A new Italian in town is always going to get my attention.
Brusco is a welcome glow on Montpelier Terrace — bare plaster walls, tiny oil-painted popes, a fresco — and the calmest of welcomes from chef James Vance. A true neighbourhood spot, refreshingly stripped back.
Yes, it’s small plates. And usually Italian small plates send me spiralling: that careful rhythm of antipasto, primo, secondo mashed into chaos. But here it works, because there are no heavy meats or pasta to throw the balance. What you get is antipasti done with care; bresaola, burrata, polenta fritta, butter beans, cantaloupe — each treated kindly and creatively. Light, thoughtful, complimentary.
The drinks matter: a short, clever wine list led by lambrusco, Italian favourites like cynar and amaro, and a list of kick-ass negronis (pineapple? Who knew). More aperitivo leaning into antipasti than full-scale dining — and that can be a big deal in itself.
Different for Brighton. Different for the UK approach to Italian food. And I quite like it.
📍@bruscobar
Chef Sean.
Meet Chef Sean !
Old School grafter with a touch of pizzazz.
Seasonal veg stands no chance up against Sean whether it’s his connection to the humble leek or experimenting with the amazing produce from right here in Sussex we have the man for the job.
Welcome to the Brusco team !
#brusco
Chef Flick.
Meet our amazing head chef Flick !
After a fantastic career in both London and Espana ! She is now curating the seasonal, produce focused menu we have at Brusco.
High energy - Passion in abundance - Beautiful Human.
Also an incredible artist via @eelo.and.ider
Photography @alexcfoley
#brusco
Current favourite @bruscobar . I love the cosy calm atmosphere, feels like stepping into someone’s dining room rather than a restaurant. Such clever dishes the queen butter bean, crown prince squash and salsa verde. And the artichoke hearts with celeriac puree. Extra exciting to discover slight menu tweaks each visit such as the addition of the insanely good artichoke radicchio salad with Gorgonzola dressing and caramelised walnuts. Such a lovely space for slow conversations and overdue catch ups over a vermouth 🍊
The room.
The vermouth.
The small plates leaving the kitchen.
A few moments during service from @bruscobar an intimate vermouth bar celebrating Italian aperitivo culture.
Independent places like this are why we do what we do.
📸 @servedsocial_
Client: @bruscobar
LAST TICKETS LEFT for our bagel and vermouth tasting experience on Wednesday with our friends at @bruscobar 🍸
It’s going to be a delicious evening 🥯
Book your spot via Brusco’s website x
@bruscowineclub@bruscobar@sevencellars
📍 @bruscobar
What a gorgeous evening at Brusco, the neighbourhood vermouth bar serving up a slice of Italy in the heart of Brighton
Tucked into the cosy, intimate dining room, we sipped lambrusco and shared small plates: artichoke hearts perched on silky celeriac purée, thick-cut Chianti salami, and homestyle meatballs swimming in fresh tomato sauce, all mopped up with warm bread, generously drenched in olive oil.
Brusco transports you to that secret little restaurant you stumble upon while travelling, the one filled with locals, where the wine flows and someone’s nonna is in the kitchen cooking food that’s simple yet unforgettable. The kind of place you talk about for years.
The best part? No air miles required. The team behind Brusco have created something truly special here, and I already can’t wait to go back.
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#brighton #visitbrighton #brightonrestaurant
