Moonstone Sri Lankan Restaurant in Hove — Restaurant in England

A Culinary Gem in Hove – Moonstone Sri Lankan Restaurant

Moonstone is hands down one of the best dining experiences in Brighton & Hove. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The staff are incredibly attentive, friendly, and always happy to offer recommendations or explain dishes, especially helpful if you're new to Sri Lankan cuisine. One of the great things is that they ask about your preferred spice level, so every dish can be adjusted to your taste whether you like it mild or love it hot!

The food is truly exceptional. We had the Polos Kottu (young jackfruit), an absolute standout with incredible depth of flavor. The chickpea curry was rich, hearty, and perfectly spiced. For dessert, the Watalappan (a spiced coconut custard pudding) was smooth and indulgent, and the Sri Lankan curd with kithul treacle offered a refreshing and traditional finish to the meal.

Each dish is beautifully presented and made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. You can tell the chefs take pride in delivering authentic Sri Lankan flavours with care and consistency.

Moonstone isn’t just for Sri Lankans, it’s for anyone who loves bold, vibrant, and delicious food. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Sri Lankan cuisine or trying it for the first time, the experience is warm, inclusive, and absolutely satisfying.

It does get quite busy on Friday and Saturday evenings, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation if you can especially if you’re going with a group. The atmosphere is lively but cozy, perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.

A must-visit in Hove for anyone who appreciates amazing food and...

First time at a Sri Lankan restaurant and admittedly only went in as couldn't get in the Indian across the road. The staff were brilliant, really friendly and accommodating.

The main courses were superb, the menu has many veggie options but we had 2 different authentic dishes, 1 lamb 1 chicken. The lamb was tender and the sauce to die for. The chicken was a dry sort of stir fried curry quite different to anything I've had before. Both lip smackingky good.

Only giving 4 stars, however I do really want to support this restaurant but the starters need some work in my opinion, they were a huge disappointment. Fish balls were just canned tuna and mashed potato not even really spiced and only 3 tiny balls, mostly just salad but the pineapple relish was good. The chicken roll was also mash potato with few nuts of chicken in and kind of bland, both were reheated and not made fresh and yiu could tell.

The roti bread was also a disapointment. Nothing like any roti I've had before, it was heavy dry and bland and not worth the carbs! Sorry but paying 5£ for bread I'd expect much more.

With a few tweaks this place could be the best in town, we left satisfied and not bloated or too full like we do often at Indian restaurants, all in all a very pleasant experience and we will go back for sure but only for the main courses...

It was fine, but lacking.

On arrival, the service was very pleasant and told all dishes cooked from scratch. To ensure a certain vegetable wasnt in my curry, I specified I didn't want it...he had to check with the kitchen this was OK, odd considering all dishes are cooked from scratch and wasn't integral to the curry. Anyway, it arrived with said vegetable, when I started pulling them out, I was told it wasn't the vegetable I had requested wasn't in the dish...but wasn't offered what vegetable it was. Kind of poor.

The pappadums never arrived, but was on the bill, had to ask for the bill twice. No apologies for lack of food or adding to the bill.

Too dark inside, diners were using lights on their phone to read the menu.

Tables cramped in, a strong draft between toilet and main door, my friends were sat with jackets on them.

The vegetable curries were tasty, but overpriced. £7.50 for an aubergine curry, DOESN'T include rice or noodles. An aubergine costs 75p...that's a hell of a mark up on a small bowl of essentially one aubergine, some white onion and a third of a can of coconut milk.

I wouldn't go back, tried it based on...