A Pair of Days in Brighton, September 2022.
I’d almost forgotten how much I love escaping for the weekend. Amidst the humdrum of everyday life and simply trying to stay on top of things, suddenly one of my weekends became free, and so we decided to book a spontaneous getaway to Brighton.
It’s been years since I visited Brighton, but somehow its usual magic didn’t ignite in this trip. Our hotel was disappointing. I was served chicken instead of its vegan alternative within 30 minutes of arriving.
But, still, the weekend felt like joy, bottled.




We meandered down the Laines, admiring wares of independent shops and cafés, sought delicious food by nose not phone, strolled hand-in-hand along the seafront, tumbled pebbles on the beach and read in our snug hotel room. By night, we cosied up in a folklore cardigan and cocktail jackets, and star-gazed amidst the sound of quietly rushing waves on the horizon.
For reasons unexpected, it was a dream pair of days away.
Our vegan food recommendations
Mange Tout
81 Trafalgar St, Brighton BN1 4EB


This French eatery, Mange Tout, is incredibly stylish, rustic and kitted with an excellent menu for all. The service left a lot to be desired but it was ridiculously busy when we visited on Saturday morning. I absolutely loved my Vegan Mange Tout breakfast: hashbrowns, chunky sourdough and the best vegan sausage I’ve had. They serve quality dishes, locally roasted coffee, natural wines and sustainably sourced tea. My boyfriend loved his Full Mange Tout breakfast too!

The No Catch Co.
127a Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2FA
The brainchild of vegan activist Earthling Ed, The No Catch Co. is expectedly brilliant. The menu is entirely plant-based, recreating a traditional English chippy. I haven’t had a greasy fish-and-chips in YEARS so I felt completely overwhelmed and opted for the Vegan Cod and Chips – as did my boyfriend! – but we can’t wait to return one day to try their scampi or saveloy or battered sausages.
The Trading Post
36 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AB


There’s a few of these dotted around Brighton – and it kept popping up on my phone as a recommended destination – so hungry and touting a suitcase around, we popped for a little Sunday brunch at The Trading Post. And it was delicious! My vegan option was an elevated avocado on toast with beetroot hummus, vine-roasted tomatoes and falafel – I’d happily eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Longrain
111 St James’s St, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1TH
We stumbled upon Longrain on St. James Street on our first night. Their Pan-Asian menu sounded wonderful with a great mix of small and large plates, and we were taken in by their smoothies. Firstly, this place is popular! We quickly realised, in the queue, that locals flock here and it’s for good reason: the food is delicious and the service is friendly! I opted for their Satay Tofu with yellow coconut rice, while Eddie chose their Pad Thai with a Satay Chicken starter, and we both absolutely loved it.
All in all, an unexpectedly charming weekend away.