Sussex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_sign.png" alt="Sign at Sora, Brighton Marina" class="wp-image-85364" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_sign.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_sign-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_sign-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_sign-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_sign-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/brighton/sora/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SORA</a> is Malmaison&#8217;s Asian-inspired restaurant and bar. While it&#8217;s a permanent fixture in its York and Manchester branches, it&#8217;s currently perched on Brighton Marina&#8217;s waterfront as a summer pop-up. You have until 31 Aug to soak up its Tokyo vibes and explore menus that range from lunchtime bento boxes and afternoon tea to satisfying miso-glazed black cod and wagyu beef from the grill. And did we mention the cocktail list? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_terrace.png" alt="Sora at Brighton Marina" class="wp-image-85365" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_terrace.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_terrace-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_terrace-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_terrace-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/sora_terrace-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Atmosphere-wise, SORA hits the sweet spot between laidback coastal charm and city-chic sophistication. Whether it’s spontaneous after-work drinks, a sunset celebration or date-night fun that lures you here, you’re in for vibrant flavours, friendly service, and the kind of far-from-home feeling that&#8217;s usually accompanied by jet-lag. The terrace is a huge draw, high above the boardwalk with harbour views. And while a breeze was snapping at sails down below, it was calm as could be up above, with blue skies and plenty of large parasols. Indoors, it&#8217;s booths, zesty colour pops and cherry blossom boughs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/cocktails_sea.png" alt="Lunch at SORA, Brighton Marina" class="wp-image-85361" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/cocktails_sea.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/cocktails_sea-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/cocktails_sea-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/cocktails_sea-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/cocktails_sea-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The menu gets it just right, whether you&#8217;re here for date night, cocktails with the girls or Sunday lunch with the family – and a twist. With everything from sushi to flame-grilled robatayaki favourites and generous sharing tapas to graze on, hotel guests looking for some upscale nibbles to go with their drinks before heading off into Brighton may find themselves cancelling reservations elsewhere. </p>



<p>We stopped by for a cheeky weekday lunch. With terrace views of boats bobbing on sparkling waters, it seemed rude not to start with a signature cocktail. The list skews fruity without being overly sweet, and my Passion Fruit Mai Tai also featured pineapple and lime, tasting of sunshine, holidays and mid-century glamour. My dining companion went off-list, testing the bartender by ordering a &#8216;classic daiquiri&#8217;, one of Ernest Hemingway&#8217;s hallmark tipples. He can&#8217;t help it, he&#8217;s a New York transplant, but team Sora passed with flying colours. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/table_dishes_view.png" alt="Lunch at SORA, Brighton Marina" class="wp-image-85362" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/table_dishes_view.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/table_dishes_view-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/table_dishes_view-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/table_dishes_view-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/table_dishes_view-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hungry? The Taste of SORA menu is a banquet if you&#8217;re two or more who can agree on anything. Instead, we freestyled it, beginning with shrimp crackers with avocado and wasabi purée, followed by sushi rolls. While the California is vegan, with pickled mooli and avocado, Green Dragon packs in tempura prawns and salmon. Both were beautifully presented. </p>



<p>Next came a cold plate of tender seared tuna with truffle mayo, crispy capers and a sweet soy dressing, plus a modest platter of tempura prawns, all perfectly paired with sea air and a crisp Australian Reisling, as recommended. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/beef_cod.png" alt="Lunch at SORA, Brighton Marina" class="wp-image-85358" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/beef_cod.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/beef_cod-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/beef_cod-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/beef_cod-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/beef_cod-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The beauty of a menu like this is that it encourages you to relax. In the hands of a keen-eyed waitstaff, the dishes hit the table to a rhythm set entirely set by you. And so, just as we were ready for them, along came our robata-grilled picks. The wagyu sirloin steak was all dolled up with caviar, chimichurri and crispy onions but the show-stealer was miso-glazed black cod, melt-in-the-mouth and umami-rich. A side of Asian slaw kept things fresh, and we had to order the KFC – that&#8217;s Korean fried cauliflower with gochujang. It&#8217;s a house speciality and deserves all the buzz. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/chopsticks_slaw.png" alt="Lunch at SORA, Brighton Marina" class="wp-image-85359" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/chopsticks_slaw.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/chopsticks_slaw-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/chopsticks_slaw-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/chopsticks_slaw-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/chopsticks_slaw-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Everything was shared, some dishes more than others (you&#8217;ll definitely want to make room for the KFC on <em>your</em> side of the table). Regrettably, we were too full for anything sweet, even mochi. Less greedy diners would have left room for the chocolate cremeux with black cherry, honeycomb and matcha. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids">KIDS</h2>



<p>It depends. There&#8217;s no kids menu and having littlies tearing around the terrace isn&#8217;t going to be relaxing for anyone, least of all you. Best to save this one for slightly older children who&#8217;ll get a kick out of feeling grownup and showing off their chopstick skills. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>The multi-storey car park with four hours free is a major draw. It&#8217;s a short stroll from there to Malmaison where you&#8217;ll be swept up to SORA in a lift. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/awards_drinks_marinasky.png" alt="Party for Sussex Muddy Stilettos Award winners at Sora, Malmaison" class="wp-image-85226" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/awards_drinks_marinasky.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/awards_drinks_marinasky-533x800.png 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/awards_drinks_marinasky-667x1000.png 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/awards_drinks_marinasky-768x1152.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Although Brighton Marina is barely 10 mins from the city centre, it feels a world away. It&#8217;s actually one of Europe’s largest marinas but once you’re done admiring the sailing boats, there&#8217;s plenty to entertain, from Hollywood Bowl and indoor golf to Cineworld. Fancy a spot of shopping? Ethical gifts, pet accessories and more are here for the browsing. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> The kind of laidback grazing that encourages indulgent sharing and just one more cocktail. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Anyone craving traditional seaside fish and chips. </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> The Taste of SORA menu is a very reasonable £55 per person excluding drinks. A la carte, nibbles start at £5, sushi rolls and cold plates £14, and grilled dishes top out at £42 for the Wagyu sirloin steak, with plenty that&#8217;s significantly less. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/brighton/sora/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SORA</a> at Malmaison, Waterfront, Brighton Marina Village, Brighton, BN2 5WA, tel. 01273 041482</em></p>



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Review: SORA at Malmaison, Brighton Marina

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