12-15 at a nearby table. We waited 15-20 minutes and our food (pretty quick to rustle up you would think) still had not appeared. I enquired at the bar and was assured it wouldn't be long. About another 30 minutes passed by which time , our drinks were getting warm, the whole intention of drinking them with our meal wasn't much to hope for.We decided we had waited too long and besides our lunch hour was nearly over. We decided we would leave and pick up something from the co-op opposite so asked for a refund. We were told they would only refund us for the food not the drinks. We argued we had only had a few sips and wanted a full refund. We were told that " It's up to you how long it takes to drink your drinks" . We replied we wanted our drinks with our food. The woman at the bar said "I am sorry, but we had a big rush on." I said "Not my problem " .Long story short only refunded on food. However my complaint is that seeing we had waited so long, ended up walking away without food , out of a gesture of good will and good customer service the whole amount should have been refunded. No excuses, and we really were not treated like we were good customers. Will not be going there for lunch again which is a shame as we like this pub and the ambience and food in general. Just let down by poor customer service and the bar woman's attitude.

Lovely little pub good beer and great food.

Lovely garden and always buzzy local pub. Food is good as is the service with a nice pub quiz.

Very good food, good size portions for a good price. Customer service polite and efficient. I have been visiting this place on regular basis and I would recommend it to anyone.

Great as aways friendly staff.. Nachos first time I tried guaooo so good with a lot of cheese and sauces this time no much of everything. Great patio.

Staff not very interested in their customers 🙄

Absolutely despicable service! I had heard good things about them but what an absolute disapointment. I was charged twice for a roast, which was already over-priced at £27.30 for a roast and a drink. £13 for a kids roast which is extortionate. When I called to request the money back I was told if I didnt' come back in then I would not be refunded. The manager told me I was difficult and hung up the phone on me. I called back and she refused to give me her name and hung up the phone again. The general manager got in touch and said I had been abusive, which was not true at all, and still did not apologise for double charging me and said if I didn't come in they wouldn't refund me. I still have not been refunded. Worst service I have ever experienced.

Absolutely despicable service! I had heard good things about them but what an absolute disapointment. I was charged twice for a roast, which was already over-priced at £27.30 for a roast and a drink. £13 for a kids roast which is extortionate. When I called to request the money back I was told if I didnt' come back in then I would not be refunded. The manager told me I was difficult and hung up the phone on me. I called back and she refused to give me her name and hung up the phone again. The general manager got in touch and said I had been abusive, which was not true at all, and still did not apologise for double charging me and said if I didn't come in they wouldn't refund me. I still have not been refunded. Worst service I have ever experienced.

Great atmosphere in the bar, which also offers outside space with heated booths, has a busy student trade but don’t let that put you off ! excellent food available, the Southern fried chicken burger is 100% fresh cooked chicken breast , only criticism is the fries have a very spicy pepper on them which should be optional as not to everyone’s taste.

I cant express how good the food is here! I had pig brisket mac and my partner a chicken basket and it was very very tasty! Epic portions too. My pals ordered nachos and it was a huge plate! Would reccomend this place on food alone. It was also great for us sober people as they had non alcoholic beer on tap which not many do, but I cant stress enough how nice it is not to drink a tiny can of non alcoholic beer while everyone else gets pints of drink for the same cost. Smoking garden is also really nice.

It's nice enough and much improved from how it was years ago but is lacking in character. It has a vibe of a station pub I.e. a bit soulless.

Guess we drank In here too by the looks of it , must be good. I have no memory of being thrown out and definitely came home well hydrated 😁

Bouncer is aggressive and intimidating to young women, seemed worryingly close to becoming violent. He even started making things up, either completely blinded by anger or had taken something. Would not recommend, did not feel safe.

Great boozer. Lots of space, and a great atmosphere. Music is usually on point too! Prices are quite high, but they do offer a local discount

Lovely pub, great outside area with heaters.

I tried the frickle pickles, it was very good

Great spacious pub with quick service. Fave beer is the Tropicana IPA and love the garden in winter or summer.

Great pub, the food was incredible, one of best nut roasts I've ever had and delicious as was the milled cider

Long wait for food but expected around this time of year. Great roast pork belly. Highly recommend if you fancy a casual, cosy sunday roast. Booking table is recommended.

NOT good for kids. Got complained at a Lot.

Excellent heated outside seating

Used to be good, these days it’s about rinsing you for all the ££££. 👎👎👎👎

Everything is perfect apart from the staff don't know how to smile and a smile goes a long way

Excellent value pub food & very tasty, some delightful IPAs & a young front of house team. Loved the decor as well. Will definitely return.

