The Real Eating Company
We are sorry but this restaurant has closed - The Reader Comments are shown for historical purposes only
what the critics say

Terry Durack - 15/20
your comments review this restaurant
We had a great fish and chips and steak and kidney pie here yesterday. Service was OK but not amazing. Great food, service could be improved a bit. Nice coffees, much better than Starbucks across the road.
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Overall rating ![]()
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Awful service, overpriced and tiny portions. The cheese on toast was a small what looked like bin end bread with a thin layer of burnt cheese and a £7 price tag, it wasn't enough for a small toddler let alone an adult requiring lunch. The eggs benedict was cold and clearly undercooked with raw egg white. Service was indifferent bordering on rude. We still needed lunch after visiting. Shocking.
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Anon
Overall rating ![]()
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 08, 2010
I love a pie. I had a good one at The Real Eating Company on Saturday. Steak and kidney with a good pastry crust, lots of mash and gravy made with Harveys ale. It was delish. Keep 'em coming! Couldn't manage a pud after all that but they looked tempting. Will be back.
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Frank Reid
Overall rating ![]()
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Read about the Real Eating Company in Hove today in one of the Sunday papers and thought I'd go for breakfast with my boyfriend. We live close by but had never been before. I had pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and my boyfriend had a full English. Both dishes were delicious and ticked all the boxes. The pancakes were thick and fluffy with lots of crispy bacon. The sausages were especially nice with the fried breakfast. Two well-made lattes and efficient service made it a good stop before going into Brighton. Would recommend.
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MissFoodie
Overall rating ![]()
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Surly service! AVOID THIS PLACE!
I used to love this place, but it's taken quite a plummet down hill. It's still good value for money and quite nice decor and layout. The food is often quite good, especially the cakes.
Nevertheless, I'll never go back again. The last few times, the polite, efficient service has been a bit cold and indifferent. That was alright until I went in today (August bank holiday, 2010).
My friend and I went in and ordered 2 lattes. When I got there (around 9:15AM), there were only 2 other customers there. We went to sit at the window seats and noticed that the table was wet and sticky. I very politely asked the fellow at the till for some napkins so I could dry off the table. He looked at me as if I were rubbish, although I thanked him politely for the napkins. When I got back to the table, my friend asked me if there were any reason that the fellow and the women at the till both sneered at me behind my back. That was the last straw, as I could not then possibly enjoy my latte.
I asked for my money back and left, after being further insulted by the fellow who denied what my friend and I had both clearly seen.
It's shocking to be treated like that anywhere, but particularly when you've given loyal, polite custom for nearly a year. I had previously given the place 5 stars on Qype. I need to see how to modify that now defunct review.
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Overall rating ![]()
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 30, 2010
I consider myself to be somewhat of a past regular at The Real Eating Company. After moving away and coming back to Brighton a couple of months ago I was shocked at how much the Real Eating Company has gone 'down hill'.
To begin with I was told that I was not able to eat my eggs benedict in the delicatessen, I'd have to sit in the main restaurant, although after talking to the manager I found myself eating in the deli. What I was eating was another story, I ordered my usual eggs Benedict with Spinach. The Muffins resembled something you'd pick up from Tesco, the spinach was hideously overcooked , the sauce seemed microwaved, the ham was tasty however there was only a small amount, I understand portion control but really! The white wine was at the right temperature however it had been open for a day or two too long.
I liked the real eating company and hope it finds it's way back to its roots. I'll be eating in bills from now on.
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...
Overall rating ![]()
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Had 2 meals here, first was amazing, second was terrible. Burnt steak and undercooked chips!
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Overall rating ![]()
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The real eating company is one of those places in Hove that you walk past and always say to yourself 'I must go in there' the appearance is brilliant and the food sounds delicious (if not a little overpriced)
Unfortunately, I now wish that I had not had a meal there as the illusion is spoilt.
Both the food and the drinks took a long time to arrive at the table and both were a let down for the amount my partner and I were paying. Admittedly we were dining on a Saturday at breakfast time, giving the restaurants busyness, the lateness and poor quality of food can be forgiven. The main issue my partner and I were concerned with was the patronising and obviously highly stressed manager. Her performance was that of an unprofessional. We will not be returning to the restaurant and will not recommend it to our friends.
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Ms Davidson
Overall rating ![]()
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Saturday, December 19, 2009
My wife recently organised my 30th birthday party at the Real Eating Company in Hove and we had an absolutely amazing evening!
We booked the large table in the deli area upstairs which meant we had a private room and were surrounded by delicious cheeses and fun things to look at on the shelves which was a great treat.
The chef arranged for a special set menu for us, and everything was delicious. We all shared a selection of starters off the menu, including a charcuterie board, lovely chicken liver pate, and a very nice blue cheese and pear salad. Our main course was fresh grilled pollock and ratatouille, cooked to perfection and very flavourful. For dessert we had walnut tart topped with the creamiest ice cream (cinnamon) I have tasted in Brighton- to die for!
The staff were very friendly and attentive. We really appreciated that they and the chef made every effort to make us happy. In all it was a fantastic experience for a very good price, we will definitely be back!
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Simon H
Overall rating ![]()
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
A nice enough place, the food was ok, most of the staff are pleasant but the manageress was very stressed and rude to her staff which was uncomfortable to watch. Made the whole experience unpleasant, we will not be returning.
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Paul James
Overall rating ![]()
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 07, 2009







