9am: Brunch bunch

In a former bus depot, Bill’s (100 North Rd) is a cavernous yet convivial institution, founded by produce-obsessive Bill Collison. Devour the full Bill’s breakfast, starring Cumberland sausage, then pick up their house-made chutneys, jams, chocolates and fudge.

10:30am: Hit the shops

Take a stroll through North Laine quarter to find Snoopers Paradise and Abode for heavenly homewares (7 & 32 Kensington Gdns). Spice and sauce addicts can stock up at Chilli Pepper Pete (73 Trafalgar St).

11:30am: Coffee fix

Kick back with a coffee at cycling-friendly Velo Cafe (Rose Walk, The Level), which screens races from around the world. Small Batch Coffee Company (17 Jubilee St) is a favourite local roaster and cafe serving espresso, cold drip and filter.

1pm: Southern hospitality

Lunch at MEATliquor (22–23 York Pl), a clubby, pattern-clash cavern for fans of southern US fare. Enjoy burgers, fried chicken, ‘gunpowder shrimp’ and ‘hippie fries’, washed down with a whisky or a ‘brown cow’ (root beer float).

3pm: Seaside snacks

Stretch out your legs along the iconic Brighton Pier. Wander Kings Road Arches on the waterfront to build up a second hunger for old-school seafood. Try Sea Haze (207) shack for prawns, jellied eels, whelks and mussels, or Brighton Shellfish & Oyster Bar (199) for Colchester wild oysters, Leigh-on-Sea cockles and Devon crab. Opposite, Brighton Smokehouse (197) dishes up its famous hot fish soup, alongside smoked salmon sandwiches.

4pm: Time to indulge

The extravagant creations of kitsch chocolatier Choccywoccydoodah (3 Meeting House Ln) have spawned a television series. Also in the old fishermen’s lanes, tile-clad Riddle and Finns is down the way if your taste is more of the Champagne and oysters persuasion.

6pm: Wine and cheese

Ideal for preprandial sips, wine bar Ten Green Bottles (9 Jubilee St) serves wine by the glass or bottle, sporting a Sussex sparkling and boutique drops from France, Italy and Spain. Sample the cheese and charcuterie, including delicious Devon goat’s cheese and aged Dorset cheddar.

8pm: Time to dine

The Coal Shed (8 Boyces St) is a subtly chic space for dinner, serving dry-aged Scottish Highlands steaks, grilled meats and fish. Chef Michael Bremner’s 64 Degrees (53 Meeting House Ln) will suit share-plate devotees, with precision cooking you can watch from the counter. Alternatively, try vegetarian favourite Terre à Terre (71 East St), or Chilli Pickle (17 Jubilee St) for regional Indian cuisine.

10:30pm: Night cap

For a cheeky nightcap, retire to boutique Hotel du Vin (2 Ship St), which has seductive rooms, a French-style bistro, pub and courtyard for quaffing.

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