What Are the BRAVOS? Brighton’s Restaurant Awards, Voted for by You
The BRAVOS celebrate eating and drinking out in Brighton, Hove and Sussex, and the winners are chosen by the public. The name stands for Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online, and the BRAVOS are organised by Restaurants Brighton, the local, independent, family owned food and drink guide to the city.
Founded in 2016, the BRAVOS give the vote to the diners, drinkers, brunch lovers and Sunday roast devotees who keep our food scene thriving. In 2026, 71,285 votes were cast for the restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés people love most.
Who Organises the BRAVOS – Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online
The BRAVOS are created and run by the team at Restaurants Brighton. Founder Nick Harvey had the idea in 2011 and launched the guide with Ivanka Majic in September 2012. Restaurants Brighton has been a full time venture since 2013. It is entirely self funded and independent, with a small team of five food experts and writers who eat, drink and explore across the city every week. All the RB team work and live in Brighton or Sussex.
Nick has worked in hospitality since he was sixteen, starting at the Stakis Victoria Hotel in Nottingham, before studying Hospitality Marketing, managing ski hotels abroad and leading sales and marketing at Drakes Hotel in Brighton. This is before he committed fully to championing Brighton’s independent food scene. Since then, Restaurants Brighton has worked with more than 120 venues across Brighton, Hove and Sussex and welcomed over 15 million visitors looking for their next great meal.
Shouting About the Best Restaurants in Brighton, Hove and Sussex
Restaurants Brighton exists to shout about the brilliant restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés that make this corner of the south coast such a delicious place to live and visit.
We love telling people about a sensational new opening, a family run trattoria that has quietly perfected its pasta for decades, or a seaside café serving the flakiest pastries in town.
Above all, we want people to go out and eat. Discover places you love, then try a few more. Book a table somewhere you have walked past a hundred times, order the dish you would never usually choose, and tell your friends when something truly impresses you. Every meal out keeps a kitchen busy, a team employed and a neighbourhood alive, and that is what this guide is here to encourage.
Restaurant Awards Voted for by the People Who Eat Out
The BRAVOS grew naturally from everything Restaurants Brighton stands for. All year round we encourage people to get out, explore and enjoy the city’s food scene. The BRAVOS then give those same people the chance to celebrate the places that made their year memorable.
The people best placed to judge a restaurant are the ones who eat there: the regulars who know the specials by heart, the couples who return for every anniversary, and the friends who have found their perfect Sunday roast.
By putting the vote in their hands, the BRAVOS reflect real experiences across Brighton, Hove and Sussex. A winner is recognised for consistently delighting the people who matter most, its guests.
How the BRAVOS Work: Nominated and Voted for by Local Diners
Each year the public nominates their favourite venues across a wide range of categories, from brunch and cafés to pubs, cocktails, Sunday roasts and the best restaurant in Sussex. The nominated venues then go to a public vote online where you can vote on mobile, tablet or computer, and the winners are decided by the people of Brighton, Hove and Sussex.
This makes the BRAVOS a genuine reflection of local opinion, rooted in the experiences of people who are out eating and drinking across the city and beyond every week.
Celebrating Brighton’s Food Scene Since 2017
The first BRAVOS were held in 2017. They have since become one of the most anticipated moments in the local hospitality calendar, a chance for chefs, owners and front of house teams to be applauded by the community they serve.
The 2026 winners show the wonderful variety of the city’s dining scene. Jo & Co took Best Brunch, Starfish & Coffee was named Best Café, and Moksha won both Best Team and Most Family Friendly. The Signalman was crowned Best Pub, Andalucia Ferring claimed Best Sussex Restaurant, Embers served up the Best Sunday Roast, and Cyan at The Grand mixed its way to Best Cocktails.
Buy Local, Eat Local: Investing Back Into Brighton
Restaurants Brighton is proudly local, and we believe in putting back into the community that has supported us since 2012. Our message is simple: buy local, eat local.
The Restaurants Brighton Gift Vouchers are one of the easiest ways to do that. They can be spent at over 40 independent venues across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, so every voucher keeps money in the local economy and supports the independent businesses that give the city its character. They make a thoughtful gift for birthdays, anniversaries and thank yous, and they let the recipient discover somewhere new.
We also support the people behind the food. The Hospitality Hub industry site connects local venues with talented staff, and our Tip Jar newsletter keeps the industry informed and connected.
The BRAVOS themselves shine a spotlight on the hard working teams who make Brighton one of the most exciting places to eat in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the BRAVOS
What does BRAVOS stand for?
BRAVOS stands for Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online, the public vote awards that celebrate the best restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés in Brighton, Hove and Sussex. Nick Harvey is the founder of the BRAVO Awards.
Who runs the BRAVOS?
The BRAVOS are organised by Restaurants Brighton, the local, independent, family owned food and drink guide for Brighton, Hove and Sussex, founded by Nick Harvey and Ivanka Majic in 2012.
How are the BRAVOS winners chosen?
