Giggling Squid Brighton: Veganuary menu at Market Street restaurant

But inside, it is home to a fan favourite restaurant.

The chain started in Church Road, Hove, and has now has eateries across the South Coast and as far north as Birmingham.

The restaurant in Market Street was once a fisherman’s cottage and its winding interior is home to three floors of cosy nooks and crannies to dine in.

With its labyrinthine layout, I was worried that our top floor seating area might suffer from a lack of atmosphere, but I was proved wrong.

There are plenty of cosy rooms to dine in (Image: The Argus)

It felt homely, but never in a sickly way. The sage green colour palette and rattan furniture added to the laid-back atmosphere.

I failed Veganuary on day one this year – yes, I really did need those cheesy chips – but I was excited to try the restaurant’s special menu as someone who has been on the cusp of trying veganism for a few years.

I am pescatarian myself, but only really eat fish when I eat out, so it was interesting to restrict myself to the vegan menu and see if I missed anything.

• READ MORE: Brighton and Hove residents' parking permit increases proposed 

It was immediately clear that Giggling Squid had taken care with its Veganuary menu, which has a great range of interesting options - no boring salads or artificial meat substitutes.

The restaurant in Market Street was once a fisherman's cottage (Image: The Argus)

Students, families and couples came in and out in the time we dined, and the ambient music was at the perfect volume so as to be heard but not distracting as we ate our meal.

My favourite course was the starter, which was a light, fresh salad packed with flavour. With bamboo shoots, Thai shallots and goldenberries. It tasted of summer which was a welcome juxtaposition to the cold winter's night.

The bamboo and goldenberry salad was delicious (Image: The Argus)

Service was prompt and attentive throughout, and we received our mains at the perfect time to allow our starters to settle.

The massaman curry was rich and warming (Image: The Argus)

I chose the massaman curry which had a rich and warming peanutty sauce which the vegetables and tofu absorbed nicely. The jasmine rice was cooked to perfection.

Giggling Squid's signature phad thai was a delight (Image: The Argus)

The dessert was a dream come true for an indecisive sweet tooth like me. A trio of mini desserts, made up of a melt-in-the-middle chocolate pudding, salted caramel souffle and pineapple and coconut finger.

The trio of mini desserts was perfect for an indecisive sweet tooth like me (Image: The Argus)

My favourite was the pineapple and coconut finger, which complemented the rest of the meal with its sunny flavours.

We washed the meal down with a bottle of Chenin Blanc which was crisp and refreshing.

At just £30 for three delicious courses, I will definitely be back.