My Guide to Being Vegan in Brighton

Please come hungry.

Kind of Wild is a weekly newsletter on vegan travel and ethical luxury. I am a 40-something published author, podcaster, public speaker, charity PR specialist and writer. I speak four languages and live in Brighton, UK. I’ve been vegan for over a decade. I want to save the world - but I also want to experience it.

I have lived in Brighton since late 2016. David and I came here from London, where we had lived for four years. The idea of moving here wasn’t one I was very keen on initially - I wanted to stay in London. I cried in the moving van! But just one walk down to the seafront and I was converted. Today, I thank David almost daily that he pushed for us to move here. At this time in my life, there’s just nowhere I’d rather live.

One of the countless reasons why I love my adopted hometown so much is that it’s a paradise for vegans. A few years ago, Brighton was chosen by Chef’s Pencil as the most vegan-friendly city in the world - tiny little Brighton beat out London, Berlin, New York and other places that had taken this spot previously. And with good reason! When it comes to vegan restaurants, this city is a true haven.

I love to try new restaurants and going back to those I already love. Here are some of my favourites, for all your foodie needs and wants. Please note: not all of these places are 100% fully vegan. I included those with great vegan options too.

Is it just me or are all the happiest photos the blurry ones?

Breakfast / Brunch

Wolfox (vegan options) - a great little chain with pretty locations scattered across town, with lovely vegan croissants and some really great French toast.

The Flour Pot Bakery (vegan options) - a lovely bakery chain with amazing vegan pain au chocolat and great sandwiches.

Nowhere Man (vegan options) - if you like pancakes - and if you don’t, I don’t think we can be friends - there really is one place only. Nowhere Man’s wonderful Seventies-inspired décor and fantastic flavours are a must-visit whether you’re up for sweet or savoury. It’s here that I realised that I actually really love pancakes with bacon, scrambled tofu, AND blueberries with whipped cream. All on the same plate!

Summer brunch at Nowhere Man

Oeuf (vegan options) - it might sound weird that I recommend a place whose name means “egg” in a vegan guide. But Oeuf is truly worth a visit. Their full English breakfast is a dream and I’d love to try the berry and mango pancakes too.

Quick lunch on the go

What the Pitta (fully vegan) - my first time having a kebab was as a vegan, so vegan kebab is all I know of the kebab world. And as far as vegan kebabs go, What the Pitta is top notch. Their mezze box is one of our favourite Brighton lunches, as is the doner wrap.

We Love Falafel (not fully vegan but almost) - absolutely everything in Brighton has become a thousand times more expensive in recent years. Except We Love Falafel. Its amazing wraps are still very affordable and incredibly delicious. David isn’t usually a fan of falafel at all and he loves this place. On a sunny day, it can seem tricky to get a table, but we’ve always managed. Everything here is vegan except halloumi in some of the wraps.

Happy Maki (fully vegan) - if you’re craving something light and healthy but at the same time filling, sushi bar Happy Maki is your spot. Everything’s fresh, colourful, well-made, and 100% plant-based. Extremely transparent with its costs and earnings, Happy Maki also donates to eradicate child hunger. Pro tip: get the bowl, not the burrito. I’m still hungry after a burrito, but the bowls are fabulous.

Foodilic (vegan options) - go here for a fresh salad buffet, beans (I pretty much never seen restaurants selling beans, anywhere. Why?) or a quick burger. The smoothies and juices are also amazing.

Iydea (vegetarian) - I love this cosy little lunch spot where you can create your own plate by choosing a main and sides. Or just enjoy a warming soup with some really good bread. Fresh and packed with flavour, a lunch at this place is always comforting and nourishing.

Junk Food / Pub Food

Owee Vegan (fully vegan) - a classic fast-food place, only all vegan. This place is the junkiest, most indulgent burger spot you’ll ever go to. It’s just like all the burger places you’re used to and that you remember from your pre-vegan days - nostalgia galore. Would I eat here every day? Definitely not. But does it hit the spot when you want a good old fashioned burger, just like you had when you were a kid? Hell yeah.

Honest Burgers (vegan options) - this is one of Brighton’s best burger spots, constantly busy and buzzing. They only have two vegan options, but their vegan burgers are fantastic. I absolutely adore sitting outside Honest on a warm summer evening and have a burger with chips.

That time we all went to Honest Burgers and ordered the same thing

The No Catch Co (fully vegan) - this is Earthling Ed’s famous vegan fish and chips joint, and it’s truly worth the hype. It’s the best vegan fish I’ve ever had, full stop. When they had just opened I remember quite a few people complaining about small portions, but I think that has been rectified now, as last time I went I was more than full. I usually avoid deep-fried food as my stomach doesn’t agree with it, but when I do make an exception, it’s for No Catch.

The Prince George (vegetarian) - oh how I love a good Sunday roast at the Prince George. Their 3D-printed vegan “meat” roast (using Redefine Meat) and their seitan chicken roast are both incredible. And they also have some of the best brownies I’ve ever had! Plus, the Prince George is just a lot of fun. After New Year’s Eve dinner at Tonkotsu (see below), we came here for a drink and a dance, and it was the best way to start off 2025.

Pizza

Purezza (fully vegan) - this is the first vegan pizzeria in the UK, and I have been a fan since it first launched. I would go as far as saying that outside of Naples, this is the best pizza I’ve ever had. Adventurous with their toppings and flavours without ever forsaking the classics, Purezza also serve amazing cocktails and the best tiramisú in town. I’ll just say that it’s not a coincidence that we live ten minutes’ walking distance from this restaurant.

Morelli Zorelli (vegan options) - one of my favourite memories from last summer is when I got pizza from Morelli Zorelli with a friend and ate it on the beach. Their vegan menu is quite large, with many interesting options, and the most important part of the pizza - the dough - is on point.

