A short walk from the lovely park after which it is named, this once-posh gastropub has gone back to its roots and now focuses on decent beer and no-nonsense grub. The bar has been completely refurbished to turn it back into a cosy local, complete with worn rugs, beer mats on the wall and retro stools. There’s nothing old fashioned about the beer, however; the owners, Brighton’s up-and-coming Indigo pub group, provide a good selection of cutting-edge craft ales from breweries such as Beavertown and local hero Burning Sky. Burgers, fish & chips and lasagne help line the stomach, but you’ll also find more refined dishes on the menu, such as bream with saffron potatoes and crab meat dressing. A bargain set lunch (two courses, £10) and an epic Sunday roast, including meltingly tender Southdown shoulder of lamb, help make the Tavern the stand-out pub in this part of town.
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