Alfresco

I’ve lived in Brighton for over 10 years, and for many of them avoided this place thinking that it would be another overpriced and underwhelming seafront thing. I was wrong. Damn.
Thankfully a couple of years ago I got over my prejudice and finally ate here. Pleasantly surprised doesn’t get close. It’s now one of my favourite places, particularly if you want to bring someone from out of town. It’s just such an amazing location, and the food is very good quality for the price.
The restaurant itself is in probably one of the top spots of Brighton: 180deg view of the seafront, with both piers visible. It’s a great place to watch the sunset no matter what the weather — and so particularly good for those crazy days where the sea is going nuts!
We’ve been going there quite frequently with our wee one (14 months old now), and the staff are always super helpful. There’s plenty of high chairs, and a really good baby change room.
Onto the food. I’d call it ‘italian themed’, with a good selection of pastas (seafood ones in particular are top notch), and economical pizzas — proper thin italian style too. There’s also a ‘Segundi’ menu with a variety of more contemporary meals. Yesterday I had the seabass with frogs leg, which was lovely. I’ve never been disappointed with the food, but naturally some things are more amazing than others. The menu changes with reasonable frequency — I miss the gnocci, and the new addition of battered scallops is not as good as the pan-​fried ones it replaced.
Naturally, with its location it can get busy, and don’t mix up the restaurant (upstairs) with the more beachcomber café/​bar downstairs. The café/​bar has its charms, but it’s a very different vibe (and can often be booked out for private events when the upstairs is open).

Very crowded place and noisy. It has a view and a position in Brighton that can get others restaurants around envious. I had a starter (seafood chawder) and a main meal (ravioli). First one was absolutely delicious, but the second one didn’t really impressed me. Staff is perfect. 30£ all worth it

There is no better sea view from a restaurant in Brighton absolutely stunning early evening and at Sunset from the first floor restaurant or lovely terrace. Very good Italian food made by Italians with Italian produce (not as easy to find in Brighton as you would think).
It is a cut above many other restaurants in quality of interior, food, cooking (and ingredients) and that is reflected in the price it is not expensive if you consider the environment and views along with the food, but above average you get what you pay for in a Seaside town (or City lest you flame me Brightonians).
I have enjoyed all the meals I have eaten there and find the staff very courteous and professional if a little perhaps too formal I will happily eat there again and recommend it.

Dropped on fora drinking a sunny Sunday. Great views, top end prices, grumpy staff

Popped on here for drinks stop and a bite to eat, very suprised how large it was inside. We were directed down stairs as we only really wanted drinks, then noticed the light bite selection and opted for two margarita pizzas, to share with my husband and two boys. They were fabulous. The size of a large dinner plate was ideal to share. Could have sat for ages and watched the world go by along the sea front. Massive panoramic view windows would go again when I visit Brighton.
Price wise it’s about average we had two teas, coke and still water with two pizzas £27.05

Alfresco is a great restaurant in a lovely location right on the sea front. I went with my husband recently and the food was lovely and service excellent.

I am a regular customer at Alfresco, my family and I love visiting. We have always found the food and service to be excellent. I have no hesitation in recommending Alfresco as the best restaurant that Brighton has to offer for food, service, views and ambience.

This contemporary looking restaurant has been here well over a decade, certainly it predates my arrival in the city. Their well presented seafood is their main strength though the pasta’s okay too. The views are what really recommends it though. In the winter it’s quiet as opposed to the crazily rapid turnover in summer; I liked to pop here for a glass of wine and look out to sea. Calimari here is tasty, and the chargrilled filleted sea bass is delicious — even if you have to remortgage or sell your gran’s jewellery to pay for it. A slick looking bar downstairs and decked area outside.

The views from this place on a nice day are amazing and I do like the art-​deco style of the building. I’ve had a few decent lunches in here and also attended a large party one night hosted here.
The food is quite nice actually, if a little over priced but given the location, what would you expect? On the other hand, the wine (especially the house) is really reasonable for a bottle and jolly nice indeed.
I’d reccommend grabbing a seat outside, ordering a nice plate of pasta and sharing a bottle of wine. There’s plenty of people watching to do and you’ll get a nice suntan too.

