Brighton's Top-Rated Curry Houses and Award Winners

Brighton’s food scene has shifted quite a bit lately, moving away from the standard curry house model toward a more varied landscape of regional specialties and street food. Just this past Monday, May 4, 2026, the inaugural Southern Curry Awards took place, and Jamun on West Street walked away with the title of Best Curry Restaurant in Brighton. It’s a relatively new spot, having opened during the 2023 holiday season under the direction of Nitin and Anushree Patil. They focus on South Indian street food and biryanis, and this latest win follows their success at the Curry Life Awards last year. It’s a casual fine-dining setup that has quickly become a central part of the city's Indian dining options, especially for those looking for authentic flavors in a modern setting.

While Jamun is the current headline-grabber, other long-standing institutions continue to hold their ground with recent accolades. The Chilli Pickle, which moved to Meeting House Lane in 2025, received an Outstanding Achievement award at the same ceremony this week. It remains a go-to for pan-Indian street food and regional curries, having also been named Best Takeaway at the BRAVOs last year. Nearby on East Street, Indian Summer is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary this June. Since opening in 2001, it has maintained a reputation for modern regional cuisine and thalis. For those who prefer plant-based Gujarati cooking, Manju’s on Trafalgar Street is still a family-run operation led by 86-year-old Manju, while Planet India on Richmond Parade offers a similar focus on vegetarian recipes passed down through generations in a very relaxed, colorful environment.

The variety extends into more specialized formats across different neighborhoods. Mowgli in Dukes Lane serves street food in tiffin containers with plenty of vegan options, while Curry Leaf Cafe maintains high ratings for its trendy atmosphere in Ship Street and Kemptown. If you are near the Royal Pavilion, Bayleaf is a consistent choice, and The Eastern Eye on London Road remains a staple for many locals. For something different, Kolkati at Shelter Hall specializes in Kolkata-style kati rolls, and The Coconut Island in Hove brings a fusion of Sri Lankan and Indian influences to the table. Even the long-running Bali Brasserie continues its 40-year streak in Hove, blending Indian flavors with Indonesian and Malay styles. Whether you are looking for a subscription-based thali service like Majahma or a sit-down meal at an award-winning spot, the current options in Brighton cover almost every regional style imaginable.