Weekends these days for me are full of children’s birthday parties, ballet lessons and football training. I long for lengthy brunches, trying exciting new spots or visiting old favourites. Finding a babysitter for dinner dates with my husband is often a tricky task, so we steal pockets of time when we can, and we’ve found that scheduling day-dates around work while the kids are at school works really well. We love a good brunch, so I was really excited to try Meo Brighton, a lovely little oasis of calm on busy St. James’ Street in the heart of Kemptown.
A Warm and Welcoming Escape
We visited on a cold Monday at the beginning of February. Surviving January felt like a cause to celebrate. The café is warm and welcoming, with an authentic Mediterranean feel. We were greeted by the waft of freshly baked pastries and cheesecakes, which immediately excited me, as cheesecake is one of the great loves of my life, and these ones looked amazing.
Inside, it is cosy and unpretentious – the kind of place where you can happily sit tucked away in a corner working on your laptop or enjoy a catch-up with friends.
What You’ll Love
- Cheesecakes made fresh on site – rich Basque beauties you can enjoy by the slice or take home whole.
- Mediterranean brunch with flair – brisket-topped eggs, pistachio pancakes and classic favourites done right.
- Lattes worth lingering over – from Spanish Latte to Bailey’s Mocha and winter spice specials.
- A calm Kemptown escape – warm, cosy and perfect for working, catching up or stealing a weekday date.
- Sweet-and-savoury perfection – fluffy pancakes piled high with berries and crispy streaky bacon.
A Latte Lover’s Dream
The drinks menu alone was enough to lift the spirits. Winter comfort in cup form with a Bailey’s Mocha, and a range of lovely lattes – Gingerbread, Turmeric, Pumpkin Spice, and my choice, a sweet Spanish Latte, rich and creamy, sweetened with condensed milk. I’m known to have multiple drinks on the go, so I added a Very Berry Smoothie with blackberry, strawberry, raspberry and apple, which hit the spot perfectly.
A Moreish Menu
On the menu, there is a selection of classic brunch offerings as well as Mediterranean breakfast and brunch specials. I must admit, it was very difficult to choose because it all sounded delicious. A classic Full English, Avocado on Sourdough, Eggs Benedict… these are all dishes that I love, and the Pistachio Pancake sounded incredible, topped with pistachio crème, chopped pistachios, fresh bananas and berries, with a dollop of citrus mascarpone.
Yum. However, as I was craving sweet and salty, I opted for the Classic Pancake – and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The pancakes were perfectly light and fluffy, piled high with fresh, tangy berries, heaps of crispy and salty streaky bacon and drizzled with the perfect amount of sweet syrup. My husband tried the Eggs with Beef Brisket from the regularly updated Mediterranean brunch specials. The beef brisket was tender and slow-cooked, served on crunchy sourdough toast with perfectly cooked eggs and rich, runny yolks, finished with grated Manchego, pickled red onion and sweet drop peppers.
The Perfect Finish
We couldn’t leave without trying the Basque cheesecake (one of my absolute favourites), and I’m so happy that we did. The cheesecakes are made fresh on site: rich, creamy and deliciously moreish. It was the kind of brunch that felt like both a treat and a tonic. A perfect antidote to the miserable, dreary February weather and the best place for our day-date. I’m already planning my next visit.
