Marwood Bar & Coffeehouse

Great little quaint bar with awesome and attentive staff for a fun time. The bar extends across 2 floors with a small garden at the back. They have great coffee and cake and the array of colorful characters in the bar is enough to make you come back more. The 80s music is awesome in my taste. Highly recommended!

Great coffee shop - with a licence. Tucked away but easy to find. Fun and quirky. Nice music. Tasty food. Good opening hours. Friendly staff. Easy access.

Five stars all day everyday. We went for a few drinks before going to a gig. Service was amazing, friendly isn't the right word as it went far beyond that. Decor is so cool but also homely, we felt like we could easily spend all day there. Cocktails were well mixed and cheap, and beers were really cheap too. Toilets nice and clean. Seriously can't fault the place! ---- Edit Even more likely to go back now I've seen the owners response to that idiots review on Facebook

I have lived in Brighton all my life. So always looking for a great cafe. Will this is one for my favourite, keep on going back for more. Thanks for great drinks and food.

Crazy inside, very interesting deco. Bagels looked great and coffee was very nice.

Very nice staff, great coffee, unusual atmosphere and a lot of space and air especially upstairs.

Tucked away good vibes and solidly Brightonian cafe. Spaced out staff serving good coffee and arty food. Enjoy!

What's not to love about Marwood?!! The sign at the door says it all (which I hope is still there!). It's the most hippy and quirky place I've been to Brighton...with wonderful staff 😊

The latte that I got at Marwood was honestly perfect. It's saying a lot when a sweet tooth like me drinks my coffee without sugar. I didn't expect such a good cup of coffee when I walked into this shop but maybe I didn't give it enough credit. Either way, it was deliciously perfect and I am still thinking about that perfect cup to this day. The coffee combined with the unique atmosphere was the perfect addition to my casual morning in Brighton. They have separate areas to enjoy your drinks (from what I gathered, there are regular events held in the afternoons/nights which means alcohol served as well! So perfect spot any time of day) whether it be on the main floor, upstairs in the computer room, or in the garden. Every spot was cute and cozy. I loved it and would definitely come again.

Brighton was one of my favorite places I've ever been and it started off with this delicious avocado toast.

A feast for the senses. A treat for the eyes as well as the taste buns. Mighty fine coffee came in a flat white variety pour moi. A large doorstep of cake was also on offer. Lots of object d'art to keep you visually stimulated. Tucked away in the Lanes a must visit on the Brighton Coffee Trail.

I just don't get the appeal. It's all too scatty. I saw a "Windows 95 for Dummies" book resting on the windowsill. That done it for me. There's no coming back from that. All the stickers,chalkboards and objects sewn into the wallpaper makes me feel uncomfortable. How can you possibly know whether anything is clean or not? When I leave, I want to shower. It makes me feel itchy. It doesn't smell good. It doesn't smell bad, either. It smells like a basement flat, left empty for a month but that's had coffee beans scattered across the floor. The staff are always very polite but they do seem on another planet. Perhaps that's a good thing? Perhaps they have reached a state of heightened relaxation that I just can't understand. Maybe they are aliens. I asked for an orange juice which I was already reluctant to purchase because I saw that it would cost me £1.75 (or something like that). When you're paying this much for juice, at very least you want it to be freshly pressed or, I don't know, squeezed from some kind of rare orange. In a hipster state of slow motion, the barista carefully balanced a carton of Morrison's orange juice on an offcut of wood right in front of my face. Ever had that happen? It ruins your day. Immediate downer. In my head, I was just saying "No no no no no no no. I don't want it now". Of course, I couldn't say that because she had already started pouring. The coffee here isn't much better. By the time it reaches your table, it's cold. Pop in a sugar lump and it just looks up at you with a kind of "You're really gonna let me go like this?" face. My orange juice was warm. I tried some lemon cake decorated with green seeds. It was okay, a bit dry. There are just so many great coffee shops in Brighton that there's really nothing that attracts me to The Marwood. That said, I know it's popular. They must be doing something right. Maybe The Marwood is secretly a haunt for extraterrestrials learning about Windows 95. That's all I can deduce.

