Where creativity meets connection
KOOKS
56 Gardner Street, Brighton BN1 1UN
Kooks sits comfortably in the heart of Brighton centre. It spreads its uniqueness through organised open mic events and a bottomless brunch available. As you approach, there’s an incredibly welcoming storefront with small seating outside, opening into a bar space inside with larger tables, too!
If you fancy a small treat, there’s cakes on display to choose from. It may take you some time to decide, though. Or there’s a full selection of brunch-time meals on their menu. There really is something for everyone!
They may not be the most active on social media, Kooks is around for a visit! Take a sit down during your mid-week or weekend shop, treat yourself for elevenses, or make time for lunch!
THE FLOUR POT BAKERY
40 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EP and across Sussex
A little gem hidden in the streets of Brighton with their signature contemporary exterior and chequered flooring. They are the perfect mix of deli and café to sit and enjoy your coffee any time of the day or even grab a freshly baked loaf for the week.
As every café has, the whirring of the coffee grinder, the buzz of the steaming wand, and music behind it all lifts your mood as soon as you enter. The Flour Pot Bakery smells like home with the bitter-sweet warmth of coffee, delightful fragrances of teas, and the sugary smell of pastries and cakes that simply brightens the soul.
My go-to will always be a mocha with its sweetness overwhelming my tongue and a pastry I must recommend is their Apricot Copenhagen Danish. I cannot express the flood of deliciousness from the pastry! A messy treat with the crumbling icing and sticky apricot pieces.
A wonderful little place to visit when you’re around Brighton, with many locations to select from Five Ways to the Beach to Hove, and even all the way to Worthing. Do not miss out!
READING ROOM
Black Rock, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1FY
Yet another café you need to take a run to get to, but it truly is a hidden treasure on the coast towards the Marina. You are greeted with an exceptionally relaxed atmosphere when you walk in. The Reading Room is being widely spoken about on social media for its prime location along the beach, a large terrace to sit and relax with a coffee in hand and a book on your lap.
They post their lunch time menu each day on their Instagram really showing the variety in what they sell each day. Keep an eye out as if on one day there’s nothing you fancy, there certainly will be tomorrow!
GARDEN CAFÉ
29 North Road BN1 1YB,
A treasure trove on North Road where the gold you seek is found in coffee beans and flower petals. With a recent refurbishment, the Garden Café has shed a whole new light on their seating areas. They prioritise an atmospheric mood lighting in their main space with stained-glass lanterns hanging low from their ceiling. They are the opposite of most cafes where they try to keep their decorations minimal, here they let paintings and plants overwhelm the walls in stunning arrangements. There’s always something new to look at when you go in!
Garden Café is heavenly well known for its vegan selection. Majority, if not all, cakes on their display are vegan friendly and each are delectable! I cannot express in the right words how good their coffee cake or banoffee tart was. If you’re not looking for a sweet treat, you can look at their all-day brunch menu!
DANDY
39A Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP
A quaint café nestled in the North Laines. A small storefront you’d walk past but must enter as soon as you read the words, “YOUR NEW FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP”, stamped on their window. Big words for such a small place. Yet, it ends up perfect for them.
An absolute wonder to enter, it feels as if you’re walking through that wardrobe into Narnia. A gorgeous set up with a very Parisian/Country style vibe. Being from the Cotswolds it reminds me of the cafes from home. Joy radiates from the place like the rays of sunshine on a wintery-spring morning. You can choose from sitting in and watching the world go by or taking your beverage away and strolling through the laines.
At night, the quaint café transforms into a bar spreading out a selection of wines, beer, and house cocktails to indulge upon as the night bleeds into the sky.
Certainly, an independent coffee shop to put on your ‘Must Visit’ lists when you’re in the area!
SPRO COFFEE CO
47 Norfolk Square, Brighton BN1 2PA
A gorgeous little spot only just bloomed on Norfolk Square! Spro Coffee Co. is a small, but incredibly homey space. With only a couple tables inside and out along with two benches pressed against their large windows, they’ve created a modern space where despite the closeness of all customers, the music covers the static conversations beautifully.
They have become quickly popular on social media for their toasted marshmallow floating upon a hot chocolate or mocha, the rich and creamy drink adorned with that soft pillow of sweetness on top. It is a delight! Despite being new to the Brighton café scene, they’ve really made a tremendous mark, and it cannot be pressed that if you find yourself wandering away from Churchill Square, pop into Spro Coffee Co. for a quick treat!
36 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AB
Trading Post Coffee Roasters is well known for their coffee beans. You will see most cafes in Brighton using their blend, and I can’t fault them for it. Their roast is rich tasting and divine in my usual mocha. With many locations spread throughout Brighton & Hove, they really are a lovely place to pop into when you have the time.
Main locations are based in the centre of the North Laines and another branch at Norfolk Square, both manage to provide exactly what you need at the time. A full counter of deli sandwiches, toasties and cakes as soon as you step foot in the building. Seating spanning the full expanse of the buildings, you really can’t miss out of grabbing a quick table mid-shop.
PELICANO COFFEE CO.
15 Lewes Rd, Brighton BN2 3HP
Pelicano Coffee is just a walk down the street for me, passing it on the bus each day, there is no way to miss the tiger on their window. It really is a seller in their marketing reminiscent of Brighton’s tattoo artists. Such design is a gorgeous piece to look at and see customers filling their tables with laptops out and coffee mugs in their hands.
Each place on this list is really an amazing place to take a book into or even a laptop to finish some overdue work, but there’s not really a place like Pelicano where you see everyone with pieces of work out. It really encourages you to do the same!
MARMALADE
237 Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ
Just as sweet as its namesake, Marmalade sits on Eastern Road. A warm, chocolate exterior welcomes you and nothing can pull you away once you’ve smelt the pastries within.
From an amazing selection of snacks, they also provide salads and soups a like for lighter, but heartier meals. Marmalade isn’t placed within the centre of the city; however, it is truly an adventure you won’t regret. Go on your walk with Café Marmalade as your midway point, have your coffee within or take it away and finish your journey. I can guarantee there will be a smile on your face as you’re walking even in wind or rain.
BAKED
69 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BB
Located in heart of Hove, a fitting place when it opened on Valentines Day 10 years ago. A wonderful place to visit if you’re craving for something a bit more than a cake. With an amazingly wide-spread all-day brunch menu, Baked is praised for the quality of food they bring out.
Baked opens into a gorgeous upstairs floor with only a few tables, but lofty ceilings and a tropical wallpaper along the back wall that brightens the room. They have an outside terrace with heaters and blankets ready on hand for the colder mornings and days when the sea breeze brushes through The Avenue streets. Then, for a quieter sitting, you can move downstairs into their lounge with booth-like seating.
For a café, they are on the more expensive side, but every penny is worth it. Be careful, though, they can get busy, and you may find yourself wishing you booked with them beforehand to have a table waiting for you when you arrive.
Mae Clapton
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