Would give 6 stars all around if possible

Fantastic Sunday roast, outside in their quirky garden with great heaters.

Didn't order food. Beer and service were great

Decent food, very nice smoking area in the garden at the rear, with decent heaters when it's cold. Friendly young barmaid. Good selection of lagers. Dog friendly. Worth stopping in for a pint and a bite to eat if you're in the area.

Great pub and garden. Fabulous Roasts

Excellent Sunday roast, highly recommended.

Fab roast and really sweet bar staff

Lovely pub but needs air con in the function room

Such a beautiful and big pub garden as well as plenty of seating out the front.

Amazing food, good atmosphere. Staff are quick and efficient.

Lovely pub with an awesome beer garden. Service, food (good veggie options) all top class. Awesome setting. You honestly forget about the world outside. A gem of a pub.

One of the best pubs I’ve been to in ages. Went for a friends bday, they had a big part of the pub, but the food was great, staff lovely, great service and drinks, huge outside area. Wish I lived locally so I could Come again!

Sunday lunch is absolutely fantastic. Ate here whilst visiting Brighton, would highly recommend.

We celebrated our parents 65th wedding anniversary upstairs on Sat 19th Aug. The staff were fantastic, facilities lovely, especially the beer gardens front and rear, food was delicious and drinks were plentiful, never a long wait even when it was fairly busy. Thank you for a making our celebrations perfect.

Very busy yet staff friendly and patient sorting out our food order with kindness and good humour. Food very tasty the cauliflower nibbles and chicken burger really tasty. Belgian beer not bad either !

Great staff especially sonny, lovely pints and a good outdoor area.

Our go too local when visiting from Scotland

Love this pub, but regularly ignored by the staff so they can chat to each other instead

We ordered burgers thinking you can’t go wrong but sadly the meat tasted like it was in the turn. When we told the staff they said the kitchen is separate to them and they had nothing to do with it. We ate the burgers as it was post work hunger, but after a few mouthfuls we both had awful taste in our mouths and stopped eating. The ladies toilet looks like someone pooed all over it. I mean how much does it cost to replace a toilet seat. Would not eat their again.

What a fantastic pub! Great service, and a fantastic garden. We had a room booked upstairs for a friend's birthday which was awesome but I'll be back to hang out in the garden and chat to randoms!

Great food ,nice place, pleasant staff

Great pub. Used to drink here many moons 🌙 ago. Food great beer great prices fair. Staff great.... Went there today for a pint of larger was gobsmacked at the price 3 pints 9.70 each .won't be back to the pub again .gave my daughter 30 pounds to get a round came back with 65 pence in change

Nice pub garden with tons of space. Great beers on tap and friendly staff.

Amazing big seating area, baby friendly and big group friendly. Fried chicken blt foccacia is like the best thing i’ve ever eaten. 10 STARS

Love the outside area. The food was very good value

Used to be our go to spot for roasts but after 2 consecutive weeks of calling up to book, and being told there was no need, we have arrived and not been served. Will not bother in future.

Nice place with nice outside areas. Went at opening time for a bite to eat. Looked like an interesting range of ales, but unfortunately I wasn't in a position where I could try any. Next time...

Unfortunately they now have a new American style smokehouse kitchen with an unvaried menu, all very fried food or nachos. The one salad we ordered was allegedly a Caesar salad, a little gem lettuce cut in half with a few croutons and a poor imitation of Caesar dressing. The new menu is very disappointing after many years of very reliable food service, which catered so well for some many different diets, not sure where they’re catering for now but won’t be going back to eat until they improve the menu.

booked the upstairs room for a private party. nice space and staff were all great.

Lovely outdoor seating at front and back… great for summer, heated for evening and winter! Very welcoming staff and very quick on service. We didn’t eat but we will defo go back to - the roast looked amazing!

Lots of vegan beer choices including 4 casks in this smart pub with an insanely good / well designed external beer garden

Good selection of beers and ales. And an impressive garden. Sadly, the kitchen was closed but expected on a bank holiday after 6pm.

Good pub with decent choice of craft beers in Hove. Regular here when visiting can get busy and on sunny days gardens very popular.

Summer beer garden front and back. What more do you need

Saturday afternoon in the spring sunshine with a pint and really good food. Highly recommend the American burger. Wife and daughter shared nachos and quesadilla. Worth a visit

GC is a common favourite for me.. great service, brilliant seating.