Pebble guide to
Brighton

Looking for a quiet B&B that is a step up from the seaside B&Bs of yore? This is the place. It's 100 metres from the beach, 10 minutes from trendy Kemptown and it's organic, locally sourced brekkie is second to none. There's nothing these guys don't know about Brighton too.

Sat on a classic Brighton sea-fronting Regency square is Artist Residence, a boutique hotel with a dangerous basement cocktail bar. Home to one of Brighton's best restaurants, The Set, this is a luxurious weekend break botlhole with exposed brick walls, retro touches and local suppliers in the well stocked fridge. With only 24 rooms, Artist Residence will feel like home in no time.

A 30 minute walk from town this tiny house on wheels is an eco-cabin made of reclaimed materials. It looks over the South Downs National Park and is bookable on Air BnB. It's a cosy space for four people or a romantic retreat for two.

Red Roaster are the award winning organic coffee roastery behind the Instagram friendly cafe-restaurant (and also Lucky Beach) that turns into Pike & Pine in the evening. Don't stop at the gorgeous bar, there's a hidden courtyard out the back, it's one of the most bustling places in town. Pop by their tiny Kempton roastery to pick up small batch ground coffee that comes from Fairtrade farms who Red Roastery have supported for years.

One of Kemptown's delights, Real Patisserie ups the standard for cafes in Brighton with its on-site French inspired bakery, communal table and seriously good coffee. Pull up a pew and watch them create doughy goodness in front of you (don't miss their sausage rolls either).

One of the independent cafes that's leading the regeneration of Brighton, with its striped back, mid-century British seaside style and yummy pastries. Pop in for a toastie or soak up the sun on the benches outside and rest your weary legs. And it's local produce and organic coffee of course.

The Flour Pot Cafe has five locations and each one serves up artisan bread, homemade cakes, proper sandwiches all made by the bakery's impressive bakers and chefs. We love the corner cafe spot in the North Laines, pull up a seat outside and watch the world go by. It's fascinating viewing.

Third wave, speciality, single origin coffee served in the heart of the North Laines. Unassuming from the outside, the coffee is a serious art inside. An ever changing single origin menu, Bond St showcases ethical co-operative coffee and they even use a bottomless portafilter with a Synesso Hydra espresso machine to make the absolute perfect cuppa. Perch on the bench outside and smell the coffee.

Kemptown's not short of coffee spots but Twin Pines is worth swinging by. The recycled interior could be a quirky film set, there's monthly rotations of organic coffee and these baristas can do stuff with caffeine and chocolate that will make you swoon. Plus they love dogs. All round win.

While Brighton's great for vegans in general there aren't many spots that are solely vegan but Larder is one of them. Pop in for Buddha bowls packed full of fresh veg, seitan wraps and oat milk lattes. Grab a takeaway lunch and head out on your bike to explore the coast.

Ground thrives on what happens when you add good coffee, good conversation and good people. It's one of our favourite reasons to go to go to Kempton. Small and perfectly formed, drop in for single origin coffees and teas from the UK's best suppliers.

It's all about ethically sourced, locally roasted coffee here with the emphasis on single source brews. There's a rotating guest lists of roasts much like craft beer tap takeovers and a hell of a lot of coffee knowledge. If you need a sit down stop in the laines, this is a great bet with doughnuts and brownies for elevenses and vegan light bites to soak up the caffeine.

if you're in Kemp Town Cafe Marmalade is a great elevenses stop, it's become a local institution quickly thanks to its excellent cakes and soups. Old tiles and distressed walls ill inspire Instagram lovers, brown paper rolls feature the day's menu and dishes feature Brighton's best local producers. Warm, welcoming and always busy, get into the swing of seaside living here.

Coffee lovers will love Small Batch. There's coffee from 20 countries that fit into their Farm to Cup philosophy and who they've visited. They pay their long term plantation partners much more than Fairtrade so you can sup away sustainably.

Cult coffee spot Black Mocha serves up Cast Iron Single Origin Coffee, plant based hot chocolate, gluten free bakes and raw vegan cakes. Having a hungover morning? Black Mocha's full English and vegan full English will sort out even the most lacklustre customer.

