Preston Park Deli

Preston Park Delicatessen is a short bus ride or long walk out of central Brighton, but worth it for the foodies among us. If you live in Preston Park and haven’t yet discovered it, it could well become your weekend treat as it became mine. It comprises a well stocked deli counter, organic dry goods shop and organic butcher. The butcher himself, aside from being the only vegetarian butcher I’ve ever heard of, is friendly, approachable and willing to discuss your culinary intentions. As a former vegetarian still fairly shy of cooking meat, he was an invaluable fount of information, particularly on which cuts to try, which I found a complete minefield at first. The deli also stocks a good variety of other organic goodies and allergy aware foods such as gluten free pasta. Their takeaway coffee is inexpensive and lovely and their almond croissants taste deliciously home-​made, making the perfect Sunday morning treat to take over to the park. It’s worth avoiding school lunch hour though, as it’s understandably a popular choice with the pupils of Dorothy Stringer and gets absolutely packed out from 12.30 — 2pm. Catering to this rush of lunchtime business, they have introduced a small hot lunch menu which they do really well — organic burgers and pizza slices etc. If you brave the school rush, you too can gorge on junk food with a halo. Altogether, it’s worth a visit, perhaps as an accessory to a day in Preston Park — it’s a more enticing choice than fighting through the hordes at the café in the centre.