Brighton Brunch - Marmalade, Kemptown

My next brunch stop takes us back out of the centre of Brighton again, this time to a spot in Kemptown and to a building formerly used as part of a dairy.

Marmalade cafe, just like my other brunch spots, Cafe Plenty and Sugardough is also extremely popular and a new favourite of mine. There's certainly a trend developing in the places that appeal to me, with exposed brick, bare light bulbs, a touch of vintage and freshly made food featuring over and over again.

Brighton Brunch - Marmalade, Kemptown photo by modern bric a brac

The other theme that keeps reoccurring is the genuine passion that goes into making these independent cafes successful. When it comes to Marmalade, it's definitely a team effort, Lou the Manager told me. Open now for four years the place is a hub for those seeking breakfast, brunch, lunch and sweet treats aplenty.

I had arrived at brunch time to meet my friend and talk about the Sisterhood event that she had set up to raise money for RISE UK, the domestic abuse charity in Brighton. Situated in part of a former dairy, the interior, tantalisingly still retained features from its former use.

Upon entering the cafe the first thing I couldn't help but notice were the rows of neatly stacked, freshly made sandwiches of egg mayo, ham salad and BLT as well as the less familiar cheese, pickled onion, English mustard and mayo for £5.10 that were displayed just inside the door.

Brighton Brunch - Marmalade cafe, Kemptown photo by modern bric a brac

To the left were toasting sandwiches bulging with fillings and cheese falling out of them, the tuna melt for £5.40 and goats cheese, red pepper and rocket caught my eye. Above them were a line of loaf cakes of the lemon, banana and pumpkin varieties and next to that scones and hot cross buns.

On the counter were a selection of freshly made dishes such as salmon, leek and spinach lasagne with salad for £9.95 and a selection of quiches including an artichoke, spinach and cream cheese one for £7.95 with salad.

My friend had already chosen a table by the window in a section that had a decoratively tiled floor. The tiles reminded me of the hallways of Victorian houses I had known when I'd lived in Cardiff, which gave the place a comfortingly familiar feel.

Above our table on a shelf was a stoneware jar marked with a Dundee marmalade logo, exactly the same as the one I picked up years ago in Greenwich market and keep in my bathroom. I was beginning to feel really at home.

My attention turned to brunch and I scanned the menu of scrambled eggs, toast, beans, banana bread and smoothies. It was the banana bread with yoghurt and fruit compote accompanied by a pot of tea that won my vote. My friend decided to try their yoghurt, granola and honey pot with a flat white.