Brighton’s Italian restaurants range from long-running family-run names in The Lanes to the city’s own Neapolitan pizza specialists, several of which have grown into UK-wide chains from a Brighton start. Here are eight worth seeking out.

Donatello has been a fixture of Brighton Place in The Lanes for decades, a large, long-running Italian restaurant known as much for its sheer longevity as for its extensive pasta and pizza menu.

With well over 4,500 reviews, it’s one of the most-reviewed restaurants of any cuisine in this guide – a measure of how many people have passed through its doors over the years.

Donatello — 1-3 Brighton Pl, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HJ, UK | donatello.co.uk

VIP Pizza serves Old Steine with Neapolitan-style pizza baked to order, a newer name that’s quickly built one of the largest review counts of any Italian restaurant in the city.

A 4.7-star average across 4,464 reviews puts it right up alongside Brighton’s most established Italian names despite a shorter track record.

VIP Pizza — 19 Old Steine, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EL, UK | pizzavip.co.uk

Bella Italia’s Market Street branch sits right in the heart of The Lanes, the familiar UK-wide Italian chain’s take on pizza, pasta and classic Italian mains for families and groups passing through the area.

A 4.5-star average across 3,567 reviews makes it one of the more consistently popular options for anyone wanting a dependable Italian meal in this part of the city.

Bella Italia — 24 Market St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HH, UK | bellaitalia.co.uk

Pinocchio has served New Road for years, an independent Italian restaurant with a broad pasta and pizza menu just along from the Theatre Royal.

A 4.3-star average across 2,291 reviews reflects a steady, well-established local following built up over a long run on this street.

Pinocchio — 22 New Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1UF, UK | pinocchio.co.uk

Al Duomo sits in Pavilion Buildings, directly opposite the Royal Pavilion, serving a full Italian menu to the steady flow of visitors through this part of the city centre.

A 4.4-star average across 1,974 reviews makes it a well-regarded choice for anyone combining an Italian meal with a visit to the Pavilion itself.

Al Duomo — 6-7, pavilion buildings, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EE, UK | alduomo.co.uk

Fatto a Mano started in Brighton before growing into a wider chain, serving genuine Neapolitan-style pizza from its Gloucester Road branch in North Laine – thin, blistered bases cooked hot and fast.

A 4.7-star average across 1,958 reviews reflects the strong reputation it built locally before expanding beyond the city.

Fatto a Mano — 25 Gloucester Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4AQ, UK | fattoamanopizza.com

Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana serves Jubilee Street with Naples-style pizza from a small, specialist menu, part of a UK chain built entirely around getting Neapolitan technique right.

A 4.9-star average across 1,151 reviews makes it one of the best-reviewed pizza restaurants anywhere in the city.

Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana — 17 Jubilee St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1GE, UK | rudyspizza.co.uk

Cin Cin brings a lively, wine-bar take on Italian dining to Western Road in Hove, pairing small plates and pasta with a strong natural wine list.

A 4.8-star average across 1,177 reviews makes it one of the best-reviewed Italian restaurants in this guide, on the Hove side of the city.

Cin Cin — 60 Western Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 1JD, UK | cincin.co.uk