Al Rouche

During a food tour of Brighton, my friend took us to this Lebanese place to try Lebanese food. I have never had it before so I can’t really compare it with anything. Between 4 people, we shared the appetizer platter which allowed us to try various Lebanese appetizers. Overall, I was not impressed with the food. The only thing I really liked was the pita bread and hummus. But since then, I’ve had better hummus.
It is a small shop and not a lot of tables so I would suggest a party of 4 or less would be best.

Brighton is not short in its variety of middle eastern restaurants but what it is short in is Lebanese and middle eastern restaurants actually run by those people.
Al Rouche is a family run restaurant who are actually Lebanese which is always a good sign!
Although the restaurant does not boast a wide variety of lebanese/​middle eastern main courses it most certainly does offer a very nice selection of starters/​meze. I have to say having lived abroad in Dubai and enjoyed Lebanese food countless times this is the closest i have had to real Lebanese food.
I would suggest you go for a nice selection of starters to share, they have the best home made falafel i have had in brighton! And if your a meat eater the sojouk and makanek which are traditional Lebanese sausages are delicious!
Its great value for money and always a delicious meal!
P.S look out for special offers during the week and lunch time some great deals are usually on offer!

Best dish: mixed vegetarian/​vegan mezze (with plenty of houmous, tabbouleh, tzatziki, olives, pitta and pastries).
Food: Delicious
Atmosphere: Quaint
Service: Friendly
Price: Cheap

Was always the best Lebanese in Brighton and, unfortunately, is now probably the only one (there are a few Persian and North African ones, but nothing authentically Lebanese). The deal for £10.95 (min. 2 people) is still great value: excellent fresh mezze with lots of humous and Baba Ghanouj and a choice of 3 or 4 mains including Meshawi (mixed grill: lamb, chicken, kofta) and a pot of really nice mint or Arabic coffee to finish.

The extremely sociable staff are probably the only reason I would go out of my way to revisit Al Rouche. In terms of taste the food is fine but unfortunately the presentation tends to make an otherwise mouth-​watering dish look a little unappetizing. However, it doesn’t detract from the experience too much and to give it credit, Al Rouche does some pretty dam tasty Baklava and while it looks a little cumbersome the Mezze plate is well worth £8.95.

It may not look much from the outside, with its dated blue plasticy sign, but this is a lovely, friendly little place.
They have a set menu which is excellent value at £10. The starter is the highlight here — a huge plate of mezze, with plenty of houmous, tabbouleh, tzatsiki, olives, pitta and unusual pastries. I believe this can also be ordered separately as a mixed starter if you’re not getting the set menu. The mains are fairly basic but very tasty — with a choice of grills and casserole type dishes. A dessert (I had ice cream, but there were other choices I can’t remember now), and authentic coffee are also included. The staff are very friendly and happy to have a chat with you about anything and everything.

If you go there and if you are 2 or 3, then definitely order the Mixed starter. You can get all the Middle-​East on a tray. However the food never impressed me, nor the rice they serve. But the Mixed starter always makes me go back there.

I’d never had Lebanese food before I went here, but I must say I was suitably impressed.
We actually went here as a last ditch attempt to find something edible after turning down a number of the other options on Preston Street and I am glad we did The food and presentation was rustic, but delicious. I felt the food I was eating was fresh and healthy and the waiter was particularly friendly. The teas and coffees we had after the meal were traditional and served in beautiful little cups. These little touches were humbling.
What was most interesting was that my friend who had more experience of Lebanese cuisine said it wasn’t even the best he had tasted. I would love to go to the better places, but for me, this was a great introduction to something new and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
Bön appetite!