The Sweetest Dessert Spots in Brighton

Sod breakfast – dessert is the most important meal of the day. And there are so many joyous occasions to celebrate the humble pud this month. After being such a healthy little peanut throughout Jan, loosen those shackles and partake in Wriggle’s celebration of all things sugary.

Every Tuesday for the month of February we’ll be releasing a feast of fat desserts for you to sink your hungry little gnashers into. These aren’t just any old desserts though, expect ice cream sandwiches, sweet rainbow vegan bao, dessert and wine flights and dessert cocktails all from Brighton’s best Indies. You, dear Wriggler, are in for a real treat. If sweet treats of the pancake kind are what you're after, check out our guide to Brighton's top pancakes.

SEARCH FAT TUESDAY DEALS

Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood is a charming cafe bar, offering 100% veggie and vegan food. If you’re looking for something laid-back and friendly, it’s the place to be! For our super special Fat Tuesdays, they're offering you Wrigglers two exclusives. A Fabulous Trio of Puddings or a portion of their decadent Decadent Vegan French Toast.

The Plant Room

The Plant Room have crafted a real dream of a treat: it's an outrageously delicious combination of two of our favourite desserts, and we just can't get enough! Nab yourself this Wriggle and you'll be enjoying The Plant Room's signature vegan Apple Crumble Pancakes: custard-flavoured pancakes with poached apple, maple roasted pecans, cashew soured cream, and cinnamon oat crumble. Pair this goodness with any hot drink or cold drink of your liking (excluding speciality drinks and kombucha), and you've got yourself the sweetest of treats!

Lost Boys Chicken @ The Joker

If you're familiar with Lost Boys Chicken's fabulous creations, you've certainly heard of their devilish LV Burger, which is exactly what you'll get with this Wriggle! Usually a Sunday-only treat, you can now enjoy it on Tuesdays this month. You're in for a ride! So what's so special about this LV Burger? It's pure decadence in the shape of a burger, that's what it is: a glazed doughnut for a bun, packed with buttermilk fried chicken, Rufio mayo, maple syrup, maple-cured bacon, American cheese, honey & chipotle sauce. Bloody good! It'll come served with a side of tater tots, but feel free to add any other extras you wish - Lost Boys Chicken make some really tasty stuff!

Moshimo

Fancy a sweet treat that switches things up a bit? Make your way over to Moshimo and set your hands on this brilliant little exclusive Wriggle - it'll satisfy that sweet craving of yours in no time. You'll be enjoying a set of three mochi rice cakes, with fillings such as mung bean & red adzuki bean, chopped peanuts, & coconut. You'll get to pair these with an extra pudding of your liking. Choose between chocolate mousse, Boho Gelato ice cream or Tempura ice cream.

Gungho!

Ever been to a sustainable cocktail bar before? Thought not. Enter, Gungho! These amazing cocktail aficionados have combined booze & puds in this fabulous Wriggle. You'll be enjoying their "Sgroppino #2", made with Luxardo bitter, homemade vegan limoncello sorbet, and a splash of organic sparkling wine - proper delish!

Boho Gelato

There’s ice cream. Then there’s gelato. But in Brighton there’s Boho Gelato. Anyone who’s visited Italy will already be aware of how impressive their gelato parlours are; Boho Gelato brings that taste of Italy to Brighton and adds its own spin by offering some interesting and innovative flavours, including Olive Oil (a classic in Italy and well worth a try), Carrot cake and Strawberry, Basil and Black Pepper sorbet - all with natural ingredients.

Merkaba @ My Hotel

Treat yourself to the boozy evening you deserve at Merkaba. These guys have put together dynamic duos of cocktails that not only complement each other in the best of ways, but are also truly delicious. This week's pairing is celebrating Coconut & Banana. You'll be sipping on either a Coconut Confidential or The Lost Banana: Orange, sugar syrup, Wild Turkey (bourbon whiskey), banana liqueur, Cointreau. With this pairing, Merkaba wanted to go for a classic tropical combination to help get you through these cold winter months. The Coconut Confidential brings a classic creamy decadence with hints of crunchy hazelnut and a smooth white chocolate base worthy of any cake sale stand. And the Lost Banana looks to add a citrus topping with soft slices of Banana on top of a sweet mellow Bourbon base, helping balance the ferociously sweet Coconut it looks to garnish.

