AFTER hundreds of responses from readers for this year’s Food and Drink Awards, we can now reveal the shortlist of nominees for some of the best venues in Sussex.

The competition was fierce but we now have three nominees for each of the eight categories; pub, butchers and delis, fish and chips, cafe and coffee shop, fine driving, European, Indian cuisine, and vegan and vegetarian.

As part of our ‘Love Local Hospitality’ campaign to support independent and local businesses struggling in the wake of the pandemic, you now have the chance to choose your favourite out of our shortlist and decide which pub, restaurant, cafe, or butcher should be recognised for going the extra mile and for its culinary excellence.

Pub

In contention for the pub category is The Robin Hood pub in Norfolk Place, Hove, was one of those attracting recognition from residents, and was previously voted best pub in the 2019 Bravo Restaurant Awards.

Also in the running is The Railway Inn in Station Road, Portslade, which boasts a large beer garden and a selection of ice cream by Hove Gelato. The pub, which has four stars on Tripadvisor, has been praised by visitors on the site for its selection of booze, speedy and friendly service and delicious food.

The Kings Arms in George Street, Brighton, will also be hoping to take home the title, describing itself as a “cheery local” with a dartboard, pool table and live entertainment.

Butchers and delis

Among the various butchers across Sussex, three will be battling it out for the title. Among those is Canham and Sons Butchers in Church Road, Hove, who often see queues around the block come Christmas as residents come to pick up their traditional turkey.

RC Secker in Richardson Road, Hove, will also be hoping to take home the crown in the awards, with reviews online praising their knowledgeable staff and selection of artisan meats.

Also hoping to win is Wickendean Meats in Applesham Avenue in Brighton, with customers describing their meat as “awesome with great prices” and describing the staff as providing a “warm and friendly local butcher experience.”

Fish and chips

Nothing is more quintessentially Brighton than fish and chips at the seafront, so competition is fierce to win this prestigious title.

Among those nominated in this category is Athena B in Station Road in Portslade. Described as a Travellers’ Choice on Tripadvisor, this restaurant is run by a mother-son duo, with Matthew Konen telling The Argus that he has been peeling potatoes since he was eight.

Bankers in Western Road, Hove is also in the running for the award, winning the title of Fish and Chip Chain of the Year in 2016 and the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2017.

Family-run Wolfies of Hove, in Goldstone Villas, Hove, will also be hoping to win in the awards, having served the city for over 25 years. They pride themselves on using good quality, fresh ingredients from carefully selected suppliers.

Cafe and coffee shop

Brighton and Sussex is renowned for its range of independent cafes and coffee shops, meaning the choice for the top three represent the best that our city and region has to offer.

@Avabetsy, in Portland Road in Hove, is among our three shortlisted shops in this category - with its menu serving treats like triple-stacked sandwiches, breakfast boxes and a selection of pastries, cakes and brownies.

Joe’s Cafe in Upper Hamilton Road, Brighton, also made our shortlist, with co-owners Andy and Julia working in the catering industry for more than 20 years. With a rating of 4.5 on Tripadvisor, they are ranked as one of the top 30 best restaurants in Brighton and now offer a bistro experience.

Last but not least in our top three is Roedean Cafe, in Marine Drive, Brighton, described as a Travellers’ Choice on Tripadvisor. Reviewers described the food here as being of “an exceptional standard” and the cafe also has a miniature golf course.

Fine dining

Hoping to pick up the title as the best fine dining experience in Sussex is 64 Degrees in Meeting House Lane, Brighton. Tucked away in the heart of The Lanes, this restaurant promises innovative tasting menus and exciting wines, and has previously won the title of Best Restaurant in the Brighton Top 20 Awards.

Also in the running for this prestigious award is Terre a Terre in East Street, Brighton. Founded in 1993, the restaurant was given five stars by reviewers Hardens in their list of Best UK Restaurants in 2017, describing it as “still the best vegetarian restaurant after so many years.”

Med, in Little East Street, Brighton, is also vying for the crown in this highly contested category. Its modern Mediterranean cuisine have been described by diners as “phenomenal.”

European

In the category for European cuisine, Greek restaurant Nostos in Holland Road will be hoping to win - offering “a place where nostalgic feeling of the past meets a delightful smell of the present and a grateful smile of the future.”

Also hoping to clinch the title is The Witchez in Marine Parade, Kemp Town - which boasts a unique blend of European flavours, from Polish sausage, an Alsatian fish dish, Czech fried cheese and Bavarian schnitzel.

Meanwhile, with its authentic Italian dishes, Colosseo in Boundary Road, Hove, is also in contention, with five stars from Tripadvisor. Ranked as one of the top 20 best restaurants in Hove, Colosseo prides itself on being a family-run business with an “unforgettable culinary experience.”

Indian cuisine

Residents of Brighton and Sussex as a whole are spoiled for choice for Indian restaurants, but only three could make our shortlist.

Planet India in Richmond Parade, Brighton, offers vegetarian and vegan Indian cuisine to eat in or takeaway, with dishes such as Mombai potato curry, tardka dall and an aubergine in yoghurt curry.

Also hoping to take the coveted title is Tikka in Boundary Road, Hove, which has recently undergone a refurbishment. The restaurant boasts the best ingredients and offers a range of dishes, from the classic favourites to the less familiar. They even offer to prepare something for customers if they cannot find it on their menu.

Representing West Sussex in this shortlist is Wild Mango in Junction Road in Burgess Hill - a family-run business of three generations. Opened in 2015, the restaurant offers a tailored service for all age groups and says valuing their customers is at the heart of what they do.

Vegan and vegetarian

Sussex, and especially Brighton, has some of the widest range of vegan and vegetarian restaurants anywhere in the country.

Vying for this award is Food for Friends in Prince Albert Street, Brighton, which has featured in The Sunday Times’ Top Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants and in the Good Food Guide in 2018. With an ethos of tasty and honest cooking with consciously sourced produce, the restaurant claims to ensure you “will be welcomed as a guest but will leave as a friend.”

Also in the running is T @ The Dials in Dyke Road, Brighton, a plant-based and vegetarian coffee shop. This venue offers a range of vegan dishes from the heart of Seven Dials, including what it claims is the spicest shawarma in town - the Brad Pitta, filled with vegan lamb, salad and Sriracha mayo.

The “original vegan and plant-based pizza restaurant,” Purezza in St James’s Street, Brighton, has also made our shortlist. Since becoming the first vegan pizzeria in the UK when opening their doors in the city in 2015, they have since branched out with a number of restaurants and have won numerous awards, including National Pizza of the Year, and even a leading award at the World Pizza Championships.

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Have you spotted one of your local places to grab a bite to eat? You can get your voting form in a copy of The Argus to choose your favourites and celebrate them for going above and beyond for their food, atmosphere and service. Terms and conditions can be found at theargus.co.uk/promotions.

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