Is there anything nicer than fresh bread? Or a cup of coffee and a pastry in the morning? These small pleasures add colour to the moments that might not normally have them, a little treat whilst commuting, a way to celebrate a special occasion, or a way to express how you feel about someone in a way that can’t be done with words, bakeries (especially in Brighton!) provide much more than food. It’s potentially for this reason that there are so many to choose from now. In almost every city and town a bakery can be found, providing a focal point for the community.
Brighton itself is teeming with some of the best bakeries to choose from. In this article, we list just some of the bakeries which call the streets of Brighton and Hove their home. From local chains to independents, they all provide excellent service and excellent baked goods that have continued sustained community support that only continues to grow.
Though this list is extensive, if there are any missing from this list it’s not a case of them not being good just that there are so many places to choose from in our coastal city. We can’t be held responsible for feeling a bit peckish after reading this.
Real Patisserie
A well-known national chain, Real Patisserie has been providing Brighton with some of the most delicious breads and cakes, and they make it difficult to go back to what the supermarkets offer after purchasing a tart or two.
With multiple locations in Brighton and Hove, these bakeries can be found on Trafalgar Street, Church Road, and Western Road, their staff are consistently lovely to speak to and are always ready to offer advice.
Founded by Alastair Gourlay, in 1997 each bakery is tasked with giving customers an authentic French bakery experience based on the accumulative experience of Gourlay who lived in France for over 5 years learning the secrets of the trade. With bread freshly made on the premises every day it’ll be easy to keep coming back. A personal favourite has to be the pear and chocolate tarts, don’t say you weren’t warned!
Addresses:
- 147 Church Road, Brighton, BN3 2AR
- 43 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, BN1 4ED
- 25 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1AF
Website: realpatisserie.co.uk
The Flour Pot
Anyone who’s in Brighton and Hove knows that The Flour Pot is more than worth the visit. Serving great coffee and delicious sandwiches, this café and bakery hybrid is an incredibly popular spot.
With locations on Elm Grove, Five Ways, First Avenue, Seven Dials, Portland Road, Sydney Street, Tarring, The Beach, West Hove, and Worthing, this local chain is a local success story. This bakery was created from CEO Oliver Hyde’s own dream of creating the kind of bread that he would get for his own family.
The Flour Pot’s flagship store opened in 2014 on Sydney Street and since then they haven’t looked back, continuing to grow and serve Brighton with artisan handmade breads. With an announcement that they will have a new location this year, you won’t be stuck for options.
Address:
- 124 Elm Grove, Brighton, BN2 3DB
- 40 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EP
- 1 Kings Parade, Ditchling Rd, Brighton, BN1 6JT
- 41 First Avenue, Hove, BN3 2FH
- 141 Dyke Road, Hove, BN3 1TJ
- 121 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QH
- 364 Kingsway, Portslade, Hove, BN3 4PQ
- 85-90 Kings Road Arches, Brighton Beach, BN1 2FN
Website: theflourpot.co.uk
GAIL’s
GAIL’s has been going strong ever since Gail Mejia first opened the doors of its first London store in 2005. Today, with multiple locations in Brighton (as well as in London and Oxford) GAIL’s has provided the Brighton and Hove area with a top-tier range of breads and pastries.
With incredibly warm and helpful staff a pastry and a coffee from GAIL’s is the perfect way to spice up a dreary morning commute. Always using fresh and seasonal ingredients to create their handmade bread, pastries, and cakes every day, GAIL’s can be found on Church Road in Hove and North Road in Brighton.
Always thinking about their environmental impact, GAIL’s also has a Waste Not Range comprised of pastries and juices using offcuts or wonky fruit that would normally have gone to waste.
Addresses: 93 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YE or 157 Church Rd, Hove, BN3 2AD
Website: gailsbread.co.uk
Sugardough
This independent bakery based in Brighton creates mouthwatering pastries and cakes from scratch and you’re sure to be back for more. Set up by chef Kane McDowell in 2009, the bakery now has two locations in Brighton on Market Street and Hove, on Victoria Terrace.
Born from McDowell’s love of baking and pastry, after 25 years in the industry, Sugardough was set up with an oven that cost £100 on eBay and an empty shop. Today the bakery has gone from strength to strength with each location only utilising traditional baking techniques and natural ingredients.
Sugardough also provides top-notch treats for private events and makes bespoke wedding cakes or any cake you need for a specific celebration. Though you can also find them on Deliveroo, it’s recommended to go physically to get a feel of the energy that this independent spot has cultivated all through the power of bread and cake.
