Chef Rafael Cagali to open first Hove restaurant

Rafael Cagali, the chef behind the two-Michelin-starred Da Terra in London’s Bethnal Green, is to open a new restaurant in Hove this September with his partner, Charlie Lee.

Marea by Rafael Cagali takes its name from the Italian word for ‘tide’ to mirror the menu’s response to the seasons.

The 38-cover restaurant will be led by Cagali’s protégé and former senior chef de partie, Ewan Waller, who will guide the kitchen day-to-day as head chef.

Waller trained at Westminster College from 2017 to 2020 and gained experience at the likes of Anglo Restaurant in London’s Farringdon and the Silver Cup in Harpenden before joining Da Terra as commis chef in 2022.  

The menu will feature a selection of small bites, hot and cold small plates, mains, sharers and desserts inspired by East Sussex.

The restaurant will position itself between fine dining and Cagali’s more casual Elis in London’s Bethnal Green, which opened in 2022.

Front of house at the Hove restaurant will be led by Lee, who worked under Simon King at Skylon on London’s Southbank before taking on roles at Koffman’s at the Berkeley, the Fat Duck and Fera.

Cagali said: “Marea is a concept that truly excites me. It’s about bringing the highest quality ingredients and innovative techniques to a setting that feels welcoming and accessible. We want guests to experience exceptional food in a convivial atmosphere – a place where they can feel at home while exploring new flavours.

“Brighton and Hove truly excites me too – the town appreciates quality ingredients, and a healthy independent restaurant culture has grown in recent years. I’m ambitious with Marea – I want it to become one of the most highly respected and beloved in the region.”

Cagali was born in São Paulo to Brazilian and Italian grandparents. He worked at the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck in Bray and Simon Rogan’s Fera at Claridge’s in London before launching Da Terra in 2019 as his first solo venture.