Brighton punches well above its weight when it comes to cafes.
Combining a fiercely independent spirit with a passion for the locally sourced and ethical, the cafes of our beloved seaside city could give any city in the world a run for their money. And if hand-poured single estate coffee is your thing, there is a burgeoning culture here of very serious coffee.
Artisan and Speciality Cafes Abounds in Brighton
One of the reasons for the growth of this phenomenal coffee scene may well be the rise of digital media companies in the city. Web developers strange obsession with coffee has almost become a standing joke now with Silicon valley geeks proudly sporting t-shirts that say ‘A web developer is an organism that turns coffee into lines of code’.
What in mind, the Barefoot team has spent some time this winter exploring the city’s coffee shops. We hope you find this guide useful.
Marwood Coffee House and Bar
Quirky and bohemian, serving good coffee and veggie food, there’s peeling paint on the walls, weird objects like mannequins lying around, and the tables are made from old doors. Oh and there’s a a tin can nailed to a crucifix above a 1950s fireplace. Sound pretty Brighton to you?
52 Ship Street, BN1 1AF
Bond St Coffee
With all their beans roasted locally in Horsham, they use Synessa Hydro Coffee Machines for espresso, and offer a rotating single-location coffee menu. Ethical and fairly traded, this place has stripped wood floors, framed photos of coffee producers on the walls, and its own ‘sensory training room’ in the basement, where you can learn about brew ratios, coffee cupping and extraction ratios.
15 Bond St. Brighton, BN1 1RD
Smallbatch Coffee Roasters
Small Batch are a Brighton success story, and deservedly so. With 8 locations now, they source and roast all their own coffee and the site of their Pavilion inspired logo is always welcome. While Brightonians generally disdain brands, Small Batch somehow gets away with it because they’re homegrown, and they’re serious about their coffee ethics.
Favourites here are cold brew during the warmer months, and the rarely found Cortado.
68 Goldstone Villas, BN3 3RU
Cafe Coho
Founded in 2010, but now with three different shops around Brighton, Coho is is a great independent coffee shop serving Union Coffee beans and good pastries. Laptops are banned at weekends to avoid table hogging.
Churchill Square, BN1 2EP
Presuming Ed’s Coffee House
A wonder in its own right, Ed’s Coffee comes with a labyrinth of differently themed rooms (including its own mini cinema) and even its own library! A great place for a freelancer to kick back and get some work done, Ed’s Cafe hits the top of our list for interesting venues.
114 London Road, BN1 4LJ
Redroaster Cafe
A beautiful venue in the heart of Kemptown, the recently renovated Redroaster Cafe is an absolute stunner on the inside and their wide range of comfort foods only enhance that atmosphere. The full range of Redroaster Coffee blends are also available to buy in packet!
1d St James’s St, BN2 1GG
Wheat & Beans
Recently opened and making a fine mark on Brighton in the process, this Family Run Cafe in Kemptown have been attracting customers from all over Brighton & Hove with their home made breads and pizzas as well as their spectacular 100% arabica coffee blends.
117 St. James’s Street, BN2 1TH
Starfish and Coffee
An independant cafe specializing in brunch who take pride in their wide assortment of locally sourced ingredients from across East Sussex. If you’re the type who likes to #BrunchLikeABoss be sure not to miss this opportunity!
32 Egremont Place, BN2 0GA
Grow 40
A Cafe and Restaurant combo by day, wine bar by night. Enjoy a French-Themed menu with freshly prepared seasonal food all year round. Located in the Heart of the North Laine, it’s the perfect coffee stop during a busy day of shopping.
40 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL
Moksha Cafe
Self acclaimed as having “Brighton’s Best Brunch”, Moksha Cafe has been called the best place to buy a Full English. This Family Run Cafe has a strong focus on ethically sourced ingredients and their own unique blend of coffee. A must visit for foodies.
4-5 York Place, BN1 4GU
The Corner
Fancying a Big Breakfast or a Afternoon Roast? The corner is that cozy mix between coffee shop and dine in that has you lay back and relax. Book a Sunday Roast and get a free tea or coffee included!
56-58 St James Street, BN2 1QG
Metrodeco
Did somebody say Vegan Tea? Metrodeco is Brighton’s one and only stop for 1930s glamour, tea and cheeky gin and cocktails at night. They also sell their own Loose Tea Leaves to take home.
38 Upper St James Street, BN2 1JN
Mojo
With two great locations on Lewes and Queens Road, fresh ground coffee and snacks, smooth jazz, and sink-in sofas make Moji’s the perfect spot to grab your laptop and start your day.
148 Lewes Rd, BN2 3LG
Artisan
Lovely little venue in the heart of Kemptown, serving coffee, loose tea and a delicious selection of cakes. Fun loving staff and an inviting aroma put this one on our list.
117 St Georges Road, BN2 1EA
Compass Point Eatery
A cross of Coffee shop and American Style Eatery, get a one of a kind experience complete with healthy food served by a qualified nutritionist. Quirky, original, and great at breakfast. Not to be missed.
19 St George’s Rd, BN2 1EB
Pharmacie Coffee
Pharmacie Coffee take great pride in their careful blend of arabica coffee beans, and were even featured in Vogue! A great place to grab lunch of a saturday, or just to stop by for some cake and coffee. If you’re into experimental coffee blends, this is the place for you.
18 Cambridge Grove, Hove, BN3 3ED
Cafe Plenty
Lovely little venue off Preston Circus, great for taking out your laptop and getting your work done beneath the warm, homely decor. Vegan menus available and they also host functions. What’s not to love?
3-4 circus parade, New England road, BN1 4GW
Pelicano
Pelicano source their coffee from a variety of areas across the world, looking only to get the best of the best into their unique blends. With three floors of seating and an outdoor Coffee garden, it’s a great stop-off spot during a busy day.
28 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP
Black Mocha
Tasty Food with the option of Afternoon Brunch, Black Mocha’s also got their own assortment of homemade vegan cakes for you to try, Great place to sip on tea or coffee during a lunch break. Easy to find in the heart of Brighton.
103 Gloucester Rd, Brighton BN1 4AP
Coffee@33
Relax on Ground Coffee Beanbags whilst you sit back and enjoy the daytime. The perfect place for a chat, a cake and a coffee, Coffee@33 prides itself on its welcoming and laid back environment.
33 Trafalgar St, Brighton BN1
