Cecconi's Brighton

Picture yourself on Marine Parade with a glass of something cold and a plate of handmade tagliatelle in front of you—that's the Cecconi's experience. This isn't some twee seaside pasta joint; it's a proper grown-up Italian restaurant that takes itself seriously without being precious about it. The room's got that effortless Continental elegance you'd expect from the Soho House group, all dark wood and warm lighting, the kind of place that feels equally at home hosting a first date or a business lunch. Staff know their stuff, the wine list is thoughtful rather than pretentious, and the cooking lands somewhere between classic and confident.