Whether it’s your morning kick-start or a post-lunch pick-me-up, that cup of coffee has to be good. Thankfully Sussex has a booming coffee shop culture, with quality beans roasted by well-trained baristas. Here are some of the best places to head for your daily caffeine fix, along with a slice of cake or two...
Bullet Coffee House, Hastings
This is a lovely coffee house and eatery, run by the affable Vicki. As well as great coffee, there is a good selection of homemade cakes and a menu of tasty brunch and lunch dishes, including veggie and vegan options. Don’t miss the famous Bullet sourdough bread – delicious.
Hanushka Coffee House, Hastings
Bookworms will love this atmospheric café. Customers are surrounded by books, which they are welcome to pull off the shelves and read. As well as excellent coffee and hot chocolate, Hanuska offers cakes (including gluten-free options), light lunches and cream teas.
Hayden’s Coffee Shop, Rye
A stylish eatery offers good coffee made with organic fair trade beans, as well as tasty breakfasts such as bacon sarnies, bagel breakfasts and French toast, and lunches and cakes made with organic ingredients. Hayden’s also offers eco-friendly B&B accommodation.
Nelson Coffee Co., Eastbourne
Situated by the station, Nelson - who roasts its own coffee beans - serves first class coffees and teas and a range of tasty food, including cakes (such as salted caramel cake and vegan carrot cake), pastries, toasties and other savoury snacks. Don’t miss the wonderful Earl Grey tea.
Coffee Counter, Brighton
Settle here for a friendly, bohemian atmosphere, quality coffee and great breakfasts, brunches and lunches. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and dogs are welcome. Situated in a quiet street, this is a good spot to escape the hurly burly of the Lanes at the weekend.
Small Batch, Brighton
This fair trade roastery has seven stylish coffee stops around Brighton and Hove, including a large, relaxing café on Western Road that allows dogs. The high quality coffee is made with Small Batch beans, which are purchased through direct trade initiatives and roasted in small batches to ensure freshness.
Redroaster, Brighton
A much-loved Brighton institution, it has been hand roasting and selling beans for over a decade. Each cup of coffee is brewed with ethically sourced fair trade and organic blends, which can be bought by the bag in the café.
Garton’s Coffee House, Midhurst
Situated in the market place, next to the church, this is a relaxing place to stop off for a cuppa. Garton’s serves very good coffee, as well as breakfasts, lunches, afternoon tea and takeaway sarnies. There are vegetarian dishes available.
The Hungry Guest, Petworth
Located in the gorgeous town of Petworth, stop off here for a quality cup of coffee before browsing the antique shops and boutiques. The café serves lunches such as fishcakes and sourdough pizza. For sale they also have homemade bread and luxury hampers.
Bungaroosh Café Bistro
Named after the building material almost exclusively used in Brighton and Hove (and featuring a character wall displaying such), this pretty place has a wide menu of delicious dishes as well as coffees. Think spinach and scrambled eggs, mezze platters and aubergine shawarma.