The quintessential Brighton summer experience

VIP (vegan options) - we often celebrate our birthdays here, despite it not being a fully vegan place. The vegan menu is amazing (amazing!) and the Italian atmosphere just permeates everything. There’s a relaxed, joyful atmosphere here that lends itself so well to a celebration. Bonus point: it’s open until late! We were returning from David recording in the studio one Friday night and absolutely everything was closed, including the fast-food joints. No way to get any food. Only place open was VIP and we had a great dinner.

Ramen / Japanese

Tonkotsu (vegan options) - I discovered this place almost by accident and now I rarely go anywhere else for ramen. Their mushroom miso ramen is my favourite winter comfort dish. This year we had New Year’s Eve dinner here and it was fabulous. The secret behind Tonkotsu’s greatness is that they make their own noodles, which just taste so homemade and authentic. Only thing to work on: please do more vegan desserts!

A girl and her ramen: a love story

Kusaki (fully vegan) - an elegant little spot with amazing ramen and gyoza. Beautiful interiors, great for date nights or Valentine’s Day, but also lovely for a dinner with friends. I took my mum here when she came to visit and it was a wholesome, memorable evening.

Moshimo (vegan options) - I love the décor of this place, and I adore that they offer vegan crab, tuna, and salmon. The vegan “sushi boat” is really an experience. Just one note: go easy on the mayo! And that’s not just me - I don’t like mayo at all, but even David, a massive mayo fan, thought this was overload.

Fine Dining

Terre à Terre (vegetarian) - the oldest veggie restaurant in Brighton, Terre a Terre is one of my favourite restaurants in the city. I’ve had some beautiful dinners here (including a chocolate dessert sharing plate that I will never forget) and some of the best afternoon teas of my life. Really recommend the vegan afternoon tea!

Food for Friends (vegetarian) - my very first birthday in Brighton was celebrated here. This veggie restaurant has an abundance of vegan dishes, all served in a warm, welcoming yet luxurious ambiance. I love coming back here for a celebration every now and then.

“Best gyoza ever”, as described by my husband, at Bonsai

Bonsai Plant Kitchen (fully vegan) - this restaurant is truly an experience. With an exquisite menu with flavours that I haven’t come across anywhere else, it also serves gorgeous cocktails and the service is flawless. One of my favourite restaurants in the world (and I’ve said it before).

Dessert / Ice Cream

Glazed (fully vegan) - this place is correctly described in their social-media videos as ‘next-level donuts and coffee”. If you’ve ever had a Glazed donut, you know just how irresistible they are. I’m crazy for the Biscoff and Oreo ones but they also have creative flavours like blueberry and lemon, espresso, and baklava.

Heavenly Desserts (vegan options) - as someone with a huge sweet tooth, I find this place to be literal paradise. Their vegan menu is enormous. I’ve tried the croffles (croissant waffles. Yes, I could die happy after that one), the pistachio cookie dough and that genius thing that’s a brownie with cookie dough inside it. Every time was an unbelievable experience. If you like sugar, get to this place asap.

Boho Gelato (vegan options) - if it’s a warm bank holiday, you’ll find me in Boho Gelato’s immense queue. Their vegan flavours are something special. No boring lemon sorbet here: enjoy delights like pistachio, peanut butter sea salted caramel (YUM), chocolate rose and hazelnut.

My bank holiday diet

Gelato Gusto (vegan options) - I was here just last week, enjoying a cone with chocolate sorbet and orange/cinnamon/date flavours, which I adored. Strategically placed in the Laines and on the seafront, Gelato Gusto also offers delicious pancakes with ice cream (what else?) and can offer really rare vegan flavours. David came across his childhood favourite amarena (sour cherry) here once and was over the moon.

Hot Chocolate

Knoops (vegan options) - yes, I made a whole category just for Knoops. Quite simply put, I won’t have hot chocolate anywhere else. Why? Because no one but Knoops offers sugar-free options that are also vegan and luxuriously delicious. With an array of extras to add to your drink - marshmallows, spices, pink salt, vegan whipped cream, you name it - Knoops has endless options to personalise your drink. Plus, despite not being Italian-grade thick (if anyone knows where I can get one of those, please tell me!), it’s also not as liquid as regular UK hot chocolate, it has a bit of a denser, richer feel. My go-to is the 96% with hazelnut milk, cinnamon and orange. Oh and it’s not a winter-only treat: you can get iced chocolate for those hot summer days.

Supermarket

Kindly of Brighton (fully vegan) - a vegan supermarket used to be The Dream back in the day, and with Kindly opening up in the Seven Dials and in York Place, we finally have our dream. I visit Kindly quite often, stocking up on essentials such as tempeh, kimchi, flavoured tofu, chocolate, and nutritional yeast. Plus, there’s a refill section for detergents, and a great selection of beauty products.

RIP

I cannot finish this guide without remembering some of the most amazing vegan and vegetarian places that have closed down in the last few years. The crazy Brighton rents are a true threat to our vegan scene, and few things sadden me as much as seeing a vape shop where my favourite eatery used to be. RIP Green Kitchen, Wai Kika Moo Kau, Tiger Eats Carrot, T@Hove, The Vurger Co, Really Happy Chicken, and without a doubt many others that I’m forgetting. We miss you.

Brighton is a wonderful place to live, and one of the reasons I love it so much is the abundance and diversity of vegan food options. Everyone who visits also always raves about our vegan selection, and I’m always proud to welcome vegans here. But I also love it when non-vegans visit and we can showcase just how indulgent and nourishing vegan cuisine can be. I really hope Brighton stays this way for years to come.