The North Laines is well known for its bohemian atmosphere with vintage clothing stores and art cafes. In this article we have curated a list of our favourite restaurants to duck in and tuck in while having a break from window shopping electric guitars and deciding if I can pull off a leather jacket. The North Laines have an abundance of vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants to eat, but they’re good enough that meat-eaters won’t feel like their dish is missing anything.
Happy Maki
Happy Maki started as a food van on festival circuits sell-ing vegan sushi burritos. The founder Anna Macdonald started the business with two priorities in mind: tasty sustainable food, and ethical business practices. Now Happy Maki has flourished from a single food van to having a takeaway location in the South Laines and a full restaurant in the North Laines.
The restaurant serves delicious and filling sushi bowls and sushi wraps with seasoned rice, fresh vegetables, vegan meat alternatives, and homemade sauces. The sides offer a selection of salads, inari tofu pockets, and – my personal favourite – tempura fried cauliflower. Teas and kombucha are available for offer but Happy Maki also serves its customers still or sparkling water free of charge.
Happy Maki runs a gift economy which means you decide how much to pay for your meal. On top of this, the company plants a tree and feeds a child for every wrap they make! Their stores are run on 100% green energy, sending zero waste to landfill. Happy Maki not only create tasty food that energises you but you can also be confident that you are helping towards a good cause in the process.
Website: https://www.happymaki.co.uk/
Address: 23 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EN
Blend and Brew
Only a few minutes’ walk from Brighton train station, Blend and Brew is the perfect first stop for anyone who’s just got off the train and looking for a decent cup of coffee and something to eat. In 2014, Blend and Brew started as a kiosk for takeaway coffees, in 2018 their reputation for delicious Italian roasted coffee gave the owners enough success to transform from a kiosk to a welcoming café on Trafalgar Street. The ever-friendly owners are always happy to chat and treat their customers like old friends. The comforting intimate seating, floral murals, and exposed brickwork also embolden the overall charm of the dog-friendly Blend and Brew.
In true Italian style, the menu is simple and top quality. Savoury options range from delicious warm focaccia, ciabatta, croissants, and sourdough toasties – all filled with fresh cheeses, vegetables, and deli meats. The sweet pastries are equally beautiful and hard to resist, tortas and funnel cakes are just a couple of notable examples of something to compliment your cappuccino or cortado. The almond croissants are so good that they have gained a reputation of their own!
Instagram: @blend_brew
Address: 44 Trafalgar St, Brighton, BN1 4ED
O’Shio
As soon as you pass under the noren and enter O’Shio, you are transported half-way across the world by the sight of the sushi bar, and the enticing smells of Japanese and Korean cuisine. Usually you’ll see Min, the owner, diligently preparing his signature blend of Japanese ingredients and Korean heat levels. The restaurant is only closed on Mondays and has a lively atmosphere any other day of the week. O’Shio provides a lunch service from 12-3pm and reopen at 5 for their dinner service until 10pm.
The menu caters to all tastes by offering comforting Japanese staples such as udon, sushi, and ochazuke, to the heartier Korean dishes like; bulgogi, bibimbap, and Korean stews. Starters range from fried chicken to Takoyaki (octopus dough balls), all served up fresh and hot.
To wash it all down, the drinks menu contains a collection of Asian beers, plum wines, and traditional sake served hot or room temperature. Non-alcoholic beverages include fresh juices, aromatic green teas, and the refreshing classic ramune (Japanese lemon soda).
Min’s career has seen him work in restaurants in Korea, Japan, London, and as of the opening of O’Shio in 2016, Brighton! O’Shio is one of the most authentic Asian restaurants in the city and a great place for small or larger groups to get around a table and get adventurous.
If you like spice, my personal recommendation is the jeyuck deopbap, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Website: https://www.oshio.co.uk/
Address: 87-88, Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4ER
Burger Brothers
Easily a contender for best burger in the city, Burger Brothers serves up beef/veggie patties and chicken fillets with indulgent and classic combinations. Their chalkboard specials offer something different every time I visit, and their locally sourced produce is always cooked to order.
