Kokedama – a new restaurant from the team behind The Roundhill opens this weekend in the South Lanes
Kokedama – a new cosy small plate restaurant and brainchild of the team behind Brighton’s hugely popular plant-based pub The Roundhill – is set to open its doors on 1st April at their East Street venue in the iconic South Lanes
Following its recent successful pop-up in Lewes, Kokedama is a welcome addition to innovative plant-based dining in the city centre. Offering a unique and inviting dining and drinking experience, Kokedama will serve creative small plates alongside unique cocktails and natural wines. With a focus on sustainability, using seasonal vegetables and natural ingredients, Kokedama’s A La Carte and Chef’s Menu showcases an inventive marriage of impressive flavour.
Inspired by the philosophy of communal eating, Kokedama encourages sharing – it’s the perfect place to spend an intimate evening with friends. The two-floor restaurant is a cosy but spacious sanctuary, decorated with a myriad of natural materials, subtle lighting, and of course, Kokedama – the beautiful Japanese moss plants and the restaurant’s namesake. The space has a welcoming ground-floor bar where visitors can pop in to try delicious, tailor-made cocktails and graze on the flavoursome bar snack menu. During the warmer months, Kokedama will seat outside tables in its large terrace area, allowing diners to eat al fresco and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of East Street Square.
Kokedama will open its doors to the public on 1st April. Reservations are now available, book a table here.
‘With the success of the Kokedama pop-up at our Needlemakers Cafe in Lewes, we knew it needed a space of its own to thrive and grow. With this move we’ve tweaked the concept slightly towards a more relaxed way of eating and drinking – it’s luxurious food, with an easy-going atmosphere. Guests can feast on our Small Plates menu, or with advanced booking can choose to sit back and be led by our talented kitchen team, enjoying their carefully curated Chef’s Menu.’ Max Aben, owner of The Roundhill Collective (Kokedama, The Roundhill, The Needlemakers Cafe)
• Menu Teasers •
Trombetta courgette // baby artichoke // red pepper marmalade // green olive 10
Tenderstem broccoli // sunflower & nettle pesto // preserved lemon & capers 9
Confit potato // curried velouté // bhaji 10
• Cocktail Teasers •
Flying Lotus 10.5
Haku vodka // jasmine tea // sake // pickled lotus root // blue pea flower
Nitro 10
Coffee & cardamom-infused bourbon // banana // black walnut
• About The Roundhill Collective •
In 2018, Max Aben and his partner Rosi Lawrence took over The Roundhill pub on Ditchling Road with a vision to create a ‘living room away from home’ that serves delicious plant-based food. They partnered with then-head-chef Jake Swayne, a passionate culinary creative with skill beyond his years, and together they created The Roundhill as it is today.
The Roundhill quickly became a household name on the Brighton food scene, gaining a reputation for incredible vegan pub food, which was recently praised by famous comedian Russell Brand. The Roundhill is well-known for its unrivalled vegan Sunday roasts, which won the ‘Best Roast’ award in last year’s BRAVOs (Brighton Restaurant Awards). The Roundhill is nominated for the award again this year, along with several other awards.
Hailing from Lewes, Max, Rosi and Jake opened up a second venue in their hometown in 2020 – The Needlemakers Cafe. The bustling town centre cafe serves nourishing vegan breakfast, brunch, and lunch along with Lewes-roasted coffee and Lewes-brewed beer. This beautiful space in the historic candlemakers building became the setting for the successful Kokedama pop-up.
The Roundhill Collective is on a mission to create innovative plant-based food & drink to be celebrated by all. De-bunking the myth that vegan food lacks excitement and flavour, they create exceptional dishes from humble vegetables, across all three locations. Whether you’re after a relaxed brunch, a boozy lunch, an award-winning Sunday roast or a special fine-dining experience, The Roundhill Collective has something for everyone.
• Location •
Kokedama is located at 36 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HL.
• Opening Hours •
Wednesday – Sunday from 12am – 11pm.