Breakfast is often termed the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. As the name rightly suggests, breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health. Brighton certainly isn’t short of delicious local breakfast and brunch options, from Lost in the Lanes to Sugardough, Meanwhile to Trading Post, all offering an array of delicious delights to do exactly that – break that fast!
Rather the juxtaposition, we ended up in The Breakfast Club for dinner. Despite the name, The Breakfast Club Brighton, along with their other branches across the UK in locations such as London, Essex and Oxford, is venturing into a brand-new evening focussed market. For me, it’s always exciting to see (and eat) late-night blueberry pancakes on a menu alongside traditional “evening fare” such as mac and cheese, buttermilk fried chicken and Reuben sandwiches! Breakfast Club really is Brighton’s go-to place for delicious brunches and comfort food.
Due to popular demand (clearly!), we were unable to sample the legendary and newly curated “Lasandwich” (a vegetarian lasagne complete with rich bechamel and marinara sauce encased within a crispy ciabatta bun). However, not to worry – there were a plethora of enticing dishes on the A3 menu which filled the table, and they certainly did not disappoint.
We began with a sharing board termed “Disco Mac” (£12.00) which included a duo of Mac & Cheese and Disco Fries (basically the best loaded fries you’ll ever taste with lashings of harissa, lime cured red cabbage and chimichurri). We also opted for the new Birra Pulled Beef Sandwich (£12.50) and the Vegetarian Club Burrito” with Halloumi (£9.50). Both were very tasty and fresh and truly hit the spot. It’d be rude not to, so we finished the meal with Blueberry Pancakes which were piled high and topped with luscious vanilla-bean ice cream and generous servings of syrup. Fluffy is an understatement here!
For drinks, we checked out several of the cocktails on the menu and they were truly fantastic. Firstly, a “Raspberry Gin Thing” (gin, raspberry, lemon, egg white, sugar and bitters – £10.00). Here, the balance of delicate flavours expertly and lovingly created was a summery delight with the flavour profile of sweet and sour hitting all the right notes. Next up we enjoyed a “Watermelon Daquiri” (white rum, watermelon and lime – £10). All the elements of a daiquiri with an explosive and fun watermelon twist which worked extremely well. Finally, we opted for a “Ferrero Espresso Martini” (vodka, Frangelico and hazelnut syrup – £10.00). This was served with a Ferrero Rocher on the side – a lovely touch and a perfect way to end a superb meal.
Happy Hour is fabulous and generous here too if you’re on the hunt for a real hidden bargain – £4 pints, £6 cocktails* and £6 glasses of house wine come readily available and flowing between the hours of 16:00 pm and 19:00 pm. Perfect for when you’re visiting glorious Brighton from many of the nearby hotels, enjoying after-work drinks with colleagues, or simply looking for somewhere to sit and watch the world of Market St and beyond go by.
When visiting restaurants, of course, food is important to an experience, but service plays a big role in the overall experience. It’s therefore only fair to give a very warm shoutout to both John and Ed, the charming and hospitable waiters who looked after us so well throughout the evening. It’s always great to see top service in multi-location restaurants within tourist hot spots. It really is comforting and reassuring to know locals and visitors are being represented the very best of our famously open and convivial city.
All I can say is this: don’t be put off by the name…whilst The Breakfast Club remains one of the most popular Breakfast and Brunch spots in Brighton (and beyond), their dinner offering is equally excellent with a menu with something for everyone. Service with a smile in a central location, an art-deco interior and food and drinks served with love and character – what’s not to love? Do check these guys out next time you’re wandering The Lanes!
16-17 Market Sreet,
Brighton, BN1 1HH
Check opening times
