Garden Café Brighton Review: Stunning, Serene… But Not Built for Kids

Tucked away in the heart of North Laine…  just a few steps from icons like Snoopers Paradise and surrounded by Brighton’s signature mix of vintage shops, indie boutiques and “I’ll just pop in” energy… you’ll find the kind of café that makes you stop mid-walk and go “wait… we’re going in there.”

Enter: The Garden Cafe Brighton.

And I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be one of the most beautiful cafés I’ve ever been to.

Garden Cafe Interior: A North Laine gem that looks like a Pinterest board

If you’re even slightly into interiors, this place will do something to your nervous system.

Expect:

• Plants. Everywhere. Not a sad corner fern in sight.
• Hanging lanterns that make the lighting feel soft and dreamy (read: flattering, thank you)
• A drinking water fountain surrounded by evil eye details.

If aesthetics and instagram pics were the only metric, this place is a 10/10 without even trying.

The food: fresh, simple, and actually worth the hype

Now onto the important part… because pretty doesn’t always mean good. But I was very impressed in all honesty. 

We went for:

• Garden salad (fresh, colourful, exactly what you want when you’re keeping things healthy)
• Poached eggs on toast (for my daughter — more on that decision shortly)
• A tropical smoothie that was genuinely delicious and packed full of the good stuff
• Coffee that actually tasted like coffee, not disappointment

Price-wise, it’s very much what you’d expect for Brighton.
For three drinks and two breakfasts, we paid around £38 – which, honestly, felt fair for the quality and location.

So far, so good.

The reality check: visiting with kids

Here’s where we pivot slightly.

Because while I loved it… this is where I’m going to be properly honest.

Is this a good brunch spot with kids?
Short answer: no.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Not every place needs to cater to children – and some spaces are just better suited to slow, adult catch-ups where no one is negotiating over toast crusts.

But if you’re planning a visit with little ones, here’s what to know:

• There are no real kids’ options on the menu
  Yes, there are pancakes and cakes, but if you’re trying to avoid a full sugar spiral before midday, your choices are… limited
• The most “kid-friendly” option we found was eggs on toast
  Which sounds fine until you remember it’s sourdough –  aka a workout for small teeth
• In the spirit of full transparency: my daughter picked up a whole poached egg and dropped it directly onto her dress. Not ideal for anyone. 

And then… the toilets.

• They’re downstairs
• The stairs are steep
• The cubicles are tiny

So if you’re doing outfit changes, toddler wrangling or emergency clean-ups – it’s not the easiest setup.

Final verdict: go… just maybe not with your kids

So would I go back?

100% yes.

Would I recommend it?

Also yes – especially if you love a beautiful setting and a genuinely good brunch.

Would I take my child again?

No. This one is better  saved for adult catch-ups only. And honestly? That’s allowed.