Tiny reviews of Brighton food and drink
There’s no shortage of mad donut places around, and they’re often some combination of a) too mad (and often as a result sickly sweet) and b) mad expensive. Donut Club I really liked, 3 for £10, some madness with choc or biscuit on top, but manageable, and really tasty core donuts.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 27 Duke Street
Bills itself as an “Italian Bakery and More…” and it’s – it’s ok. Pizza slices are a bit strange, half of them seem to be focaccia based which I was fine with but not what you’d expect, and they heat up – ok. Sweet treats that drew us there in the first place – similarly. Would probably get a worse grade but it’s pretty reasonably priced especially for the pizza, and they’re very nice!
Verdict: Ok
Location: 2 St James’s Street
Huge airy cafe in an otherwise largely residential street – big points for space. Food delicious too – French toast crumpet stack with cheese, chilli jam and bacon, lemon cheesecake pancakes both excellent. Only complaint really is the portions are just too much!
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 8 Third Ave
As the name suggests, art deco inspired cafe in Kemp Town. Nice people, pleasant interior, and I quite enjoyed my pancakes with bacon, egg and chorizo crumb. Falls under the category of “perfectly fine but won’t seek it out again”.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 38 Upper St James’ St
Tiny little cafe with some nice outdoor seating, have been meaning to go into it for ages. All vegetarian menu with plant based options – I had a massive breakfast sandwich with hash browns, my companion had a Korean oyster mushroom pitta. All awesome, just make sure you’re hungry as they’re huge!
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 109c Dyke Road
This was a close one, because Port Kitchen is rather unique, right in Shoreham Port. It’s a lovely spacious place with tons of great outdoor seating. But, while reasonably priced, the menu’s a bit odd and food is nothing special in a town full of great cafes.
Verdict: Ok
Location: Adur Dock, 104 Albion Street
I liked this place in its previous incarnation as the Laine Deli, but to be honest the North Laine Cafe blows it out of the water. Easily one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in Brighton – benedict came with tons of thick cut bacon, and the “stack” with homemade pork pattie, homemade hashbrown, bacon, egg…amazing.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 31 Trafalgar Street
Went in and the boy had a chocolate and marshmallow waffle, and I had a breakfast one with egg, bacon and cheese. We enjoyed it, but it’s quite spendy for what you get, and the waffles were ultimately a bit overdone. Better off going to one of the many dessert places around town I think!
Verdict: Ok
Location: 49 West St
Odd to rate this, because they rate themselves on cocktails and brunch. Went for neither – had a beer of an evening. But I liked the people and the venue, and 2 cocktails for £10 really good for that area. Want to try their brunch!
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 24 Prince Albert Street
The long awaited beachside venue. Went along week of hospo reopening and…well. The staff can’t be faulted (they brought Ryan a cupcake when he got sad for spilling his juice) but they are absolutely not geared up for families on the menu. And the space is disappointing; it’s a cacophony that you can’t hear over, and the windows were so fogged/dirty you can’t see the sea which is half of why you’re there. Keen to try the outside sometime.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location: Western Esplanade