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Welcome to Donatello — Brighton’s favourite family-run Italian restaurant and the home of celebrations, big and small. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Brighton’s famous Lanes, Donatello has been proudly serving authentic Italian cuisine to locals and visitors alike since 1991. We’re known for our delicious, great-value dishes, award-winning wines, and warm, welcoming service. From intimate family gatherings to lively celebrations with friends and colleagues, we’re honoured to be the place where unforgettable memories are made
400-seat, family-run restaurant and conservatory with several dining areas, bar and outside tables.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1-3 Brighton Pl, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HJ, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1273 775477
Website: http://www.donatello.co.uk/
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Donatello Restaurant – Brighton’s Favourite Family Run Italian …
Situated in the heart of Brighton’s famous Lanes, Donatello is a family … Donatello Italian Restaurant, 1-3 Brighton Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1HJ.
Donatello, Brighton – Facebook
. 88% recommend (4,082 Reviews). . $. . Open now. . 1-3 Brighton Place, Brighton, United Kingdom, BN1 1HJ. Links. . donatello.co.uk. Services. .
Our Menus – Ristorante Donatello
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Reviews
Marye Pem
Such a great Italian restaurant! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and we had a patience friendly waiter which made the experience even better. The food was delicious — full of authentic Italian flavours. A really lovely place that feels both welcoming and special.
… moreSteven Phillips
Great restaurant located in the lanes of Brighton. We were informed that this family run business has been running for over 30 years.
Good and service are excellent. Or son is in a wheelchair and the staff were really helpful making sure we were sorted.
Really good portion sizes.
Highly recommend this place.
… moreGood and service are excellent. Or son is in a wheelchair and the staff were really helpful making sure we were sorted.
Really good portion sizes.
Highly recommend this place.
Lesley “Les” B
I wouldn’t usually share a review but I think this needs to be said.
I booked a table for 2 people, three days in advance for my anniversary. My girlfriend had spoken very highly about Donatello’s food. However, on arrival, (at 6pm) we waited to be seated for 15 minutes. We were taken down stairs and sat on a single 2 seater table between 3 sets of loud large family groups. Usually, I wouldn’t mind but this was my anniversary so I wanted to be able to talk to my girlfriend (surprise). I asked the closest waiter if we could move table in which we were told he would ask a colleague, after he had told the colleague, he then asked us to follow him to a new table.
There wasn’t a new table available so we were asked to wait with our drinks by a bin in the main dining area by the front door. The hostess at the door asked why we were changing table and to which we explained and she looked at my partner and I like we had taken a large brown deposit in her bed. Much disapproval.
The same waiter then showed us to a new table back down stairs in a quieter area. We then waited another 50 minutes until we received any food, which was a starter of Calamari which we shared. This was absolutely the most diabolical calamari we had ever had. See pictures – stringy bits of chewy and cold squid.
We were given dirty knives, which we had to ask to replace. Service was substandard at best, they seemed to forget us as soon as we were put in the new “wine room”.
We saw another couple be seated at our previous table. Not 5 minutes later, they both got up and left.
Our neighbour table in the room spoke to us about having the exact same problems as us.
I don’t ever expect perfect service/food when going out having worked in hospitality before. However, I do expect to be served with kindness, respect and understanding when explaining a problem.
You would think something as simple as asking for water nothing could go wrong. It could be partly my annoyance caused by other events but it really didn’t help that the water decanter was absolutely filthy with water marks over the throat and mouth!
Unfortunately, in much distress I forgot to get the name of our waitress, who after we had moved to the wine room served us throughout, took the cost of the calamari off the bill & treated my partner and I like actual humans, not just money givers.
I would love to try again but unfortunately I have more self respect than that. I really did expect more, hearing how others spoke about it.
Disappointing
… moreI booked a table for 2 people, three days in advance for my anniversary. My girlfriend had spoken very highly about Donatello’s food. However, on arrival, (at 6pm) we waited to be seated for 15 minutes. We were taken down stairs and sat on a single 2 seater table between 3 sets of loud large family groups. Usually, I wouldn’t mind but this was my anniversary so I wanted to be able to talk to my girlfriend (surprise). I asked the closest waiter if we could move table in which we were told he would ask a colleague, after he had told the colleague, he then asked us to follow him to a new table.
There wasn’t a new table available so we were asked to wait with our drinks by a bin in the main dining area by the front door. The hostess at the door asked why we were changing table and to which we explained and she looked at my partner and I like we had taken a large brown deposit in her bed. Much disapproval.
The same waiter then showed us to a new table back down stairs in a quieter area. We then waited another 50 minutes until we received any food, which was a starter of Calamari which we shared. This was absolutely the most diabolical calamari we had ever had. See pictures – stringy bits of chewy and cold squid.
