El Bolillo

Special. Curtained off from the busy Church road, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in London’s hottest new restaurant. Straight to number one for dining in Brighton and Hove. The food is on another level - the lamb skewers are an absolute must. Wish we hadn’t shared the tacos. The pineapple whisky sours went down far too quickly. I can’t come back quick enough

Absolutely blown away! El Bolillo has created something special in Brighton, Hove actually, as specified on their coasters. The entire experience is curated to the finest details, the decor, the colours, the knowledgeable staff, the particular cocktails and the mouth watering food. Couldn’t decide what to order from the menu so we opted for the tasting menu with drinks paring. Every plate and drink was explained with passion by the staff, every bite was an explosion of flavour. This is a must do experience when in Hove! We will definitely be back for more.

If I could give more than five stars, I’d definitely give it to El Bolillo. Stunning atmosphere, knowledgeable and warm service, incredible drinks and delicious food. We started with great and original cocktails and had the extended taste of El Bolillo menu that was absolutely delicious. Fabio recommended us great wines to pair amazingly with the food and all the team were knowledgeable, friendly and elevated the whole experience. The maitake taco is living rent free in my mind now and can’t wait to be back soon. Thank you to the El Bolillo team for the delicious experience!!!

El Bolillo is a masterpiece of modern Mexican cuisine, offering an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment we stepped in, the team’s warmth and professionalism made us feel special. Fabio was outstanding, guiding us with precision on wine pairings for each dish, which transformed the meal into a culinary symphony. The tasting menu was a revelation—each dish packed with bold, unexpected flavours. The Baja Crispy Cod Cheek Taco and Pork Cheek Taco are unmissable highlights. The innovative tacos, vibrant wines, and inventive desserts reflect a deep passion for gastronomy. Every detail, from the atmospheric setting to the attentive service, enhanced the evening. This is a place I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting Brighton & Hove. I’m already looking forward to my next visit—it’s an experience I won’t soon forget!

Hands down, best food and cocktails I’ve ever tasted. I’ve had the pleasure of eating in some amazing restaurants over the years and the quality here blew me away. The decor is stunning, felt like we were in LA or Mexico City. Excellent service, we felt totally looked after. Some reviews mention leaving hungry but we were satisfied with the amount and quality of the food. All of the cocktails are divine, but the Margs Las Coloradas cocktail is unreal. What a treat to have this on our doorstep. 10/10 highly recommend and would visit again.

⭐️Truly Fantastic⭐️ We went for the ‘Taste of El Bolillo’ menu and enjoyed every course. The onion taco with a crispy onion ring coated in chicharrón (?) was the absolute highlight- it was one of the most delicious dishes I have had in a long time. The cocktails were just as creative- the pineapple weed sour was innovative- it is great to see such unusual ingredients being used. The waiting staff were both friendly and knowledgeable- cannot fault them. We will definitely be back 👍

Staggeringly good food, service and ambiance. The lamb skewers and short rib taco were a favourite! It’s evident how much care and work has gone into every single detail of this business; from the menu through to the joinery of the fit out! We will be back very soon!

There are definitely things to like about El Bolillo but the overall experience left me feeling disappointed. On the positive side, the interior has been done out really well and the cocktails are interesting and delicious. However, I've been to plenty of fine dining establishments and have never been charged a cover charge, a charity charge (surely giving to charity should be my choice? or perhaps the restaurant can boost their credentials by giving?), on top of meal and tip. Instead of feeling exclusive and fine, it felt penny pinching. We were seated at the bar. I'm more than happy to sit at a bar, but again, this doesn't shout fine dining to me - and El Bolillo is clear they are a fine dining restaurant. Our server talked us through the menu recommending the number of small plates, taco, main and extras we "should" be ordering. We chose not to follow the exact instructions and were disparaged for making our own choice, I felt bullied and unwelcome - indeed the level of service and attitude changed once we chose not to order the directed amount of food. Whilst the food was good, it wasn't great. Two weeks later I remember the amount I paid and I remember the tiny amount delivered, but the flavours aren't memorable. I know I paid £12.50 for one prawn on a taco but I don't remember it being the best prawn I ever ate. I'd been really looking forward to going to El Bolillo, especially given the many 5 star reviews; however, I won't be returning.