Skip the dodgy beach bars and head straight for Lucky Beach, an award-winning Sustainable Restaurant 3 star certified fish n' chips and burger joint. One of Brighton's most eco places to eat, with killer views over the beach, it's also the place for a pick me up breakfast plus there's plenty for vegans.

One of the highlights of Brighton's Lanes, Lost in the Lanes, is a pretty, Insta friendly restaurant with a takeaway deli bar packed full of daily changing salads. Heavy on the veggie and vegan dishes, and eco-friendly takeaway packaging, it doesn't scrimp on the treats and delicious coffees. It's the kind of place you can lose yourself for a while.

The Chilli Pickle is a full on assault on the sense in every good way possible. Filled with the vibrant colours of India's streets and a vibrant street food inspired sharing menu, curry list and delicious cocktails, it's a great place for large groups. Don't miss the homemade ice cream.

A pebble favourite, Silo's the award-winning restaurant that proves a zero waste restaurant is a) possible and b) truly, utterly fantastic. Pared back design lets the uber local and seasonal dishes shine through. All waste is turned into compost, there's no plastic and they mill flour, churn butter, roll oats, and culture cream on-site.

Located in The Arches on Brighton seafront overlooking the West Pier serving healthy and honest food for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a stunning beachside location. The restaurant is named Murmur from the word murmuration which is the shape that the starlings make when they flock and fly between the two piers.

Looking for a posh taste of Sussex? Issac At is a light and airy award-winning British restaurant (and the first to have an all English wine list). Local suppliers, low food miles and Instagram worthy plates make this one of our favourites for a treat. Veggies and vegans are in for a treat too.

Purezza is the first plant-based Italian restaurant. There's sourdough or hemp based pizza bases, gluten free lasagne and a vegan Four Cheese pizza with nutty almond, brown rice mozzarella and melty coconut and silken ricotta. But leave room for dessert, hello Rose, pomegranate and acai sorbet.

64 Degrees is a fast-paced, award-winning restaurant with a buzzy and bustling atmosphere. It's one of Brighton's big hitters (reserving a table is recommended) and buying local and sustainable is key. They're known for using lesser known cuts of meat and veggies and vegans have nothing complain about either.

The Set is one of Brighton's finest seasonal restaurants. Pick between three British themed tasting menus that show off Sussex's incredible produce. Find this cute 20 seater eaterie at the Artist Residence off the seafront, and turn up early for the cocktail bar (Rhubarb Spritz anyone?) and ping-pong room.

Located opposite the West Pier, The Salt Room offers uninterrupted beach and sea views and celebrates the fruits of the sea all cooked over charcoal. The menu champions sustainability and showcases the very best local produce, which bagged The Salt Room the Seafish UK Restaurant of the Year award last year. Now that's not to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Sister restaurant to The Salt Room, The Coal Shed is a serious steak option. It's all about cooking on fire and there's daily specials of cuts, weights and breeds. sharing options for Sunday roasts, just save room for the Peanut butter ice cream sandwich. The Observer Food Monthly rates it, we bet you will too.

Terre A Terre take vegetarian food out for a spin and really show what it can do. It's a Brighton institution for good reason. Dishes span the world, from Korean fried cauliflower to a potato rosti heaped with Tandoori halloumi, pickled garlic and coconut yogurt raita and are consistently delicious. Food waste, fair wages and food provenance are issues that have been at the heart of Terre A Terre for years.

Brighton's not short of exceptional, intimate, seasonal restaurants but Gingerman is one of our favourites (and an Observer Food Monthly runner up). Head to the original Gingerman for super seasonal and really impressive dishes. For instance the autumn features pumpkin ravioli with mushroom consomme or venison with a cauliflower beignet. We love their two courses for £17 lunch menu.

Moshimo isn't your ordinary sushi joint. Yes there's a conveyor belt but there's also a huge commitment to sustainable seafood and a real focus on including vegan and vegetarian diners. On Wednesdays there’s 50% off all vegan dishes, and the restaurant serves an additional menu of plant-based specials, such as spicy mushroom gunkan and California maki with vegan ‘prawn’.

