Aaaah, Brighton!
There’s just something about seaside cities that makes my heart sing. And if said city happens to also be home to amazing independent shops, cafes and restaurants, I might just never want to leave.
About 65 minutes from London on the train, it’s the perfect weekend getaway.
And there’s so much to do! You’ll aready know about the Pier and the beach, of course, but if you’re after less obvious things to do in Brighton, listen up!
See
Brighton Pavilion
Now this one is hardly a secret to anyone, but it’s still very much worth seeing! Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this exotic palace is an icon of Brighton.
A Western interpretation of Oriental archicture, this spectacular palace combines a romantic, Indian-inspired exteriors and opulent, ‘Chinoiserie’-focused interiors. Unfortunately, it’s not allowed to take pictures inside but if you can save a couple of hours, go! I promise it’ll meet your high expectasians!
Do
The La(i)nes
Don’t confuse The Lanes -a collection of narrow lanes famous for their small shops and narrow alleyways- and North Laine -the former slum area turned bohemian and cultural quarter- but definitely visit both!
The Lanes are home to many a jewellery store, beautiful home stores and chip-as-chip traditional pubs. Oh, and some really excellent ice cream parlours too (more on that later).
North Laine on the other hand is the place to go for anything vintage, the city’s best independant stores and some truly incredible indie food!
Definitely worth waiting in Laine for!
Picnic in the parc/on the beach
When the sun’s shining and there’s sea bream in the air, nothing’s better than a little impromptu picnic. Especially if said picnic includes some of Silo‘s amazing sandwiches…
Eat
Boho Gelato
Another paragraph, another sea side cliché. Expect not quite.
Forget Mr Whippy and its 99 Flake. With 20-something creative flavours in store at any given time (thing carrot cake, popping candy, avocado…), making a choice at Boho Gelato is hard.
But then again, you’d be NUTS not to go for the (vegan) peanut butter and salted caramel because it’s the BEST.
Larder
Now, Brighton must be the best city in the UK for vegetarians and vegans to eat out. And this unassuming little vegan café is amongst the very best in Brighton, which is really saying something.
But then again, they do beautiful buddha bowls and avocado toasties.
AVOCADO TOASTIES GUYS!! Life changing.
Gelato Gusto
Disclaimer -half of what we ate in Brighton was ice cream and I have no regrets whatsoever.
Gelato Gusto is somewhat more traditional that Boho Gelato in terms of flavours, but oh boy, their sorbet selection is dreaaaaamy!
Plateau
When Ophélie & I were making plans for our Brighton city breaks, we had all those crazy plans about having cocktails every evening.
And then we got there and stumbled across Plateau (a small wine bar specialising in natural wines) and the rest is (white wine-fuelled) history.
Shop
Present in the Laine
The most gorgeous homeware, local designer jewellery and the cutest selection of gifts for the little ones – just take all of my money already!
Bluebird Tea
Spreading happiness one cup at a time, Bluebird Tea is a tea store like no other. Forget the usual suspects – here it’s all about creative, out-there blends.
Their range is currently 80-something strong and includes all-year-round favourites such as Birthday Cake, Cherry Bakewell and Earl Grey Cream as well as seasonal limited edition blends. Which currently features a carrot cake tea.
Yes you read that right, yes it’s available online, and YES! you need it in your life.
Photomatic
You know what they say. Time comes and goes, but polaroid pictures are forever!
Cake and Whisky 
An absolutely perfect weekend! ♥ xx
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