This goes to my list of favourite coffee shops over the UK. Different and fun art and serving amazing coffee and the tastiest cakes -- heaven. The interior feels like a nerd kid's room, filled up with interesting and strange objects. There are all kinds of comfy chairs and places to seat so you don't have to worry about that. The art and decor will keep you entertained while you drink delicious coffee and please yourself with their cakes. Honestly, brownies are the best and I could happily die from sugar rush here. The staff are the kind of people you'd like to be served by. Super friendly and polite. I wish I had the chance to come here more often. You should definitely visit if you happen to be in Brighton.

Cafe vibes downstairs, quiet study space upstairs! Wifi is super accessible, pretty good coffee and sandwiches, lots of seating space, and quirky/neat interior decorations. Also, charging ports upstairs!!! The outlets even have usb ports, a lifesaver. Would recommend for a sit-down and chat with friends, and for studying/working too. Good vibes all around, I really like it! Highly recommended, and I'll probably drop by again!

If you could condense the essence of Tom Waits' songs into a cafe, that cafe would be Marwood Studios. Housed in Sarah Arnett's old fashion boutique in the Lanes, it's an independent cafe where everything is slightly off-kilter. Ice-skates hang next to street art on the distressed walls, the table tops are made from recycled doors and furniture and the seating is deliciously mismatched. There's cheeky wallpaper of burlesque girls in the ladies toilets and a resin hand instead of a door knob on the front door. The first time my sweetheart and I went, we were seated on a minature wooden bench which required both of us to move at the same time! In keeping with the ramshackle interior, the delicious cakes are displayed in an old antique cabinet and include Gin and Tonic cupcakes and moreish Sticky Ginger Cake. They also sell all kinds of toasted sandwiches and 'Kick Ass Coffee'. Being a caffeine addict, I can tell you it's not as kick-ass as Monmouth coffee but hey, the cool music, friendly staff and bohemian vibe more than make up for it. Incase you're wondering why it's called Marwood Studios, there are artists' studios and work spaces upstairs and there always seems to be someone drawing or scribbling in the cafe. It's clearly the kind of place where Tom himself would go for a cup of mud! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzfCu3pvE1A&feature=fvw

Like brownies? Like brunch? Then Marwood Coffee Shop is the place for you! Serving a range of delicious, affordable meals and drinks, this is a great cafe for working, socialising and relaxing. The decor is beyond quirky, with bizarre pictures slung upon the walls and odd furniture pieced together, but it somehow gives the place a strangely welcoming and homely feel. The food is surprisingly gourmet for such a casual little cafe, my favourite meal being the 'Devil's Toast' - a thick piece of bread, topped with chorizo and goats cheese, sprinkled lightly with balsamic vinegar and garnished with rocket. It's to die for and is, I've found, a delightful cure to a Saturday hangover. And let's not forget the Brownies... Let me first start by saying that, sadly, the brownie quality here does seem to vary slightly between visits. Some days they're good, others not so much. I haven't figured out the pattern yet (they're not good every Tuesday, or bad every full moon) but when I do I'll be sure to fill you in. That being said, when they're good, they're good. I'd go so far as to say they're the best brownies I've ever had, and that's a bold statement coming from a brownie lover! They're packed full of big chunks of all kinds of chocolate, surrounded by dense but gooey sponge that just melts in your mouth...Word of warning though - unless you're a sugar junkie don't pair one with a hot chocolate, cream and marshmallows. I did this once and the sugar rush that followed was quite astonishing! Not recommend - share with a friend. All in all, Marwood Coffee Shop ticks all the boxes! The staff are friendly and the coffee is good. If it weren't for the mystery of the changing brownies, I'd be giving this place a glowing five stars!

What an amazing find thanks to some 'Yelpers' for leading me here. The decor is amazing. So funky and original and so much to look at. I love the half mannequin table. I was sat on a computer base with a cushion attached. Great atmosphere with happy staff dancing behind the bar. Oh yes the food and drink....I had a medium hot chocolate (great flavour), could of been a tiny bit bigger. And the carrot cake. Oh yumm. Not just your average carrot cake. Mightily impressive, decent portion and reasonable cost. I will be back to try out more food and watch with anticipation at the forever changing decor.

