Brighton's Best Cake Spots
From French patisserie to Russian honey cake, 20 places worth every crumb
Brighton is a city that takes its cake very seriously indeed. Whether you are after a perfect macaron from a French-trained pastry chef, a thick wedge of carrot cake from a neighbourhood bakery, or something altogether more unusual like a Russian honey cake layered with pistachio ganache, you will find it here. We have been eating our way through Brighton's bakeries and cafes for over twenty years, and this is our definitive list of the places worth making a beeline for. Grab a fork.
Julien Plumart
Step inside Julien Plumart on Queens Road and you will feel like you have been transported to a Parisian patisserie. French-trained pastry chef Julien creates some of the most exquisite confections in the city, from rows of perfectly glossy macarons to intricate layered cakes that look almost too good to eat. Almost. The macarons are the star, light as air with bold, true flavours, and the pastry selection changes regularly so there is always something new to try.
Honey Cake by Mary
This is one of Brighton's most unique cake experiences. Honey Cake by Mary specialises in Medovik, the traditional Russian honey cake, made from a family recipe passed down through generations. Each cake is built from delicate honey-cookie layers, filled with cream and finished with flavours like pistachio, raspberry, or coffee under a rich ganache. The result is unlike anything else you will find in the city. Based in Hove on Richardson Road, it is worth the trip for something genuinely different. With a near-perfect 4.9-star Google rating, this is a place that leaves a lasting impression.
Jacob's Bakery
Tucked away near North Laine on Gloucester Place, Jacob's Bakery has earned a devoted following for its exceptional cakes and breads. The brownies here are wonderfully rich and fudgy, the Victoria sponge is a textbook beauty, and everything is made with real care and quality ingredients. It is the sort of place where you pop in for a loaf of sourdough and leave with a box of treats you had no intention of buying.
The Open Bakery
A Kemptown favourite on St George's Road, The Open Bakery turns out some of the best cakes and sourdough in the city, all baked fresh daily. The catch? The cakes often sell out by early afternoon, so get there in the morning if you want the pick of the selection. Everything is made with love and care. Our advice: go early, buy generously, and do not skip the sourdough while you are there.
Cafe Marmalade
Tucked away on Eastern Road in Kemptown, Cafe Marmalade has dreamy Parisian-style interiors and a menu packed with homemade cakes, fresh salads, and quiche. The Guinness chocolate cake is the one everyone talks about, and for good reason; it is rich, deeply chocolatey, and absolutely worth the calories. The cafe is dog friendly, the coffee is great, and the breakfasts have earned rave reviews too. It has quickly become one of our favourite spots in Kemptown, and with 4.6 stars from over 850 reviews, it seems we are not alone.
Cloud 9
If you need a showstopper cake for a wedding, birthday, or any excuse to celebrate, Cloud 9 in the North Laine is the place to go. This independent Brighton cake shop specialises in fabulous rainbow cakes, cupcakes, and fully bespoke celebration creations, all handmade on site. Pop in for a slice with a coffee or grab an ice cream on warmer days.
Real Patisserie
A Brighton institution with multiple locations including Trafalgar Street in Brighton, and Western Road in Hove, Real Patisserie has been serving beautiful European-style cakes and pastries for years. The display is full of croissants, tarts, eclairs, and richly layered cakes are all done with a Continental flair that is hard to find elsewhere in the city. It is a reliable, well-loved favourite that never seems to dip in quality.
Leman Tea Room
For a lovely old-fashioned cake and tea experience, Leman Tea Room on Madeira Place in Kemptown is hard to beat. The setting is charming, the cakes are exceptional, and the whole experience feels like a genuine treat rather than just a quick pit stop. It is one of the highest-rated sweet spots in Brighton with 4.9 stars from nearly 400 Google reviews, which tells you everything you need to know. Whether you are celebrating something or just fancy an indulgent afternoon, this is the kind of place that makes you slow down and savour every bite.
Neeko
Neeko on Duke Street is a speciality coffee and cake shop with serious matcha credentials and a beautifully curated feel. The cakes and sweet treats here are as photogenic as they are tasty, and the window display alone is enough to pull you in off the street. There is a dedicated reading nook that makes it a brilliant spot to settle in with a book and a slice of something indulgent. With 4.6 stars from nearly 270 reviews, Neeko has built a loyal following in a very short time.
