Iydea Vegetarian Canteen

You'll find yourself on Kensington Gardens, in that sweet spot between Hanbury and the seafront where Brighton gets a bit quieter and more residential. Iydea's the kind of place where vegetarians actually want to eat—not because they have to, but because the food's genuinely excellent. The menu shifts with the seasons, but expect substantial plates with proper technique: think roasted veg that tastes like something rather than an afterthought, curries with actual depth, and bakes that justify the queue at lunchtime. It's unpretentious, busy without being frantic, and the sort of neighbourhood spot that regulars are weirdly protective of.