Food for Friends

Brighton's original veggie restaurant regularly smash out some of the most delectable puds in town. The menu changes regularly but some recent showstoppers include this spiced poached pear with chocolate cointreau mousse and a flax and chia seed snap, maple and muscavado parfait with a caramelised pistachio crumb and cardamom and clementine sorbet OR go simple with their house favourite: molten chocolate pudding.

64 Degrees

When it comes to the desserts at 64 Degrees there's one that simply MUST be mentioned. The Rum Bear Jelly is renowned throughout the city. We know what you’re thinking – It’s just a posh jelly baby. Indeed. BUT WITH BOOZE IN IT! And a tangy dusting of sherbet. Relive those infant school sugar rushes as you charge home through the Lanes.

Ginger Dog

Part of the famous award-winning Gingerman Group, The Ginger Dog in Kemptown is perhaps the cosiest and most casual of its counterparts, yet still serves up dishes as delectable as the rest. Like this ginger cake with yoghurt sorbet and brandy soaked apricot. Or for a more grown-up afters, give their salted caramel martini a try.

Six

Six is an airy brasserie, fairylit snug and a cold-pressed juice/cocktail/coffee bar. Plating is extremely photogenic. They’re all about the organic seasonality. On that note, the dessert menu changes, seasonally, but some recent knockouts include a lemon-raspberry and basil eaton mess, and a belgian chocolate fondant with artisan pistachio gelato. They also cater extremely well for the vegan crowd.

The Coal Shed

Discreetly upmarket steakhouse specialising in 35-day dry-aged steaks in a refined yet unfussy setting. They also do banging puds. Get this, their signature sweet is the 'Chocolate Bar', a thick slab of melt-in-your-mouth choccie topped with Frangelico and hazelnuts. The dessert wine menu is well worth a look in, the Calafornian muscat hits all the right notes.

Metrodeco

Afternoon tea by the seaside once involved trying not to sully the fancy hotel linen in front of the judgmental bellhops. No more. Mini sandwiches, quiches, scones and a glass of fizz? Check. Metrodeco is the place to don your finest vintage threads and comsume copious amounts of homemade cake. Consider the ‘Gentleman’s afternoon tea’ with real ale or a choice drop of whiskey, it's a real crowd pleaser.

Cloud 9

Creators of the UK’s first rainbow cake, Cloud 9, also make super scrummy ice cream. They use natural ingredients and everything is made from scratch in their South Lanes parlour. The classic Mint Choc Chip is a real Wriggle fave, but there are always 16 options to choose from with seasonal ingredients at the forefront. Grab your scoops to go in a waffle, cone or tub, but we normally wolf them down in 2 seconds flat so it doesn’t really matter tbh.

Julien Plumart

Macrons anyone? Everyone may sell macrons now but in Brighton, it’s Julien Plumart that really does them justice. 2 stores, one handily on the road that leads down from the station and the other in the centre of the city, have a wide selection in every colour and flavour, chocolate, pistachio, orange, strawberry, the list goes on and on. If you develop an unhealthy affection for them, don’t worry, you can order them online and have them delivered to your home. And if macrons is not your thing, then there is a blueberry eclair with your name on it.

Glazed Coffee

For next level donuts and coffee, here’s the place you donut want to miss. Next to The Level you'll find Glazed, a unique cafe that make the best donuts daily from fresh in ever changing flavours. Expect to taste the likes of Chocolate & Coconut, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Lemon & Poppyseed and Sea Salted Caramel - what better way to enjoy them than with a perfect coffee made by top baristas? And here’s the best bit; all the donuts are vegan and ingredients are sourced locally where possible.

Brass Monkey

The newest addition to Brighton’s ice cream scene is the super trendy Brass Monkey. Prohibition influenced, totally organic and vegan friendly. This parlour sure has a lot going for it. Already getting rave reviews for its service with a smile, and interesting flavours like Masala Chai Latte, Lavender & Honey and Cardamom. For the lactose intolerant there’s delicious sorbets like Lime & Cucumber. This is so much more than your grab and go 99er, you’ll want to stay a while and marvel at the crystal pineapple light fixtures and the literal brass monkeys adorning the walls.

