The best cafés in Brighton

Flint Owl Bakery is an award-winning café and bakery known for its organic breads, pastries, and changing lunch menu. Everything here is made from scratch using only organic flour, sea salt, and spring water, with no additives or shortcuts, just traditional baking. Expect perfectly flaky croissants, wholesome sourdough, and beautifully crafted cakes, with vegan and gluten-free options always available. And yes, well-behaved dogs are more than welcome.

Hidden just off Gloucester Road, Loam is one of Brighton's favourite cafés. The pastel-pink shop feels calm, drawing in a loyal mix of locals, creatives, and coffee lovers. Expect expertly brewed espresso and filter from roasters like DAK and Sweven, plus the occasional inventive twist, such as a coffee sangria or cereal iced latte. Every detail, from the handmade ceramics to the playlist, has been carefully thought through, making Loam a small but mighty stop on Brighton's coffee map.

Located in The Lanes, Loaft is a sleek speciality coffee lab and concept store that's quickly become one of Brighton's hippest hangouts. The Scandi-inspired décor and minimalist feel make it a calm spot to sip, browse and take a breather. By day, it's all about precise brews and design-led details; recently, it's also started hosting select evening events as a wine bar, pouring natural and low-intervention wines in the same relaxed setting.

In Hove, Hearth Café & Garden offers a serene, sunny escape surrounded by lush greenery in the gorgeous garden out the back. The menu features wholesome comfort food, including homemade quiches and seasonal salads, as well as generous gluten-free options. Their version of a full English, featuring bubble and squeak and homemade beans, is a local favourite.

Opposite Queen's Park, Starfish & Coffee is a neighbourhood café with a loyal local crowd. Breakfast is the star of the show, featuring pancakes, eggs, sweetcorn fritters, and their famous hashes, which arrive in generous portions. Coffee is tasty, the service is friendly, and weekends bring families, dog walkers and people easing into the day with a slow brunch before heading across to the park.

In Hove's Third Avenue, Oeuf Café has crafted that polished yet playful brunch vibe that Brighton does so well. Inside, you get marble pillars, duck-egg tones and a pretty garden for sunny dining. The menu is egg-focused with options like eggs benedict, a surf-and-egg number and their cult “frumpets” which are basically crumpet-French-toast hybrids created by Oeuf. Coffee comes from local roasters and there are mimosas if brunch turns boozy. There is even a florist inside for treating yourself to some blooms post-brunch.

Just down from Brighton Station, Moksha is the kind of all-rounder brunch spot that works whether you want a full English, a breakfast burger or huevos rancheros at 10am. Eggs appear in every way, and the hash browns have a bit of a reputation among regulars. Coffee is roasted in-house, but those opting for something stronger often head toward the cold brew martini. It is walk-in only, so expect a short wait at peak times.

In the heart of Brighton's Lanes, Lost in the Lanes mixes a calm, minimalist look with menus that highlight Sussex produce with a Mediterranean influence. Breakfast and brunch are particularly good here, while lunch and dinner offer small plates, salads, and dishes built around seasonal vegetables and high-quality fish. Coffee is speciality and the wine list includes plenty of easy sippers. The mood suits most occasions.

In Hove, Jo & Co brings a bit of Antipodean café culture to Church Road, offering all-day brunches, good coffee, and family-run warmth. Expect the classics like corn fritters, avocado plates and a full English alongside burgers, fish and chips and other all-day staples. Weekends get lively, but midweek has that easy neighbourhood vibe. The menu changes often, and you can tell the owners draw inspiration from travels rather than trends.

Café Coho is a familiar stop for commuters grabbing flat whites and travellers settling in over an almond croissant, as well as for those after a hearty breakfast and brunch. There are two cafés, one right by the station and another in The Lanes, both serving a cracking breakfast, hot drinks and pastries. They also offer an “invisible toast” donation option that supports Brighton's homeless community, lending the spot a community-minded feel alongside the usual café vibes.

In Kemptown, Egg & Spoon has become one of those neighbourhood brunch places that feels genuinely local. The menu keeps things casual with poached eggs, avo toast, hefty sandwiches and a great selection of cakes. Coffee is good, service is friendly, and the vegetarian options are strong enough to please both regulars and curious drop-ins. It has a relaxed, friendly feel that suits dog walkers, families and anyone grabbing a plate before heading for a stroll along the seafront.

In Brighton's North Laine, this seasonal café and restaurant treats brunch with as much love as its natural wine list and locally sourced ingredients. Mornings offer one of the city's best brunches, while lunch features small and large plates built around veggies, herbs, and thoughtful sourcing. Dinner runs from Thursday to Saturday, and menus change often, so checking the handwritten board or Instagram is a good shout.

On Church Road in Hove, Baked is one of those always-busy brunch cafés where outdoor tables fill quickly and the menu covers both classics and trends. Expect a menu of pancake stacks, huevos rancheros, courgette and feta waffles and the usual avo-and-eggs lineup. Coffee is tasty, service is brisk, and dogs are welcomed with open arms. The outside area is also perfect for people-watching on Church Street.

Fika is all about strong coffee and proper epic breakfast sandwiches, the kind that end up dribbling egg down your hands. The menu leans playful and indulgent, with grilled cheese stacked with chilli jam, fried chicken buns with messy yolks and solid vegan options too. It works for hungover weekends, pre-swim caffeine hits or quick pastries on the go. The vibe is casual and a bit cheeky, and if you leave with clean hands, you probably played it too safe.

Café Rust is a cosy café with slightly mismatched interiors and a menu full of the usual brunch comfort food, like eggs, pastries, sandwiches and coffee that hits the spot. Their Rust Oven bakery means there are always warm, flaky things up for grabs, and it's the kind of place that works for laptop sessions, lazy brunches or a quick pastry run.

Seven Dials has no shortage of breakfast spots, but T @ The Dials is a hit for its fully vegetarian menu. Portions are generous, especially the skillet sharers, such as the veggie full English for two, and there's a mix of lighter salads and homemade soups for midweek lunching. The vibe is cosy and casual, more of a local hangout than a glam brunch spot.

North Laine Café keeps things simple with good coffee, fresh juices and a menu built around local ingredients. Breakfast and brunch are classic, showcasing Sussex produce, while the bar serves cocktails with Brighton Gin that feel right for a sunny afternoon. The covered terrace works in all weathers, and the energy is laid-back, making it a fab first stop for a fun Brighton weekend or a reliable local café for a bite to eat.

On Trafalgar Street in Brighton's North Laine, Kitchen Café is a family-run favourite that stays true to its classic British vibe. The menu is chock full of things like fry-ups, roast dinners for just over a tenner and proper mugs of builder's tea. The vibe feels homely, with regulars chatting, people reading papers and plates of simple food arriving quickly. It is not about chasing trends or Instagram moments; it's about serving hearty comfort food in a place that feels like a community anchor.