Maré By Rafael Cagali

Beautiful restaurant! The staff were really helpful as I’m 25 weeks pregnant. They knew exactly what I could and couldn’t have. But still made me feel I wasn’t missing out on anything. The food was stunning. The staff were all lovely! Very deserving Michelin star!

A mixed experience spoiled by lack of sentiment. We have eaten at enough starred restaurants to know what we like and don't. This is one of those that left us unsure about to its level of service. The relaxed service was I think meant to be just that. But I found having to ask for waiter for basic things like water or wine or cocktails menu on three occasions was not expected or wanted by us. We went for the tasting menu. The food was a very nice mix of flavours. I really enjoyed some of the sauces that were signature blend of Rafael's style. We got the lobster tail rice as part of the tasting menu. Which we were informed was the most popular famous dish for the restaurant. Between both of us it was the most underwhelming item we had. Overly rich rice with just the sweet lobster tail trying to change things up. Probably the most surprising thing we ate was the serving of the blackened crusty bread over coals with jamon. Not since Spain Dani Garcia ‘Lena’ in Marbella have we had a better posh bread course. A revelation. Something so simple with a little love was amazing and something we would come back for at relatively inexpensive price for what you get. From the rest of the menu, loved the cured fermented fish dish and the story behind it and where we were sat I had the fish just behind me. Other nice things. The cooked oyster starter. Spicy and tongue tingling. Reminded me of Peruvian food. The steak in its sauce was excellent. The biggest disappointment was that I mentioned that it was my partners 55th birthday. Was I expecting some sort of extra touch for the end of the meal or just through some part of the meal. Yes. But not even at the end of the meal did anything happen. Total, no recognition of her birthday occasion at the restaurant apart from a happy birthday from the staff when she entered. She was left really disappointed. We spent our son’s birthday at Coal shed the week before and even they bothered to do unsurprisingly a small plate at the end with a happy birthday wish with a chocolate. So we were perplexed as to the attitude of this star’d restaurant towards this. Was it down to cost of providing something small or was it down to attitude. A huge let down and left our experience very much ‘Marred’

Tasty beautifully crafted dishes that are lovingly prepared and explained by the best staff. From the moment you walk in to the calm sage green oasis your every need is catered for. Staff are welcoming, attentive and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is relaxed, the background music just right, advice and information on menu choices was perfect. The flavoursome food is beautifully presented. No wonder they have a Michelin Star. Our staff were Frea, Jake and Ada humblest apologies if any of those names are spelt incorrectly. Thank you for a wonderful evening 😊

What a fantastic addition to Hove! With a menu that has everything covered from small bite-sized offerings to sharing plates there is something for everyone. The atmosphere is slick, calm and inviting. Staff are knowledgeable and clearly talented. The food was exceptional and reasonably priced for the clear effort put into it. An a-la-carte menu in which every dish seems enticing just means I can’t wait to come back. I would highly recommend visiting this new restaurant which I’m sure is about to make a big wave in Brighton and Hove.