The Best Cafes in Brighton for a Hen Weekend
Where to take the group for coffee, cake and a proper sit-down once the big night is done
The morning after matters as much as the night before. What the group needs is one big table, strong coffee, something sweet, and enough time to piece together the events of the previous evening before the next plan kicks in. Brighton was built for this. Chains are thin on the ground here; in their place you get independent cafes with bags of character, seriously good coffee and cake worth rearranging a schedule for. These are the spots we point our hen groups towards, stretching from Hanover across to Hove.
On the map
6 of 6 on the map
Starfish & Coffee
Head up into Hanover's hilly streets, beside Queens Park, for one of the best morning-after tables in the city. Years of brunch awards sit behind Starfish & Coffee, and the combination of pastries baked fresh each day and dependably excellent coffee is precisely the medicine a fragile hen party requires. The room is tiny and adored, with weekend queues of locals to prove it, so book ahead or dispatch an advance party to claim the table before the rest arrive. A 4.8 rating from more than 1,300 reviews puts it among the highest-rated cafes in Brighton, and it makes a soft landing for a day on the city's east side.
Oeuf
Oeuf is the group-photo cafe. Instagram fell for this pastel-pink room on Third Avenue in Hove years ago, and the food more than holds its end of the bargain: Frumpets, a crumpet-meets-French-toast invention, plus eggs in every configuration you could name. At weekends the brunch cocktails supply exactly the gentle hair of the dog a heavy night demands. Demand for tables runs high, since this is one of the most popular cafes in the city, so a big group should book well in advance, Saturdays especially. Expect the bride to insist on photos before anyone touches a plate.
Lost in The Lanes
Hen groups rarely agree on what time of day it is, which is exactly why Lost in The Lanes earns its place: it works whenever you turn up. Pharmacie Coffee and wholesome breakfasts cover the morning shift, lunch goes seasonal and creative, and wine and cocktails appear if the day keeps rolling into evening. The vegan choices are genuinely good rather than a token gesture, so the whole table is covered. Set on a quiet side street off the main Lanes, it feels polished without a hint of stuffiness, and it seats a group comfortably. One for the shortlist.
Marmalade
Marmalade's dreamy Parisian-style room on Eastern Road in Kemptown will tempt the group into losing a whole afternoon. Breakfast built its reputation, and plenty of locals rank it with the best in Brighton, while the Guinness chocolate cake is non-negotiable before you leave. Warm staff and a dog-friendly welcome set just the right tone for a slow group morning. Space is limited, though, so reserve a hen-sized table ahead or come on a calmer weekday. This side of town treasures it, and rightly so.
17 Grams
The coffee at 17 Grams is roasted in-house in small batches, and one flat white tells you everything you need to know. Tucked down Meeting House Lane in the Lanes, it also ranks among the city's best brunch tables: breakfast burritos, pancakes with rhubarb compote and a strong showing of veggie plates for the group. On a bright morning, claim the sun-trap garden out the back. The staff have a knack for remembering your order, a small kindness that goes a long way on day two of a hen weekend. The coffee gets you through the door; the food keeps you there.
Kenny's Rock & Soul Cafe
Right on Kensington Gardens in the heart of the North Laine, Kenny's is an old-school cafe with character to spare. Take a wooden booth inside or grab the sunny balcony, prime people-watching territory, and order the full English safe in the knowledge that the vegans and vegetarians in the group are well looked after too. Portions run generous, the soundtrack never misses, and the bill stays friendly, which counts for plenty when a big group is eating. Weekends get busy for good reason, so arrive early or pick a weekday if you want a hen-sized table without the wait. Cracking value and a proper slice of local life.