I'm not sure if the cake was life changing, but the coffee sure was good. AND it had pretty coffee art. AND I got the prettiest coffee art cappuccino out of Sinja, Alex's and Mine. WINNER. (Note to self: Life is not always a competition, life is not always a competition) We actually left half the cake and I had a total of two bites. It was rich, but I just didn't feel it was life changing. The cappuccino was quite simply one of the best cappuccino's IN MY LIFE. Can we change the sign to life changing cappuccinos? (Although, I rarely have cappuccino's so it's the best in my life so far.) They do table service, which is probably for the best because those are some steep arse stairs to be going up with hot drinks, and a dark vader door art staring you down going 'LUKE, DO NOT SPILL MY COFFEE, OR I WILL STORMTROOPER YOUR ARSE' At least, that's what I took from the piece of art. (if you need a art critic, I'd be more than experienced, I simplify things into something...er..unrecognisable) I was quite sad that the decoration in the rooms were all fake. As in, there was a buckaroo box and I was genuinely getting excited at the thought of playing buckaroo, but I opened this magical box and it was hollow, it was just a box. I was SO disappointed.

Tucked away on Ship Lane this is a very unique establishment with a mixture of Star Wars memorabilia and torso-less mannequins sprayed randomly around. That said, it's a great place with very nice sandwiches and coffee and a lively Brighton bohemian vibe. Cutlery and plates could have been cleaner.

Good coffee? Check. Really, really good brownie? Double check. Cute atmosphere? Check. I like this place - if I were in Brighton, I'd go there way too often. Probably would have to do extra working out just to eat that brownie all the time. The sandwiches also look amazing. The staff is friendly enough. Overall great place to get some coffee and sweets. Thanks to Kerry G. for the suggestion! Definitely worth the trip over from Worthing!

A little hipster cafe in central location but tucked away in the corner. I used to come here to study because of the great atmosphere. They serve alcohol and coffee so also great for hanging out especially when you hear "Heard Em Say" -Kanye. It has an edgy character... Star Wars X wing and star fighters hanging from the ceiling and jar jar binks in a sailor hat above the refrigerator... which means 11/10 for decor obviously.

J'adore J'adore J'adore. I had a mocha. It was perfectly blended between chocolate and coffee. Delicious! Lovely vibe, lovely Attitude. Very quirky. Do your best to find a seat but most people have their coffee and leave which is nice for a constant stream of customers. Just enjoy and breathe in the free spirit and yummy coffee.

I've been here twice now, and twice have been captivated by the friendly and above all individual nature of Marwood Coffee Shop. Squeezed into a corner of Ship Street, this cafe offers a fresh take on quirky, with an interior and garden livened up by several pieces of art in different forms. Inside, there is assorted art and mock-ups scattered throughout. My favourite was the tribute to the 'Here's Johnny' scene with Jack Nicholson reaching through an axed hole in a door. Outside huge cartoon murals are the theme and a polystyrene anvil hangs by an apparent thread over a door by the side of the cafe. The food, drink and service are pretty good too, ranging from well-balanced salads to moist, originally flavoured brownies. Definitely the spot to head to when in Brighton.

This new hotspot for coffee and art lovers has just opened up on Ship Street, offering delicious coffees that are exquisitely decorated with hearts and feathers, with a large range of teas, cakes and chocolate brownies. Quality of the coffee aside, the venue is a small and intimate indoor and outdoor space which is plastered with interesting paintings, prints and furniture that will amuse, inspire and perhaps even offend. The warm and friendly diverse staff also provide a sense of awareness, which means that you will always have a coffee in front of you. There is a computer, wifi, and lots of creative energy, which perhaps explains why so many people are becoming more and more attracted to this place, not just as a quick pit-stop café, but as a work space to hang out in. when I was there I saw many people on their own writing, drawing, typing and reading, which provided a comfortable place to relax in. Overall The Marwood has something going for it which seems to be lacking in Brighton café's nowadays, and this is the informal chilled-out aspect of any good coffee shop providing a great space, with doors for tables, of just great coffee, cakes and chats.

The best coffee shop I've ever been to? YES! I almost don't want to write that because there are tons of shops in London that I absolutely love. But I've never seen anything like the Marwood before and their coffee + cake was heavenly. It was better than perfect, especially the cake which I wish I had the recipe for. I found this place through a coffee blog and then used the reviews of it here on Yelp to make it a definite place to visit. I was not disappointed. I honestly feel like my life is better now that I've been here. Of course the sign does say "Kick arse coffee & Life changing cake". I couldn't agree more!

