Food, Days Out and Travel stories from Brighton, London and the Rest of the World

Friday

Foodie Friday - The Best Cafe in Hove

I Gigi is one of those places that I love going to and have done ever since I first discovered it. I seldom get a chance to go there because it's not in central Brighton and I live the other end of town. However, it's just gorgeous so I have to share this place with you so you too can make sure you visit it whenever you can.

Foodie Friday - The Best Cafe in Hove photo by modern bric a brac

Inside you'll find a carefully curated collection of homeware, clothing, plants, ceramics, toiletries and upstairs, food. As you enter you'll likely be struck by a sense of serenity that seems to inhabit i gigi. A feeling that seems to effortlessly carry on to the floor above where the cafe can be found.

As you walk through the shop every item looks as if it has been thoughtfully placed and despite walls covered with shelves it manages to appear uncluttered.

igigi in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac


igigi in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac


The cafe upstairs is reached by a generous winding stair that opens up to reveal a large room with high ceiling, large sash windows and is suffused in natural light. A table against the wall is loaded with colourful many layered cakes and each table occupied.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac

I gigi uses a local Sussex cake baker Lucie Bennett who uses locally sourced produce to make cakes that include flourless options and others layered with fruit and nuts.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac

I've already decided I want to buy everything in the shop, added to which I also want to eat everything on the menu. And I'm not even hungry.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac


Undeterred by the lack of a table I ask to wait downstairs and one of the smiling waitresses agrees to let me know. Luckily I don't have to wait long before I see a head pop round the bannister and I hurry back upstairs.

Once seated I happily choose a healthier-than-cake option of breakfast loaf, yoghurt and honey plus flat white for £6:50.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac



Decision made I can now go and look at the cakes that I have decided to forgo and take a few photos instead.

I am made to feel very welcome by all three girls, Maria, Rossella and Dani who are working in the cafe that day. They're so smiley and friendly it's as if they are just as delighted as me to be in such a fabulous place.

The breakfast loaf arrives, it's been toasted and tastes good combined with the yoghurt, honey and fresh blueberries. Containing nuts, seeds and dried fruit, I feel virtuous eating something that's good for me as well as delicious.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac


Downstairs cream ceramics and wholemeal coloured soaps are set off perfectly by the pale oatmeal wash on the walls. Everything seems to fit together harmoniously in this creamy, earthy colour scheme.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac


igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac


I ask at the till if it would be ok to take some photos and I briefly get to meet one of the owners, Alex.

She smiles with her big bright eyes and tells me she likes my Wolfram Lohr bag.

I'm not going to lie to you. I felt chuffed.

igigi cafe in Hove, photo by modern bric a brac

I gigi General Store and Cafe, 31A Western Road, Hove BN3 1AF

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