La Mucca Nera

Fabrizio is Italian through and through with two generations of gelato creators in his family. His grandfather had a 'black cow' where he obtained the fresh milk he used to make his gelato. Michelle is a true Brightonian who loves all things Italian. Put them together and you get a fantastic Italian gelateria, pasticceria and wine bar in the heart of Brighton.

Jojo's Gelato

Jojo’s is a family run artisan gelato shop on Brighton’s Western Road. They only use the best ingredients sourced from the land of Spaghetti itself, and there’s no skimping on the portion sizes either. These sundaes are the ultimate indulgence and uber Instagrammable. From the gelato you can expect flavours such as Red Bubblegum, Cardamom, Bounty & Snickers. There are also some wacky sorbet concoctions such as Red Bull, Pear & Chocolate and Pomegranate. This is one of the best places in town to stop off for some late night pud.

Indian Summer

At the vanguard of modern Indian cuisine in Brighton, Indian Summer has a well-deserved reputation as one of the city’s best-loved restaurants, and one of the UK’s most acclaimed Indian restaurants. But what you probably didn't know, is that they also have an exceptional dessert offering. Take this chocolate mousse with burnt orange cream and salted orange muscat caramel for example, it's a real show-stopper.

Gelato Gusto

A premium ice cream parlour serving the most luxurious and indulgent, artisan iced treats in the heart of the North Laine. Their gelato is made daily with fresh milk and cream from a Sussex based dairy. These ice cream loads have to be seen to be believed, they’ve created unique blends such as Kinder Egg, Lychee & Rose, Black Pearl (black vanilla) and Lemon Drizzle Cake. This place is a leader in game of the cones.

Black Mocha

Black Mocha - on the North Laine’s eastern fringe - might just be King Bean. The Espresso, from Monmouth of London, is genuinely outstanding (thick, fruity and complex) and the cake curation is equally gilt-edged – those hoping to be seduced by divine vegan and gluten free fancies will not be disappointed (think salted peanut choccy slices; whets your whistle, doesn’t it). Raw craft chocolate is sold by the vibrant boxful to the left of the coffee counter.

Purezza

Taking the title for the UK’s first plant based pizzeria, is Brighton’s very own Purezza! The pizzas are absolutely legit, but one of the standout menu offerings is their sweet Oreo Pizza. Think moreish sourdough base coated in a creamy hazelnut chocolate spread and topped with crumbled oreos. Their cashew cream Tiramisu is also calling out to you. Who knew vegan Italian puds could be so creative?!

Terre a Terre

Pioneering vegetarian cuisine since 1993 with a focus on the indulgence - rather than abstinence - of vegetarianism. Which leads nicely onto the subject matter of this particular article, exceptional puds of course. There are first-rate dishes like this to look forward to - Deep rich 70% cacao mousse made with hazelnut cream on toasty praline and chocolate shortbread served with clementine sorbet. Finished with tiny pink pepper berry aqua faba meringues, chocolate crack shards and dusty Satongo twigs. Phwoar.

Plateau

What do you get if you mix an informed wine list, seasonal cocktails, industrial chic styling and classic French grub? No. Not that. You get Plateau. This small, elegant restaurant's dessert menu changes regularly based on what’s in season. Expect the likes of baked ricotta cheesecake and pears, honey and orange panna cotta and Rum Baba.

The Paradiso Social

Down on London Road you'll find The Paradiso Social, a relaxed neighbourhood diner where you can indulge in a huge range of ever-changing seasonal plates, cocktails and a carefully curated wine list. Desserts are stand-out with killer options to choose from like this vegan cherrymisu or broken miso tart. Perfect date night foodspiration.

Bohemia

One of Brighton’s classiest establishments, Bohemia is a hidden gem. Tucked away in the South Lanes, this is the perfect setting for that romantic first date. We'd advise you to first order one of their insanely good cocktails and then order this beauty above. This is none other than their show-stopping smoking tiramisu. Yep, all the usual mascarpone and sponge fingers but served in a magical, unique way. Totes grammable.

Carlito Burrito

This place is Mexican owned, with Carlito himself at the helm and boy does he make a mean churro. Sugary, cinnamony, doughy goodness served with a rich, hot chocolate dipping sauce. Their chilli and cinnamon brownie served with orange and mezcal gelato is another stellar choice. Or for a more grown up dessert, opt for a mezcal tasting flight. Salud!