Royale Brothers

The Pantry might be one of the most enduring cafes in Brighton, but its owners – Daniel Vaughan, Guy Mainwaring and Tim Purton-Smith – were fresh out of space when they decided to start selling burgers 20 years in. Their solution was both novel and counterintuitive: open a tiny hole in the side wall, and seat everyone outside. The gamble paid off. Rain or shine, the set up consistently attracts residents from Brighton and beyond, because the burgers are just that good.

Fans of Pulp Fiction might have trouble moving beyond the classic Royale With Cheese, but for everyone else, there's plenty of choice. The Bacon Royale, for example, or the Spicy Royale with jalapenos. Orders are placed at the register, then collected after a flashing token notifies you they're ready. The truly hungry will appreciate the double- and triple-stack combos. If beef isn’t your thing, there are patties made from chicken, pulled pork, crispy fish or pinto beans. But whatever your choice, Royale Brothers’ delicate milk buns and careful proportions are serious contenders for some of the best in town. There’s almost no need to look into the slushies, thickshakes and fries also listed on the menu, but you probably will anyway.