Located in the bustling North Laine area of Central Brighton, Iydea is a heavily talked about cafe that I just knew I had to visit.
I first encountered Iydea, when sat at the White Rabbit pub directly opposite one evening. At closing time, they leave cartons of the days food on their doorstep, and being the cheap student I am, of course I couldn't resist a nibble. At the time, I really thought little of the food, stating that it simply tasted of dirt. But I think this may have been due to the fact a vegetarian quiche doesn't exactly compliment cheap pints of lager.
So when my friend suggested we meet at Iydea, I let out a silent groan, as I am far too much of a carnivore to enjoy a meal entirely composed of veg and good stuff. I was in fact so very pleasantly surprised. Once I finally managed to get seats (as I said, very popular) I soon tucked into my grub and found that the whispers I so often hear from these veggie folk, that with the right spices and flavourings, vegetarian food is in fact downright delicious, are in fact true.
It's set out almost like a school dinner canteen, you start at one end of the counter, select your main, then two vegetables/salads and a topping, gradually moving down towards the till area. I chose to eat a Thai sweetcorn fritter with peanut and chilli sauce, accompanied by a warm chick pea salad and broccoli, roasted pepper and olive cold salad. I topped it off with a healthy slop of tzatziki.
I don't know if the picture does it justice, but it was genuinely one of the tastiest meals I have ever eaten. Iydea has won multiple awards recently, including The Brighton and Hove Foodie Award for best Cafe and the national Vegetarian Society best eating-out Award. I can entirely understand why it has such accolades.
Prices are fair, it was £6.30 for the meal above, but the portion size was good and they continually offered free tap water. Their drink selection looked great, boasting a full licence also.
If you're after a home-cooked, well flavoured meal that is beyond Pub Grub at a fair price, then find Iydea at 17 Kensington Gardens, Brighton.
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