Brighton is a haven for food lovers, with its thriving café culture and creative independent bakeries offering something for every dietary need. For those following a gluten-free lifestyle, finding a café that delivers delicious, wheat-free desserts without compromising on flavour or texture is essential. Thankfully, the city is home to several exceptional spots serving gluten-free cakes, pastries, brownies, and ice creams, ensuring that no one has to miss out on a well-earned sweet treat.
The best gluten-free dessert cafés in Brighton don’t just offer a single token option—they embrace alternative flours, expert baking techniques, and high-quality ingredients to craft desserts that rival (or even surpass) their gluten-containing counterparts. Many also take extra care to prevent cross-contamination, making them a safe choice for coeliacs as well as those with a mild gluten sensitivity.
Whether you’re after a decadent chocolate brownie, a delicate French pastry, or a scoop of creamy gelato, Brighton has plenty to offer. Here are eight of the best gluten-free dessert cafés in Brighton, where indulgence is always on the menu.
1. Little Bird: 100% Gluten-Free Cakes and Bakes
Little Bird is a gluten-free paradise in the heart of Brighton, offering a menu that is completely free from wheat, gluten, and refined sugar. Everything in this charming café and bakery is baked with alternative flours, proving that gluten-free treats can be just as light, fluffy, and indulgent as traditional ones.
Their signature lemon drizzle cake, made with ground almonds and fresh citrus, delivers the perfect balance of zesty and sweet. Meanwhile, the chocolate and hazelnut brownies are rich, fudgy, and utterly irresistible. Those looking for something more delicate can enjoy their polenta cakes and coconut macaroons, both of which are naturally gluten-free.
Alongside the impressive selection of cakes and bakes, Little Bird serves organic teas, artisan coffee, and plant-based milk options, ensuring that every visitor can find something to suit their dietary needs. The café itself is cosy and welcoming, with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot to unwind with a gluten-free treat.
With its commitment to high-quality, gluten-free baking and carefully sourced ingredients, Little Bird is a must-visit for coeliacs and dessert lovers alike.
2. Jacob’s Bakery + Café: Traditional Bakes with Gluten-Free Options
At Jacob’s Bakery + Café, traditional baking meets modern dietary awareness. While not an entirely gluten-free establishment, they take great care in offering a wide selection of gluten-free cakes, pastries, and sweet treats, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their expertly crafted bakes.
The café’s gluten-free carrot cake, packed with spiced sponge, walnuts, and cream cheese frosting, is a firm favourite. Their almond and raspberry Bakewell slice is another standout, with a crisp gluten-free pastry base that holds its structure beautifully. They also serve gluten-free shortbread, brownies, and seasonal fruit tarts, giving diners plenty of options to choose from.
Jacob’s takes cross-contamination seriously, preparing their gluten-free items separately and ensuring that all staff are well-trained in allergen safety. Paired with smooth barista coffee and loose-leaf teas, their sweet selection is perfect for an afternoon treat or a casual catch-up with friends.
With its friendly service, rustic charm, and reliably excellent gluten-free bakes, Jacob’s Bakery + Café is a top contender for anyone craving a slice of something sweet in Brighton.
3. Julien Plumart: Exquisite Gluten-Free French Pâtisserie
Julien Plumart brings a taste of Paris to Brighton, serving delicate French pastries, indulgent macarons, and beautifully presented cakes. While many classic French bakes rely heavily on wheat flour, this elegant patisserie offers a fantastic selection of gluten-free options, crafted with the same precision and artistry as their traditional counterparts.
The gluten-free macaron selection is second to none, featuring flavours like salted caramel, pistachio, and raspberry-rose. Each macaron has the perfect crisp shell and chewy centre, making them a go-to treat for those avoiding gluten. For something more indulgent, their chocolate mousse cake, made with almond flour and rich ganache, provides a decadent yet refined dessert experience.
Julien Plumart is known for its impeccable presentation, high-quality ingredients, and attention to detail, ensuring that every bite is a delight. Whether you’re picking up a box of macarons to take home or sitting down for a leisurely coffee and patisserie, this café offers a luxurious gluten-free treat in a truly elegant setting.
4. Cloud 9: Gluten-Free Cupcakes and Ice Cream
For those who love playful, creative desserts, Cloud 9 is the place to be. This vibrant café specialises in gluten-free cupcakes, brownies, and ice cream, making it a great stop for families, students, and anyone with a sweet tooth.
Their gluten-free cupcakes come in a variety of flavours, from classic vanilla and chocolate fudge to more inventive options like salted caramel popcorn and peanut butter swirl. Each cake is moist, fluffy, and topped with a generous swirl of buttercream, ensuring that gluten-free diners don’t miss out on the fun.
Beyond cupcakes, Cloud 9 is famous for its handmade gelato, which includes a rotating selection of gluten-free flavours. Whether you’re after a scoop of Belgian chocolate, Sicilian lemon sorbet, or a vegan coconut-based option, there’s always something gluten-free on offer.
The café itself is bright, cheerful, and welcoming, making it a fantastic spot for a quick treat or a leisurely dessert stop. With its focus on fun, flavour, and inclusivity, Cloud 9 is an essential visit for gluten-free dessert lovers in Brighton.
5. Daisy’s Pantry Artisan Bakery: Small-Batch, Handcrafted Gluten-Free Delights
Daisy’s Pantry Artisan Bakery is a gluten-free haven, where every bake is made from scratch using carefully selected ingredients. Specialising in small-batch cakes, cookies, and pastries, this independent bakery ensures that flavour and texture are never compromised.
