Overview
Food for Friends has been in The Lanes since 1981, which makes it one of the longest-running vegetarian restaurants in the UK and a genuine institution. It predates the current wave of plant-based dining by decades and has watched fashion come and go while simply continuing to cook vegetables with care and imagination.
The current menu is a long way from the wholefood café style it may have started with. The cooking is modern and globally influenced, drawing on Middle Eastern, Asian, and European traditions in ways that feel integrated rather than promiscuous. The seasonal emphasis is real rather than decorative.
What to Eat
The menu changes seasonally but expect things like: miso-glazed aubergine with pickled daikon, butternut squash and ricotta gnudi with sage butter, wild mushroom pithivier with truffle cream. The portions are generous by fine-casual standards.
The sharing starters, bread with various dips and spreads, are consistently good and set up a meal well. The desserts lean toward rich and comforting: chocolate-heavy things, citrus things, good tarts.
The natural wine list is well-considered and the staff will guide you through it knowledgeably.
The Vibe
The room is warm and properly lit, not over-styled, not neglected. It's the kind of dining room where the attention is on the table and the food rather than the aesthetic, which is something that takes confidence for a restaurant in a city this image-conscious.
Good for a proper lunch in The Lanes after a morning browsing, or a comfortable dinner that doesn't require performance. The omnivore/flexitarian-friendly approach means non-vegetarians won't feel they've made a sacrifice.
Practical Notes
- Booking recommended, especially weekends. They do take walk-ins if space is available.
- Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday–Sunday; check current hours.
- The Lanes is immediately surrounding, combine with a browse before or after.
- Brighton station is about 10 minutes on foot.
- Fully vegetarian menu with many vegan options. Dietary requirements clearly marked.