Where To Eat In East Sussex Now: 13 Restaurants Worth The Trip
From wood-fired feasts in Brighton to coastal classics in Rye, these are the best restaurants in East Sussex for seasonal, stylish dining.
East Sussex, with its rolling hills, historic towns and postcard-worthy coastline, feels like a Ravilious painting made flesh. But all that rambling along the South Downs Way builds quite the appetite – and, fortunately, the local food scene more than rises to the occasion.
The county – of which the market town of Lewes sits at the heart – is also home to a vibrant culinary scene, its local produce shining through left, right and centre. Whether you're a local, you’re flocking in your finery for Glyndebourne or, indeed, you’re coming for a day at the sun-kissed Camber coast, here are some of the county's standout dining establishments.
The very model of the British pub with rooms, The Griffin sits prettily in the postcard-perfect village of Fletching and exudes rustic charm. With its low-beamed ceilings, roaring fires, and flagstone floors, it is irresistibly cosy come winter; in the warmer months, meanwhile, its magical garden – complete with sweeping views across the South Downs – offers an idyllic setting for long, languid lunches in the sun. The menu champions local ingredients and marries comforting classics with thoughtful invention. One might begin with truffle butter popcorn, warm homemade focaccia, or mint and pea hummus, before moving on to dishes such as the signature rabbit stew or Eridge Estate venison sausages with all the trimmings. Whether you're here for a quick pint, a long supper, or a weekend escape, The Griffin gets it all just right: a shining example of proper pub perfection. Book it.
There’s a reason The Crown in Hastings has scooped a slew of prestigious accolades – among them, The Observer’s Best Place to Drink in the UK and Parliamentary Pub of the Year in 2018. The brainchild of Tess and Andrew Swan, who opened its doors in 2014, this is one of the most outstanding pubs we’ve ever had the pleasure of frequenting. The cooking is pitch-perfect: inventive yet grounded in the classics, and in an era of ever-rising costs, exceptionally good value for the quality on offer. The focus is resolutely local – ingredients come direct from nearby fishing fleets, farms, and independent producers, and it shows in every mouthful. The drinks list is equally rooted in place, with a strong line-up of Sussex wines and craft beers. Nestled at the foot of the cliffs in historic Hastings Old Town, The Crown is just moments from the seafront – and in summer, there are few finer pleasures than following supper with a stroll down to the beach to watch the boats slip in and out as the waves lap gently at the shingle. The Crown alone is reason enough to plan a trip to Hastings. Book it.
Brighton's winding Lanes thrum with life – and excellent dining opportunities. First among equals though, is Burnt Orange, a culinary hotspot that has garnered acclaim for its Mediterranean-inspired menu since it opened in 2021. Self-described as ‘neighbourhood restaurant and late-night bar’, that picture coolly underplays its sheer out-of-the-ordinary brilliance. Stellar dishes include smoked lamb shoulder cigar with Padron yogurt, and smoked miso aubergine with crispy onions and sour cream (there is an emphasis on smoked flavours here thanks to its wood-fired oven). Burnt Orange's commitment to quality and creativity has earned it a well-deserved place among Brighton's top dining destinations (others must-try destinations are its sister establishments: The Coal Shed and The Salt Room). Book it.
Back in 2010, husband and wife duo, Mark and Sarah Driver, set to work transforming a working arable farm into what would become Rathfinny Wine Estate, their express intention to produce some of the best English sparkling wines. This they have done with unerring expertise and vision, their site adhering to the ancient Roman wisdom that a vineyard should be situated three miles from the sea. And so it is that the estate runs on the same band of chalk that connects northern France and southern England, and which just so happens to be on the most exquisite slope of the South Downs in the beautiful village of Alfriston. It is this breath-robbing view of the vineyards that its restaurant overlooks, its exceptional seasonal menu presided over by chef Chris Bailey, its every dish, naturally, accompanied by award-winning wines. We can scarcely think of a more perfect spot – the view wildly enhanced by such simple and sublime dishes as grilled whole lemon sole with seaweed butter and lamb shoulder, braised butter beans and lovage aioli. Book it.
