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IL Bistro, Brighton, East Sussex

IL Bistro

4.4
4.4
348 Reviews
£25 and under
Steakhouse

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
In 1976 Michael Garman returned to Brighton and opened IL Bistro
after being inspired by the Italian and French culture and cuisine
during his travels to the Provence and the western coast of Italy.
His goal was to open Brighton’s first Mediterranean steakhouse.
For the first time, Brightonians were able to order fresh pasta,
arancini, dry aged beef, tiramisu and negronis.

47 years later and now being operated by Michael's son Abe,
IL Bistro still stands by the same principles, using local suppliers
and produce, fresh ingredients and the best available dry
aged British beef. The restaurant is situated in an 18th century
fisherman’s cottage which we find rather fitting after Michael
spent years in Portofino, Livorno and Saint-Tropez, Europe’s
most famous fishing villages.

Booking info:
Since reopening from covid we ask for a £10 per person deposit in our busier times which gets deducted from your bill at the end of your meal.
One of our team will be in touch after your bookings made.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Italian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Wed 17:00–22:00 Thu 12:00–22:00 Fri–Sun 10:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    01273 324584
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    We have two party rooms on the first floor. One room can accommodate 18 people and the other 10.

What 348 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Brighton

    Best Overall

  • Brighton

    Best Service

  • Brighton

    Best Ambience

  • Brighton

    Best Value

  • Brighton

    Good for business meals

  • Brighton

    Child-friendly

  • Brighton

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Brighton

    Good for groups

  • Brighton

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Brighton

    Healthy

  • Brighton

    Great for fine wines

  • Brighton

    Romantic

  • Brighton

    Good for special occasions

  • Brighton

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Brighton

    Best Overall

  • Brighton

    Best Service

  • Brighton

    Best Ambience

  • Brighton

    Best Value

  • Brighton

    Good for business meals

  • Brighton

    Child-friendly

  • Brighton

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Brighton

    Good for groups

  • Brighton

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Brighton

    Healthy

  • Brighton

    Great for fine wines

  • Brighton

    Romantic

  • Brighton

    Good for special occasions

  • Brighton

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
IL Bistro in Brighton is celebrated for its "great food," "friendly service," and "inviting atmosphere," making it a cherished dining spot. Guests appreciate the "personal touches" and accommodating staff, especially for families with children. While some reviews mention minor issues, the overall experience is positive and warmly recommended.

348 Reviews
  1. Geoff

    London

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The atmosphere downstairs seemed far nicer than up in the loft area Waitress bought up chips we didn’t order and totally forgot an extra glass of wine ordered before main course. Plates were very mildly warm

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  2. Benjamin

    Brighton

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service!! Food and wine catered for all different tastes!!

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  3. Marc

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic place, staff were more than friendly, and the food was amazing, loved our visit here and would definitely go back.

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  4. Jack

    Brighton

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Dined her for Valentine's Day based on reviews. I found the food okay but nothing special, seafood portions twere iny, and the pasta was average, not blown away. Service was fairly good, although the table and seating were pretty cramped. Didn't get offered water and some things came very quickly and some things didn't. Price-wise it probably reflected the food & service so can't complain too much on that part. Guess it has a loyal following who continue to rate it highly.

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  5. Hannah

    Brighton

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great Valentines meal. Service was brilliant. lovely food. Thank you

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  6. Ken

    London

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on 8 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was our first time at Il Bistro but we had a lovely evening with excellent service great food and a superb bottle of red wine

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  7. Natalie

    Surrey

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 8 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely restaurant in the lanes. The service was good and the food was ok a little bland I had chicken Milanese it came with a side of chips but no veg.

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  8. Dharmesh

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Weekend in Brighton - glad I booked for 4 people . Great food great place great service . Thank you

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  9. KAREN

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great restaurant. Good service , food and atmosphere.

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  10. Libana

    Brighton

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wir waren 4 Erwachsene und 1 Kind. Das Essen war sehr sehr gut und man hat die Portionen für mein Kind angepasst. Der Service war sehr gut und hat bei allen Fragen oder Befindlichkeiten geholfen. Wir kommen gerne wieder. Danke für den schönen Abend.

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FAQs

IL Bistro is rated 4.4 stars by 348 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Google Map for IL Bistro

6 - a Market Street, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1HH

Additional information

  • Area
    Brighton
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Wed 17:00–22:00 Thu 12:00–22:00 Fri–Sun 10:00–22:00
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Italian, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wine
  • Phone number
    01273 324584
  • Private party facilities
    We have two party rooms on the first floor. One room can accommodate 18 people and the other 10.
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