Raised a London girl, Ellie moved to the seaside city of Brighton on a whim. Having lived here a long time, she recently started rediscovering the city and exploring it with new eyes, sharing local and secret Brighton tips and other curious finds over on her blog, Ellie & Co. Here, we ask her about her five favorite spots in the city.
Duke of York’s Picturehouse: A historic vintage cinema perfect for date night
“I feel so lucky to live just around the corner from this cute cinema, which just happens to be the oldest one in the country built in 1910 by a travelling performer couple. It’s probably best known around town for the set of stripy ‘can can’ legs on its roof which were added in the 1980s by a new owner. The best seats are sofas on the balcony and there are two café bars serving homemade cakes, wine, beer, popcorn and coffee and lots of other tasty treats. I pretty much spend all my time here in winter, watching endless films and keeping out the cold.”
Preston Road, Brighton BN1 4NA
https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Duke_Of_Yorks
Check the website for listings
Carlito Burrito: Best Mexican street food this side of the Atlantic
“This is one of those small and cosy, casual local restaurants, the kind you go to for a serious dose of mid-week comfort food. The décor is bright and colourful and the walls hung with Mexican curios; Mexican tunes drift from the stereo. Food-wise, everything is amazing. The fish tacos are to die for and the burritos so tasty and filling. It’s all best enjoyed with one of their delicious hibiscus margaritas.”
12 York Place, Brighton BN1 4GU
http://www.carlito-burrito.co.uk
Spiderplant shop: A hidden miniature plant emporium
“This tiny whitewashed backyard conservatory room hidden in a vintage clothes store is drenched in natural light and crammed with all kinds of plants: big and small, tall and short, leafy and spiky, flowery and wispy; glorious foliage filling tables and shelves, hanging from the ceiling and crowding the floor. Whenever I visit, I always want to buy up the whole shop and transport it to my house; either that or move in!”
46 Sydney Street, Brighton BN1 4EP
www.spiderplantshop.co.uk
http://ellie-and-co.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/the-tiniest-plant-shop-in-brighton.html
Green Door Store: Hidden gem music venue with an eclectic line up
“I love the setting for this little hidden music club, inside three railway arches underneath Brighton train station. It’s the perfect place to wander into if you don’t want your night to end. Inside, it’s not fancy, but there’s a late bar, all kinds of entertainment, from drum and bass DJs, 60s nights to live bands – but the best bit, it’s free to get in.”
Trafalgar Arches, Brighton BN1
http://www.thegreendoorstore.co.uk
Check the website to know the schedule
Café Marmalade: Brighton’s most Instagrammable cafe
“This indy café in Kemp Town is the prefect antidote to all those generic coffee corporations. It’s also one of the most Instagrammable too. I like to describe the interior is ‘derelict chic’ – there are peeling walls, bare bulbs, tenement tiles, a nmarble bartop, butcher’s sink, pages torn from magazines and handwritten brown paper signs on the walls. It’s like they found an abandoned building, moved in and set up an amazing shop at a moments’ notice. Obviously the coffee and food is amazing too! It’s a great place for weekend brunch.”
237 Eastern Road, Brighton BN2 5JJ
http://www.cafemarmalade.co.uk
Photos: Ellie & Co. and www.browns-photography.co.uk (photo d’ouverture)
Follow Ellie on her blog, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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