Palmito

Palmito is a small, informal restaurant on Western Road in Hove, close to the Brighton-Hove border. The 20-seat space occupies a former takeaway and has an open kitchen that places charcoal cooking at the centre of the room. Its compact scale gives the restaurant a straightforward, lively feel, with the cooking area forming part of the dining experience.

The food is spice-led, seasonal and deliberately eclectic. Influences from Ecuador and wider Latin America sit alongside ideas drawn from Southern Europe and South Asia, rather than forming a single fixed regional menu. The menu changes weekly, allowing the kitchen to work with ingredients from local farmers, fishermen and food suppliers. The approach favours simple preparations, open-fire cooking and strong seasoning over a long, permanent list of dishes.

Palmito’s drinks follow the same changing approach. The wine selection is handpicked, while the cocktails have Latin-inspired touches and change alongside the food. This makes the restaurant a suitable choice for diners who enjoy trying a menu that reflects the season and the kitchen’s current direction, rather than choosing from a familiar set of signature dishes.

The setting is intimate and relaxed, with limited seating and an open view of the kitchen. It works well for small groups, casual meals and occasions centred on food, cocktails and conversation. The restaurant’s informal character also suits diners looking for a compact neighbourhood venue with a sense of spontaneity. Larger parties may find the small dining room less suitable, while the changing menu gives repeat visits a different focus.

Palmito brings market-style cooking to Hove through local produce, charcoal grilling and flavours that travel beyond the immediate area. The combination of a tiny dining room, a weekly menu and a changing drinks list gives the restaurant a flexible identity without losing its focus on seasonal ingredients and community-minded sourcing.