Istanbull Katz

In Brighton, Istanbull Katz is a contemporary Turkish dining room, shaped by a hospitality ethos that marries beauty with meaning.

Known locally for championing animal welfare and community through Munchies Craft Cat Café and Purrfect Space, Turkish entrepreneur Ash now turns her gaze to Istanbul’s culinary elegance, reframed for today. The room is calm and welcoming, a Brighton haven with Istanbul in its bones.

An Istanbul-born head chef steers the kitchen with quiet precision, letting carefully sourced ingredients and thoughtful techniques do the talking. The menu steps past the obvious to roam Anatolia, favouring lightness, seasonality and balance: clear flavours, clean lines, and the sort of restraint that lets every spice find its voice.

To start, think braised celeriac with quince and dill oil whispering of winter gardens, or aubergine mutabbel with strained yoghurt, garlic mushrooms, lifted with paprika.

Moving to the mains, Katz style Iskender short ribs with burnt butter and spiced tomato. While a slow-cooked lamb shank blends together smoked eggplant cream with aged beğendi thyme for the perfect bite. To finish, perhaps crispy kadayıf or a poised poached hibiscus quince.

There is quiet purpose, too: a portion of every meal supports the city’s beloved street cats. Settle in, savour the nuance, and let the evening purr along.