Best Italian restaurant, Brighton and Hove - please

[Triggaaar]

Best Brighton Pizzerias IMO

#1 Fatto A Mano - London Road + Church Road
#2 VIP Pizza - Old Stein
#3 Bella Napoli - Marina
#4 Franco Manca - North Laine
#5 Nu Posto - West Street

Any of those good Italians, as well as good pizzerias?

Thanks for all the recommendations?
Any 'seconded', 'thirded' etc?

 

[CHAPPERS]

In terms of pasta I don't see anything wrong with Carluccios.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Another vote here for La Capaninna, just off St James St. Most of the staff used to work at Al Forno when it was indisputably the best in town. Very untrendy decor, but good food, cooked by Italians (which is not the case at many so-called Italian restaurants). That's not to say that other nationalities can't make decent pasta or pizza, of course.

 

[fbennettodlum]

Any of those good Italians, as well as good pizzerias?

Thanks for all the recommendations?
Any 'seconded', 'thirded' etc?

Yep, for all round Italian food, #2 + #3 are the best as they have big menus and are both good value. Enjoy!

 

[Tom Bombadil]

i would avoid Donatellos, unless it's improved enormously in the last few years.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Then there's Pronto In Tavola in Waterloo Street.

An undiscovered gem. Looks a bit shite from the outside; excellent food served within.

Totally agree - gorgeous food & a lovely Italian family who own it (I am biased though as Nino is my neighbour!)

 

[HantsSeagull]

No thanks!

why not mate?!!

 

[BBassic]

I've always enjoyed Pinocchio's by the Mash Tun. Likely isn't the "best" but it's affordable, the service is attentive and I've not had something I didn't enjoy.

 

[Braggfan]

Not a lot of people realise this, but Donatello's provide soup for the Brighton soup run everyday of the year for free. They never advertise that they do this, they just quietly do it because they are decent people. On top of the fact that they support the Albion, I always feel supporting them is a good thing.

 

[BensGrandad]

Not a lot of people realise this, but Donatello's provide soup for the Brighton soup run everyday of the year for free. They never advertise that they do this, they just quietly do it because they are decent people. On top of the fact that they support the Albion, I always feel supporting them is a good thing.

Very good and worth a mention but it doesnt mean their food or service at the restaurant is good and value for money.

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

A trip to the salad bar and a vegetarian pizza every time at Pinocchios. They also will take your Season Ticket for 10% off- effectively giving you free service.

 

[Gwylan]

Any of those good Italians, as well as good pizzerias?

Thanks for all the recommendations?
Any 'seconded', 'thirded' etc?

Fatto a Mano only does pizzas but they really are excellent (and I usually think pizzas are a bit 'meh'). Service is a bit haphazard though

If you want a proper Italian, I'll second (or third) La Capaninna, it's a great, old-fashioned Italian restaurant. There used to be several of these in every city but the chains have taken over - La Capaninna is a real throwback

 

[Weststander]

Casalingo, Preston Street. Amazing food and unrushed.

Pinocchios', Al Fresco, Donatello, the old Topolinos - were all connected one way or another historically - cheap price, average food and noisy. Italians living in Brighton and Italian visitors have all commmented that the food was unauthentic, due cheap ingredients probably churned out for the UK 'Italian' sector.

 

[kingcole]

Casalingo, Preston Street. Amazing food and unrushed.

Pinocchios', Al Fresco, Donatello, the old Topolinos - were all connected one way or another historically - cheap price, average food and noisy. Italians living in Brighton and Italian visitors have all commmented that the food was unauthentic, due cheap ingredients probably churned out for the UK 'Italian' sector.

This Casalingo on a whole different level to the others mentioned. My favourite Italian by a country mile - be sure to book though.

 

[wigman]

Although with a reputation of being "cheap and cheerful", Donatellos takes a lot of beating. Al Duomo is a little up-market, but the food is not a lot better than Donatellos if at all. And they've pumped a lot of money in to the Albion.

Had a meal in there yesterday evening.
Good quality and great value for the money.

 

[Beach Hut]

Donatellos is very much what you pay for but in my view good value for money.

Nearly always packed so says something about it.

 

[whitelion]

It's obviously not there now but does anybody recall the Italian that was in the same building prior to the Greenhouse Effect in Church Road Hove.

Probably had my best Italian meal there but must have been 1983-85.

 

[Pevenseagull]

Dirt cheap: all crap
£15 quid a head ish ....bottle of beer Pizza 500 (Preston Road, not just pizza, really good)
Proper meal, £30 + a head .... half a bottle of wine Casalingos

 

[timseagull]

Cin Cin - Vine Street.

This. By far the best Italian in Brighton! Great food and jolly nice chaps too who are happy to talk food and wine!

 

[Questions]

When I went to Italy in the 70's pizza really was a food you sat on the steps in the local square and ate for a bit of lunch. When people go out to an Italian restaurant over here they rarely order off of page one and two and that is mainly pizza or pasta. When our Italian family met for a proper nosh up it was totally different types of food. I know it's down to price but the test of how good the food is usually means paying a few bob more. I still love a good Ossobuco. My dad used to say that the trouble with an Italian meal is that 3 or 4 days later you're hungry again.