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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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In 1976 Michael Garman returned to Brighton and opened IL Bistro after being inspired by the Italian and French culture and cuisine during his travels to the Provence and the western coast of Italy. His goal was to open Brighton’s first Mediterranean steakhouse. For the first time, Brightonians were able to order fresh pasta, arancini, dry aged beef, tiramisu and negronis. 50 years later and now being operated by Michaels son Abe, IL Bistro still stands by the same principles, using local suppliers and seasonal produce, fresh ingredients and the best available dry aged British beef. The restaurant is situated in an 18th century fisherman’s cottage which we find rather fitting after Michael spent years in Portofino, Livorno and Saint-Tropez.
Steak & Mediterranean fare in an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage with outdoor tables in The Lanes.
Hours
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 5–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 6 Market St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HH, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1273 324584
Website: https://www.ilbistro.co.uk/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: ilbistro.co.ukopentable.co.uk
Photo Gallery
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Reviews
Harrison
This is a great find in Brighton, it serves Italian food at a good price. I have seen other reviews saying that this place is pricey but it is average price for a meal in Brighton. The food is tasty and homemade. The owner Abe is very kind and makes you feel at home. The vibes are nice between Abe and everyone else. Try to visit this place immediately!
… moreG E N E R A L
Finally we had the chance to visit this wonderful and lovely restaurant. The overall experience was fantastic. A very attentive and friendly owner who has done the service by himself.
We felt very welcome and cosy. The food, wine and atmosphere was just perfect and on our next trip to Brighton, we definitely come back again. Thanks for a wonderful evening.
… moreWe felt very welcome and cosy. The food, wine and atmosphere was just perfect and on our next trip to Brighton, we definitely come back again. Thanks for a wonderful evening.
Taylor Thunderbear
The service shouldve been rated 5 stars however overall a 2 and half would’ve been more appropriate. When we asked for the bruschetta to be bought out at the same time as the rest of the food, it wasn’t. It took nearly an hour to send out our mains and only 15 minutes to send out a starter. So about a 50 minute wait for food for some people
Sent the pork back for being 75% fat, the sirloins texture felt like it had been in the oven since last Sunday and the bruschetta used overripe salad tomatoes instead of some decent tomatoes to make it just a little tasty.
The chicken was average and the gnocchi was just boiled potato pasta.
The chips were decent.
The bloke was very nice about the whole thing however a restaurant needs good timing, good food and good service, this place had one.
Couldve had a better meal at a closed down burger king.
… moreSent the pork back for being 75% fat, the sirloins texture felt like it had been in the oven since last Sunday and the bruschetta used overripe salad tomatoes instead of some decent tomatoes to make it just a little tasty.
The chicken was average and the gnocchi was just boiled potato pasta.
The chips were decent.
The bloke was very nice about the whole thing however a restaurant needs good timing, good food and good service, this place had one.
Couldve had a better meal at a closed down burger king.
Fi Squire
I wanted to share a fantastic experience we had for our Christmas lunch. By pure luck, I found Il Bistro a family-run restaurant that’s been around for over 60 years. Even though they don’t usually open for weekday lunches, they opened just for us, which shows how accommodating they are.
Abe, the owner, was absolutely wonderful and made us feel so welcome. The staff were attentive, and the food was exceptional and nothing like the bulk-prepared meals you get served in these big hotels or pubs. We had the choice of a two- or three-course meal (I went for three, of course!), and it was reasonably priced and delicious.
This is a place I’ll definitely return to. It’s also great to support a family-run business rather than a corporate chain. If you go, you must try their homemade limoncello. I highly recommend the limoncello martini as I had a few, lol! And if you buy a bottle of, try making a limoncello Spritz.
Do yourself a favour and visit Il Bistro as you won’t regret it.
… moreAbe, the owner, was absolutely wonderful and made us feel so welcome. The staff were attentive, and the food was exceptional and nothing like the bulk-prepared meals you get served in these big hotels or pubs. We had the choice of a two- or three-course meal (I went for three, of course!), and it was reasonably priced and delicious.
This is a place I’ll definitely return to. It’s also great to support a family-run business rather than a corporate chain. If you go, you must try their homemade limoncello. I highly recommend the limoncello martini as I had a few, lol! And if you buy a bottle of, try making a limoncello Spritz.
Do yourself a favour and visit Il Bistro as you won’t regret it.
J & J Lux Travel
My partner had the shrimp starter. They were tagged jumbo shrimp but were definitely just normal sized. They were served in a garlic butter sauce that had a hint of chili flakes and bread on the side. The mussels were extremely fresh, they had come in that day. That did mean they were a bit gritty but the flavor was really delicious. They came in a bold, white wine sauce and a generous portion.