We were given dirty knives, which we had to ask to replace. Service was substandard at best, they seemed to forget us as soon as we were put in the new “wine room”.
We saw another couple be seated at our previous table. Not 5 minutes later, they both got up and left.
Our neighbour table in the room spoke to us about having the exact same problems as us.
I don’t ever expect perfect service/food when going out having worked in hospitality before. However, I do expect to be served with kindness, respect and understanding when explaining a problem.
You would think something as simple as asking for water nothing could go wrong. It could be partly my annoyance caused by other events but it really didn’t help that the water decanter was absolutely filthy with water marks over the throat and mouth!
Unfortunately, in much distress I forgot to get the name of our waitress, who after we had moved to the wine room served us throughout, took the cost of the calamari off the bill & treated my partner and I like actual humans, not just money givers.
I would love to try again but unfortunately I have more self respect than that. I really did expect more, hearing how others spoke about it.
Disappointing
Sabrina S
I recently visited Donatello in Brighton and overall had a really lovely experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and most of the staff were genuinely friendly and attentive.
The food was delicious and came out quickly, which we really appreciated. It’s such a great spot in Brighton and you can see why it’s so popular.
The only downside was that the service from one lady wasn’t the best, which was really disappointing considering how lovely and professional the rest of the team were. When we were ordering, she was bluntly ignoring us and didn’t seem interested in engaging at all. She questioned my little sister’s age when she asked for the kids’ menu, and when we told her, she looked her up and down and gave her a dirty look, which made her feel uncomfortable.
It didn’t completely ruin the experience, but it definitely stood out and was disappointing compared to the otherwise lovely service from the rest of the team.
… moreThe food was delicious and came out quickly, which we really appreciated. It’s such a great spot in Brighton and you can see why it’s so popular.
The only downside was that the service from one lady wasn’t the best, which was really disappointing considering how lovely and professional the rest of the team were. When we were ordering, she was bluntly ignoring us and didn’t seem interested in engaging at all. She questioned my little sister’s age when she asked for the kids’ menu, and when we told her, she looked her up and down and gave her a dirty look, which made her feel uncomfortable.
It didn’t completely ruin the experience, but it definitely stood out and was disappointing compared to the otherwise lovely service from the rest of the team.
JAMES WOODS
A beautiful venue, perfectly located in a cute Brighton square. It’s always busy so I was expecting good things and booked to celebrate Xmas with my mum and daughters.
The menu is extensive with some classic Italian staples including risotto, pasta and pizza all at great prices. Unfortunately the meals were served without much thought to presentation and tasted a little bland. That said the bill came to £85 for 4 of us and that included starters, mains and drinks which was great value.
What really let our meal down was the service. Despite our reservation stating this was a family Xmas celebration there was not one “merry Xmas”. Service was functional and practical which was such a shame and out of sync with the festive tunes and decorations which were great. If this place can improve their service I would return but until that I’ll be taking my custom somewhere that takes as much pride in its hospitality as it does in its Xmas front door decor.
… moreThe menu is extensive with some classic Italian staples including risotto, pasta and pizza all at great prices. Unfortunately the meals were served without much thought to presentation and tasted a little bland. That said the bill came to £85 for 4 of us and that included starters, mains and drinks which was great value.
What really let our meal down was the service. Despite our reservation stating this was a family Xmas celebration there was not one “merry Xmas”. Service was functional and practical which was such a shame and out of sync with the festive tunes and decorations which were great. If this place can improve their service I would return but until that I’ll be taking my custom somewhere that takes as much pride in its hospitality as it does in its Xmas front door decor.
Ffion Mather
We were there for valentines Sunday. There was a good set meal deal. Pasta was good and pizza was nice. Best dessert was the apple pastry with cream.
… moreNick Kenworthy
A great teadional Italian restaurant situated at the heart of The Lanes, so you can spend the day shopping and the chill and eat. Excellent food at a reasonable price. Warm and welcoming and lost of space so you should always be able to find a table. Pasta is made fresh daily. They also do a two course of three course special menu which is very good value. Nice selection of wines. Can’t fault it.
… moreNicolas
I thought I’ll treat myself to some Italian food tonight and didn’t want to go to the usual restaurant chain like Zizzi, Ask Italian and Pizza Express who are just yards away from this restaurant
My experience tonight was ok, I absolutely loved the deco and the atmosphere of the restaurant, very busy and a lot of buzz which I love and tells me that this has to be good!
I had the Bruschetta Alpina, I know its basic and to be fair its just a piece of bread with tomatoes and this is a exactly what I got, there was nothing special about it just a few Cherry tomatoes on toast, for £8.95 I was expecting at least to get cherry plum tomatoes but they were just basic, bread was toasted with a little drizzle of Olive oil thats all so no I did not enjoy my Starter
As main I got one of my favourite dish, the Aglio Olio e Peperoncino for £10.75, again nothing special about it, the garlic was way over powering, just enough chilli to give you a little heat.
