Vegan cafes in Brighton

If you're in the North Laine around midday, Iydea is a great lunch option for when you want something a bit healthier. It's canteen-style, so you join the line, grab a plate and choose from whatever's on that day – usually a couple of curries, soups, bakes and a big spread of salads. Prices tend to hover under a tenner, and the portions are generous, which explains why it's busy with students and nearby office workers. Seating is basic, and things move quickly, but it's great when you want something filling and don't need a long menu to decode.

Western Road has plenty of cafés, yet Foodilic has stayed a dependable default for years. The whole set-up revolves around a colourful buffet where you pay by plate size and stack it high with salads, stews and roasted veg. It works for a quick lunch or a break between shops, and you can be in and out without much fuss. At peak times, the room feels a bit hectic, with people comparing impressive towers of food, but that's part of the vibe.

Hearth Café & Garden feels slightly removed from central Brighton, but it's well worth the short trip to the other side of Hove.. The menu is built around nourishing, homemade dishes, such as quiches, soups and seasonal salads, with plenty of gluten-free options alongside cakes and bakes. The garden out the back is a draw when the sun appears, filled with leafy plants and trees. Inside, laptops share tables with pushchairs, and the soundtrack is gentle brunch chatter.

Just downhill from Brighton Station, Moksha Caffe is often people's first or last stop in town. The menu treats brunch as a proper occasion, featuring full English breakfasts, burgers, huevos rancheros, and a long list of egg options, plus those hash browns everyone mentions. Coffee is made with freshly roasted beans, and the dining room is busy and slightly noisy most days. Queues can test your patience at the weekend, but during the week, it settles into a steady flow of people.