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Local restaurants

In Kings Arches, Due South is a fantastic seafront restaurant, with organic and bio-dynamic wines and a seasonal menu of Sussex’s best produce (+44 (0)1273 821218). Hotel du Vin on Ship Street (+44 (0)1273 718588) has an acclaimed French bistro, helpful sommeliers, and a well-stocked bar. Housed in a former bank, Seven Dials on Buckingham Place (+44 (0)1273 885555) has a seasonal menu that rotates every six weeks. Priced £21.50 for two courses and £26.50 for three, it guarantees you’re left with the best possible taste in your mouth. Kemp Town’s Brighton Rocks (+44 (0)1273 601139) is good for a lunch of seafood chowder, right next to Brighton’s answer to the School of Performing Arts in Fame. But if it’s traditional seafood you crave, plump for English's (+44 (0)1273 327980) on East Street.

Local bars

The Funky Buddha Lounge under the arches on the seafront (+44 (0)1273 725541) can be a fun place for a cocktail. Blanch House on Atlingworth Street (+44 (0)1273 603504), has a fantastic intimate all-white restaurant, with seasonal à la carte and tasting menus, and chic cocktail bar. And you can’t visit without one of Chris Edwarde’s drinks du jour.

Local cafes

Wash down some boiled organic eggs and thick-cut soldiers with a Bloody Mary, or have a hearty steak sandwich and a glass of wine at Bill’s Produce Store, a deli-cum-café meets organic greengrocer on North Road (+44 (0)1273 692894).

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Brighton, check out our Brighton eating & drinking guide

Nightlife

For an entire night of entertainment, check what’s on at the Joogleberry Playhouse (+44 (0)1273 687171). They serve the most mouthwatering tapas at affordable prices, and downstairs is a cabaret bar that offers live entertainment nightly, in a smoky jazz-club environment. For more information, go to www.joogleberry.com.

Worth getting out of bed for

The Lanes is an excellent place for a wander, with lots of little jewellery shops, antiques showrooms and designer boutiques to browse. Gresham Blake on Bond Street in the North Laine area does a particularly fine line in natty gents’ attire and bespoke tailoring (+44 (0)1273 609587; www.greshamblake.com); stop off for a coffee in Brighton Square. Head to the beach for water sports including sailing, water skiing and wake boarding.

Diary

Mid-April to mid-May Brighton Arts Fringe festival (www.brightonfringe.net); First week in August is Gay Pride (www.brightonpride.org); 10 September National Speed Trials on Madeira Drive is one of the oldest motoring competitions in the UK; October Brighton comedy festival (www.brightoncomedyfestival.com).

For a full list of recommended activities in Brighton, check out our Brighton destination guide