The vibrant city of Brighton hides a delightful secret that has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike—ARTBOX Cafe! Step into Europe’s first fully themed café and boutique located just a stone’s throw away from the shore, in the lively south lanes.
ARTBOX Cafe in Brighton, established in 2019, continuously reinvents itself, with its theme changing every few months. Each visit brings a unique and exciting experience as the café’s interior, menu, and boutique offerings transform to reflect the chosen theme.
Currently, the café’s theme is Hello Kitty and Friends. Previous themes have included Gudetama’s Lazy Lounge, Line Friends and BT21 Tasty Universe, and Pusheen’s Snack Parlour, and people wait in anticipation for what’s to come. Each theme leads to a change in the café’s aesthetics as well as its menu and boutique offerings.
The café is a three-story haven for anyone in search of a dopamine boost. The ground floor welcomes walk-ins, offering delectable handmade, customisable ice creams (made on-site with sauces and add-on toppings available, including special custom character-printed wafers). Takeout ice cream starts at £2.90. You can also get hot drinks, mocktails, bubble iced tea, and milkshakes from their takeout menu. Additionally, you can explore the shop on this floor, which offers unique items related to the current theme.
If you’re lucky enough to secure a booking, you’ll make your way to the second floor, where an extraordinary dining experience awaits. As you enter, you’ll find yourself surrounded by an Instagram-worthy interior adorned with Hello Kitty decorations and a statue of Hello Kitty herself.
ARTBOX Café caters to those with specific dietary needs, offering a selection of vegan and gluten-free options. Try their themed ice cream sundae, waffle, delightful burger, bagel, curry, or avocado toast. Prices for sweet food items range from £8.50 to £9.50, while savoury options range from £8.00 to £13.50. The attention to detail put into the dishes is nothing short of phenomenal. Despite a small menu, every dish is crafted with care and vegetarian-friendly.
Food arrives quickly, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience. And as a special treat, with each visit, you receive a themed coaster as a token of appreciation—why not try collecting all six?
While the café on the second floor is not accessible to all, the friendly and inclusive nature of ARTBOX Café ensures that everyone can experience what they have on offer. If you require wheelchair access, the staff is happy to set up a window table on the ground floor, allowing you to enjoy their sit-down menu. The shop and takeout counter on the ground floor are also wheelchair accessible.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability, they make 50% of their takeout ice cream vegan, allowing even more people to indulge in their delicious offerings. They also offer vegan options for hot drinks at no additional cost. Furthermore, ARTBOX Café actively supports the local community by donating excess food to local homeless shelters and sourcing their ingredients locally.
Did we mention that the ARTBOX Café is pet-friendly? Bring along your dog, and we guarantee they’ll be greeted with open arms.
Address: 5-6 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HP
