Best Independent Coffee Shops in Brighton

Brighton’s independent coffee scene is buzzing. Forget Starbucks, Costa, Nero and those other chain coffee shops. You can get your caffeine fix and support local Brighton coffee businesses by ordering your americano to go at one of these great independent Brighton coffee shops. In these cafes, you can expect unique styles and decor, artisan roasted coffee and baristas who know how to make lattes look freaking great.

Here’s my list of the best independent cafes and coffee shops in Brighton:

Coffee Shops in Brighton Lanes

Bond St Coffee

Fed up of coffee shops serving watered down americanos? Bond St Coffee is for you. The coffee here is strong and bold. I love the coffee here for my first morning coffee of the day because it keeps me buzzed way past lunchtime. The coffee at Bond St is locally roasted by Horsham Coffee Roaster and they change their single-origin coffee menu regularly. Probably my favourite coffee shop in Brighton.

Google Map: 15 Bond St, Brighton BN1 1RD

Bread & Milk

If you need a quick bite as well as a coffee, then I’d opt for Bread & Milk. This coffee shop in Brighton has some of the nicest sandwiches with bread from the Real Patisserie and wraps made with pita from Lavash. It’s only a small cafe, but I like to sit outside on a sunny day and watch the world go by here.

Google Map: 82 Trafalgar St, Brighton BN1 4EB

Pelicano

One of my favourite coffee shops in Brighton. Located on Sydney Street, Pelicano is a coffee joint worth stopping by whilst browsing in the Lanes. Their cake selection is insane (including vegan cakes). The coffee is good and strong. Loose-leaf tea is served by the pot. You can sit out in the Lanes, inside one on of their small wooden tables or outside on the back garden patio. Pelicano draws a more hipster crowd but everyone is welcome.

Google Map: 28 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP

Cafe Coho

The first independent coffee shop you’ll see when you get off the train in Brighton. Cafe Coho specialises in dark-roasted coffee and brews a blend of coffees from smallholder farmers in Costa Rica, Sumatra, Rwanda and Guatemala. The perfect coffee place on Queen’s Road in Brighton when waiting for a train. But an equally worthwhile cafe to drop into when exploring Brighton’s town centre. Interesting foodie menu for light snacks and lunch.

Google Map: 53 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AF / 83a Queen’s Rd, Brighton BN1 3XE

Trading Post Coffee Roasters

A popular cafe on Ship Street. The organic coffee, tea and food menus are extensive and you can get vegan milks. We stopped by for an iced americano on a hot summer walk and enjoyed the open space and wooden floors. Upstairs there are large tables that make Trading Post a good coffee shop in Brighton for working on your laptop.

Google Map: 36 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AB

Flour Pot Bakery

A small bakery located in the Lanes with a branch recently opened on Brighton seafront at the King’s Road arches. We rarely get the chance to nip in here but it’s always a good quick go-to cafe and bakery for an espresso and a snack. A perfect bakery to get your fix of Brighton coffee.

Google Map: 40 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP

Sugardough Bakery

One of the few bakeries open on a Sunday. We’ll often stop by on our cycle rides along the seafront from Brighton to Hove for a pick-me-up coffee and something sweet. It’s an award-winning cafe and it’s reflected in the prices, so expect to pay a little premium here. Decor is tea-room style but you’ll be served good coffee, sourdough bread and plenty more. There are a few branches dotted around Brighton and Hove.

Google Map: 18 Market St, Brighton BN1 1HH / 5 Victoria Terrace, Hove BN3 2WB

Mojo Coffee House

Another favourite local coffee shop in Brighton is Mojo. They have two locations, though the one we visit most often is on Queens Road close to town and Brighton train station. Mojo serve ground barista coffee and loose-leaf teas. Grab a cortado or a dirty chai.

Google Map: 23 Queens Rd, Brighton BN1 3XA

Marwood Coffeehouse

This coffeehouse and bar with a junk shop aesthetic is a favourite in Brighton. We’ve not yet been there, but we hear it attracts a quirky crowd of coffee lovers and dive bar aficionados. Marwood regularly hosts random events such as DJ nights, yoga classes and Brighton Women meetups amongst others.

Google Map: 52 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AF

Coffeetzar

Light, bright and full of cake. Coffeetzar is one of those cafes where the cakes catch your eye from the window. It’s near Brighton station, so perfect if you’ve just arrived in the city and want to go straight down into the Lanes. They use Cuban coffee beans and tote a smooth blend.

Google Map: 97 Trafalgar St, Brighton BN1 4ER

Coffee Shops in Kemptown

The Open Bakery

My go-to coffee (and almond croissant) stop in Kemptown. The Open Bakery is part of the Real Patisserie chain and there are a few dotted around Brighton, including a stall outside of Brighton train station. In my mind, the small Kemptown branch is still the best. Sit in on their long wooden table and benches with a coffee and a croissant, or take-away a loaf of freshly baked bread for the week. Up there with the best of the coffee shops in Brighton.

Google Map: 34 St George’s Rd, Brighton BN2 1ED

Ground Coffee House

A few door’s down from the Open Bakery is Ground Coffee House. A good place to slump down with a book and a black coffee in Brighton. Ground Coffee serves single origin speciality coffee.

Google Map: 36 St George’s Rd, Brighton BN2 1ED

Starfish & Coffee

If you’re in the Queen’s Park area of Brighton, then Starfish & Coffee is a weekend brunch must. Grab a luscious avocado smash on sourdough with a freshly brewed coffee. The cafe gets busy on weekends so make it over early if you can.

Google Map: 32 Egremont Pl, Brighton BN2 0GA

My Coffee Story

This little known coffee spot in Kemptown is one of the only places in Brighton that serves Turkish coffee. I’m very partial to the dark, rich Turkish style coffee, though I know everyone’s not fond of the ‘sludge’ at the end.

Google Map: 36 St James’s St, Brighton BN2 1RG

Marmalade

Marmalade is a beautiful shabby chic cafe situated just up from the Kemptown area. The cafe is a little out of town but worth the walk up if you’re on Brighton seafront. Expect artisan sandwiches, huge salad bowls and wonderful latte art. Another great cafe to explore the Brighton coffee scene.

Google Map: 237 Eastern Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 5JJ

Coffee Shops near London Road in Brighton

Cafe Rust

Rustic-style out of town cafe. If you’re heading towards Preston Park, then this is the cafe you’ll want to stop by. Expect shabby chic interior, strong coffee and appetising lunch menus.

Google Map: 50 Preston Rd, Brighton BN1 4QF

Coffee Shops in Brighton I Want to Visit Next

There are so many great independent coffee shops in Brighton that I’ve not yet made it to all the ones I want to try. Where shall I go next? Here’s my list of the coffee shops in Brighton that I intend to visit when I next need an espresso.

• Redroaster Cafe (Kemptown)
• Twin Pines (Kemptown)
• Black Mocha (Brighton Lanes)
• Nowhere Man (Brighton town)
• Longhouse Cafe (Brighton town)
• Cafe Plenty (near London Road)
• Salvage (Hove)

If you need more staple grub, check out our guide to the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Brighton.

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I’m always looking for more great cafes and coffee in Brighton. Where’s your favourite coffee shop in Brighton? Let me know in the comments or read our guide on the best things to do in Brighton.