Coffee Shops Archives - The Independent Brighton & Hove Coffee Guide

Small Batch Coffee (Wellington House)

In terms of coffee, Portslade has grown dramatically over the last couple of years. It is probably no coincidence that has coincided with Small Batch moving their roastery from Goldstone Villas to Wellington House around the same time. Although a number of coffee houses have opened up, Small Batch is the only roaster in the area, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see others follow suit.

To say that Wellington House is spacious is a bit of an understatement, there is a full sized shipping container in the middle of the warehouse. Most of the real estate is taken up by equipment, but there is ample seating.

The first thing you’ll notice is the smell of coffee roasting, which is obviously a bonus to any coffee lovers, and watching the roasting operation in action while enjoying the same beans is something worth savouring.

On a sunny day, the outside seating is lovely, with a nice view of the river Adur. The smell of the coffee roasting mixing with the fresh air is a treat to all the locals and visitors alike.

Espresso: £2.00/£2.20
Americano: £2.50
Flat White: £2.80
Latte: £2.95

Mon – Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat: 7am – 3pm
Sun: 8am – 3pm

Website: smallbatchcoffee.co.uk
Phone Number: 01273 411311
Email: info@smallbatchcoffee.co.uk
Address: Wellington House, Portslade, BN41 1DU

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco Linea
Grinder: EK43, Nuova Simonelli Mythos, Ditting FKA1203, Mazzer Vulcano
Roaster: Small Batch Coffee Roasters

The Flour Pot Bakery (Seven Dials)

Situated on the Brighton and Hove border, as you enter The Flour Pot at Seven Dials you’re greeted with a bright and clean layout, with a wall of pastries and bread on one wall, and seating spreading across the shop-front windows on the other.

On their espresso machine they offer The Flour Pot-roasted beans, which creates notes of nuts and plums and with outside seating, warm blankets and great coffee, this is a great spot to watch the buzz of businesses and the local schools go by.

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.30
Flat White: £2.60
Latte: £2.80

Mon – Sat: 7.30am – 6pm
Sun: 8.30am – 5pm

Website: flour-pot.co.uk
Phone Number: 01273 911200
Email: sevendialsflourpot@junipercatering.com
Address: 141 Dyke Road, Hove BN3 1TJ

Machine: La Marzocco Linea Classic
Grinder: Mazzer Major, Fetco 2121
Roaster: The Flour Pot

The Flour Pot Kitchen

The Flour Pot Kitchen is a slightly different take on a traditional Flour Pot shop; as well as the usual breads, pastries, and cakes is a full menu offering artisanal pizza and seasonal dishes.

This new offering straddles the line between a traditional cafe and a fully fledged restaurant, slowly transforming from one to the other as it gets later in the day.

Sitting right on the beachfront, there are few better places to spend a summer’s afternoon. This was, luckily, the time of year we tried a double espresso there, and drinking it while looking out at the sea was a wonderful experience. The new Flour Pot roast is full of dark fruit flavours, with a slight sourness, and hint of dark chocolate.

At this point, The Flour Pot are a Brighton institution and one that seem to be able to turn their hand to anything. From baking, to a new hot kitchen establishment, as well as coffee roasting, they seem to be getting everything right so far. We hope that it continues!

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.30
Flat White: £2.60
Latte: £2.80

Mon – Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 9.00am – 6pm

Website: flour-pot.co.uk
Phone Number: 01273 625854
Email: flourpotbrightonbeach@junipercatering.com
Address: 85-90 Kings Road Arches, Brighton Beach, BN1 2FN

Machine: La Marzocco AV Linea Classic
Grinder: Mazzer Major, Fetco 2121
Roaster: The Flour Pot
Founded: 2018

The Lanes Coffee House

Tucked away on Ship Street is The Lanes Coffee House, and when we say tucked away, we really mean it. This delightful coffee house is much larger than it appears from its two entrances on the outside.

