Brunch, a legendary portmanteau of breakfast and lunch greater than the sum of its parts, is an integral part of the weekend, or day off, across the world. Brighton is no exception, bursting at the seams (much like my post-brunch jeans) with venues offering a huge range of perfect pancakes, fabulous full English’s and sumptuous smoked salmon. Read on to find the best spots to enjoy beautifully cooked classics and innovative new dishes alike, in the heart of our seaside city.
Moksha
One of the most iconic brunch venues in the city is Moksha, centrally located opposite St Peter’s Church near London Road. In 2022, they won the big brunch BRAVO award for the best brunch in Brighton! They create delightful breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced and ethically-produced ingredients.
Locally famed for their iconic hash browns, these crispy bundles of potatoe-y goodness are not to be missed, and come with a money-back guarantee. Expect traditional breakfast and brunch dishes, such as a classic Moksha Breakfast or Pancakes, Eggs Florentine, Benedict and Royale, as well as dishes with a quirky Moksha twist such as Huevos Benedictos, Ham Hock and a Poke Bowl.
Vegans and vegetarians can enjoy heaps of plant-based options, including vegan shakshuka, plant-based breakfasts, vegan tofu benedict and tofu scramble with pan-fried mushrooms, crispy onions and sambal on sourdough toast.
Website: https://mokshacaffe.co.uk/
Address: Moksha Caffe, 4-5 York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
Oeuf in Hove
The second-place winners of the 2022 BRAVO award for best brunch in Brighton are Oeuf Café. While peacefully secluded from the bustle and business of Hove, Oeuf Café is conveniently located in central Hove, situated on top of the Float Spa! So whether you and your yoga pals are after a post-practice pancake, or you’re tumbling out of bed to enjoy a full English, then look no further than Oeuf.
Oeuf’s grand setting will dazzle you on entry, with pastel décor, candlelit seating and lush florals. Oeuf is perhaps the most instagrammable brunch stop you will find in the city.
Given the name is French for egg, it’s no surprise that Oeuf offers a vast range of egg-based brunches, including traditional Oeuf Benedict and Oeuf Florentine, alongside unique variations such as Oeuf and Surf: fresh crab on sourdough drizzled with a brown butter sauce and topped with a poached egg.
One highlight on the menu is the Oeuf special Frumpets™, a stack of three French toast battered crumpets, in flavours such as Melt in the Middle Cheese & Chive, with melty cheddar, spinach and topped with a crispy chive & bacon crumb; The Chilli Avocado, topped with smashed avocado, fried egg and a sweet chilli jam; and the bougie The Posh Lobster: fresh lobster meat served with a garlic and lemon butter sauce and topped with a perfectly poached egg.
Guests can also select from a wide range of traditional brunch dishes too, including Full Englishes, in both meaty and vegan variations, smashed avocado on sourdough and creamy mushrooms on sourdough toast.
Why not accompany your brunch with one of the beautifully crafted drinks, such as mimosas, cocktails (including a breakfast martini) and cosy hot drinks?
Website: https://oeuf.cafe/
Adress: 8 Third Ave, Hove, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 2PX
The Breakfast Club
In the bustling Lanes lies The Breakfast Club, a vibrant and friendly café offering a range of classic and creative brunch dishes for its guests in the cosy and relaxed interior, with quirky stained-glass windows and comfortable booth-style seating available.
Describing themselves as ‘locally world famous,’ The Breakfast Club serves delicious dishes such as a range of pancakes with toppings like fresh berries, maple syrup, sausage and or fried egg, with vegan options available. Classic brunch dishes are on offer, like The Breakfast Club’s traditional Full English or eggs benedict with crispy bacon and creamy hollandaise.
For brunch with a twist, why not sample one of the unique dishes they offer, such as the Mexican-inspired Breakfast Burrito, oozing with sour cream, pico de gallo and meat or veggie chorizo? And to level up your brunch experience, make sure to opt for a Bottomless Brunch, where, on Saturdays between 1pm and 5pm, you can enjoy as many delicious drinks as you fancy to go alongside your brilliant brunch dish for 2 whole hours.
Website: https://thebreakfastclubcafes.com/brighton/
Address: 16-17 Market St, Brighton, BN1 1HH
Starfish and Coffee
An independent neighbourhood café, Starfish and Coffee have won multiple awards for Best Brunch and Best Café, and ranked in the top 10% of all restaurants worldwide in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2021 and 2022.
Situated near the beautiful Queen’s Park, their equally beautiful brunch dishes are crafted with ethical and local produce, with free-range eggs from Lewes, milk from local dairies and pork from Suffolk pig farms.