Their signature Victoria sponge, made with gluten-free flour and whipped vanilla cream, is a standout choice, delivering a light, fluffy crumb with just the right amount of sweetness. The chocolate hazelnut brownies are another must-try, boasting a gooey centre and crisp, caramelised edges. For something a little different, their seasonal fruit crumbles and spiced ginger loaves provide warming, nostalgic flavours that pair perfectly with a cup of tea.
Daisy’s Pantry takes allergen safety seriously, ensuring that all gluten-free bakes are prepared separately to avoid contamination. The team is well-versed in dietary needs, making it a trustworthy choice for coeliacs as well as those avoiding gluten by choice.
With its artisan feel, warm customer service, and commitment to high-quality gluten-free baking, Daisy’s Pantry is a fantastic option for anyone seeking a homemade, wholesome sweet treat in Brighton.
6. Cielo Cakery: Instagram-Worthy Gluten-Free Cupcakes and Treats
Cielo Cakery is all about bold flavours, playful designs, and indulgent sweet treats, offering a wide range of gluten-free bakes that look as good as they taste. Their menu changes regularly, but there are always gluten-free options available, with staff happy to guide diners toward safe choices.
The cupcake selection is where Cielo truly shines, featuring gluten-free versions of their most popular flavours, including red velvet, cookies and cream, and lemon meringue. Each one is generously frosted and decorated with a mix of sprinkles, edible glitter, or drizzles of caramel and ganache. Their triple-layer gluten-free chocolate cake, available by the slice, is another top pick for those wanting something extra decadent.
Beyond cakes, Cielo also serves gluten-free brownies, cookie sandwiches, and gooey marshmallow bars, ensuring that there’s something for every kind of sweet tooth. They take allergen handling seriously, and while the café isn’t fully gluten-free, they use separate baking processes for their wheat-free treats.
With its bright pastel interiors, playful atmosphere, and seriously indulgent bakes, Cielo Cakery is perfect for those looking for a fun and vibrant gluten-free dessert stop in Brighton.
7. Moksha Caffe: Laid-Back Brunch Spot with Gluten-Free Cakes
Moksha Caffe is a local favourite known for its hearty brunches and excellent coffee, but its gluten-free cake selection is what makes it stand out for those looking for a sweet treat. Offering a rotating selection of homemade cakes and traybakes, Moksha ensures that gluten-free guests always have a great option available.
The gluten-free orange and almond cake is a customer favourite, boasting a moist, dense crumb with a delicate citrus aroma. Their salted caramel brownies strike the perfect balance between sweet and rich, while their coconut and raspberry loaf provides a lighter, fruitier alternative.
Moksha’s relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal place to linger over coffee and cake, whether you’re working remotely, catching up with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet moment. The café takes gluten-free preparation seriously, and staff are happy to advise on safe choices.
With its cosy vibe, excellent coffee, and thoughtfully crafted gluten-free bakes, Moksha Caffe is a must-visit for those looking for a relaxed dessert experience in Brighton.
8. Neighbourhood Brighton: Vegan and Gluten-Free Sweet Treats
Neighbourhood Brighton combines plant-based and gluten-free baking to create some of the city’s best free-from desserts. With a menu that changes regularly, this vibrant café offers a fresh take on gluten-free indulgence, proving that dairy-free and wheat-free treats can still be utterly delicious.
Their gluten-free peanut butter blondies are a must-try, with a chewy texture and just the right amount of sweetness. The chocolate tahini brownies bring a rich, nutty depth, while their vegan-gluten-free carrot cake, topped with a cashew-based frosting, is silky, spiced, and deeply satisfying.
Neighbourhood prides itself on using organic, whole-food ingredients, ensuring that their desserts are as wholesome as they are indulgent. The café’s interior is bright, modern, and welcoming, making it a great spot to grab a coffee and treat without worrying about allergens.
For those looking for a gluten-free dessert café with a modern, health-conscious twist, Neighbourhood Brighton is a brilliant choice.
Best Gluten-Free Dessert Cafés in Brighton: A Sweet Ending for Everyone
Brighton’s flourishing food scene offers a wealth of options for gluten-free dessert lovers, with cafés and bakeries that take flavour and texture just as seriously as allergen safety. Whether you’re craving a slice of cake, a scoop of gelato, or a beautifully crafted pastry, the city’s independent dessert cafés ensure that no one has to miss out on an indulgent treat.
For those looking for a 100% gluten-free experience, Little Bird and Daisy’s Pantry deliver handmade, wheat-free bakes crafted with care. If you’re in search of artfully presented pastries, Julien Plumart offers some of the finest gluten-free French patisserie in Brighton. Meanwhile, Cielo Cakery and Cloud 9 bring fun, vibrant, and Instagram-worthy desserts that prove gluten-free baking can be just as exciting as traditional treats.
Those in need of a relaxed café setting will find plenty of options at Moksha Caffe and Jacob’s Bakery + Café, both of which provide cosy atmospheres alongside their gluten-free bakes. And for those who want a more health-conscious approach, Neighbourhood Brighton delivers free-from desserts with organic ingredients and plant-based twists.
With so many gluten-free-friendly cafés across Brighton, indulging in decadent desserts, artisan bakes, and sweet treats has never been easier. Whether you’re a coeliac, gluten-sensitive, or just looking to explore wheat-free options, these top dessert spots ensure that every bite is as delightful as it should be.