The exemplar of the English country pub, there is no more welcoming spot to gather after a long walk from Lewes across the South Downs than the Ram Inn in the pretty village of Firle, just a hope and a skip away from Charleston Farmhouse. In the shadow of Mount Caburn, it combines rustic charm with excellent seasonal cooking, with much of its meat coming from the neighbouring Firle Place estate. The menu features all the usual classic pub dishes, each one cooked to comforting perfection, while the cosy atmosphere makes you want to linger long after pudding – ideally working your way through the excellent local ale selection. The outside seating area is glorious for the summer, while winter is arguably even better, with crackling fire keeping punters’ cockles toasty warm. Book it.
Alex and Olga Polizzi are unerring when it comes to creating hotels that are both achingly chic and deeply comfortable. And so it proves once more at The Star in the historic village of Alfriston. The cosy restaurant in this pleasingly higgledy-piggledy 15th-century inn offers up a seasonal Sussex-meets-Tuscany gastronomic mash up that is as irresistible as one might expect of that combo; expect the very English likes of he braised beef, Cropwell Bishop stilton and ale pie alongside the distinctly Italian-accented hand-made ravioli, Umbrian fresh autumn black truffle butter, sage and aged parmesan. Book it.
If one medieval inn in Alfriston doesn’t feel like quite enough to fill your cup, then simply step across the road to The George Inn, whose 14th-century beams groan with dried hops and whose fires – at least through the colder months – are permanently roaring. Family run for over twenty years, this is a casual and cosy pub that just so happens to do brilliant food. Do try the sharing boards and the Fisherman’s Pie. Sheer, unadulterated comfort. Book it.
And now for something completely different. The Mirabelle, housed within Eastbourne’s The Grand Hotel, is the polar opposite to many of the establishments that make this list by dint of leaning into the ever-growing trend for more casual, as opposed to fine, dining. And whilst, broadly, we are fully on board with the receding of hushed dining rooms, dress codes and stuffy formality, it can have its place, as well as a proper sense of occasion, as evidenced by The Mirabelle. The vanishing art of food and service as spectacle is alive and well here, from the silver cloches to the elegant menu. Under the auspices of chef Alex Burtenshaw, expect the likes of Dingley Dell Pork belly and mangalitza black pudding, and sheared Shetland scallops. Traditional, yes, but in the best of ways. Book it.
There is a pleasingly elemental quality to Embers in Brighton. Everything here is cooked over an open wood fire, easily mixing the inventive with the classic. You might, for example, order a bonfire potato with jacket skins and smoky mash. On the other hand, you could plump for Bonito Tataki with ponzu, pickled radish and wasabi cream. It’s all excellent and unexpected – and you should try as much as you can, making a very strong case for ordering the Embers Feast Menu for two, which comes in at a reasonable £35 per head. Whatever you do, don’t skip the cocktails, which are exceptional. Book it.
From the team at The Gallivant in Rye comes Harry’s, whose recent makeover drew a curious Grace Dent last month for what she called ‘a startlingly good dinner.’ Relaxed yet refined is the vibe here, with an onus on Sussex-sourced seafood and seasonal produce. Do try the Waldorf Salad, which Ms Dent professed made her feel like Wallis Simpson, which is certainly a vibe, and then follow up with beautiful mussels, curry saffron and leeks. Inventive yet comforting, the coastal setting adds to the charm, making it an ideal spot for a long and leisurely lunch or dinner. Book it.
Right in the heart of Rye, The George is a historic inn that offers a menu inspired by British and European cuisine. It is the Cinque Port’s grande dame – and with good reason. The dishes don’t reinvent the wheel – rather they are crafted with locally sourced ingredients, as the menu changes seasonally to reflect the best of what the region has to offer. Think roasted Rye Bay scallops and Rye fish ‘n chips. The warm and inviting atmosphere, combined with the delicious food, makes it a perennially popular choice among locals and visitors alike. Wrenching oneself away, whether from the sun-dappled courtyard or the cosy interior, always feels like an almighty ask. Oh go on then, just one more digestif… Book it.
Opened by ex-London Evening Standard food critic Ben O’Norum and his wife Kate, Farm Yard in St Leonards is the exemplar of contemporary dining sensibilities – executed to absolute perfection. With a serious focus on sustainability, local ingredients and natural wines, the menu is inventive, the atmosphere is friendly and laidback and the food is sensational. Go go go! Book it.
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