Coffee Shops

From the UK’s first Green Party MP, to the many cycle lanes and eco warriors based in Brighton, we’re a city dedicated to sustainability. However, that’s not always been the case in the coffee industry, as we throw away hundreds of thousands of disposable cups each year. 

The BYO Coffee Cup scheme has helped curve attitudes but one shop that is trying to force the issue is the recently-opened Baker Street Coffee, situated on (you guessed it!) Baker Street, just off London Road. Their pledge to help end single-use coffee cups has seen them become the first shop in the city to ban takeaway cups altogether, subsiding their reusable cups to make it an affordable concept for many.

As you approach, the calming navy blue exterior is a welcoming presence, and once inside you’re surrounded by wood on all sides; from the floorboards to the seating and shelves to the wall decor. The drinks menu is minimal, with the regular milky offering (Flat White, Latte, Cappuccino and Mocha) alongside their espresso, black coffee and tea options.

Their beans come from Coffee at 33 and our espresso produced hazelnut and dark chocolate flavours on first taste before cooling to give off caramel and lemon zest notes. They also provide water with your drink which is always a nice touch.

Much like Coffee at 33, the aesthetic is very stripped back, with old beer barrels as seating, plain white walls, a minimalist plant selection as well as a limited offering of cakes and pastries. Unlike 33, though, music is audible. Yet, it tends to lean on the calmer, more ambient side, taking you away from the hustle and bustle of The Level and London Road directly outside.

Their milk options are simple: dairy or Oatly. With no alternative milk tax either, this new spot is already a leading light in Brighton when it comes to sustainability.

Situated about half way up Elm Grove is a cosy little retreat bearing The Flour Pot name. As you enter, the usual treats are on display, from the shelves of bread in the window, to the range of cakes on the counter. As well as the food, the black and white checkerboard flooring, and the little plants on the tables are all Flour Pot trademarks. The design is a winner as it seems to work in both the larger, more minimalist locations, as well as the more cosy, community cafes such as this one.

The Flour Pot are relative newcomers to the roasting scene, but we’re pleased to say that they’ve hit the ground running. There was a nice tartness to the long black we tried, rather than being overpowering, it was subtle, bringing a plum jam, or a black forest gateau to mind. If they grow into their roasting the same way they did their baking, Brighton may have another big hitter in the roasting scene.

We’ve mentioned many times that more and more cafes are opening across Brighton and it is encouraging that there are still many places that are focusing on local communities. It is unlikely that many tourists, or day trippers, will wander up Elm Grove on a day out, but to the local residents, somewhere like The Flour Pot is indispensable.

Pelicano has been a mainstay of Sydney Street for a number of years, and now have opened up a second location on The Level. The new spot, just before the entrance to the children’s park, is the perfect spot when the weather is nice as the many benches and south-facing window trap the sun beautifully.

As we’ve come to expect with Pelicano, the design is top drawer. They’ve managed to convert a formally ugly concrete block into something much more aesthetically pleasing. A large part of a cafe’s appeal lies in its atmosphere and the new Pelicano is both warm and cosy.

The other large part of a cafe’s appeal is, obviously, the food and drink it serves. Like the original, this Pelicano offers the Smoky Bird Espresso as their house choice, as well as a number of single origin beans all roasted at their Sydney Street store. Alongside the coffee are a number of cakes and pastries as the perfect accompaniment.

We’re always happy to see new establishments open in Brighton, especially when a place we love expands to a new and interesting location. Once the summer rolls around, we hope that the new Pelicano has proven itself as a popular location.