Brunch dishes include traditional English Breakfasts, as well as Veggie and Vegan versions. Also on offer are fresh, hot buttermilk pancakes, topped with a choice of bacon and blueberries with maple syrup or fresh berries, compote and lime cashew cream. Vegans can enjoy the vegan pancakes topped with spiced grilled peaches, granola and lime cashew cream.
A variety of hashes are also available, including chorizo, mushroom and vegan options. To accompany these delightful brunch dishes, why not go for freshly brewed coffee from Coffee at 33, or a pot of tea in both traditional and unique flavours such as ginger biscuit and Danish pastry. Or, if that doesn’t tickle your teabag, there is always a selection of other hot drinks, including Belgian hot chocolates, a spiced Bombay chai latte, turmeric lattes and matcha lattes.
Website: https://starfishandcoffee.cafe/
Address: Starfish & Coffee, 32, Egremont Place, Brighton, BN2 0GA
Bills
Centrally located on North Road is Bill’s Brighton, situated inside a beautiful former bus depot, offering the perfect setting for a decadent brunch. The luxurious décor, soft lighting, lush greenery and comfortable lounge-style seating will have you feeling like a VIP while you enjoy the huge range of dishes on offer.
For the classic (and huge) brunch experience, why not tackle Bill’s Big Brunch? It comes overflowing with the fried eggs, streaky bacon, crispy rosemary potatoes, sausage, baked beans, mushrooms, roast tomato, black pudding all served alongside toasted sourdough. Other classics include traditional eggs benedict – served with fries – or a 5-stack of buttermilk pancakes with bacon or fruit.
More innovative options include avocado on sourdough, served with spicy cherry tomatoes alongside poached eggs, coriander and lime, or even smashed peas on sourdough, topped with poached eggs, baby spinach and crumbled feta.
And with all these brunch dishes available from 11:30 until 5pm, you can enjoy expertly cooked food in a gorgeous setting at your leisure.
Website: https://bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/brighton/
Address: Bill’s Brighton Restaurant, The Depot 100 North Rd Brighton BN1 1YE
Black Mocha
In the heart of the North Laines is Black Mocha, which has been serving specialty coffee and seasonal brunch menus with a waste-conscious approach since 2014. Perfect for an eco-friendly and sustainable brunch, Black Mocha have committed that all their waste produced will be compostable or infinitely recyclable by the end of 2023.
The result of their eco-conscious approach is fresh and exciting brunch dishes, with regular seasonal specials making the most of delicious high-quality ingredients. Expect classic dishes with ethical twists, such as gigantic house brunches with herby potatoes, organic eggs benedict and Florentine, and the not-avocado on toast, made of freshly smashed peas on a chunk of sourdough.
To go alongside, visitors simply must try the café’s namesake, the Black Mocha. It is an unforgettable hot drink comprising excellent 70% Madagascan chocolate and freshly brewed espresso, which always leaves guests coming back for more.
Website: https://blackmocha.co.uk/
Address: Black Mocha, 103 Gloucester Road, Brighton, BN1 4AP
Trading Post Coffee Roasters
Trading Post Coffee Roasters offer expertly roasted and blended coffees, an impressive variety of herbal teas, and two locations in Brighton offering a delicious full brunch service.
True coffee-cionados will enjoy the huge range of specialty coffees and decadent blends on offer at Trading Post Coffee Roasters, making the perfect pairing to the delightful brunch dishes. Whatever your dietary needs, you are sure to find something delicious on a brunch trip to Trading Post, from vegan, veggie or meaty full breakfasts, American style buttermilk pancakes drizzled in Nutella (to name but one topping!) or free-range eggs royale, benedict or florentine, all served on a fluffy English muffin and dusted with paprika.
And, with more savoury brunch dishes available too, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. Consider classic or vegan rarebit, comprising homemade marmite, cheesy sauce and toasted sourdough with roasted vine tomatoes, or a triple stacked croque monsieur.
And if you find a coffee you enjoy, why not check out their online coffee wholesale shop, where you can select a huge range of artisan, specialty and decaf coffee beans, so you can enjoy the magic of a good brunchtime coffee from the comfort of your own home.
Website: https://www.tradingpostcoffee.co.uk/
Brunch Branches in Brighton: Ship Street, Brighton & Kensington Gardens, Brighton.
Addresses: 36 Ship St, Brighton, BN1 1AB & 40 Kensington Garden, Brighton, BN1 4AL
