Esplanade Hotel at Brighton | Review

A Brighton icon has had a charming retro makeover, with fresh dining spaces, a relaxed family-friendly vibe and the beach just steps away.

Review by Carla Caruso

There’s something special about the Espy. Perched opposite Brighton Jetty, the Esplanade Hotel has been part of the local landscape for generations.

So, there was plenty of curiosity about what the venue would look like after almost 12 months behind closed doors for renovations.

Well, Brighton’s much-loved coastal institution is back – and it’s looking pretty fabuloso.

Following an $11.5 million makeover by the ALH Group, the Espy officially reopened on 14 September 2026, just in time for the warmer months. And while the hotel has had a major glow-up, it hasn’t lost the character that made it such a Brighton favourite, with a history that stretches back to 1888.

The new-look venue is more spacious, brighter and designed to make the most of its beachfront position, with multiple dining areas, bars, outdoor spaces, a new chef and, for the first time, boutique accommodation upstairs. (Staycation, anyone?)

We particularly love the coastal feel of the interiors, with warm natural materials, exposed brickwork and lofty ceilings sitting alongside touches that nod to the building’s history.

There are plenty of places to eat, drink and settle in, depending on your mood. The Cru Room is the main restaurant, with pub classics and heartier dishes making it a good choice for families, groups and casual catchups. The Apres Lounge is a little more relaxed and grown-up, designed for lingering lunches that can potentially turn into sunset drinks.

Then there’s the Pier Bar, which is made for sunny afternoons. With alfresco seating overlooking the water, it’s the perfect spot for a mums’ group catch-up or drinks with the girls – ideally with a spritz, cocktail or glass of SA wine in hand as you watch the waves roll in!

We recently got a sneak peek of the refurbed hotel ahead of its reopening and, of course, we had to sample the food.

We worked our way through a delicious spread including a seafood tower, oysters Kilpatrick, tuna crudo, prawn linguine, cauliflower and feta arancini, and chicken Caesar salad. We were bursting at the seams!

The menu also has plenty of pub favourites, including a chicken parmi, steak sandwich, cheeseburger, and Sunday roast chicken pie.

The seafood was beautifully fresh – as you’d hope when you’re dining right opposite the beach – while another standout for us was the creamy limoncello tiramisu. We’ll be coming back for that alone!

Families definitely haven’t been forgotten, either. The old indoor kids’ playroom and buffet-style salad bar may no longer be part of the Espy, but there’s still a kids’ menu featuring nuggets, fish and chips, pasta and pizza. There’s also lots of space to spread out, making it an easy option for a family meal.

The Espy has made its much-awaited return – and we know the Brighton crowd and beyond are pretty happy about it.

What we like about it

• Absolute beachfront location, with Brighton Jetty across the road – perfect for a walk or play afterwards
• Spacious dining areas, with plenty of spots to choose from and different vibes
• Light and bright interiors
• Dedicated kids’ menu

Things to consider

• The old indoor kids’ playroom and buffet-style salad bar are no longer there.
• Booking ahead is recommended, with plenty of people no doubt keen to check out the newly revamped venue.

Location:

Esplanade Hotel, 135 Esplanade, Brighton SA

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For more information and all enquiries, please visit the Esplanade Hotel website.

All photos by James Elsby for Play & Go Adelaide 

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently. All photos are by Play & Go (unless specified).

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