restAURANTS BRIGHTON
WHY YOU’LL LOVE BONSAI PLANT KITCHEN
The dark exterior of Bonsai Plant Kitchen on Brighton’s unassuming Baker Street has something of the allure of a Soho private members club; tinted windows concealing what’s within. Step in from the street and you’re instantly immersed.
Bonsai Plant Kitchen engages all the senses at once. The main dining room is arranged around the busy open kitchen and is hand-decorated with Japanese-style murals and pink neon features. There’s an izakaya den to the side with bench booths for groups of 2 and 3 people. The modern soundtrack is faultlessly cool and, in the evenings, it gets pretty loud. It’s a vibe; things are happening and it’s lots of fun.
The 100% plant-based South-East Asian inspired menu is largely cooked in the open kitchen on a Binchotan grill using white charcoal (wood carbonised in a kiln). This fills the restaurant with delicious fragrance, whetting the appetite from the get-go, and gives the food its distinctive, subtle and ultimately delicious flavour.
Most days, lunch at Bonsai Plant Kitchen is a simple affair with a great value set menu and steaming bowls of ramen. It’s perfect for busy foodies. But the evening menu is a masterclass in the limitless delights of plant-based cooking. Chef and owner Dom Sherriff sources the freshest produce and the best available meat alternatives to ensure the culinary integrity of every dish and the result is a delight.
Umami reigns supreme at Bonsai. Snack on homemade kimchi and pickles, then order from a selection of crunchy tempura, banh mi sliders, small plates of fresh salad, mouthwatering dumplings or spring rolls and skewers from the Bincho grill. Don’t miss out on the ‘dirty rice’ – though we warn you – try it once and you’ll be obsessed.
On top of all this, there are always exciting seasonal specials, mouthwatering desserts and juicy-fresh cocktails (and mocktails) to choose from. You’ll be given a paper menu to mark your order on. Take your time, order more, this is no time for regrets.
Bonsai Plant Kitchen was one of the most celebrated venues in THE BRAVOS 2024 winning Best Vegan Food and placing in Best Restaurant, Best Cocktail, Best Team and Best International Cuisine. Oh and Grace Dent loves it too…