Their classic beef burger is a great choice for anyone in the mood for a ground round and – in the instance of a more adventurous disposition – other items contain ingredients such as; spicy cheese, Cajun sauce, and wasabi mayo. The customisation options allow customers to opt for gluten-free or vegan buns, and extra patties to suit.
The seating is limited so be prepared to eat while on the move, but you won’t want to miss a burger this good. The Burger Brother’s attitude towards good food and ingredients saw them win Unilever Food Solution’s Britain’s Best Burger award in 2016, and last year they were shortlisted for Uber Eats’ Restaurant of the Year. Burger fanatics won’t want to miss a trip to Burger Brothers.
Website: burgerbrothersbrighton.co.uk
Address: 97 North Rd, Brighton BN1 1YE
Garden Café
Multiple rooms of intimate tables placed between a plethora of beautiful flora is how I would sum up the Garden Café. The fact that its location is close to the most crowded part of Brighton’s laines means that sitting down in a corner and having your privacy guarded by snake plants and ferns feels like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle and replaced it with nature. Although Garden Café does get busy, it’s still the ideal place for brunch and a recharge, as once that rose petal latte hits your table, you’ll forget anyone else is in the room.
This little oasis is dog-friendly, open every day, and serves a delicious and fresh pescetarian menu. The Garden Café is a great spot if you’re in the mood for something fresh and filling. Their selection of breakfasts and sandwiches are all served with deliciously chewy sourdough bread, and their quiches and salads never disappoint. Their dishes are beautifully plated up and garnished with edible flowers to really solidify the botanical aesthetic.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll immediately spot the cakes in the display upon entering. So, save some room as the Garden Café not only has some delicious healthy mains, but also some of the most delightfully decadent cakes in the laines!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/gardencafebrighton/
Instagram: @gardencafebrighton
Address: 29 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YB
Wai Kika Moo Kau
Near the start of Brighton’s iconic Kensington Gardens, you’ll find an abundance of locations serving veggie and vegan food which even carnivores will love, and Wai Kika Moo Kau is no exception. Their tardis-esque building contains plenty of tables for small and large groups alike. The warm and casual décor makes me feel at home whenever I visit, and the staff are always friendly even at their busiest.
The all-day breakfast menu has something for everybody from smashed avocado to halloumi bagels, brioche baps and of course a variety of fry-ups. Not to mention, the best pancake stack I’ve ever tasted (and they’re vegan!). The lunch menu boasts tasty burgers, wraps, burritos, salads, and mezze, all of which are filling and nutritional. A great way to keep your energy up for exploring Snooper’s Paradise afterwards, just a few doors down.
If you’re not looking for a full meal, Wai Kika Moo Kau also has a great selection of teas, coffees, hot chocolates, smoothies, and shakes. And of course, a cracking selection of cakes to pair with! They’re usually displayed in the window, testing your willpower. Wai Kika Moo Kau has been welcoming their patrons since they opened their doors in 1990.
Website: https://www.wkmk.co.uk/
Address: 11A Kensington Gardens, Brighton, BN1 4AL
Fatto a Mano
Fatto a Mano’s astronomical success in their first location on London Road in 2015 allowed the restaurant to expand to 3 more locations; Church Road in Hove, Kings Cross in London, and – most pertinent to this list – Gloucester Road, North Laine, Brighton. This rapid success and expansion have in no way affected the quality of Fatto a Mano’s delicious Neapolitan style pizza. Their soft and pillowy dough which is made fresh daily from Italian 00 flour and the high hydration ratio makes them light and satisfying.
The wood-fired ovens help give the pizzas an authentic Neapolitan flavour, and their Campania Fries are always ordered every time I visit. Their inventive specials see the Pizzaiolos use local British ingredients and put an interesting twist on classic Italian dishes (I once had a carbonara pizza!). The staff always get the food to your table hot and fresh and are very attentive and considerate towards young children. The North Laines location also has outside seating so you can enjoy an Italian classic alfresco while soaking in the atmosphere of the Laines.
Website: https://www.fattoamanopizza.com/
Address: 25 Gloucester Rd, Brighton BN1 4AQ
