The best restaurants serving French food in Brighton and Hove South East

My wife and I have been fans of Stephen Edward’s food for many years. We have eaten his food previously at Cromwells in Small Dole, Whites in Steyning and the Camelia at South Lodge. I was therefore happy to book a table at Etch to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. I did this via The Fork app and it was clearly stated that we wanted the ‘Michelin tasting menu’ in the restaurant. We paid the deposit and received confirmation. However, late morning on the day of the reservation, I was contacted by a restaurant employee to ‘confirm our booking in the cocktail bar’. I explained that we had booked the restaurant, but was told that they didn’t have that information and had no availability. The lady said that she would be contacting all diners to confirm their tables and would call me back if anybody cancelled, however I received a deposit refund as soon as I put the phone down and a message from ‘The Fork’ saying the restaurant couldn’t accommodate us! I’m sure the food is as great as ever, but it is the dismissive attitude of the staff over their mistake that leaves a bad taste in the mouth

I’ve only been for coffee and croissant but I’ve been more than once and whether you like records or not it is one of those places where everyone will join in a conversation. The focus is music as they sell Vinyl but the chef is French and the cost for food and drink very reasonable. The cafe/restaurant is in a parade of shops in a residential area so you can park outside although it is on a bus route. Some Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch times it becomes a pop up restaurant where you can BYO. Not for the romantic meal for two as this is a small venue with tables quite close together but I’ve been told by a friend who went there for dinner that everyone talks to everyone else and it has a good vibe. I image booking is required in the evenings but for breakfast; lunch or just a coffee and a browse just pop in and see.

We just had the most amazing dinner here - it was so good, I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu! We shared the crab won tong to start, then my friend had the chicken supreme for main, which was succulent and was served with a lovely potato fondant. I had the lamb rump, served medium rare, on a bed of babaganoush, and with a side of an enormous platter of tagine, unctuous with stewed lamb, which I shared with my friend. We didn't really have room for dessert, but with food this good, we didn't want to miss out, and my friend's crumble + ice-cream and my lemon meringue tart didn't disappoint. All washed down with a carafe of the house red, a full-bodied Merlot. Wow! Just wow!! Get there quick before everyone else finds it!

Lovely spot for a brunch, coffee or lunch. Great food and such attentive service 😊. Will definitely be back! Thank you ☺️

Yo y mi amigo fuimos allí para el domingo asado y lo pasamos muy bien. El asado estaba lleno de sabor y estaba delicioso y delicioso. yorkshire era enorme y la carne era muy suave y había cargas en el plato.

Excellent in all respects...good food,varied menu,first class service,lovely atmosphere,great training ground for the students.

Hmmmmm pretty average to be fair, had the Bouillabaisse and it felt like the sauce was pre made with seafood sat on top

We had coffee and croissants in house. Coffee good. Croissants offered cold or warmed. Croissants perfect 🥰

A brilliant spot for when you want to make an event of dinner. The service was spot on, our server let us try different wines to help us decide and they also gave a really sensible suggestion on how much to order - I sometimes find small plates venues can insist on you ordering too much (as that costs more) and this was not the case here. The food was excellent - the bread and vinegar and oil and the hispi cabbage were real stand outs.

Just brilliant vegetarian food, great service, great price, can’t say enough good things

Food and service good but restaurant still freezing cold as per previous reviews. Shame because we would have stayed but had to move on to get warm. Pictured, Avo on Toast with extra bacon, Chilli Pineapple Margarita

Nice atmosphere and decor. Quite busy as it was a poker evening. Very good food and interesting menu. I wanted to try the Raclette but it wasn't available unfortunately. Will definitely go back soon 😊

Delicious food and friendly service

Always great service. Incredibly friendly staff!