Having opened in November 2022, FURNA is the debut solo restaurant from chef Dave Mothersill, a well-known name on the Brighton food scene, previously working for The Black Rock restaurants, which have an array of delicious dining spots across the city.
Built on over two decades of experience, the restaurant focuses on a seasonal tasting menu that champions British produce through modern European dishes. Since opening, it’s gained significant recognition, including two AA Rosettes and a listing in the Michelin Guide, cementing its place as one of the city’s standout fine dining spots. So, naturally, I went down to ask the question: Does the eight-course tasting menu live up to its name?
The Kitchen Counter experience at FURNA offers you a glimpse into how the dishes come to be.
DesignMyNight's Review Of FURNA In Brighton
Need To Know:
- Address: 6 New Road, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1UF
- Area: Central Brighton
- Cuisine: European
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: set within a beautifully restored Georgian building, FURNA struck a balance between understated elegance and relaxed fine dining. The space felt intimate and stylish, with warm tones, chic furnishings and a relaxed atmosphere. We sat at the bar at the back of the restaurant, overlooking the open kitchen, for a front row seat to the culinary action
- Perfect for: pre-theatre dining or an elevated date night
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £372 (includes two set menus, wine pairings and one cocktail each)
Duroc pork (pictured right).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Galician octopus, wild rice and fermented scotch bonnet - the octopus was tender, paired with nutty wild rice for texture, while the fermented scotch bonnet hot sauce brought a punchy heat and depth that lingered in the best way
- Smoked cod’s roe with watermelon radish - a beautifully balanced dish that combined richness with freshness. The cod’s roe was creamy and subtly smoky, cut through by the crisp, peppery bite of the watermelon radish, creating a light yet flavourful course
- Duroc pork - served with wild garlic, morel and asparagus, this was a standout main that showcased the kitchen’s precision. The pork was perfectly cooked and deeply flavourful, complemented by vibrant wild garlic and seasonal asparagus, a dish that felt both hearty and refined. From the moment we tried this dish, it was decided that it was the best pork we’d ever tasted
Dessert of Yorkshire rhubarb (pictured right) was also a real highlight.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- High Tide cocktail - this was a memorable house creation which was the perfect start to the evening, made with scotch pine vodka, pickled rock samphire, vermouth and burnt honey. Inspired by a drink the chef discovered on his travels, this version balances savoury, sweet and herbal notes with a refined edge
- Big Salt wine - crisp, citrussy and refreshing, this worked beautifully alongside the tender south coast brill
- Morandé Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc - rich
and sweet, this was paired with the dessert of Yorkshire rhubarb
and rice pudding parfait, doubling down on the sweetness in a way
that felt indulgent without being
overwhelming
Our Overall Experience At FURNA
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I felt that dining at FURNA was a carefully curated experience from start to finish. The tasting menu and wine pairings simultaneously showed the creativity and technical skill of Dave Mothersill, while the relaxed yet polished setting made it feel really special without being intimidating. Being so close to the Theatre Royal and Brighton Dome, I think that this unassuming fine dining spot is the perfect place to head if you’re looking for something a little extra special before a gig or play.
