Kemptown & London Road

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.

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.

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.

Newly opened in the London Road area is a celebration of all things African, the beautiful Africa House. The interior is bright and airy, with plenty of space to work, sit at the window watching the world go by, or read one of the many wonderful books on display. Visitors are encouraged to make use of the space how they wish, emphasised by the adage above the door which reads: “Connect. Conserve. Explore.”

We tried a Huge Mt washed Rwandan, roasted by the excellent Pharmacie Coffee Roasters, as an espresso, and were even offered two separate recipes. The rich, punchy flavour made way for a fuller bodied feel as it cooled, but still retained a slight delicious tang.

As well as learning that many of the staff went through the Pro Barista Course offered at One Church Brighton, we later found out that the coffee is a charitable collaboration between Pharmacie, Falcon Specialty, and Africa House. From the flavour, to their ethics, and approach to staffing, Africa House are doing coffee the right way, in every way.

Address: 5a Brunswick Row, Brighton BN1 4JZ
Email: monique@africa-house.co

Website: www.facebook.com/Africa-House-Brighton
Tel: 07741 910704

Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Espresso: £2.20
Americano: £2.40
Flat White: £2.50
Latte: £2.70

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco Linea
Roaster: Pharmacie
Grinder: Mazzer Luigi Spa
Founded: 2018

Just like its sister shop The Marwood Coffee House, Presuming Ed boasts a distinct style in a wonderful location. It is also a fully licensed bar and venue with a number of drinks on offer, including cans of craft beer.

The coffee is silky smooth and works perfectly when paired with a generous portion of carrot cake or a salted caramel brownie. It is clear that a lot of effort goes into milk preparation, with their lattes boasting a velvety texture at the right temperature to drink instantly.

Presuming Ed balances both a relaxing atmosphere and the “buzz” that many search for in a coffee house; the venue is so spacious that you can find a spot amongst the action, or squirrel yourself away in a corner for a quiet drink.

In fitting with The Marwood, the shop it wonderfully eclectic, featuring trainers, computer controllers and action figures hanging from the ceiling, as well as odd mannequin limbs poking out from all kinds of angles.

Presuming Ed also puts on more events than the average coffee shop, both during the daytime and the evening, so you’re sure to find something interesting happening soon if you visit.

Upon entering The Longhouse Cafe you are instantly met by a clean, open layout decked with ceiling-hanging plants, lively artwork on the walls, wooden chairs and tables and welcoming baristas. Although the owners have changed since the last edition of the guide, we’re happy to say that The Longhouse Cafe is still very much worth a visit.

Serving single origin Peruvian espresso from Horsham Coffee Roasters, this fresh-feeling coffee shop is well-known for its sweet coffee with chocolate and nut flavours and a toffee mouth feel. The café’s slogan is ‘Born in Brighton. Created by the community. Powered by plants’. 

With a menu serving 100% vegan food, as well as occasional “pop up’s” featuring other local food and drink, it’s best to keep an eye on social media if you want to keep up to date with all of The Longhouse Cafe’s offerings.

They’re constantly experimenting with new recipes, such as their raw white chocolate, salted caramel & ginger cheesecake, or pulled BBQ jackfruit toasties. This community powered coffee shop is one that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Espresso: £2.00
Americano: £2.20
Flat White: £2.60
Latte: £2.80

Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm

 

Website: thelonghousecafe.com
Phone Number: 0753 858 3806
Address: 16 York Place, Brighton, BN1 4GU

Espresso Machine: La Marzocco Linea 1
Roaster: Horsham Coffee Roasters
Grinder: Mazzer Lux, Mazzer Robur
Founded: 2017

This rustic feeling café sits at the bottom of Edward Street offering coffee specifically roasted for the shop by Small Batch Coffee Roasters.

Running ristretto shots through their La Marzocco machine, their coffee is rich and sweet, while their enchanting shop is lined with coffee sacks and brick walls. Their sun-trap outside provides quaint wooden tables and chairs to relax as well as a selection of seating indoors as well.

Website: frankievaughans.com
Phone Number: 01273 818 888
Address: 180 Edward Street, Brighton, BN2 0JB

Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 4.30pm