The most important meal of the day...
There's no such meal quite as versatile, or readily available in Brighton. Full of indie cafes, coffee shops and bars, the seaside city is hardly short on brunch venues. So, avoid a case of 'avocado hand' and take a look at this round-up of the best brunches out in Brighton and Hove.
Image credit: Kensingtons The Balcony Café via Facebook
The Balcony Café
1A Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL
Famous with the student population of Brighton, The Balcony Café is in the heart of North Laine and offers affordable, generous portions of classic brunch dishes and hangover cravings, in a casual diner-esque setting. Tucked away up a narrow staircase at the end of Kensington Gardens, customers can take their pick from the chalkboard menu of classic breakfasts (with veggie and vegan options), burgers, sandwiches, or homely main meals such as chilli, jacket potatoes or loaded nachos. We recommend the Breakfast Burger topped with bacon, egg, sausage, beans and hash brown - almost every dish on the menu can be made veggie or vegan, and plates range from around £4 to £10, with a student deal that includes discounts and a free drink. The perfect place to grab a mug of coffee, perch on the balcony and overlook the rooftops of Brighton.
Image credit: SIX Brighton via Facebook
SIX
102-105 Western Road, BN3 1FA
At almost the other end of the market, SIX is situated along Western Road on the Brighton-Hove border. Their generous brunch menu requires some tough decision-making, featuring classics like poached eggs with salmon, avocado or roasted ham, or their signature Grand Brunch Bowls. Try the plant-based and gluten-free pancakes or waffles, or an organic smoothie. SIX also up their brunch game by allowing customers to upgrade to bottomless prosecco for £18 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. With a wealth of vegan options and pleasing presentation, these breakfasts are definitely worthy of a place on your Instagram feed - you have our blessing.
Image credit: Kooks via Facebook
Kooks
56 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN
Another casual haunt, Kooks is inspired by the brunch culture of Melbourne, with its fresh interior and winning location on bustling Gardner Street. Their no-fuss menu boasts the usual Eggs Benedict, Florentine and Royale, along with more contemporary favourites such as smashed avocado on toast with feta, mint and chilli, or a grilled halloumi sandwich with guacamole. With all dishes available all day, you can take your pick from their lunch items too, with tapas-style plates including deep-fried Jerusalem artichokes with herby vegan mayo (a must-try in our opinion). Kooks is also known around town for its cocktails, so there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a boozy brunch.
Image credit: tradingpostcoffee.co.uk
Trading Post Coffee Roasters
36 Ship Street, BN1 1AB
40 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL
Trading Post is a popular spot in town to grab a great coffee, but their brunch menu is also pretty impressive. With their own roastery located inside the huge warehouse-style café on Ship Street, Trading Post pride themselves on their artisan coffee roasting and dedication to sustainability, and allow customers to choose which beans they’d like their espresso to be made with. In terms of food, the sprawling menu offers everything from light bites (toasted banana bread with espresso-flavoured peanut butter) to stacked pancakes. The regular breakfast suspects are present too, along with more savoury brunch options like Vegan Penne Cheese (made with a vegan cheese and cashew sauce), pulled jackfruit sandwich or a range of salads. Their menu is huge, vegan and millennial friendly and no dish costs more than £9, with a coffee-inspired cocktail menu alongside - Baileys Frappe anyone?
Image credit: Redroaster via Facebook
Redroaster
1D St James’ Street, BN2 1RE
After a major redesign a couple of years ago, one of Brighton’s favourite coffee shops reopened as a chic brunch destination, now easily recognisable by its white marble counter tops and plethora of plants. Redroaster have been roasting coffee in Kemptown for 18 years, and now offer a tranquil, on-trend café space providing “a little bit of everyday luxury”. Serving everyday, Redroaster offers a bottomless brunch offer for £26.95 per person - simply pick your own dish from the selected menu and receive unlimited mimosas for 90 minutes. For just food, the menu is a little on the pricier side, with unconventional dishes such as avocado mousse on toast, crab and avocado Benedict or breakfast tacos, most of these setting you back around £10 or more; but the experience is worth it for a special occasion (or a ‘self care Sunday’).