25 Years of Indian Summer: How a Brighton Favourite Became a City Institution
Twenty five years in the Lanes
Some restaurants chase trends. Others just quietly get it right, year after year, until they become part of the fabric of the city. Indian Summer is firmly in the second camp. In 2026 the much loved independent restaurant on East Street celebrates 25 years of serving Brighton, a quarter of a century that has seen it grow from a new arrival into one of the most respected Indian kitchens on the south coast.
For owner Rob, the milestone is deeply personal. "Reaching 25 years is a huge milestone and one I'm incredibly proud of," he says. "Indian Summer has been a massive part of my life, and it's amazing to look back at everything we've achieved over the years. We've seen Brighton change, weathered difficult times, and adapted to new trends, but we've always stayed focused on great food and genuine hospitality. Most of all, it's a celebration of our customers and team, many of whom have been with us for years and helped make Indian Summer what it is today."
A Brighton institution since 2001
Indian Summer first opened its doors at 70 East Street in 2001, a stone's throw from the seafront and right in the heart of the city. Over the years it has built a reputation that goes well beyond the usual curry house, focusing on fresh, refined Indian cooking with proper attention to spicing, sourcing and presentation.
Rob puts the restaurant's longevity down to never standing still. "We've constantly evolved while staying true to our roots," he explains. "We genuinely care about every guest who walks through the door, and we've always focused on quality, consistency and creating an experience people remember. Brighton is a very competitive city for restaurants, so you have to keep improving, keep innovating and never take your customers for granted."
A brand new menu for the anniversary
To celebrate 25 years the kitchen has refreshed its offering with a brand new menu. Among the new additions are Vindaloo Pork Ribs, a selection of new sharing platters and a refreshed cocktail list, designed for the kind of relaxed, generous dining that brings a table together.
"We're always looking for ways to showcase the incredible diversity of Indian cuisine while keeping things fresh and exciting," says Rob. "The inspiration comes from a mix of traditional Indian flavours, modern influences, and listening to what our customers love eating when they visit us." It is a menu that respects the classics that built the restaurant's name while giving regulars and newcomers alike something fresh to discover.
An award winning kitchen
The accolades speak for themselves. Indian Summer was named winner of Best International Cuisine 2026 at the BRAVO Awards, the latest in a long line of recognitions that reflect the kitchen's commitment to quality. In a city packed with excellent places to eat, standing out takes more than just good food, it takes the kind of year in, year out consistency that judges and diners both reward.
Awards are never the reason the best restaurants do what they do, but they are a welcome marker of just how far Indian Summer has come in 25 years, and a reminder of why the best places never need to shout to be noticed.
A celebration with live jazz and dance
The anniversary will not pass quietly. The team are planning a big party this summer that reflects everything the restaurant is about, and music sits right at the heart of it.
"Music has always been a huge part of my life, I'm a jazz trumpet player, so we'll have a live jazz band featuring some fantastic musicians," says Rob. "We're also bringing in Indian dance performances, with some of our chefs even getting involved, which should be great fun and a real celebration of the culture behind the food. The whole idea is to create an unforgettable atmosphere where people can enjoy amazing food, live music, entertainment and celebrate 25 years of Indian Summer with us. It's going to be vibrant, energetic and a real thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. We can't wait."
Help Indian Summer get nominated
There is a way for Brighton diners to give something back to a restaurant that has given the city 25 years of great food. Indian Summer is hoping to earn a place in the Brighton's Best Restaurants guide, and the public can help by nominating their favourite independent restaurants for the 2026 list.
If Indian Summer is one of your Brighton favourites, you can put it forward through the official Brighton's Best Restaurants nomination, which feeds into the city's 30 Best Restaurants list for 2026. It only takes a moment and it is a lovely way to say thank you to one of Brighton's longest standing independents.
Visit Indian Summer
Indian Summer is located at 70 East Street in the heart of Brighton, just moments from the seafront and the Lanes. Whether you are a long time regular or have somehow never been, the 25th anniversary is the perfect excuse to book a table and see what a quarter of a century of getting it right tastes like.
You can find out more, see the new menu and book a table at indiansummerbrighton.co.uk or by calling 01273 711001. For more on Indian Summer and our ongoing collaborations, visit the dedicated Indian Summer page on ImJustBrighton, or head back to the ImJustBrighton homepage for the latest Brighton news, events and guides.
This article is part of a paid partnership with Indian Summer.
