Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but not for us – that means more food and drink treats from some of our favourite indie bars, cafes and restaurants, including a couple of very exciting new openings. Brighton, you’re spoiling us.
Carambada Cantina
First up, Carambada Cantina is opening on Friday (12pm – 10pm), bringing what they say is “really really good” coffee, tacos, burritos and tequila cocktails to Fiveways. We’re sold. They take bookings, but walk-ins are welcome too.
carambada.co.uk
Outgrown
And if you need another reason to get excited about the weekend – Outgrown – the much-awaited new natural wine, cocktails and beer bar from Vine Bar’s Luke is opening on Elm Grove on Friday at 4pm. Can you hear the Hanover and Lewes Road residents rejoicing?
Kitgum
Kitgum has just reopened in their new Hampton Place home. If you missed the opening weekend, you can get stuck into their inventive plates from Thursday to Saturday each week. The new bigger restaurant allows owners Fayaz and Susie to really focus on the things that make Kitgum, well, Kitgum: delicious food inspired by Gujarati, Persian and East African flavours, carefully selected tunes and a warm, communal atmosphere that’s designed to feel more kitchen party than restaurant.
Book here
Tamarind
In other newness, the latest delicious addition to Preston Street – Tamarind, the Thai restaurant from Seb and Fon of the excellent Chilli – is now open for its first full week.
Wild Flor
The Hove neighbourhood eatery has got a fantastic midweek offering on for summer – £25 for person for a spread of seasonal small plates, with a free spritzer thrown in if you eat at lunchtime. We had a delicious meal there recently, including a perfect spring vegetable and ricotta croustillant with pea puree. Summer on a plate. The deal’s on for July and August, Tues to Sat for lunch and Tues to Thurs for dinner.
Lunch Deli
And Lunch Deli, the new food biz from Bonsai Plant Kitchen is now open at The Open Market with Asian-inspired subs, summer rolls, corn ribs and Vietnamese iced coffee. (Open Tues – Sat; 12pm – 5pm)
Tiramisu George x Pommy’s Pizza
It’s the last week to try Tiramisu-tasting pro George’s (aka @tiramisugeorge) last tiramisu special from his Pommy’s Pizza collab. The last flavour is George’s (and our) favourite – Vin Santo and Cantucci.
Hooked x Laura’s Table
Over in Kemptown, Laura’s Table is back at Hooked on Friday with a menu featuring things we’d love to eat right now – plates of grilled peaches burrata and prosciutto with pistachios, and wild mushrooms with aguachile. Perfect summer feasting. DM them to book in.
The Greenhouse
And in Hove, Church Road’s The Greenhouse is having a bit of a spritz party on its terrace on Friday from 5.30pm. That means free tasters as they launch their Sarti Spritz (more tropical, less bitter than an Aperol fyi) menu, £1 oysters from Food by Howie and a DJ spinning vinyl.
Furna
Fine-dining restaurant Furna‘s new concept – Table 35 is running again this week. The idea is that you and up to eight of your pals can book to tuck into 10 seasonal sharing plates for £35 per person every Wednesday and Thursday. They say the plates get more generous the larger the table, but you can also book for just two of you.]
Curio x Podger’s
Curio is great at sorting Sundays and this weekend is no exception. Podger’s Catering are in the (little green) house for this Sunday’s Sessions and they’re serving up tantalising small plates like leek and manchego croquettes and crispy lamb belly with white beans, courgettes and chermoula. Food, DJ, drinks – what’s not to love?
And don’t forget the brilliant restaurants we’ll be saying goodbye to over the next few months and a reminder to get there while you still can.
Apiary
Get down to Apiary while you can. The buzzy beekeeper-owned bar and cafe announced this week that it’s closing up for good on 29th August after two years of delicious honey-laced food and drink and warm hospitality. And if you missed getting your hands on Marley Dizney‘s first Support Local supper club on 16th July, you can still add yourself to the waiting list in case anyone drops out.
The Gingerman
The Gingerman has also announced a closing date for their much-loved restaurant – Saturday 25th July – so make the most of the last few weeks to enjoy the excellent food in this intimate restaurant. Their Sunday roasts are always well worth a look too.
It’s no secret that hospitality is struggling and the UK”s high VAT rates (at 20 percent, they’re some of the highest in Europe) are part of that problem – you can sign the petition calling for VAT to be slashed here.