I had the Tomato Basil salad. This caprese with mozzarella was very straightforward with a nice seasoning on top. I followed that with the chicken Parmesan. It could have used a touch more tomato sauce, but the lemon to squeeze in it along with the jamón serrano and cheese made it very delicious. It was a very generous helping and also came with a side of hand cut fries. I would strongly recommend this or the mussels.
I had a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and it had a particularly fruity hint to it that I quite liked.
We were the only ones there as it was lunch. They had a two course meal option which I believe was 25£ so we went with that. Our server was very attentive and I believe also handling the bar. He was very friendly and helped ensure we wrapped our meal quickly since we had an engagement following.
Really good all around. Definitely worth stopping in!
Check us out on IG: jjluxtravel
… moreI had the Tomato Basil salad. This caprese with mozzarella was very straightforward with a nice seasoning on top. I followed that with the chicken Parmesan. It could have used a touch more tomato sauce, but the lemon to squeeze in it along with the jamón serrano and cheese made it very delicious. It was a very generous helping and also came with a side of hand cut fries. I would strongly recommend this or the mussels.
I had a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and it had a particularly fruity hint to it that I quite liked.
We were the only ones there as it was lunch. They had a two course meal option which I believe was 25£ so we went with that. Our server was very attentive and I believe also handling the bar. He was very friendly and helped ensure we wrapped our meal quickly since we had an engagement following.
Really good all around. Definitely worth stopping in!
Check us out on IG: jjluxtravel
Flynn Beverley
What a magnificent find! Hosted an all girl 60th birthday meal and it was superb. Food and wines for all tastes and the service was excellent. Abe went above and beyond, helping a late comer who couldn’t find us. I cannot recommend Il Bistro enough 10/10!
… moreAijing Wang
Not a good experience on a Sunday. We arrived too early for lunch service (30mins too early) but we said we were happy to get a drink and wait for food. They took our drink order (two different coffees), but forgot about the tap water. There hardly any other customers in the restraint at that point. Then didn’t come back to take our food order when the kitchen ordered. Had to get waitresses attention several times.
For charcuterie board (just look at the picture, I took it after we took off only two slices of chorizo and two pieces of crostini) and roast (pork and beef). The board was so bad, awful for £11. Roast was not good, only okay. We’ve had much better elsewhere. Beef was difficult to cut, pork wasn’t crispy or melting in your mouth type of fat. It looked nice on the plate but not tasty. The Yorkshire pudding was like a crispy piece of bread, with no rise.
Considering how quiet they were, I don’t understand how the service couldn’t have been so inattentive. Would be okay if the food made out for it a little bit but it was so disappointing.
… moreFor charcuterie board (just look at the picture, I took it after we took off only two slices of chorizo and two pieces of crostini) and roast (pork and beef). The board was so bad, awful for £11. Roast was not good, only okay. We’ve had much better elsewhere. Beef was difficult to cut, pork wasn’t crispy or melting in your mouth type of fat. It looked nice on the plate but not tasty. The Yorkshire pudding was like a crispy piece of bread, with no rise.
Considering how quiet they were, I don’t understand how the service couldn’t have been so inattentive. Would be okay if the food made out for it a little bit but it was so disappointing.
Sue mckinney
Very ordinary, reviews suggested it was better than it was. The food was OK but nothing very special. Service was erratic, verging from enthusiastic to having difficulty finding someone to pay. Menu was ‘explained’ as having starters, mains and sides ! It’s not bad but don’t expect anything out of the ordinary. Menu choices a bit predictable and uninspiring.
… moreDerek Weston
What a great little find!
We stumbled upon IL Bistro while looking for somewhere nice to have breakfast, and it did not disappoint. The setting was lovely, and we were lucky enough to enjoy the Mediterranean weather while sitting out on the terrace.
If I were being critical, the service was a little slow—but it was busy, so that’s understandable.
We had two fabulous meals, and both Abe and his young apprentice were the perfect hosts. The sausages and bacon were of very good quality.
Well worth seeking out while wandering the lanes!
… moreWe stumbled upon IL Bistro while looking for somewhere nice to have breakfast, and it did not disappoint. The setting was lovely, and we were lucky enough to enjoy the Mediterranean weather while sitting out on the terrace.
If I were being critical, the service was a little slow—but it was busy, so that’s understandable.
We had two fabulous meals, and both Abe and his young apprentice were the perfect hosts. The sausages and bacon were of very good quality.
Well worth seeking out while wandering the lanes!
Paul Johanson
I would advise against going on Saturday evening as I don’t think they can cop. The food was below average. ‘Marinated tomatoes’ with the burrata were four small slices of unripe Tesco tomatoes. The pasta had been left to sit until the top was dried and the profiteroles were 3 tiny spheres with squirty cream from a canister and a bland chocolate sauce. Very poor. Conversely, the fish croquettes were quite good, as was the sea bass and chocolate brownie. The evening was worsened by a table of shrieking 20-somethings who made it difficult to hear conversation. The staff were friendly but too busy as we were left waiting for lengthy periods.
… more