Rustico Neapolitan (Hove) — Restaurant in England

My first Eat Out To Help Out! They took AMEX - Think Big Shop Small (Spend £10 get £5 Back) Looking for a nice restaurant locally we found this small chain in Hove. So we hobbled over after being advised we didn't need to pre-book. Signed in (Track & Trace). We saw all staff wearing face masks. We were shown to our table. Nice outdoor seating (inside was available), nice sunny warm day. It was quite a busy evening normally not so but with the government Eat Out Scheme plenty of people were taking advantage of it! Jack our friendly helpful waiter wearing a face shield, was polite and chatty and made us feel welcome and was very helpful throughout. Also attentive! We placed our orders from the primarily Pizza Based Menu. However there were other items on the menu to choose from. So we ordered Garlic Bread to share & Arancino Seafood Rice Balls x2. Never had one of these before ; not a mega fan of rice however was sumptuous, well cooked & very tasty. We waited sometime for the mains; however we were not in a rush and its nice to chill. They were very busy due to the scheme. For mains - I had seafood Pizza with Anchovies & Artichokes as extras; not many places seem to do this! Really tasty dough; thin base and tasty pizza with the extras it really gave it a kick! Couldn't eat it all so I had a doggy box. And my Mum went for the Rusticotto Ham & Mushrooms & Pineapple (no Tomato). She ate most an again found the dough was luverly and not too heavy as is always my concern with pizza! For desert I had to go for the Cannoli Siciliani Pistasshio, with an ice cream scoop; as was in a display cabinet and had choose me written all over it. I would of had 2 but need to watch my weight! It was so moreish! My Mum enjoyed her Pastiera di Grano. I finished of with a loverly large coffee (great value) and herbal tea for my Mum. We went premium for food but using 2 promotions made the meal out very reasonable. Normally I wouldn't have a desert. Otherwise I guess average reasonable prices. You could eat cheaply here or you can go premium. Otherwise our meals would of cost around £20 each with promos it kinda worked out around £5 each. This place has a good format, nice settings, friendly staff, good food! A nice small local micro chain that you have...

We had decided to come to Brighton from Eastbourne for my daughter to do some work on a photography assignment and she had put in a request for pancakes whilst we were there.

On walking past the Coppa Club we noticed they did brunch til 4PM including the much sought after short stack!

We were shown to a table and given a menu. The place was not very busy at this point. We ordered fairly quickly and two good hot almond milk flat whites and a big OJ turned up very quickly and we spent some time chatting and people watching!

However after 30 minutes we were getting very hungry and after 35 minutes, I asked the waiter how much longer the food was likely to be. He apologised and said it was next up.

Ten minutes later the manager approached without any prompting by us and apologised profusely and told us we would not have to pay for anything we had ordered! Although we did have a long wait, I thought the fact that he had noticed and immediately offered this gesture of goodwill was very good service.

The food arrived shortly after. It was hot, fresh, well presented and very tasty. The staff checked on us again and apologised.

Despite the long wait, I would definitely return. It was clearly an error that was quickly noticed, rectified and the food was good.

Well done Coppa for...

Rustico is a true hidden gem that transports you straight to Naples from the very first bite. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, blending rustic charm with authentic Italian character. Every dish bursts with genuine Neapolitan flavor — from perfectly charred, airy pizzas to fresh, vibrant antipasti and rich, comforting pasta. You can taste the quality of the ingredients and the passion behind the cooking in every mouthful.

The service is just as exceptional — friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, making you feel like part of the family. The attention to detail, from presentation to portion size, is flawless. Whether you’re here for a romantic evening, a family gathering, or a casual dinner with friends, Rustico delivers an unforgettable dining experience that leaves you eager to return.

If you’re looking for authentic Neapolitan cuisine done to perfection, Rustico is an...