Starfish & Coffee, Egremont Place: what to order and when to go

Starfish & Coffee sits at 32 Egremont Place, opposite the Queen's Park entrance, on the Kemptown and Hanover edge of town. It is an independent neighbourhood café doing brunch and speciality coffee, and it has a loyal following among people who live nearby and a fair few who walk up from the station on purpose.

The story behind the name

The café opened in July 2017, according to Restaurants Brighton's interview with the owner. It was started by Tony Marks, a Juice FM radio DJ, who bought the building with the idea of making his dream café. He has said he wanted somewhere the Queen's Park and Hanover communities would be proud of.

The name comes from his favourite Prince song, "Starfish and Coffee", and he has been a Prince fan since about the age of 13. Look out for the painted starfish and coffee cup with lyrics from the song, which one Tripadvisor reviewer mentions. Not to be confused with a London café of the same name, which is unrelated.

What to order

The menu is seasonal, so dishes come and go. Regular names include buttermilk pancakes, Eggs Florentine, eggs Benedict, hashes, vegan plates and the signature Avo Smash. Turkish eggs and full breakfasts also get a mention on First Table.

• Chorizo hash. Gluten-free and a repeat favourite in reviews.
• Pancakes with bacon. Often praised, with maple syrup (blueberries turn up in reviewers' versions).
• Mushroom hash or vegan hash. The mushroom one is vegetarian and gluten-free, the vegan one uses scrambled tofu.
• Seasonal Eggs. Tony Marks's own pick. When he named it, it came with red pepper Greek yoghurt, maple-roasted heritage carrots, padron peppers and flatbread. He pairs it with a Skylark filter coffee.
• Something from the cake counter. Chocolate tiffin is on the delivery menu, and the takeaway treats sit by the till.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are all covered, including gluten-free bread and pastries. One thing to know: some reviewers mention a no-swaps policy for allergies, so check before you order if that matters to you.

The coffee

First Table says the single-origin house coffee is roasted in Brighton by Skylark, a registered charity that gives its profit to good causes, with guest roasts on the filter machine. Suppliers can change over the years, so if the roaster matters to you, ask at the counter.

Prices

First Table rates it at three pound signs, and some reviewers call it pricey. On the Deliveroo menu, hashes and bacon pancakes sit at roughly £12 to £12.50, add-ons such as halloumi, black pudding or potatoes are £3.25, and house beans or feta are £2. Coffees are around £2.80 for an americano, £3.30 for a flat white and £3.50 for a latte or cappuccino. In-café prices may differ, so treat those as a guide.

When to go

Hours vary between listings, so check before you set off. The safest guide is open daily, from about 8:30 or 9am to 3pm, with last orders around 2:30 to 3pm. It is often busy, especially at weekends, so a weekday morning is your best bet for a calmer table. One reviewer without a booking was squeezed in around midday, but do not count on it at a weekend.

There is indoor and outdoor seating, and a small downstairs area that a reviewer says can be used for occasions. The interior is bright and open with country-farmhouse-style seating. It is dog friendly and child friendly, and there is street parking nearby.

Evenings are a different matter: the café is billed as Starfish x Pizzaface, and Mindtrip says pizzas are served on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Check days and times with the café first.

Booking

The easiest route is to phone on 01273 230635. SquareMeal's booking button points you to the phone too. First Table also takes bookings and sometimes offers a discount on the food bill, so read its terms before relying on it.

One practical note: it is on a hill, and a reviewer mentioned the climb. From the Royal Pavilion it is a 10 to 15 minute walk, per First Table.

For after: Queen's Park

You are directly opposite it, so use it. Queen's Park is about 25 acres, centred on a wildlife pond with a Grade II listed clock tower dating from 1915. Waterfowl visit the pond, and there is a children's play area, a table-tennis table and a small café. Dogs are kept out of the play areas. A lap of the pond is the right size for working off a hash.

If you want a second coffee in the park, Restaurants Brighton lists Open Bakery at 35 West Drive, in a converted former public toilet, selling bread, croissants, pastries and coffee.

Details are from Restaurants Brighton, First Table and its owner interview.