Pasta were not freshly made but dry but to be fair I prefer the dry one!
Dessert, well, you don’t go to an Italian Restaurant and don’t order the Tiramisu!
Tiramisu @£7.90 was lovely not heavy at all and not too sweet but was perfect.
Overall I would definitely come back to this restaurant but will order different dishes, it is good value compare to most of Italian restaurants in the area, you won’t find it cheaper and certainly not with this atmosphere!
… moreMy experience tonight was ok, I absolutely loved the deco and the atmosphere of the restaurant, very busy and a lot of buzz which I love and tells me that this has to be good!
I had the Bruschetta Alpina, I know its basic and to be fair its just a piece of bread with tomatoes and this is a exactly what I got, there was nothing special about it just a few Cherry tomatoes on toast, for £8.95 I was expecting at least to get cherry plum tomatoes but they were just basic, bread was toasted with a little drizzle of Olive oil thats all so no I did not enjoy my Starter
As main I got one of my favourite dish, the Aglio Olio e Peperoncino for £10.75, again nothing special about it, the garlic was way over powering, just enough chilli to give you a little heat.
Pasta were not freshly made but dry but to be fair I prefer the dry one!
Dessert, well, you don’t go to an Italian Restaurant and don’t order the Tiramisu!
Tiramisu @£7.90 was lovely not heavy at all and not too sweet but was perfect.
Overall I would definitely come back to this restaurant but will order different dishes, it is good value compare to most of Italian restaurants in the area, you won’t find it cheaper and certainly not with this atmosphere!
S G
I am genuinely perplexed by this establishment’s 4.1⭐ rating, as it does not reflect the experience we had in any meaningful way. Expectations were high, but unfortunately they were not met. With the sole exception of our waiter, Dylan who was professional, attentive, and courteous throughout the visit although it was profoundly disappointing here.
The food was of an unacceptably low standard. The pizza lacked even the most basic seasoning: no salt, no pepper, no garlic, no basil. The result was an entirely flavourless dish that showed no care, balance, or understanding of Italian cooking. The chicken appeared to have been boiled, shredded, and added without any consideration for taste, texture, or preparation. There was nothing authentic, thoughtful, or satisfying about the meal in any respect.
The circumstances of the visit compounded the frustration. We arrived cold, soaked through due to heavy rain, and extremely hungry, leaving us with little choice but to remain and eat. Knowing that we had paid for food of such poor quality significantly detracted from the experience and left a lasting negative impression.
The pricing is wholly unjustified for what is delivered. I have had frozen supermarket pizzas, petrol station food, and late-night takeaway meals that were noticeably superior in flavour, quality, and value. This was not merely underwhelming, it was a complete mismatch between reputation and reality.
Overall, this was a deeply disappointing experience that fell far below reasonable expectations. Aside from the service provided by our waiter, there is nothing I could recommend about this establishment. I would not return and would strongly advise others to manage their expectations or consider dining elsewhere.
… moreThe food was of an unacceptably low standard. The pizza lacked even the most basic seasoning: no salt, no pepper, no garlic, no basil. The result was an entirely flavourless dish that showed no care, balance, or understanding of Italian cooking. The chicken appeared to have been boiled, shredded, and added without any consideration for taste, texture, or preparation. There was nothing authentic, thoughtful, or satisfying about the meal in any respect.
The circumstances of the visit compounded the frustration. We arrived cold, soaked through due to heavy rain, and extremely hungry, leaving us with little choice but to remain and eat. Knowing that we had paid for food of such poor quality significantly detracted from the experience and left a lasting negative impression.
The pricing is wholly unjustified for what is delivered. I have had frozen supermarket pizzas, petrol station food, and late-night takeaway meals that were noticeably superior in flavour, quality, and value. This was not merely underwhelming, it was a complete mismatch between reputation and reality.
Overall, this was a deeply disappointing experience that fell far below reasonable expectations. Aside from the service provided by our waiter, there is nothing I could recommend about this establishment. I would not return and would strongly advise others to manage their expectations or consider dining elsewhere.
TT
Not a great experience at this restaurant. The two starters were abysmal. The mozzarella salad had no mozzarella in it and the prawn cocktail was made with frozen prawns that were tasteless.
One of the mains – cannelloni was obviously microwaved as it was piping hot and couldn’t be eaten straight away.
The deserts were delivered and we had to ask for cutlery.
Not a restaurant, I would recommend or go back to.
… moreOne of the mains – cannelloni was obviously microwaved as it was piping hot and couldn’t be eaten straight away.
The deserts were delivered and we had to ask for cutlery.
Not a restaurant, I would recommend or go back to.