Food for Friends has been dishing up tasty vegan and veggie food since 1981. It has endless awards, sources everything ethically and will convert any meat eater to the power of plants. Try the Courgette kofta or the Pea, mint and feta arancini, both presented more delicately than they sound, and wash it down with a bottle of bio or organic wine from their well-researched list.

With four locations (and one very handy one with gluten-free bagels at the Brighton Station), Bagelman has brought classic and innovative bagels to Brighton. They're dedicated to fair wages, sourcing ethically and have even made a beer from their bagel waste.

Plateau is one of Brighton's best places for a drop of natural wine. A bustling, French style wine bar and bistro, there's everything from local biodynamic plonk to organic beers and seasonal cocktails. A daily changing menu from Sussex's finest fishers, game hunters and foragers means there's plenty to soak up a lunchtime bottle. Perfect for a leisurely afternoon out of the rain.

An organic wine list, 70 craft beers and proper bar snacks mean The Black Dove should be on your list for an evening drink in Brighton. Sink into a sprung leather sofa and soak up the retro vibes. The stereo's a mix of Jamaican ska, cool jazz, delta blues, Afro-centric so take that as your cue to relax.

Former winner of the best pub in Brighton, Earth & Stars is an eco-friendly pub that's been welcoming hungry diners since 1881. This is exceptional pub grub - whether you're a meat eater or plant based., it's all organic, Sussex sourced, soul food. There's a constant evolution of craft beers and don't miss the Jenga chips.

The Tempest is one of the best pubs in Brighton. Behind the standout beachfront terrace, there are caves downstairs worthy of smugglers. There's no single use plastic, beach parties come summer, pottery and pints workshops and the food's not half bad either from the Crab Claw. Swing by for bottomless brunches at the weekend and a Fondue Kitchen pop up over the winter.

Budding artists get yourselves down to Phoenix Brighton, which has over 100 studio spaces plus hirable areas for community groups. The largest artist lead organisation in the south east, it also includes a gallery hosting rotating exhibitions, regular arts courses and an intensive summer school.

Repair and reuse, that's one of the most eco-friendly ways to live. The Brighton Repair Cafe operates on the last Saturday of the month, pop along to get help mending everything from clothes to kettles. Tea and tinkering - what more do you need?

Head down to the Open Market every Thursday to find recycling experts The Green Centre who can help you repair and recycle to keep things from landfill. You can even pick up free things at this stall as it operates like an extension of Freegle. 'Consume less, share more' - wise words indeed.

Brighton's a hotbed of environmental activism. This eco-centre opposite the station is a great place to find out what green goings on in town there are. It's open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and there's also a library. It's also a partner in the local Refill chapter (the app that connects consumers to free drinking water points in nearby restaurants and cafes).

The Brighton chapter of the Real Junk Food Project has four locations where food waste is diverted from bins and feeds bellies. Each location operates on a pay as you feel concept, with once a week community meals. They also distribute seasonal fruit and veg to those that need it.

A volunteer-run, community cycle workshop enabling people in the Brighton area to enjoy the benefits of affordable cycling. They offer D.I.Y. cycle maintenance and refurbishment sessions to help you fix your own bike with free access to tools, used and affordable new parts and support and advice from a volunteer team.

Never be thirsty again! The Refill revolution has begun. There are over 200 Refill points across Brighton, so you're never far from filling up your water bottle for free. Just look out for the stickers or download the app to find the nearest cafe, restaurant and shop who will fill your reusable bottle.

Brighton Permaculture Trust promotes greener lifestyles and sustainable development through awesome projects and events. They run a huge selection of courses and apply permaculture principles to their projects. Look out for The Fruit Factory, at Stanmer Park that houses their scrumping project, as well as the annual Apple Day Festival in September at Stanmer.

The unmissable Big Lemon bus service is not only all about serving the community but it's also powered by recycled waste vegetable oil and solar power. They launched the UK’s first solar-powered bus and currently run six routes round Brighton and Hove. Watch out for the bright yellow buses running on zero emissions.

Silent disco meets beach clean - it could only happen in Brighton. Each month little pickers gather between the two piers to clean the beach and have a boogie to music, DJ-d from local pub, The Tempest. Last year, the programme picked up 800kg of litter from Brighton Beach.

