Best Student Cafés in Brighton for Studying and Socialising
Published: 23/01/2026What Makes a Great Study Café (Brighton Edition)
What works will depend slightly on your personal study style, but there are a few common traits that tend to make cafés across Brighton hit the sweet spot. Here are a few things to consider when looking for the perfect student cafe in Brighton to suit your needs:
- Wi-Fi & access to power outlets - there’s nothing like a flat battery or unstable Wi-Fi to kill that flow state, so be sure to double-check these things first.
- Comfort - from seating to ample space for your laptop and study materials, comfort is key when it comes to productivity.
- Vibe - prioritise cafes with welcoming staff who don’t mind you staying a while and setting up to study. It’s worth noting that some cafes have a no laptop policy, so be sure to ask beforehand.
Quiet(ish) Spots for Deep Work
With so many study spots, Brighton offers plenty of choice, regardless of your vibe. While we can’t list them all, here are some of our favourite cafés when you need a quiet space to get some deep work done.
17 Grams, Brighton Lanes
17 Grams is home to speciality coffee, tasty food, and good vibes. Reviews mention ‘pretty good’ Wi-Fi speed, ‘relaxed vibe’, and friendly staff. The venue also has large windows, so although it’s not a vast space, it offers plenty of natural light - paired with a coffee, it’s a great spot to hunker down and get through some work.
Opening hours: 17 Grams is open 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Saturday and 9.30 am - 5 pm on Sundays.
Laptop use: Laptop users are welcome, but please respect café etiquette and adhere to the fair-use policy. 17 Grams doesn’t offer charging facilities for laptops, although you may be able to use available plug sockets at your own risk.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Student discount: 17 Grams doesn’t advertise a student discount.
Wolfox Lab, Western Road
With a dedicated space for laptops, studying, and co-working, and free Wi-Fi, WOLFOX Lab might quickly become one of your favourite hangouts. Reviews mention the cosy interior and great atmosphere. Plus, with plenty of natural light, greenery, great coffee and sweet treats, you could easily spend hours here.
Opening hours: Wolfox Lab is open 7:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm on Saturday and 8:30 am - 5 pm on Sunday.
Laptop use: Wolfox Lab has a dedicated co-working space with charging facilities.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Student discount: Wolfox Lab doesn’t advertise a student discount.
Group-Friendly Cafés for Projects
For the projects that call for group work, cosy cafés that are typically relatively quiet may not be the best choice. Thankfully, student cafés in Brighton offering a welcome space for groups aren’t hard to come by. Here are just a couple of our top picks...
Pelicano Coffee Co, Lewes Road
Pelicano Coffee Co. is often a popular choice for students thanks to lots of power sources, delicious coffee & treats. You’ll quickly see why. Reviews mention good music, spacious area, and amazing vibes, making it a solid option for group projects without stepping on anyone's toes.
Opening hours: 7:30 - 6 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am - 5 pm Saturday & Sunday.
Laptop use: Pelicano Coffee Co. is a laptop-friendly cafe with power outlets available.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Student discount: Pelicano Coffee Co. doesn’t advertise student discounts.
Alcampo Lounge, London Road
Alcampo Lounge is a relaxed cafe on London Road, often a popular choice for larger groups.
Reviews mention ‘large inviting spaces’, friendly service, good coffee, and varied food options - what more could you want for a group project? It’s also worth noting that Alcampo Lounge is open in the evening for late-night study sessions.
Opening hours: Alcampo Lounge is open 9 am - 10 pm Sunday - Thursday and 9 am - 11 pm Friday & Saturday.
Laptop use: Laptop use is permitted at Alcampo Lounge, and power outlets are available.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Student discount: Alcampo Lounge doesn’t advertise a student discount.
Late-Opening Cafés for Evening Study
Speaking of late-night study sessions, Brighton isn’t short of student cafes that open late. Here are just a few of the options you might want to check out.
Presuming Ed’s Coffee House, London Road
Described as a laid-back coffee house with a fantastic atmosphere, Presuming Ed’s may not be the first choice for deep work, but it’s a great evening spot for some reading, creative work, and group work. In fact, one review described the venue as ‘the heart of the creative community’, so if that’s your vibe, you’re sure to enjoy Presuming Ed’s.
Opening hours: Open daily from 10 am to 12 am.
Laptop use: Presuming Ed’s is a laptop-friendly venue with a dedicated workspace and charging points.
Wi-Fi: Yes
Student discount: Presuming Ed’s doesn’t advertise a student discount.
Garden Cafe Brighton, North Road
Another cafe open later than typical is the Garden Cafe. Dubbed a great spot to get some work done by several reviewers, Garden Cafe also comes highly recommended for its excellent food, inviting staff, and beautiful decor. If you’re looking for somewhere airy with plenty of greenery and sweet treats, this cafe is well worth a visit.
Opening hours: Garden Cafe is open 8 am - 8 pm.
Laptop use: Laptop use is permitted Monday - Friday, while weekends are laptop-free.
Student discount: Garden Cafe doesn’t advertise a student discount.
Budget Bites: Best Value Drinks & Student Deals
As much as we all love a good coffee, if you’re frequenting the local cafés of Brighton, it could quickly eat into your budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of great student offers available.
So, be sure to sign up for apps such as UniDays and Student Beans for discounts and freebies at larger chains. If independent cafés are more your thing, be sure to check out a Tastecard to discover local discounts.
Coffee Near Campus & Transport Links
With plenty of student cafes in Brighton, you can rest assured you’ll have lots of choice close to and on campus. On campus, you can enjoy Book & Bean café and Brighton SU Trading Post Coffee, while nearby options include Bread & Milk, Coffeetzar, Sunbird Deli and Lost in the Lanes, to name a few.
Study Etiquette (and how not to be that laptop person)
Many cafes in Brighton are independent and rely on the turnover of customers, so taking up a table for four while you nurse one coffee over 3 hours might quickly turn you into that laptop person. When studying in a café, it’s important to be considerate of the staff and other customers. Opt for a seat that doesn’t block larger tables, order something regularly if you’re staying a while and keep noise to a minimum.
If you’d prefer to study without the pressure of purchasing food & drink, opt for study rooms and common areas at your student accommodation.
How Student Castle Helps You Get Stuff Done
Student Castle is luxury student accommodation designed for both comfort and productivity. While it’s great to enjoy a change of scenery and check out local cafes for studying, you don’t need to venture out to get your work done. With ultra-fast, reliable Wi-Fi, study zones and common areas, you won’t be short of spaces to get some work done in comfort.
Quick Checklist (Wi-Fi, plugs, seating, price, hours)
For the days you do wish to venture out, here’s a quick checklist to help you along the way. When searching for a student café in Brighton, consider Wi-Fi, plugs, seating, opening hours, and, of course, prices. While you may prefer to study in a café, eating out regularly can quickly add up, so be sure to look out for any student discounts and make use of special offers where you can. Happy studying!
Settle in somewhere that supports your study routine. Explore our student accommodation in Brighton, check study spaces and resident events, and book a viewing.
