Cafes in Brighton

If you're in need of a break from coffee from the vending machines, or just fancy popping out of the office for quick dash of lunchtime decadence, AlFresco is a winner. The Bar and Restaurant is located on Brighton's beachfront just down from the West Pier.

The continental menu is excellent, diverse and is bound to make a nice change from that damp 'n' flaky pasty sensation from SPAR that resembles little more than a wet book. As you can imagine, the atmosphere is very laid-back and the views are beautiful, even on those perpetual grey days that are becoming more and more frequent as we move downward into winter. So, if you want authentic Italian coffee to perk you up, or authentic Italian booze to numb you, from 12 daily AlFresco is a classy joint.

The best coffee in town. Not to say that they don't have other fine attributes - sandwiches, muffins, and all other manner of standard latte-accompanying fare - but if you are in need of a caffeine-based vein-injectory experience without parallel, then look no further than the operators of this bean-grinding centre of excellence. RR's has it taped.

This is Brighton's (and possibly the World's) best shake shop. Yes, milkshakes. Galore. Oozing out of every orifice. And when you see the menu, you won't know which orifice you prefer (come on, this is Brighton after all). Anyway, the range is mouthwatering, the concept is too seductive to refuse, and the basic premise is, take a milkshake, make it any flavour you like, and find all sorts of lush stuff to cram into it to make your tastebuds tingle. Today I'm on banana with jelly tots and custard. Sweet!

Does what it says on the tin. Of Cash'n'carry quality baked beans. Brighton is crammed with the weird and wonderful, and this is where you'll see them at their dogged, up all-night-raving, scraping the drug and booze haze out of their ears via a lard-intravenous of heartstopping proportions worst. Get all the best greasy fry-up ingredients, pile them on a single plate till they're dripping onto the formica tabletop, and know that you'll soon be home, sleeping off the fattest head of your life.

Bring a hemp bag. You'll go away having filled it with nettle teabags, fairly traded houmous and organic wild rice. Infinity is true to Brightonian roots, a lovely place to feel alternative and choosy and frankly decadent in terms of the huge range of quality wholefoods on offer to the vegetarian shopaholic. But don't forget to stop and sip a latte in the process, preferably accompanied by a halloumi open sandwich on one of their delicious shop-baked breads.

More vegetarianism. But that is Brighton, and when in Rome...This place is fully attuned to the sensitivities of the modern, politically savvy but basically just hungry palate. Their chefs come from all over - Italy, Malaysia, Inverness - but they also know just how to make a fine salad leap off the menu at you, begging to be devoured. Just thinking about it is making me hungry. Lunch without meat doesn't get any better.

We Love Local features reviews by customers who have used services or visited businesses in Brighton and throughout the UK. So if you're looking for great places to eat then check out their Brighton Cafe Reviews.