Definitely one of the quirkiest cafes in Brighton. There's so much decor, it needs to be seen to be believed. There's plenty of seating and even a courtyard out the back for those sunny days. Depending on the day, the staff can be polite but best not to ask any questions, they don't seem to like it.

Love this cafe! Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning coffee & people watching. The coffee is wicked, so are the vibes. They definitely capture the essence of what Brighton is really about!

The Marwood Studios (and Cafe) have become one of Brighton's cool-kid hot spots, and it's clear to see why: everything here just howls cool-and-we-know-it, from the devil may care decor and service to the eclectic music and random, 'life-changing' cakes. Nothing here is particularly swish or well-done, but the vibe is pretty cool... A good place to meet and sit, but I'd go elsewhere for any consumables. Marwood is quite hard to find unless you know where you're going: if you look around the old post office, currently a building site and soon to be a new Fat Face, Marwood is a little way down a small side alley. Once you get inside, you'll be assaulted by a myraid collection of music, artwork and furniture: hodge-podge barely covers the look in here. A great example: the outdoor smoking area just looks like a small dump, with an artwork tree: totally strange. As is to be expected, everything here is pretty standard. The 'Kick-Ass' coffee is not quite so kick-ass, nor are the 'Life-Changing' cakes more than just a little peculiar. This is a great place to meet people, to show how cool you are, but go elsewhere if you're looking for anything more than atmosphere.

This is such a quaint llittle hipster cafe tucked away in the Brighton Lanes. The decor on the inside and out is striking and quirky and there's even a Pacman table to play whilst you sip on a coffee! The building looks very small from the outside but is actually split over 2 levels when you get in. There is lots of colorful film memorabillia scattered over the walls and ceilings and old shop signs which no longer exist in Brighton- aka Rounders Records! I ordered the Hot Chocolate and my friend got a latte and a slice of cake.. The most generous slice may I add! I did try some and it was so yummy! The staff are so friendly and welcoming and I couldn't recommened this place more!

Marwood is the worst cafe I've ever been to. Ordered a Chai Latte which tasted like lukewarm milk and my husband ordered a Mocha which was more like burnt chocolate. Our coffee and walnut cake was also unpleasant, dry and bland. At first the atmosphere was interesting and different however we were left sitting on an old Mac which was not comfortable. Our tables were also dirty and the whole place felt more disorganised and disgusting. And sadly, the service was appalling. Unfriendly and rude. The cashier told my husband it's too busy upstairs and there's no room however he had to challenge her and said we already got a table. I do not recommend this place at all. If I could, I would give this place no stars.

The coffee was good (2.50 for a latte, could have been larger but it was quite good). I'm sold, however, on the variety of seating (inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, up-upstairs) and the pictures of Spider Jerusalem all over the walls. Ah, and the wi-fi doesn't really reach outside, but it worked just fine upstairs at the table I happily spread out my stuff to work on. Have already been back several times and will continue. Oh and the Brownie was heavenly!

Still my favourite coffee shop in Brighton I can probably thank these guys for feuling my entire dissertations. thank you i love you humans Devil Toast*****

6months after my daughter and I visited we still talk about the yummy funky coffee house. We'll be back next time we're in the UK

This is a fantastic little coffee shop that is equally as much of a feast for the eye as the stomach. Their tag line is 'arse kicking coffee, life changing cake'. I can't vouch for either of these two things as I'm not a coffee drinker and I managed to resist the cake (it did look mouth-wateringly yum though!). I did partake in a nice cup of apple and ginger tea, and it's a fab place just to chill out and take in the surroundings. Downstairs there are a collection of table made out of odd bit of wood and old doors, but its the eclectic mix of art and general strangeness hanging from the walls and ceiling that generates the entertainment. My favourite was entitled 'When Puppets Go Bad' and was basically Sooty and Sweep hanging Gordon the Gopher of a high ledge! (why oh why didn't I take a photo of this!?) Upstairs resembles a comfy living room, with large sofas as well as tables and chairs. There are quirky posters on the wall, books and board games scattered about, and a piano in the corner. I really great space to come and chill out, or bring the lap top and get some work done courtesy of the free WiFi. This is the kind of place that makes me wish I was a coffee drinker as I tend to feel like I'm missing out on the full experience ever so slightly. For this reason it's getting 4 instead of 5 stars, but I feel a little mean all the same.

