Maré by Rafael Cagali

The story

Maré by Rafael Cagali, Brighton | Italian-Brazilian Dining with a Michelin Star

The kitchen and its leadership

Maré by Rafael Cagali anchors a new era of dining in Brighton with an Italian-Brazilian sharing menu that bridges high technique and warm hospitality. Creator Rafael Cagali, who earned two Michelin stars at his London flagship Da Terra, founded this Hove venue as his first project outside the capital. Head chef Ewan Waller runs the kitchen day-to-day; Waller trained at Westminster Kingsway College and climbed the ranks at Da Terra before stepping into the lead role. The culinary direction draws on Cagali's background raised in São Paulo to Italian-Brazilian grandparents, complemented by formative periods at The Fat Duck and Spain's Quique Dacosta.

A menu built for sharing

Dishes follow a sharing structure that moves from one-bite snacks to substantial centrepieces rooted in seasonal British ingredients. The fried market oyster comes with hot sauce emulsion and cumari pepper, sitting beside the native lobster claw tartlet layered with ginger and N25 caviar. Heirloom tomatoes dressed in ajo blanco provide a bright counterpoint to the freedown hills picanha finished with chimichurri, which underscores the Brazilian influence in the kitchen. The lobster rice enriched with ox tongue offers deep savoury richness, while the torched sussex mackerel paired with rhubarb highlights local catch. A dedicated set lunch allows diners to navigate the full range of small plates and sharers during midday hours.

Space, team, and accolades

The ground-floor space seats up to 38 guests around a central bar counter, fostering the convivial atmosphere that defines the venue. A separate private room at the rear caters to parties of up to 14, offering exclusive access to the sharing menus. Charlie Lee manages the floor; he joined Cagali at The Fat Duck and has steered service strategy since their first collaboration. Sommelier Jake Garstang presents a concise wine list prioritizing English still and sparkling selections, informed by tenure at Ynyshir and Restaurant Story. The restaurant secured a Michelin star within its first year, marking the first award for Brighton and Hove in roughly fifty years. This recognition coincided with placement in the National Restaurant Awards Top 60, reflecting strong industry reception for the Italian-Brazilian venture.