Cielo Cakery
Cielo Cakery on Stanford Avenue is where creativity meets cake. Known for visually stunning cupcakes, their signature cake jars, and beautiful celebration cakes, everything here is crafted with real precision and flair. The vegan brownies are a standout, rich and indulgent enough that you would never guess they were plant-based. It is a brilliant choice for gifts, special occasions, or just treating yourself to something a bit different.
Loaft
Loaft on Prince Albert Street is not just a cafe; it is a concept store that doubles as a coffee shop by day and a wine bar by night. But the pastries are the reason it makes this list. They are consistently rated 10 out of 10 by locals, and the hot chocolate is something special too. The space itself is beautifully designed, filled with carefully chosen homeware and gifts that make browsing part of the experience. It is one of the most aesthetic spots in The Lanes and a must-visit for anyone who appreciates good cake in a gorgeous setting.
Bayon Bakery
Near Hove station on Hove Park Villas, Bayon Bakery is an artisan favourite that does traditional baking brilliantly. Fresh bread, indulgent cakes, and classic pastries are all made daily with quality ingredients and a no-fuss approach. It is the kind of neighbourhood bakery that every area wishes it had; reliable, warm, and consistently good. With 4.6 stars on Google, the locals clearly agree. If you are staying in Hove and want a proper bakery run in the morning, this is your spot.
Garden Cafe Brighton
The Garden Cafe on North Road is a lovely, welcoming spot with a relaxed atmosphere and seriously good cakes. It is one of those places that feels like a well-kept local secret, even though it has 4.6 stars from over 450 Google reviews. The cake selection is always fresh and varied, and the setting has a warm, homely feel that makes it easy to linger. Perfect for a mid-morning coffee and cake stop while exploring the North Laine area, or as a quieter alternative to the busier cafes nearby.
Trading Post Coffee
Trading Post Coffee on Ship Street is one of Brighton's most popular coffee spots, and the cakes and brownies are a big part of why. The brownies in particular are indulgent, fudgy, and the perfect companion to one of their excellent flat whites. With over 1,300 Google reviews and a solid 4.3-star rating, it is a well-established favourite that keeps delivering. The location in The Lanes makes it an easy stop during a shopping trip or a wander around the city centre. Simple, reliable, and always good.
Brass Monkey
If you're wandering through the heart of Brighton and find yourself craving something truly special, look no further than Brass Monkey — an organic ice cream parlour serving small batches of "real" ice cream made from raw ingredients, locally sourced where possible. But ice cream is just the beginning. Brass Monkey is equally celebrated for its fantastic cakes and coffee. The cakes draw high praise for creative selections like Lime Courgette and Pumpkin Carrot Cake, tempting even the most discerning dessert lovers. And for your caffeine fix, they serve locally roasted coffee from Pharmacie Coffee so whether you're after a flat white or an iced coffee alongside your slice of cake, you're in very good hands. The atmosphere is chilled with a hip vibe that sets it apart, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Gail's Bakery
Yes, it is a chain, but Gail's on North Road in Hove does what it does very well. The pastries and cakes are baked fresh daily, the coffee is consistently good, and the quality of the ingredients shines through. Their cinnamon bun and the seasonal cakes are always worth a look, and the sourdough is excellent if you want to take something home. It is a reliable pick when you want something you know will be good.
BrodWolf
The bakery arm of local coffee brand Wolfox, Brød+Wolf is a celebration of slow fermentation, organic ingredients, and flavour-forward baking.That means long-fermented sourdough loaves, flaky croissants, cruffins, focaccias — all made fresh daily, with no preservatives, no shortcuts, and never frozen. Each location is designed to feel like a welcoming bakery with soul — think natural textures, the smell of fresh bread, and displays stacked high with hand-crafted goods. It's the kind of place that makes you slow down. And the coffee? All venues serve a custom Wolfox blend — smooth, balanced, and roasted right here in Brighton.You can even take a bag home.
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