I'm surprised by the reviews of this place - it looks cool but is a bit superficial. They make big claims, but to be honest the coffee wasn't that good (I take a 'long black' as they call it) and it was very small and a bit foamy and bitter. Plus, odds are on that the staff can be really incredibly rude depending on who you get. Even though I was being polite when I asked for a coffee, the girl serving looked at me for a long while and then sarcastically said 'er, puleeese?' which I think was uncalled for. Then I was told to sit down but they probably wouldn't want to take it outside, so keep an ear out for when they knocked on the window. Couldn't you just make the coffee at a reasonable speed so people could collect when you order? Main PRO is that it is the best place to have a coffee and a smoke if it is raining and windy, as the outdoor seating is very well sheltered by an awning and a narrow alley.

The coffee was great, they had nutella and toast (woohoo!), and the decor was amusing and eccentric. This coffee shop is made of pure win!

I attended an event here last weekend and it was lovely. I was kind of expecting the typical hipster coffee shop vibe of rustic wood and whatnot, but it's actually a lot quirkier than that! We were seated upstairs and there was plenty of space. I had a cup of tea at first, which was... well, tea. But very nice tea in a HUGE mug. Later I ordered a hot chocolate which came in the same big mug. Yay! It was very yummy. Definitely need to come back for a proper, more casual, visit.

I'm writing this review as I am sat in the Marwood right now, after hunting around for a coffee shop with Wifi for ages yesterday! It's been a long time since I have been here - I used to come here a lot when the Marwood first opened (long before it got crazy popular and hipsterfied!!), and I was always a fan of it's quirky decor, mismatched furniture and its staff with all sorts of funny personalities. I can't say too much has changed to be honest, however there is now an upstairs area with plenty of seating, and the area from where coffee and food is served has moved. The staff here are still really friendly, and they do amazing cake! today I had a Slutty Ginger Cake (Yes, that's what it was called!) - it was really tasty and I will be having that again. I opted for my usual soya latte to begin with, and now I am sitting enjoying a fresh mint tea with a pot of honey on the side. I can definitely see myself becoming a regular here once again!

If you're looking for a smooth, silky, strong cup of coffee and a sweet treat, then Marwoods won't disappoint. It is worth noting that due to this place's edgy charm and being up there as a favourite amongst many locals, it can get very busy. Probably not the best place for large groups as tables can be hard to find, even with a spacious upstairs area. The food menu is varied and delicious! I'd seriously recommend giving the devil toast a go if goats cheese and chorizo is your sort if thing! Hmmm. I do feel the portions have been cut down somewhat recently but there's still enough there to satisfy a rumbling tummy. Also, very pleasing on the eye. You must try a Marwoods brownie. You simply must! They do seem to vary throughout the week and through using my detective skills, best to grab one on a weekday, as they don't seem as fresh and can be a little dry at weekends for some reason. It's totally worth the risk though, as when you get one on a good day... oooh myyy! All in all, a lovely little place for a catch up with friends, with a great outdoor area and lots of interesting interior to feast your eyes on! Whilst the staff in general are friendly and helpful, they can be rather relaxed and go at their own pace. Service can be a little slow so best not to come when in any sort of rush.

So I love Marwood unconditionally, regardless of its occasionally rude staff. (One blonde woman in particular is almost always rude to me). However its worth it for the food, the coffee and the cake. Damn the devils toast is probably my favorite meal ever, I wish I could eat it for every meal. The whole ambiance of this place is basically "found objects", find weird shit, tape it to the walls, done and done. There's a lot of seating for a cafe, but the seating upstairs closes around 8pm ish most days. Finding a seat downstairs is almost impossible. They recently stated serving drinks too, which is AWESOME. Why would I ever leave now? Just remember to bring your ID even if you dont plan on getting a drink, or you'll get kicked out. As for the occasional rudeness, we shouldn't EXPECT people in service jobs to be nice to us all the time. Its basically shit, having to deal with rude customers and run around being fake happy all the time doesnt make anyones lives any better. So go ahead, keep being rude. I'll take it.