With two separate gardens, one as you approach the back entrance, and one hidden away at the back of the shop, this is the Mary Poppins bag of coffee shops.

Offering both great coffee and friendly staff, this hidden gem is well worth seeking out.

Espresso: £1.95
Americano: £2.45
Flat White: £2.50
Latte: £2.65

Mon – Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm

Address: 59d Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE
Website: the-lanes-coffee-house
Phone Number: 01273 773411

Machine: San Remo
Grinder: San Remo
Founded: 2015

The Flour Pot Bakery (Sydney Street)

Home to one of the best bakeries in Brighton, The Flour Pot are always looking to improve their artisanal offering, including their coffee selection.

This culminated early on in 2018 when the bakery began roasting their own coffee at Small Batch’s Wellington House. Moving on from their previous coffee supplier, Caravan Coffee Roasters, The Flour Pot’s house blend now offers a sweet aroma with cherry flavours and a silky mouthfeel. Once cooled it comes to life, creating notes of nuts and especially caramel. It is a sweet espresso which perfectly matches their focus on pastries and their baked offering.

As the company continues to expand, with the addition of a new seafront-based shop in 2018 and their Potland Road store in 2019, as well as further plans for 2020, it is exciting to see the direction The Flour Pot are heading in.

With an already large following across the city it is very encouraging to see that speciality coffee is still at the forefront for players as big as The Flour Pot.

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.30
Flat White: £2.60
Latte: £2.80

Mon – Sat: 8.00am – 6.30pm
Sun: 9.00am – 6.00pm

Address: 40 Sydney Street, Brighton BN1 4EP
Phone Number: 01273 621942
Email: hello@theflourpot.co.uk
Website: flour-pot.co.uk

Machine: La Marzocco AV Linea Classic
Grinder: La Marzocco Vulcano, Victoria Arduino Mythos 1, Mazzer Major, Marco Jet 6
Founded: 2014

Moksha Caffe

Moksha is a true family run, independent cafe and, since first opening its doors in 2007, has had numerous transformations in becoming what it is today.

Although the food may be taking a more prominent role than the coffee, the coffee offering is still of a high standard. A range of hand brewed options are available, and the V60 we tried was everything a hand brew should be: light, delicate, and delicious.

The filter coffees complement the usual espresso options, which are made with beans roasted in nearby Littlehampton.

Espresso: £1.80
Americano: £2.10
Flat White: £2.70
Latte: £2.50

Mon – Fri: 7.00am – 6.00pm
Sat: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Sun: 8.00am – 6.00pm

Address: 4-5 York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU
Website: mokshacaffe.co.uk
Phone Number: 01273 248890
Email: info@mokshacaffe.co.uk

Machine: La Marzocco Linea PB
Grinder: f83 and f64
Roaster: Coffee Compass
Founded: 2007

Dough Lover

Dough Lover is more than just a place you’re not allowed to bring your laptop. The food is expertly crafted, with a focus on the finer details. They have their own milk making machine, which they use to create their own organic nut milk.

The coffee they serve is worth trying, with or without nut milk. Their house blend is from Taylor Street Baristas, and they often have a “Wild” guest roast option. Ask what is currently available on offer, just don’t ask what the Wi-Fi code is.

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.50
Flat White: £2.70
Latte: £2.70

Mon – Fri: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Sat: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Sun: 9.00am – 6.30pm

Address:
Website: doughlover.com
Phone Number: 01273 620036

Machine: White Eagle
Grinder: Nuova Simonelli Mythos, Mahlkonig EK43
Founded: 2018
Roaster: Taylor Street Baristas

The Flour Pot Bakery (Fiveways)

Sitting just off the Fiveways crossroad is The Flour Pot’s Preston Drive store. Situated in a calming residential area, you’re greeted by a window filled with fresh artisan bread and, once inside, you see the familiar sight of The Flour Pot’s checkerboard tiles. Unlike most Flour Pot premises, however, this one is cosy and homely rather than airy and light.