It's easy to miss the Brighton Dolphin Project beneath the pier. It's there to help the local community learn about the incredible marine wildlife off the Sussex coast,and the measures we can take to protect it. Watch out for monthly talks, have a virtual reality dolphin encounter and you can also refill your water bottle.

Environmental gallery ONCA supports artists pushing for positive change. The gallery has regular changing exhibitions, launches and craft events. ONCA now has a second venue, on a barge in Brighton Marina as a arts and learning centre and events space.

Don't miss this living laboratory. It explores how we can turn waste products into sustainable design and is Europe's first permanent public building made almost entirely from material thrown away. Amongst others 4,000 VHS tapes, 500 music cassettes and nearly 20,000 toothbrushes have been turned into building materials. You can book it for an event or use it for a creative studio space.

Don't throw away your tech or banish it to landfill. Take Back Tech organise quarterly events where you can bring old laptops, mobiles, gaming consoles and other electronics. They can data wipe them and get them repurposed.

The Brighton & Hove Food Partnership helps people learn to cook, grow their own food and waste less food. They also have a range of projects such as cookery courses and community growing farms and are setting up composting sites across the city.

The Brighton & Hove Food Partnership opened this state of the art teaching kitchen earlier this year. They run courses and classes for every ability to encourage more people to cook from scratch. You'll even find some of the town's brightest chefs popping into to teach special skills.

HISBE does supermarkets differently. How It Should Be (HISBE) is about plastic free shopping and as little waste as possible. Pop in for locally sourced, affordable and sustainable food, local brands and revel in this little slice of green shopping paradise. More HISBE's please.

Before there was an ethical fashion movement, there was the FAIR shop. Find womenswear and menswear from some of the most exciting sustainable and fairtrade brands in this cute shop that was once home to Biba in Brighton. Find People Tree, Bibico and more.

Another eco-friendly stalwart of the Lanes is Vegetarian Shoes, which has been here for nearly 30 years selling cruelty-free footwear. They're not all clumpy affairs either, but crafted from hemp and fabrics, we like the snazzy slips on, perfect for a walk on the Prom.

Brighton's not all about hipster coffee. Pop by Bird & Blend Tea, they bring the mixology concept to tea-making. Pick up unique organic blends and learn how you can turn them into cocktails, fresh iced teas, Chai tea, lattes and smoothies. Who said coffee had all the fun?

Traditional butchers and cheese shops are hard to come by nowadays but Kemp Town has award-winning Bramptons, which has been here for well over 100 years. Find locally reared, gluten free sausages linked by hand and a wide range of Sussex cheeses.

Brighton's long been a leader in vegetarian shops and co-ops. Infinity Foods has been here since '71 and sells organic and natural vegan and veggie food, cosmetics and household essentials. There's an on-site artisan bakery which sells a huge range of gluten free treats and loaves and in-store Refill water station.

Who doesn't love a minimal store? Workshop Brighton is carefully stocked with designers that just ooze cool. From Japanese influenced muted ceramics and plastic free skincare to simple stylish ethically made denim, Workshop is the kind of shop you wish your life looked like.

Ethical fashion has a stylish home at Our Daily Edit, which stocks a cleverly curated selection of menswear and womenswear. Think simple sweats, hard working handmade shirts, block colour jumpsuits and accessories that will last a lifetime.

A modern take on a general store, the Tidy Street General Store finds some of the best suppliers around, for everything from socks to jam. Pick up coffee bowls from Brittany, throws from England's last vertical mill, Abaca woven handbags and modern workwear from Vetra.

Preloved and proud is the name of the game at this properly curated vintage store. The team here repair worn items, source incredible vintage bits and pieces and know how to style an outfit. Shopping secondhand is one of the most eco things you can do and Wolf and Gypsy make each piece tell a story.

The plant revolution shows no sign of stopping so pick up some unusual houseplants at the cute Spiderplant Shop in the Brighton Laines. The guys in here really know their stuff so they can suggest the perfect plant for every size of home

If you're looking for a touch of Brighton to take home, swing by Dowse - a shop full of local designers that it supports. From quirky prints to Brighton made homewares, jewellery to cards, it's the perfect present shop and you know you're supporting some of the incredible creative talent this city has. We love the mugs and the terrariums.

