Il Bistro

In 1975 Mike Garman came back to Brighton after spending 5 years working in restaurants in Italy, Spain and the South of France, observing how to produce Mediterranean-style dishes which combine native produce like olive oil, garlic, aubergines, fresh herbs and peppers with the finest fresh meat & fish.

With this knowledge he decided to open one of the first Mediterranean cuisine restaurants in Brighton’s famous Lanes.

He acquired a fisherman’s cottage which dated back to the 18th century in the reign of George I and set in the heart of Brighton’s old fishing village. He then converted it into Il Bistro.

Over the years, a growing reputation for good honest food boosted the restaurants popularity beyond Brighton.

The restaurant is within walking distance from the Royal Pavilion, Conference Centre & the Theatre Royal and is open for pre-theatre dining & lunches 7 days a week, and it is still run under the watchful eye of Mike Garman, whether it be dining on the outside heated terrace or inside the restaurant itself.