My favorite café in Brighton! Go there for a great cake and café in a very fun atmosphere!

'Kick ass coffee, life changing cake'. Hidden away in a corner of Ship Street (near the old post office) this quirky little café was a recent discovery for me. On a friend's recommendation, and a lengthy description, I was not disappointed by the contents. It was busy and vibrant and the staff were refreshingly chirpy for a Saturday afternoon, especially a young Scottish man who seemed to bend over backwards for us...and with a smile. The tables are made from old doors, there is a washing line hung throughout and the walls are adorned with an odd collection of celebrities. The coffee is great and with all toasties being £2.50 you can't go wrong.

This is such a cool little place! It's really quirky for a coffee shop with lots of different things to look at- posters, retro toys, Victorian paintings and generally weird. It's like being at a brick or brack / yard sale that is inside a cool building and serves coffee and cake. Down side- if you have OCD. Don't go there! They have mix match furniture !

Absolutely adorable yet unassuming cafe in the heart of Brighton. Blink and you might miss it. So don't blink or you might regret it. Delicious coffee at good prices served by warm and friendly staff. The cafe is homey and comfortable...great for studying or getting together with friends for a chat. This is what a cafe should be about.

I love it here!!! :) so quirky and fun - get such a good vibe feeling and sense of creativity. I really do enjoy sitting chatting and sipping- only a problem if all the seats are gone! ... i'd decorate my own house like this if it was allowed... a real freedom in the calm crazy weirdness :)

The barista was just the sweetest, and she made a mean espresso drink. The coffee was good, the decor reminded me of punk houses that I lived in circa '93, and the music was good. We had a piece of carrot cake that photographed better than it tasted (a bit too dry and sweet for my liking). Overall I was glad we popped in, and I would certainly get a drink from here again.

Arty, fun and eclectic, Marwoods is a little haven of creativity in between a lot of creative shops that are perhaps a bit less backed and independant; this is from first impressions over a Mocha. It's new to the Lanes and looks like it will stay around, with so many shops in such a concentrated area, we need lots of chill out joints like this that are a bit more about socialising than spending. They have some fun art on the walls plus of course one of the best pieces of art of all time, the chicken sitting on brick in oven as featured in the film that pushed eccentricity to the edge of reason 'Withnail and I'. Welcome Marwoods.

Excellent coffee, amazing mint tea, great people and atmosphere. Love this place especially the Breville toasted sandwiches. Recommend the baked bean and cheese toasted sarnie.

Could not agree more with the above poster's assessment that 'this coffee shop is made of win'. There is a 'secret garden', sherbet behind the counter, and a picture of young Donald Sutherland on the wall. When I ordered peanut butter on toast, they made a stack of toast and entrusted me with the whole peanut butter jar! Holly Golightly used to say that Tiffany's was a place where nothing bad could ever happen to you. Marwood coffee shop is one of those places too.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and set up (lots of seating and a cool vibe) latte was delish and staff was friendly. Wish I would have gotten a brownie! Will have to try that next time. Overall great experience.

A wonderful venue that is unique and different :) Good food, drink and just a wonderful atmosphere as soon as you walk in. It's one of these places that is off the beaten track, but is also open late for a cafe which is brilliant. The fact it's open till 8pm is a useful thing to be in place and is also a hub for lots of creative chats.

On our Yelp field trip to Brighton, we stopped in here to have a quick bit of caffeine and a bit of sweet deliciousness! Walking into the place, it was definitely quirky, but trendy, reminding me of the style of Cafe Pergolessi back in Santa Cruz. They had a selection of baked goods sitting out, and the looked fantastic! There was a layer cake that looked divine and some really chocolately brownies sitting on a plate. The cake turned out to be plum and chili (which I thought was bourbon and chili for some reason, but I was sold on the chili more than anything). We ordered our drinks (I had a macchiato), and I splurged on the plum chili cake. We moved out to the garden. They have an amazing outdoor seating area with some really cool painted murals on the wall. The decor is quite eclectic with a random selection of chairs and tables spread around. It was later in the afternoon so there were some nicely sunny spots and shady spots (for those of us with a tendency to burn with too much time in the sun). Our drinks and cakes came, with Peter having a chocolate brownie (which was decadently chocolately and if you like brownies, you'll love this one!) and me having my cake. The cake. The cake was awesome. One thing I noticed about moving to the UK is that they seem to be fans of really dry cakes that are sickly sweet. Then they pour on a lot of custard to moisten it and cut the sweetness a bit. I don't get it. This cake was the opposite. It was moist, and just the right amount of sweetness. And the chili! After having a bit of cake, you had a nice hit of spiciness in your mouth. I was in heaven. The coffee was also amazing. It was a perfect amount of espresso with just the tiniest amount of foam. Delish! There's a lot of funky stuff around too! I'm sure we missed it, but Alex was quite excited to see the Acme anvil hanging from a frayed rope above the door! Next time I'm in Brighton, this will definitely be on my list of places to come back to for a nice afternoon treat.