The room stretches and uncurls like a slinky spring as you move past the worker’s station, as the back end of the room opens out into a comfortable spot to relax with a coffee and one of The Flour Pot’s pastries, cake or freshly made sandwiches.

The double espresso we tried had a big mouthfeel with notes of nuts and berries. Made using their very own Flour Pot blend, roasted by the company themselves, the coffee is bold and works perfectly alongside their selection of sweet goods.

Away from the flurry of central Brighton, this coffee shop is a recluse, perfect for the local residents and those looking to get out of town for a peaceful coffee break.

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.30
Flat White: £2.60
Latte: £2.80

Mon – Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm

Address: 138 Preston Drive, Brighton BN1 6FJ
Website: flour-pot.co.uk
Phone Number: 01273 945525
Email: fiveways@theflourpot.co.uk

Machine: La Marzocco Linea PB
Grinder: Mazzer Major
Roaster: The Flour Pot
Founded: 2016

Portland

Up in Kemptown sits Portland, a charming little coffee shop that can be easy to miss. We spoke to the owner, Philip, who said it had been recently refurbished and that he had a vision for it to be an informal space for people to meet, work, and relax in. It’s safe to say that he has achieved this, with the walls adorned by works from local artists and craftspeople for sale, and regular art classes taking place in the space.

Portland serve Small Batch Coffee on espresso, a smooth and classic choice for Brighton. The coffee has notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, with a great mouthfeel. They have a choice of single origin on filter, and a selection of teas and sandwiches on the giant blackboard that covers the entire right hand wall.

It may be hidden away, and a bit of a walk from the centre of town, but if you find yourself in Kemptown you should do yourself a favour and seek Portland out.

Espresso: £1.20/£2.00
Americano: £2.40
Flat White: £2.50
Cappuccino: £2.60

Mon – Fri: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Sat: 9.00 – 5.00pm
Sun: Closed

Address: 90 St. George’s Road, Brighton, BN2 1EE
Phone Number: 01273 660893
Website: portlandbrighton.com
Email: hello@portlandbrighton.com

Machine: La Marzocco Linea EE
Grinder: Fiorengato F64 Evo
Roaster: Small Batch Coffee Roasters
Founded: 2017

BackWood

Formerly Cafe Plenty, one of Brighton’s newest coffee shops, BackWood, has clearly invested in this sustainable cafe, as their decor has a touch of class, while offering plenty of seating inside and out. With painted brick walls, wooden seating and plenty of lighting – as well as their expansive windows – the shop is bright and airy, creating a feeling of sovereignty that is only increased once you delve deeper into the project itself.

With a desire to run a zero waste cafe, BackWood source locally, reuse and minimise packaging as well as cutting out the most environmentally-damaging ingredients in their food.

Recycled materials were used to make their tables and counters, while water bottles are not for sale and no single use takeaway cups are available. You can, however, pay a small fee to borrow a BackWood KeepCup instead, with a new initiative in Brighton that will go a long way to ensuring less landfill waste.

When it comes to the coffee, on espresso they offer a natural single origin from Brazil’s Fazenda Pico Mirante farm, roasted locally by Pharmacie Coffee Roasters, which is very bright initially with flavours of mango coming through before hazelnut and honey notes come to the fore as it cooled, offering a syrupy mouthfeel.

Their food offering is vast, with breakfast, lunch and all day options available, mostly leaning on the vegetarian and vegan side, and all sustainably sourced.

With such a grand project underway, this unique cafe has all the tools in place to open new avenues and shed light on a more sustainable way forward for coffee shops.

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.30
Flat White: £2.50
Latte: £2.60

Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Sat: 9am – 5.30pm
Sun: 9am – 5.30pm

Website: gobackwood.com
Email:hello@gobackwood.com
Address: 3 – 4 Circus Parade, New England Road, Brighton BN1 4GW

Machine: San Remo Opera
Grinder: San Remo SR83E, Mazzer Luigi
Roaster: Pharmacie Coffee Roasters