From the outside, it could be a warehouse but behind the door lies a fresh food utopia, overflowing with tasty treats and tantalizing smells.

Down-to-earth, honest and unpretentious, this is a produce store, a food hall and a stylish restaurant all rolled into one, and the Brighton branch has proved just as popular as its Lewes-based elder sibling, winning best newcomer in the 2006 Observer Food Awards.

You can buy an enormous range of produce, including fresh and organic fruit and vegetables, as well as preserves, cold meats and cheeses, which are both locally produced and sourced from more exotic, far-flung locations.

In among the staggeringly wellstocked shelves is a highly unusual cafe, which offers a unique chance to eat your meal, surrounded by a colourful display of the ingredients comprising it. Extravagant cakes, which look more like works of art, are made on site, as are beautiful breads, quiches and pies.

There’s comfort food to take you back to a time when things were more simple, including boiled eggs and soldiers, or fish finger sandwiches, and there are also traditional dishes with a twist, such as eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, or Cheddar buck rarebit with ham.

The daily specials board is an epicurean delight for any food fan. Depending on the season and availability, you can tuck into such treats as prosciutto, fig, pine nut, spinach, pesto and mozzarella pizza; goats’ cheese, spinach and sun blushed tomato tartlet; peppered steak sandwich on house-made focaccia with honey roast vegetables, aubergine pickle and herb leaf salad; and Jerusalem artichoke, oyster mushroom, pea, spring onion, tarragon and Parmesan cheese quiche.

For those with a sweet tooth, there’s home-made muesli with yoghurt, fruit, nuts and honey, and buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and fruit salad.

There is also an alluring choice of made-to-order fruit juices, smoothies, milkshakes, coffees and teas. And there can be no better accompaniment to a Sunday breakfast than a Bucks Fizz or Bloody Mary.

■ Bill’s is open Monday to Saturday from 8am until 8pm, with evening dining from 5pm, and Sundays 10am until 4pm. Wrap up warm, however, as the place can get chilly during the winter months.