Addresses: 18 Market St, Brighton, BN1 1HH or 5 Victoria Terrace, Hove, BN3 2WB
Website: sugardough.co.uk
Julien Plumart
On Queen’s Road in Brighton, Julien Plumart can be found. A gem of Brighton, this traditional French bakery will leave you spoilt for choice with its wide range of different breads, cakes, and pastries all freshly made and ready to be eaten.
Opening in 2008, founder and baker Julien himself took part in the Bake Off: The Professionals in 2021 with his teammate Elise who also works at the bakery. Described by customers as the only place to get the best croissants in Brighton, their mouth-watering selection of Macaroons should not be overlooked.
As a result of the hard work of the team, Julien Plumart’s shelves are rarely empty, before the customers have arrived that is. Currently, their website is under construction which just means you’ll have to go to their premises in person, though with an onsite cafe too, that’s hardly a negative.
Addresses: 48 Queens Rd, Brighton, BN1 3XB or their pop-up store in Shelter Hall on Kings Road Arches, Shelter Hall, Brighton, BN1 1NB
Open Bakery
Located in Kemptown, Open Bakery serves the residents of Brighton with a true artisan bakery experience. A European chain, tourists and residents alike can find the bakery on St. George’s Road offering a range of delicious loaves of bread and scrumptious pastries.
With all bread, tarts, cakes, patisseries, and savoury foods made in-house, there’s no reason not to try one of their amazing sandwiches or croissants. Sustainability in the industry is one of their key objectives and in order to achieve this they source all ingredients on an ethical and local basis, making links with the local Sussex growers and producers.
Recommended on Trip Advisor, those keen to learn the ins and outs of bread making and baking can take advantage of the many classes Open Bakery offers. With no prior experience needed the workshops are held further down St. George’s Street, it’s the perfect opportunity to develop your skills or start a new passion.
Address: 34 St George’s Rd, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1ED
Website: openbakery.co.uk
Cloud 9
A stone’s throw away from the legendary Snooper’s Paradise, Cloud 9 bakery provides some of the most beautifully decorated cupcakes and cakes from their adorable shop on York Place, in the Lanes. With an extensive list of hyper-saturated coloured cupcakes, it’s hard to imagine being able to make a decision for just one. They have another location open near London Road on Kensington Gardens.
Once you’ve sated your vintage clothing needs, pop into their high street shop for a little pick-me-up, they don’t come like this anywhere else and for this reason, Cloud 9 is truly unique. Other than their high street shop, Cloud 9 also provides wedding cakes to make your dreams come true as well as desserts for corporate orders and birthday parties.
Providing, gluten-free and vegan options, previous customers have praised how welcoming and helpful the staff are, eager to help out with any questions you might have. Their rainbow-layered cakes are a highlight!
Addresses: 11 York Pl, Brighton, BN1 4GU or 15 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Website: cloud9brighton.co.uk
Hellenic Bakery
Located on Dyke Road in the centre of the Seven Dials area, the Hellenic bakery stands in pride of place. A family-run, independent bakery, the Hellenic has been going strong ever since it opened its doors.
The premises also doubles up as a cafe, making it a great spot for the community. Whether you’re heading there to catch up with a lifelong friend or going on that anxiety-inducing first date, this bakery’s atmosphere will make you feel right at home.
With perhaps the most extensive array of sweet treats, from handmade doughnuts to one of the best baklava cheesecakes you’ll ever taste, the Hellenic bakery can’t be recommended enough. With welcoming and helpful staff, there’s no reason not to go and try one of their amazing pastries. If you need a recommendation, try the lemon pie, just… do it!
Address: 123 Dyke Rd, Hove, BN3 1TJ
Website: hellenicbakery.business.site
Vero Gusto
Offering a truly authentic Italian bakery experience, Vero Gusto has been creating some of the most delicious pastries, pizzas, and loaves of bread since it first opened. Based on St. James’ Street, this artisan bakery is quite new to the UK but has so far made quite the impression amongst the locals becoming a go-to spot for many in the Kemptown area.
Creating delicious food for all to enjoy, all foods available have been directly inspired by the store’s rich Italian history and culture. Created with the ethos that food is a ritual this means not one element of the process should be rushed and all of it should be enjoyed to its fullest. With all pastries made freshly in-store as well as an intimate cafe space, you can easily sit and watch the day go by without realising it.
Address: 2 St James’s St, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1RS
Website: verogustobakery.com/menu/