The couple behind Homage have curated a selection of tactile, muted and functional products, that reflects their passion for Scandinavian design. Think concrete planters, soft grey rugs, macrame plant holders and bamboo baskets all beautifully arranged. You'll want everything in store.

Utility is the kind of shop that used to exist everywhere but now it's a rarity. It sells well-made household essentials, things that are built to last - whether it's enamel mugs, Duralex glass tumblers or wooden trays. Functional and made by small factories, things here are often plastic free and sustainable by default and designed beautifully. Imagine IKEA didn't exist and head here instead.

Who said spas can't be eco? Uniquely Organic EcoSpa is all about pampering and not damaging the planet. Find chemical free treatments, organic skincare and vegan friendly nail varnish in this friendly and award-winning little spot. Pop in for organic waxing, manicures, massages and men's treatments too.

There's nothing wrong with stuff if it's Fairtrade and well made and that's what this designer boutique is all about. Its shop at Brighton Marina sells homewares and accessories that support over 30 charities and organisations from all over the world and most items have been made by women. it does a great line of rugs, throws and cushions.

Brighton has its own ethical chocolate brand in the shape of Montezuma. Organic bars, sustainably sourced cacao and incredible flavours like Orange & Geranium will convert you in seconds. Pop by their shop on Duke St for vegan chocolate, milk chocolate with British flavours like Eton Mess, you can even build your own bar. Mmm.

Find beautiful reclaimed timber and firewood as well as hand crafted products and bespoke furniture at this not-for-profit social enterprise. These guys collect unwanted timber so you can use it for projects and they train people up to become carpenters by making benches, tables and shelves.

It's all about the secondhand love here in this huge warehouse that's a treasure trove of preloved furniture, clothes, homewares and electrical items. The staff also upcycle all sorts of soft furnishings and are a voluntary workers co-operative.

The pretty wooden shelves at Waste Not shop at the Open Market are stacked full of zero waste, plastic free products from cutlery to toothbrushes. Pick up dried goods, spices and cleaning products as well as your zero waste kit essentials.

Did you know there's a wind farm in the channel? You can visit it with a fascinating three hour boat tour from Brighton Marina. The 116 turbines are nine miles out at sea and Brighton Wind Farm Tours run twice daily tours when the weather allows.

Brighton's a great city to bike around, use the BTN Bike Share app to find bikes nearby that you can unlock and use with a code. Check out cycle lanes and parking spots on the app and use pedal power to explore the narrow lanes and windy streets of pretty Brighton.

Recognised as a World Biosphere Region by UNESCO, the Living Coast takes in towns (Brighton, Hove and Lewes), the downs ( South Downs National Park) and the coast (Marine Conservation Zone chalk reef). You can volunteer on one of its many environmental projects. Want to do more? help out at nature reserves, green spaces or the Sussex Wildlife Park.

Don't miss hidden gem, the Open Market. It's home to 40 stalls selling street food, plants, crafts and art plus it's home to Brighton's zero waste shop, Waste Not and a wonderful cactus and houseplant space. The Market also hosts art, music, art, live music, workshops, outreach events for the local community and is home to Radio Reverb.

Looking for a lively farmer's market? Check out Florence Road Market for amazing sourdoughs, zero waste shopping, farm direct olive oil, milk, cured meats plus locally made jams and pickles, plus veggies grown in communal urban farms that help vulnerable people. Every Saturday from 9.30am-1.30pm.

Head to the North Laine area, between North Road and Gloucester Road, for this Saturday market that's been here for nearly 100 years. There's everything here from antiques to artisan bakes, crafts and cards and locally made patisseries to munch on as you browse.

Where else would you find a mobile farm shop? The Sussex Peasant sells everything from juices and veggies to meat and preserves made in the county. It works directly with sustainable farms to create the farm shop and a pop up restaurant. Find it in three spots around Brighton including the Chimney House pub, trading from a converted horse box. A finalist in the BBC Food and Farming Awards, it's almost impossible to not buy something from them.