Fourth and Church
Church Road, Hove
Restaurant in Hove, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Chef
Adam Boutwell
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Book Fourth and Church for a polished Church Road meal that feels more grown-up than casual neighbourhood dining, with The Good Food Guide 2025 recognition adding confidence. It is a strong fit for conversation-led dinners and low-friction occasions; value-focused diners should compare it with Wild Flor, Semola, Topolino Brighton & Hove before deciding.
About Fourth and Church
Fourth and Church is a Hove venue led by chef-owner Adam Boutwell, with opening from Tuesday to Saturday and closure on Monday and Sunday. The strongest quality marker is its inclusion in The Good Food Guide 2025 with a “GFG Good” listing, so the most grounded reason to consider it is simple: it is a recognised Hove dining option with regular midweek and Saturday service.
For a better fit, focus on the confirmed facts rather than assumptions about cuisine, menu format, price, or room style. Fourth and Church is best framed as a smart-casual Hove booking to check directly for current menus, availability, any specific requirements before committing.
Good Food Guide credibility without overclaiming the format
Adam Boutwell is the named chef-owner, the venue's clearest external signal is The Good Food Guide 2025 “GFG Good” recognition. There is no price range, tasting-menu format, seating count, or cuisine description in the available information, so it should not be treated as a known value play or a fixed-format destination on that basis alone.
If you are comparing before booking, look at Fourth and Church alongside Wild Flor, Gandom Hove, Semola, Topolino Brighton & Hove, or Maré by Rafael Cagali, depending on the kind of meal you want. For Fourth and Church specifically, the practical points are its Hove location, smart-casual dress code, Adam Boutwell's role as chef-owner, Tuesday-to-Saturday opening.
Where the service needs to earn the booking
The dress code is smart casual, which gives a clearer planning cue than any claim about ambience or service style. Opening hours are Monday closed; Tuesday 12–10 PM; Wednesday to Saturday 12–11 PM; and Sunday closed. That makes it a realistic option for daytime or evening plans on its open days, but current menus and availability should still be checked directly.
For diners planning a wider meal decision, the useful move is to compare Fourth and Church with other named options such as Gandom Hove, Semola, Topolino Brighton & Hove, Wild Flor, while confirming any details you need directly with the venue.
Planning details
- Location
- 84 Church Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 2EB, United Kingdom
- Website
- fourthandchurch.co.uk
- Phone
- +44 1273 724709
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Fourth and Church presents itself as a wine-first neighbourhood room that prizes discipline over dining-room theatre. The interior is defined by shelves of bottles and a counter arranged for watching and conversation, which gives the place a focused, sophisticated air rather than flamboyant flash. It sits opposite the old Town Hall on Church Road, anchoring a stretch of the city that favours repeat local custom. Service feels practiced and unobtrusive, and the atmosphere leans toward considered conversation and tasting — a refined, quietly serious stop for people who come for the list as much as the cooking.
Best For
This is a spot for wine-minded diners who want an evening built around bottles and small-plate hospitality. Counter seating makes it ideal for solo guests who want to watch service and chat with staff, or for pairs and small parties who prefer a focused, service-led experience rather than a theatrical dining room. The neighbourhood setting and bottle-led format suit repeat visits and relaxed evenings out; the accessible glass and half-bottle measures also make it a practical choice for tasting and learning through drink without committing to a full bottle.
Ordering Tips
Treat the wine list as the menu’s partner: small glasses start at £7 and half-bottle options from £18, so order by the glass to sample across the list. The counter is where you’ll see the place at its best—sit there if you enjoy watching service and short-table banter. On the food side, look for the signature items mentioned on the menu: cured chalkstream trout, crispy fried chicken thighs and charred Brussels sprouts are reliable choices. Given the wine-centric approach, ask staff for glass pairings or to steer you through a sequence of tastes rather than jumping straight to a full bottle.
Venue details
Ambiance
Relaxed and friendly with bottle-stacked shelves, counter seating, and a sociable buzz conducive to happy dining.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- crispy fried chicken thighs
- cured trout
- charred brussels sprouts
Planning details
Location
84 Church Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 2EB, United Kingdom · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If price clarity matters, try Wild Flor, listed as Modern British at ££. If the group wants something more relaxed and Italian-leaning, compare Semola with Topolino Brighton & Hove.
Restaurant context
How Fourth and Church compares in Hove
Choose Fourth and Church when you want Good Food Guide credibility and an adult Church Road setting without chasing a harder destination booking. Wild Flor is the clearer price-positioned comparison because it is listed as Modern British at ££; it is the easier pick when you want a defined Modern British lane and a known price tier.
Topolino Brighton & Hove and Semola are better for diners leaning casual Italian rather than a more composed, service-led evening. If the brief is relaxed, familiar, lower-pressure, start there; if the brief is a quieter dinner with more editorial validation, Fourth and Church is the stronger call.
Gandom Hove is the useful local alternative when availability or group preference pushes you away from Church Road's more wine-and-dinner style. Maré by Rafael Cagali sits outside the immediate Hove set, so treat it as a broader comparison rather than a direct neighbourhood substitute.
Explore Hove
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Fourth and Church guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Fourth and Church
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth and Church | Hove | ; | The Good Food Guide 2025 | ; |
| Maré by Rafael Cagali | Brighton and Hove | 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #60SquareMeal UK Top 100 Restaurants 2026 · #67Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Michelin Plate | ; | ; |
| Topolino Brighton & Hove | Hove | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Wild Flor | Brighton and Hove | Modern British | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026The Good Food Guide 20252025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | ££ |
| Gandom Hove | Hove | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Semola | Hove | No published awards | ; | ; |
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How Fourth and Church Hove compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Fourth and Church?
The dress code is smart casual. Choose polished, comfortable clothing rather than assuming either a very formal room or a completely casual setting.
Is Fourth and Church good for a special occasion?
It can be a sensible Hove choice to consider for a planned meal, especially because it has The Good Food Guide 2025 “GFG Good” recognition. For details such as menus, price, group suitability, or celebration arrangements, check directly with the venue before booking.
Is lunch or dinner better at Fourth and Church?
Fourth and Church is open from 12 PM on Tuesday through Saturday, closing at 10 PM on Tuesday and 11 PM from Wednesday to Saturday. That supports both daytime and evening planning, but any specific lunch or dinner menu details should be confirmed with the venue.
Is Fourth and Church good for solo dining?
Does Fourth and Church handle dietary restrictions?
Contact Fourth and Church directly before booking if you have allergies, intolerances, or dietary requirements.
What are alternatives to Fourth and Church?
For comparison, consider Wild Flor, Gandom Hove, Semola, Topolino Brighton & Hove, or Maré by Rafael Cagali, depending on the kind of meal you are considering.