BOOM! Ye baby! If you've managed to get in here and not stuck on the head by a falling anvil on your way in, then you will know what I mean! What a place!!! The atmosphere here hits you before you've even entered the building, with its sign outside inviting me to join the team in their supposed collective hangovers. "I'm up for that" I claim to my bemused friend and we head on in. I've been meaning to come here for a while after being recommended by you lovely yelpers, to sample my usual flat white and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. The atmosphere inside is cosier that I was expecting, being somewhat eclectic in its design (Take a look at some of the pics to easily see what I mean here). I put it down to the two very-much-Brighton-barista-types, who warmly talk to me about the coffee (I can be quite the coffee snob when I want to be and often want to know a little too much about where my coffee came from!) and make me feel right at home. Now, I drink a lot of flat whites. Certainly in Brighton, but often beyond, and I'm just going to throw it out there... This was one of the best!. Ok so I'm not going as far as THE best but definitely up there! The espresso was smooth and not at all bitter, the milk textured beautifully - A delightful fun fair in my mouth. I'm on a pre-Christmas diet right now, so I didn't try one of the many cakes on offer. I shall leave that for my next visit as I most definitely will be back! Big love x

This place is fantastic. Love the energy, the people, and the funny piss-take signs everywhere. Great place to chill, be around people, or hide upstairs and chill solo.

Stopped in at this interesting and unique coffee shop first thing when I arrived in Brighton with the husband for our anniversary. Man, this place makes big claims: "Kick arse coffee and Life changing cake". I wouldn't say the cake (or in my case brownie) was "life changing" but it was pretty damn close and unfortunately I don't drink coffee but I had the hot chocolate and it was delicious. My husband had a cappuccino and gave it his stamp of approval so, there ya go. I totally agree that the staff aren't the super friendly kind but you know what? That's ok with me. Their attitudes kinda fit in the bizarre atmosphere. I probably would've been a little creeped out if they were super happy and bubbly.

Wooden doors re-fashioned as benches; a Bakelite radio stashed in the corner, while the state-of-the-art hi-fi blasts out 'Conquered' by the White Stripes; tableware featuring Winnie-the-Pooh and friends; a tin can nailed to a crucifix above a 1950s fireplace. No wonder the unwary visitor to Marwood might suspect that he/she has unwittingly ingested plant fertilizer on the way through the lanes. No fear all is as it should be. The coffee is good and there is nothing eccentric about a cheese toastie. This is a perfect postmodern pitstop for shoppers, idlers and tourists. The management is constantly looking to add to its riotously eclectic bric-a-brac and a sign on the door reads: Marwood needs your tat. Tell them Qype sent you... UPDATE: I now realise why this place is so riotously decorated. It is to distract you from the unacceptable slow service. I have visited three times now and on each occasion the wait was overlong when the cafe was hardly packed. Yesterday I asked for flat white coffee and cheese on toast but I had finished my coffee and read a broadsheet newspaper back to front and there was still no sign of the food so I decamped for places less eye-opening but more nourishing.

Small, cosy cafe hidden in the Lanes. Furniture and decorations appear slung together from whatever was going cheap in 2nd hand shops, but this helps give it its atmosphere. It is the opposite of Starbucks, Costa etc. I had a very good espresso, for just £1.25. The cafe is easy to miss if you don't know it's there. It's in a corner of Ship Street in what used to be Simultane. Presumably named after the Withnail & I character.