Good Companions

Reviews

• Stuart D.

  star star star star star 12 June 2026

  Time for a cheeky beer or two or three. The Good Companion is just as it says on the tin. A friendly pub with great staff and a great music playlist. It's perfect for catching up with friends and putting the world to rights.
  
  My favourite is a Amstel, in a pint pot with a handle on it, for that Oktoberfest feel. You can even grab a home made sausage roll. Oom Pah Pah, Oom Pah Pah that's how it goes.

• Mike P.

  star star star star star 10 June 2026

  This is our regular haunt for Sunday roast dinners. Well, I guess it's between here and The Shakespeares Head just around the corner.
  
  I'm a stickler for a quality Sunday roast, and the Good Companions rarely disappoints. Since we've had a baby it's nudges the Shakespeares out of its top spot with us, as there's ample space for buggies, and it's generally a bit more child friendly. (NB: if you prefer your roasts sin niños, you may want to go elsewhere - it's loaded with them on Sunday daytime)
  
  As a local pub it's pretty idyllic - great economical food, a decent array of beer and wine, good bloody Mary's. It's got an ace beer garden out back, and plenty of room in the pub.
  
  Other reviews mention the overhaul that this pub had in 2011, but it really was outstanding. You can't tell now, but this really used to be a dive of a place. Normally when pubs get revamped they get turned into something astronomically different like a Gastropub. Thankfully in this case they just redid it as a really welcoming, kid friendly, traditional boozer. Top job.

• Ben J.

  star star star star_border star_border 10 June 2026

  I went here the other yesterday for a roast. A few years ago this pub would be a venue which I avoided. The type of people who would drink there wouldn't be the type that I'd like to be around or have as friends. I'd say the pub attracted posher types of people who live in white hawk. Now obviously I'm making a massive statement - I must clarify I'm sure there are lots of nice people who live in white hawk. However, most people in Brighton and hove, know that many wrongens live in that particular area! So yes, not your friendliest crowd. But I must say this pub has turned itself around!
  
  Its quite a big pub, and caters very well to large groups. We were in a big group and there were many people in the pub but it didn't feel as if we were on top of one another. The venue it's self is comfortable and has various sections to it. A bar area, with a big circular bar, a restaurant area, and a large outdoor area which lots of seating and heaters! It looks like they have a space where a BBQ area would be.
  
  If your going in a big group for a roast, I'd say book and reserve a table. The menu choice is pretty good, they have vegan options as well as three different types of vegetarian options. Obviously it's Brighton after all, but 3 options for veggies I'd say is pretty good going. It's also relatively cheap as it goes. £10.95. You also order at the bar and pay for it at the bar which is good as you don't need to muck about with the bill at the end! But , in terms of price, I guess standard, but that's what my meal was. I went for the veggie Wellington option. Cheese, mushrooms, spinach Wellington. With sweet potato mash, roast potatoes and a MASSIVE Yorkshire pud. It was tasty, but not by any means the best roast I had.
  
  What I slightly disappoint about was the order in which the food came out. It didn't come out all at the same, which obviously makes sense because we didn't order at the same time. But it did mean that some people were eating way before others which can be a little annoying! Oh well. Not too much of a big deal. Also, I like my food to be pretty hot. It was a little cold which suggested that it had been either sat their for a while or not cooked all at the same time and plonked on the plate at Random points.
  
  The waitresses were also a little grumpy. Not very friendly either. Apparently someone nudged one of them when they were behind serving the food. By mistake she knocked a Yorkshire pudding, the waitress was annoyed and reacted badly. I just felt like saying. Cheer up mate!
  
  Overall, a worthy three stars. Tasty food, great venue. Wouldn't come here again for a roast but defiantly to have a drink!

• Joy H.

  star star star star star_border 4 June 2026

  The Good Companions is a reliable pub that's cozy and spacious. However they do get busy so be prepared, especially on the weekends. Food is good and the service is great.
  
  I actually met my husband here which makes the place just a little more special to both of us. :)

• Nick S.

  star star star star star_border 1 June 2026

  A nice pub with a fantastic back patio.
  
  Holy balls do they have expensive pints, though! Some of the cask pale ales are SIX QUID and up! I mean, they were tasty pints, but that'd buy two pints back in Shoreditch.