Brighton Bonanza
LOAM
111 Gloucester Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4AF, United Kingdom
One of Brightons hidden gems…
Nestled in the heart of Brighton’s famous Lanes, Loam well and truly produces some blooming good, fresh and darn tasty cinnamon buns. I am not lying to you when I say the cinnamon bun is one of the best. Lucky I lived in Brighton for nearly 3 years so, could keep going back for more – if they hadn’t sold out of course.
Where is Loam?
Loam is situated just to the side of the North Lanes where they have a singular bench to sit outside on, on a sunny day and a small amount of inside seating. It’s salmony pink coloured building compliments its gorgeous boho interior design, making it feel very quaint, clean and leads you to sit for hours letting time pass by all whist inhaling the coffee fumes.
The notorious bun
The bun is warm, soft, gooey and caked in the perfect amount of cinnamon spice. The cinnamon has a lot more of a sticky texture to it, not so much that it sticks to the roof of your mouth but it certainly provides more of a chew compared to other buns. Overall I would say Loam has nailed the consistency of their bun dough down to a tee but then there is the buttercream – unlike other places, Loam offers their buttercream on the side to let you indulge at your own pace. With every dollop the cream adds a silky, velvety richness that enhances every bite, making the experiences wonderfully decadent. Not going to lie, you’ll just want to slather the whole side dish on top of the bun to waste no time, like I do (refer to the pictures).
As you can imagine a place with a notorious reputation for having banging buns:
1. Incises a crowd (full cafe with limited seats)
2. Sell out fast
2. Come at a price. £££
One of the owners and apparently the only person to know of their “top-secret” recipe – I believe doesn’t work on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. So, for the rest of the week, around 20 are made per day, but are almost always sold out by midday. More often than not I found that the buns had sold out by the time I promptly arrived at the café, so if you’re in Brighton have a go at catching this gold dust.
Texture 10/10
Taste 10/10
Appearance 9/10
Overall 9/10
I would have this again!
Brighton
What is there to do in Brighton?
Brighton’s the perfect mix of seaside fun, quirky culture, and creativity, and it’s just over an hour by train from London—so super easy for a day trip or weekend away.
One of my favourite things to do was wake up early for a quieter and much more peaceful stroll along Brighton Beach. You’ll find the famous Brighton Pier, packed with classic arcade games, food stalls, and rides with great views of the coastline. If you’re after a less busy beach walk during midday I would suggest heading over to Hove and check out the colourful beach huts for a picture-perfect spot and one of my favourite restaurants … “OEUF“
The Lanes are a must-see: they’re narrow, winding streets full of indie shops, vintage boutiques, and cute cafés, ideal for anyone who loves a bit of browsing. North Laine is another shopping gem with loads of unique stores and vibrant street art. The Royal Pavilion is a total surprise, with its exotic architecture and rooms that feel more like a palace in India than on the British coast. I would again recommend getting to these places earlier in the day to avoid the crowds and provide a much more enjoyable experience, unless you love walking 1mile and hour and being squished.
For a bit of nature, head up to the South Downs for hikes and views over the city, or take a quick trip to Devil’s Dyke for one of the best views in the area. I have done these walks both in the summer and winter and can happily say its beautiful no matter what the weather. A real escape from the extremely busy city. Whether you’re in the mood for beach days (Its a stone beach I must add!!!), boutique shopping, or a taste of local music/wannabe musicians, Brighton’s got loads to offer!
Brighton’s food scene has something for everyone, and I mean everyone. From the classic pub grub, fish and chips by the sea (vegan fish and chip options too), plant-based bites at vegan cafés, or a taste of global street food, I think Brighton has some of the best restaurants and cafes the UK has to offer. There are even rooftop bars where you can catch sunset views with a drink that was the price of your mortgage in hand, as well as fine dining restaurants. The beauty of Brighton is that its not a ginormous city, so everything is a walk, bus or bike ride away. Although I am a bed by 9pm type of person – when it comes to nightlife, Brighton doesn’t disappoint—there’s ALWAYS something going on, be it live music, a creative arts evening, bustling pubs, and clubs Brighton doesn’t really sleep (especially on weekends when everyone and their nan has a stag/hen going on).
