Brighton’s best loved food and drink awards sees record number of votes in 2023. Almost 60,000 votes were cast in this year’s BRAVOs, an outstanding public endorsement of both Brighton’s thriving hospitality scene and the city’s best loved food and drink awards.
The team at Moksha Caffe Brighton celebrate their Best Brunch BRAVO
BRAVOs – Back Once Again
Superstar DJ Fat Boy Slim, comedian Jen Brister and Brighton MP Caroline Lucas have supported the BRAVOs this year by announcing the winners for social. Other categories will be announced by a local doctor, car mechanic, student and gym instructor.
In its sixth year, 2023 BRAVOs are the biggest and best ever attracting 56,983 votes from the public during the six week voting period. This is almost double the largest number of votes recorded in any previous award year.
Restaurants Brighton, organisers of the BRAVOs, put the huge bump in voter numbers down to an improved voting website, wider distribution of promotional materials and enthusiastic participation from over 600 venues across the city. Social media engagement has also soared with venues using increasingly creative methods to attract the vote of their loyal customers.
“I would like to thank everyone who gets behind the BRAVOs. It’s wonderful to see the energy so many people put into it and I’m always as excited as anyone to see who wins. We want the BRAVOs to be fun for Brighton but our Top 20 lists are also a valuable resource for locals and visitors alike” Ivanka Majic, Director of Restaurants Brighton
The team at The Geese in Hanover reclaim the BRAVO Best Roast
Burnt Orange Burning Bright
Burnt Orange in Brighton’s historic Lanes has won the BRAVO for Best Restaurant for a second year in a row. The most hotly contested category, this is the first time that a venue has placed 1# in consecutive years. Still a relative newcomer, the win cements Burnt Orange’s legendary status in the Brighton restaurant scene.
Burnt Orange strikes the perfect balance between comfort and glamour, with its menu designed for sharing and inspired by the fresh flavours of the Mediterranean. Seasonal ingredients are cooked over wood-fire giving the excellent food its distinctive flavour.
“The BRAVO awards are such an established moment in the Brighton events calendar and one we look forward to every year – the fact that they are voted for by our guests make them a true measure of how our restaurants are viewed. We’re incredibly proud of Burnt Orange for winning Best Restaurant, two years in a row, we can’t thank our team and our guests enough. Looking forward to another incredible summer!” Rosie Prior. Marketing Manager at Burnt Orange
Former winners of the best restaurant BRAVO include Duncan Ray’s Little Fish Market (2019) and Steven Edwards’ etch. (2018).
Bonsai Plant Champions
For the first time in BRAVO history, two plant-led restaurants have placed in the top three of the Best Restaurant category. New to the BRAVOs, 2# goes to Bonsai Plant Kitchen and its awe-inspiring 100% plant South East Asian menu. They’ve also taken 1# in the Plant Champion category. Change-maker, Terre a Terre, takes #3 Best Restaurant, showing its enduring appeal in the same year it celebrates its 30th Birthday. These wins highlight the great innovation in this sector and suggest changing palates and ethical priorities. Also, for the first time, the Top 20 Plant Champions are all vegetarian or vegan restaurants.
Newcomers Bonsai Plant Kitchen claim the BRAVO Plant Champions trophy
We’re Not Worthi(ng)!
The 1# and 2# spots in the Sussex Finest Category both go to Worthing venues! The top spot goes to family-run Crabshack, purveyors of fine, fresh seafood on the Worthing promenade. While 2# is won by Pitch, from MasterChef champion Kenny Tutt.
“We are all overjoyed to have received the Sussex Finest award. It’s great for us eight years in, to be recognised in this way by our customers – especially at the start of what will hopefully be a busy summer season for all of us. Worthing has been getting more and more press recently as a great place to move to on the south coast and all the independent restaurants, bars and other businesses have been instrumental in that happening.” Sarah Tinker-Taylor, Owner at Crabshack, Worthing.
Power to the People
The BRAVOs are a truly democratic award, voted for by the people for the people. They’re all about showing love to the local hospitality industry. A BRAVO win can be a real boost to small business so it’s a great way for customers to support the businesses they value.
This year’s results showcase Brighton’s love for its independent restaurants, cafes and bars. Alongside the high-end establishments of central Brighton and Hove, there are plenty of neighbourhood favourites. Hanover continues to be home to some of the best pubs and cafes in the city despite the precipitous climb. And you’ll find Brighton’s Best Afternoon Tea on the Regency Routemaster bus.
Greek restaurant Nostos win the BRAVO for Best for the Family
“The BRAVO awards are such an important event in the Brighton and Sussex food calendar as it signposts the general public to where they are going to eat next. Where’s new to visit, who’s maintaining the standard and happy diners can work their way through their list of favourites. It is so clear what it means to the businesses too, winning a BRAVO could keep a venue at the top of everyone’s list for a whole year, therefore attracting more customers and giving a business a leg up in these difficult times for the hospitality industry.” Nick Harvey, founder of the BRAVOs
The team at The Eddy win Best Local
Winning 1# in each category are:
Best Restaurant – Burnt Orange
Best Roast – The Geese
Best Cafe – Oeuf Cafe
Best Brunch – Moksha Caffe
Best Afternoon Tea – Brighton Regency Routemaster
Best Wine List – Fourth and Church
Good to Go – Casazul
Plant Champions – Bonsai Plant Kitchen
Eat Well For Less – La Choza
Sustainable Eats – The Real Junk Food Project
For the Family – Nostos
Sussex Finest – Crabshack
Best International – Kitgum Kitchen
Best Team – The Salt Room
Best Local – The Eddy (The Edinburgh)
Best Cocktails – The Plotting Parlour
The full Top 20 winners in each category can be seen here from 17:00 Tuesday 4 April:
https://restaurantsbrighton.co.uk/brighton-restaurant-awards/
2023 BRAVO Sponsors
Headline Sponsor – Uber Eats
Best Afternoon Tea – Face Media Group
Best Wine List – Gusbourne
Good to Go – Uber Eats
Plant Champions – Restaurants Brighton
Eat Well For Less – BH Food Partnership
Sustainable Eats – Shrub Provisions
For the Family – Brighton Fringe
Sussex Finest – Great British Charcuterie
Best International – Visit Brighton
Best Team – Table Talk Foundation
Best Roast – Preston Insurance
Best Restaurant – Uber Eats
Best Local – Creative Pod
Best Cocktails – Mitchell & Copper
Best Cafe – Dojo
Best Brunch – Total Clean Exteriors
Trophy Sponsor-Designs Woodcraft