Winners are chosen by public vote. People across Brighton and Sussex nominate their favourite venues in each category, and the nominated venues then go to a public vote online to decide the winners.
When did the BRAVOS start?
The first BRAVOS were held in 2017, and the awards are now in their tenth year. All BRAVO winners can be seen for every year in the BRAVO Hall of Fame which lists all winners and top 20s for each category since the BRAVOS started.
How many people vote in the BRAVOS?
71,285 votes were cast in the 2026 BRAVOS, making them making them a record number of public votes for hospitality in Sussex. Updated October 2026.
When does voting open each year?
Voting starts towards the start of February each year. It is easy to take part in the BRAVOS. Just head to the BRAVO Voting site, create an account using your email address or social media account, then you can vote for your favourites across 18 categories. There is a four week voting window each year, so you have four weeks to decide your favourites. You can also vote in one category, or all the categories, or somewhere in between. It is entirely up to you.
Can any venue be nominated for the BRAVOS?
Yes. Any restaurant, pub, bar or café in Brighton, Hove or Sussex can be nominated for the BRAVOS, as long as it fits into one of the BRAVOS categories. All it takes is a nomination from a member of the public, and the Restaurants Brighton team will then add the venue to the voting site so diners can vote for it.
Is it free to enter the BRAVOS?
Yes, entering the BRAVOS is always free. There is no entry fee, no registration charge and no cost to appear on the voting site. The BRAVOS were created by Restaurants Brighton to celebrate local hospitality, and keeping them free means every independent venue, from the smallest neighbourhood café to the busiest restaurant, has the same opportunity to be recognised.
Which venues are eligible for the BRAVOS?
Any venue located in Brighton, Hove or Sussex that fits into one of the BRAVOS categories is eligible. The categories cover everything from brunch, cafés and lunch to pubs, cocktails, Sunday roasts and the best restaurant in Sussex. The full list of categories and their descriptions can be found on the BRAVOS categories page.
How does a venue get onto the BRAVOS voting site?
Your venue needs to be nominated by a member of the public. Once a nomination has been made, the Restaurants Brighton team adds the venue to the voting site in the relevant category. Encouraging your regulars to nominate you is the best way to make sure your venue is included.
Can a business pay to support the BRAVOS?
Yes. Businesses can support the BRAVOS by sponsoring a category. Sponsorship helps cover the cost of running the awards each year, from managing the voting and administering the BRAVOS to organising the launch and winners parties that bring the local hospitality community together. In return, sponsors are linked with one of the most popular celebrations of food and drink in Brighton, Hove and Sussex, and are seen by thousands of voters and venues.
The BRAVOS have been proudly supported by a wide range of local and regional businesses over the years, including our headline partner Recorra, alongside The Menu Partners, Alliance South East, The List, Goldstone Rum, The Cheeseman, the University of Brighton, the Amex Stadium, Brighton Fringe and Brighton and Hove Food Partnership. For BRAVOS 2027, we are delighted to welcome Streamline Taxis and Hepworth Brewery as new sponsors.
To keep the BRAVOS completely fair, sponsorship is not open to restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés or any other venue that could be nominated. This keeps the awards independent and makes sure every winner is chosen by the public vote alone. If your business would like to sponsor a category, please get in touch with the Restaurants Brighton team through the contact page.
Are there any costs for venues taking part in the BRAVOS?
Taking part in the BRAVOS is free. The only cost a venue might choose to pay is for additional printed material, such as posters or table cards encouraging customers to vote. Ordering print is entirely optional and is not needed to enter.
How can my venue encourage customers to vote?
Once your venue is on the voting site, you can share your venue QR code and promotional material with customers, both in your venue and on social media. Mentioning the BRAVOS on menus, receipts, newsletters and Instagram stories is a simple way to remind regulars to vote for you. Printed material can be ordered through the BRAVOS print on demand service if you would like posters or table cards.
Can my venue attend the BRAVOS launch party?
Yes. Every venue taking part in the BRAVOS is welcome at the launch party each year, with places offered on a first come, first served basis. The launch party is a chance to meet other local hospitality teams, find out more about the awards and help get the vote under way.
Who is invited to the BRAVOS winners party?
The winners party is for BRAVOS winners only and BRAVO sponsors. Each year the winning venues are invited to celebrate their success with the Restaurants Brighton team and fellow winners from across Brighton, Hove and Sussex.
How can I support independent restaurants in Brighton?
Eat out often, try somewhere new and tell your friends about the places you love. Restaurants Brighton Gift Vouchers can be spent at over 40 independent venues across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, so they are a simple way to keep money in the local economy and plenty of BRAVO winners feature in the city wide voucher scheme.
Find Your Next Favourite Restaurant in Brighton
To find your next favourite place to eat, explore the full guide at Restaurants Brighton, read Nick’s founder interview, meet the team behind the recommendations, or browse the venues where you can spend a Restaurants Brighton Gift Voucher.
Voting is from Tuesday 10th February 2026 to Tuesday March 10th