Take your pick from some of the best venues for Christmas food and drink

Christmas is the time of year for bringing people together, whether that's work colleagues, family or friends. And what better activity to undertake in order to create some glorious memories than enjoying food around a table, with lashings of alcohol.

Granted, this can also produce some awful memories, so maybe lay off the second bottle at your work's Christmas function this year.

With good memories in mind, we've compiled a guide to Christmas food in Brighton and Hove - all tailored for different occasions and to suit a range of needs.

64 Degrees

53 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB

www.64degrees.co.uk

@chef64degrees

01273 770115

Impress this Christmas at one of Brighton and Hove's most innovative and interesting restaurants, 64 Degrees. Tucked away in the fashionable North Laine area, this cosy, cool restaurant has been lauded by critics and recently awarded Bib Gourmand status in the Michelin Guide. Head chef and owner Michael Bremner invites parties of one to six to enjoy memorable sharing plates of festive food over the holiday season. Also available for exclusive hire for parties of up to 23.

Good for: impressing, modern cuisine, foodies, small groups, fashionable.

Hove Place

35-37 First Avenue, Hove, BN3 2FH

www.hoveplace.co.uk

@HovePlace

01273 738266

Hove Place reward any who enter this semi-underground hideaway with fantastic customer service, great gastro-pub food, and a decent selection of wines, beers and spirits. Hosting both a sit-down festive menu, as well as a buffet option, Hove Place invites you to try traditional fare at a competitive price. Think free-range turkey ballontine and rare-breed rib-eye beef with all the trimmings, or walnut and roasted squash wellington and pan-fried wild sea bass, finished with chocolate and malt tart or traditional bread and butter pudding with brandy butter ice cream.

Hove Place is one of the best pubs west of Brighton at the moment, making it the ideal destination for a Hove-based Christmas meal. Â£20 for two courses; Â£24 for three courses.

Good for: affordable, large groups, families, traditional food, Hove.

Sidewinder

65 Upper St James's Street, Brighton, BN2 1PJ

www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/sidewinder

@sidewinderbtn

01273 679927

A Drink In Brighton venue, Sidewinder in Kemptown has slowly been reinventing itself as one of the best pubs in the city, thanks to manager Hannah Waddington and a sterling kitchen team. Moving away from their usual Mexican menu to introduce festive flavours, Sidewinder offer both a buffet-style "party" menu alongside a sit-down offering.

Starters include salmon gravlax and chicken liver parfait, with mains of roast turkey breast, roast beef, and goat's cheese wellington. Incredibly affordable with a lively, party-like atmosphere, Sidewinder is your perfect boozy Christmas night out. Â£18.95 for two courses; Â£22.95 for three courses.

Good for: work parties, alcohol, groups of friends, lively atmosphere, pub food.

New Club

133-134 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2HH

www.thenewclubbrighton.com

@newclubbrighton

01273 730320

One of the most popular breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktail places in the city, New Club have done nothing but impress since their introduction to Brighton last year. So why not give this LA-meets-NYC hangout a try for something different this Christmas?

Serving an achingly-hip menu that includes buttermilk fried turkey crown strips, peppered pumpkin soup with black truffle oil, rib-eye steak with burnt brandy and wholegrain mustard jus, and a host of festive sides, including tempura brussel sprouts and marrow mash. New Club is doing a festive menu like nowhere else. Give it a try for something different this Yule. Â£28 for three courses

Good for: work parties, friends, foodies, cocktails, fashionable.

The Ginger Pig

3 Hove Street, Hove, BN3 2TR

www.thegingerpigpub.com

@gingerpigdish

01273 736123

The Ginger Pig's focus on high-quality plates of food alongside excellent service makes for a special and memorable evening out. This year's December set-menu once again combines cleverly-orchestrated flavours without verging too far from traditional food.

Highlights include crispy ham hock and honey-roasted bacon with split peas, apple and mustard, and roast breast of pheasant with bone marrow bread pudding, liver faggot, shallot puree and onion. The Ginger Pig in Hove never fails to impress, especially at Christmas time. Â£30 for three courses; Â£45 for three courses and 2 cocktails.

Good for: work parties, impressing, friends, foodies, Hove, drinks.

Jeremy's Restaurant

Borde Hill, Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath, W.Sussex, RH16 1XP

www.jeremysrestaurant.co.uk

@jeremysrest

01444 441102

Situated in the heart of Borde Hill Garden, which provides the perfect wintery Sussex backdrop to your Christmas event, Jeremy's Restaurant welcomes you to indulge in their festive menu throughout December. This includes corn-fed chicken and foie gras terrine, slow-roast shoulder of suckling pig, loin, and confit of venison, and clementine parfait.

With a focus on locally-sourced and high-quality produce, Jeremy's is highly regarded as one of the best restaurant in Sussex and won't disappoint this Christmas time. From Â£32 per person.

Good for: impressing, fine-dining, modern cuisine, Sussex, groups.

Sussex Yeoman

7 Guildford Road, Brighton BN1 3LU

@thesussexyeoman

01273 327985

Recently voted the "Best Sunday Lunch" at the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Awards, the Sussex Yeoman is, without a doubt, serving one of the best festive menus out of all Brighton pubs. Starters include spiced cream of shallot soup and wild Sussex game terrine, with mains ranging from traditional, free-range local turkey to pan-fried dover sole and wild venison wellington.

Sussex Yeoman also ensures all dietary requirements are catered for and have included vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on their menu. If their Sunday roast reputation is anything to go by, I predict Sussex Yeoman to be one of the best festive meals in town. Â£23 for two courses; Â£28 for three courses.

Good for: work parties, groups, friends, family, alcohol, special occasions.

Gastrotheque

@likklebickle

01273 329086

The team behind Likkle Bickle will be flexing their cooking skills and bringing you a December menu at Grand Central under the alter-ego Gastrotheque. A step away from the Caribbean flavours we all know and love, the menu concentrates on festive offerings such as free-range roast turkey with all the trimmings and Sussex beef brisket with dauphinoise potato, baby carrots and wild mushrooms.

Owners Nephi and Jessie certainly know their way around the kitchen and I wouldn't be surprised if we see more from their Gastrotheque brand in the New Year. Â£20 for two courses; Â£25 for three courses.

Good for: groups, work parties, friends, alcohol, lively atmosphere, pub food.

60 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE

www.curryleafcafe.com

@curryleafcaff

01273 207070

Transport yourself to southern India with the December menu from newcomers Curry Leaf CafÃ©. An excellent choice for groups with varying dietary requirements, dishes include kodagu pork curry, kharai paneer, baked sea bream, and pea and parsnip tikki. Head chef Kanthi Thamma is keen to express his countries festive flavours in these dishes, so why not step away from the turkey this Christmas and try something new? Dishes are individually priced.

Good for: work parties, groups, friends, impressing, something different.

Cocktail Shack

34 Regency Square, Brighton, BN1 2FJ

www.cocktailshackbrighton.co.uk

@cocktailshack

01273 321196

OK, not a food establishment - but how could we not mention Brighton and Hove's best new cocktail bar? Drinks are made by experienced barman Ali Bell, one third of the exciting and innovative The Set pop-up collective.

Part of Cocktail Shack's charm is the cool decor, impressive view, and relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Not to mention the quality of drinks on offer. Make this venue your pre- or post-food drinks place. You won't regret it. Pre-booking for large groups is advised.

Good for: small groups, friends, impressing, alcohol, something different.