Perhaps situated in one of the best locations in Brighton, Alfresco sits perfectly placed just off the sea front, in between Brighton Pier and the stunning West Pier.
The restaurant is very tastefully designed; the large open plan dining room is lit up by sun light streaming in through a wall of windows. The inside is very minimalist, with light colours complemented by wood finishing.
In terms of the food, Alfresco offer a selection of Italian and continental dishes. You can sample an ‘À la carte’ menu, or if that doesn’t tempt you, the varying seasonal main meals certainly might.
Alfresco is fitting for most occasions; for a cup of coffee, a family lunch, or a romantic dinner for two. The one drawback would be the cost though; Alfresco is on the more expensive side of Brighton café’s, but for a sea front view, this isn’t greatly surprising.

Like the Terraces further east along the seafront, Alfresco occupies a wonderful setting which almost, but not quite, makes up for the lack of quality in the food and the rather poor service.
The place is built out over the seafront in a ship-​like design, and if you enter from the street, you really do feel as if you are walking down a gangplank to set sail. Large windows offer lovely beach views but protection from the chill sea breeze. There is also an entrance at beach level, and in summer they sell bottles of beer which you can take down onto the beach.
The menu is a fairly standard Italian one, and while not especially bad, it is overpriced for the quality. The staff are also rather grumpy. It’s a real shame as the location would make this place a favourite with me if the food and service were better.

Really mixed thoughts about Al Frescos. On the one hand it’s got one of the best locations in Brighton, and I’ve had many beautiful evenings enjoying a beer and watching the sun go down, whilst protected from the cold within its amazing circular space. On the other hand, on three separate occasions I’ve visited with friends and family, hoping to eat, and each time have walked away because we were treated so badly. One time we were even told off for coming in through the wrong door. And when you do get past the frosty reception, the bar staff are uniformly cold and bored.
So, as a bar on the beach it’s not cheap, but a great place to hide from the wind and far enough away from the pier not be frequented by the bad crowd. On the other hand I think the owners/​staff abuse the fact that they’ve got such a great location, and could do with some improved customer service and smile occasionally.

Located right on the seafront, the raised building of the Milkmaid Pavilion allows Alfresco panoramic views of the shoreline. The venue directly overlooks the historic West Pier. Any Brighton local knows the restaurant if not by name then location, so along with its fantastic views its a terrific meeting place.
The Italian menu offers main from between £12 and £25, the steak linguine is amazing. the selection includes both traditional and modern dishes but you cant really go wrong with Italian cuisine. No cocktails available but an excellent wine list.
Ive gawped at a couple of wedding receptions being held there and I think it would be a amazing venue, as its risen far enough away from the riff raff and you get to enjoy an unobstructed Brighton sunset.

I haven’t had the pleasure of eating in the restaurant that occupies the top floor of this Brighton landmark. I have spent plenty of time in the bar that occupies the ground floor however, and can testify it has:
Spectacular views of the sea
Specatular sunsets between six and eight p.m.
Spectacular mojitos made with Havana club rum & crushed ice
I’m lucky it’s on my doorstep.

The Alfresco terrace in summer treats you to amazing views across the sea, especially when the sun is setting. The food is very tasty and the servers freindly and efficient. On the ground floor there is a bar which spreads out onto the beach and so makes a greta place to go with friends.

This is a very friendly and relaxed place to go — better I think early evening while the sun sets. It’s clean simple fresh food and the ambience and the quick friendly staff make this the best place to have a meal before a walk along the seafront or a concert of some sort.

I love this place, this is mine! Outside, inside, daytime, evening, with a friend, parent, or solo, I go there whenever I can. Plenty of outside space onto our magnificent beach, roomy inside with a wonderful window wall. Surprisingly at such a trendy looking place, the staff are very willing to help. Recommended.

Great location literally on Brighton Beach.
If it’s warm enough you can dine on the roof terrace literally looking out to sea — but if not it’s still very nice inside. Food is great and reasonably priced given it’s stunning location.
The lower area is a bar during the summer — and the whole lower room can be hired out for private parties.

Superb and classy place to dine with friends or with 2 people. The food is high class and served neatly on the plates. The main advantage is that you get the seaview of brighton beach, which is always nice day or night (and even at sunset). The waiters are also quick and friendly.

Modern and clean décor. Contemporary italian menu. Really great menu selection. Not the cheapest retaurant but well worth the money for the whole experience. The food was full of flavour and really enjoyed it. The atmosphere is good and it is very roomy in there, you can’t overhear the other diners conversations as there is plenty of room between tables. The service was good too.