Meanwhile

17 Jubilee St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1GE, United Kingdom
+44 1273 900371
$$$ Cafe
(83 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

If you find yourself wandering the vibrant streets of Brighton, a visit to Meanwhile is an absolute must. Nestled at 17 Jubilee St, this charming café seamlessly combines a modern vibe with a cozy atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for both quick coffee breaks and leisurely brunches.

As soon as you step inside, you’re enveloped by a warm and inviting ambiance, enhanced by soothing background music and friendly staff who are dedicated to ensuring you feel right at home. Meanwhile prides itself on a diverse menu that celebrates both delightful coffee experiences and an impressive selection of dishes. Coffee lovers will relish the robust flavors of their brews, hailed in glowing reviews as some of the best in Brighton. For those who crave something more substantial, their breakfast offerings are nothing short of spectacular.

Imagine indulging in a plate of French toast that’s been lovingly crafted to be “the best of your life,” according to delighted diners. Or picture yourself savoring the shakshuka, bursting with fresh flavors, perfectly accompanied by a soothing cup of tea with soy milk. With an impressive 50% of the menu catering to veggie and vegan preferences, it's a haven for health-conscious eaters and food enthusiasts alike.

Moreover, the café has recently expanded its offerings to include dinner options, showcasing dishes like grilled octopus with confit potatoes alongside comforting American pancakes drizzled with blueberry compote. Each plate is a testament to the establishment's commitment to quality and creativity, making it stand out in the Brighton food scene.

But it’s not just about the food; it’s about the experience. With countless patrons turning into regulars, many have lauded Meanwhile for its exceptional service and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for studying or unwinding after a busy day. One recurring theme among customers is the staff’s warm demeanor—“always lovely” is a common phrase you’ll encounter in their testimonials. It’s a place where familiarity breeds comfort and every visit feels like coming home.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect hangout spot to catch up with friends, a serene place to work, or just a fantastic meal, Meanwhile offers an unbeatable blend of delicious food and heartfelt service. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this local gem in Brighton—each visit feels like a step into a welcoming embrace, replete with delightful flavors and a refreshing atmosphere.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Has free water refills
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

83 Reviews
Richard H

12 Aug 2025

Always lovely staff with a great coffee and pastry selection. We’ve visited many times for coffee but recently had a delicious sit down breakfast. I had the best French toast of my life!

Dr. Mary

07 Aug 2025

Great coffee. Relaxing ambiance and background music. Very, very nice and friendly staff (at least the 2 ladies who were there at around 8am) this Thursday. I came for breakfast (I'm staying at the hotel in the same building) around 8am. Croissant was fresh. The young lady with blonde hair who served me my coffee and croissant was very pleasant and attentive. She automatically served me a bottle of tap water at my table even without my asking. Then she came back and asked if I wanted butter or jam with my croissant. Such a kind gesture. Laptop-friendly/Smart work friendly cafe. NO, they don't accept AMEX cards

Emma Ransome

07 Jul 2025

My brother pointed this place out as his favourite cafe in Brighton, so we went in for brunch one day while I was visiting and O M G !! The cafe itself is very open and warm and cozy- I wish I took a picture to show you! Their food options were great, and at least 1/2 if not more of the menu was Veggie/Vegan, which was fantastic! I got the shakshuka + egg, a tea w/ soy milk and a banana bread and it was SO GOOD and reasonably priced too! (My picture isn't Instagram worthy, but you can see how good it looks). Shakshuka is my fave food at the minute and the chef absolutely smashed it, and the bread was to die for as well! So soft and fluffy. The banana bread was BANGING and came with chocolate on top. Which was a nice touch? The tea was also the best I've ever had in my life- idk where you guys get it but it must have fairy dust in it or something I swear! You could also get water from the end of the counter- sparkling or still, which was cool, I've never seen that before! They had 2 toilets which were lovely and clean, and had the nicest smelling hand wash and moisturiser ever- big fan. However I warn you when it comes to the cream, be sparse. I used some and I swear I was rubbing that stuff in for 15mins afterwards, could've done my legs with it too, honestly. But it smelt phenomenal so worth it Staff were lovely and so funny! I noted the area behind the counter was pretty spacious as well, which was nice to see, cause they didn't look too cramped like in other cafes. Sorry I didn't get any of your names, else I'd mention you guys here. Anyway, I'm definitely coming back here next time I'm in Brighton- I can see why it's my brothers favourite cafe here!!! Thank you!

Zofia Man

01 Jul 2025

We didn’t have high expectations for this cafe since we were staying at the adjoining hotel (Mybrighton) as part of a Virgin Experiences voucher for an overnight birthday trip to Brighton. To our surprise, brunch at the cafe was included in our stay. My husband and I are vegan and noticed there were no plant-based options on the menu. We asked if they could modify some of the dishes, like swapping eggs for mushrooms, to make them vegan-friendly. We were pleasantly surprised—the food was so delicious that we even paid our compliments to the chef. The service was excellent as well.

Maz

11 Jun 2025

I’ve been to meanwhile countless of times now. One of the best brunch spots in Brighton. They recently launched a dinner menu (which I had twice). Some of my fav dishes: American pancakes with blueberry compote, grilled octopus & confit potatoes (dinner only).

Tomás Miranda

11 Jun 2025

Stay in My Brighton, have a great time eating at Meanwhile! We went to Brighton to celebrate my birthday. We stayed at the My Brighton, where we were very well received by a person of our nationality (Portugal), who recommended the hotel's own restaurant, which had opened that week. We accepted the suggestion, and were very impressed. The concept is simple: dishes to share, with acceptable quantities in order to eat several different things. We had octopus, anchovies, chorizo, pumpkin (which was divine) and many other dishes. The staff was super friendly and attentive, which made all the communication easy. Not only is the restaurant nicely decorated, but it's also a great place to hang out with friends and chat. Thank you very much for everything!

Kebabjak

27 May 2025

Stumbled across this lovely little place wandering around Brighton after the gym and looking for breakfast. Attached to ‘My hotel’ in jubilee street this cafe has a modern relaxing vibe and soothing buzz about it. Set apart from other cafes I’ve visited in the city this place offers a unique menu, all freshly prepared with exceptional friendly and welcoming service. Perfect for a Sunday breakfast and chill out. It was also featured in an episode of itvs ‘Grace’ which is why I recognised it once I was sat enjoying my meal. Well worth a visit.

曾斯敏

26 May 2025

When I read the comments under I felt I need to say the truth. I have been using this cafe for studying over two years. The staffs here are always nice and never ask me to leave. The dishes are delicious and the price of coffee is reasonable. The environment is always clean and tidy. The comments below said bad attitude or time limitation are not true. What I witnessed is a group of people who came to the cafe with their own food and didn’t order any drinks. The staff asked them to leave, so they left negative comments under. If this cafe was truly bad, it wouldn’t have many regulars, especially Brighton has many other options. I come here because of their good service, comfortable environment and the reasonable prices of their food and drinks. I do not understand how some people can masquerade as genuine reviewers and flood an honest business establishment's page with negative comments to sink its ratings.

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