Eat & Drink

Good country pub with a nice beer garden in a charming village. A reliable local for a quiet pint.

Newly refurbished pub taken over by an experienced local restaurateur. Classic pub food with an Italian twist.

Lovely country pub with live music and great food. Front and back beer gardens — perfect in summer.

Voted one of the best beach cafés in Europe. Great food, cocktails, and colourful beach vibes right on the seafront.

Trendy café in St Leonards' famous Bottle Alley. Amazing cinnamon buns, beach tunes, and great coffee.

Freshly baked bagels with creative fillings. The Full Monty with hot honey is a must-try.

Great salads, soups and sweet treats. Nice for a brunch or a healthy lunch in a relaxed setting.

A natural wine bar and bistro with a seasonal, produce-led menu. Relaxed, dogs welcome, and one of the most talked-about spots on the St Leonards dining scene.

Rooftop pizza restaurant at the top of the iconic Observer Building. Unbeatable views across Hastings and the coast.

Cosy indoor food market with rotating pop-ups, a bar, and a fish restaurant. Always something interesting to discover.

Upscale, trendy restaurant with strong Shoreditch vibes. Considered and creative cooking in a stylish setting.

Fantastic Sri Lankan food in a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant. Packed with flavour and well worth seeking out.

Intimate restaurant serving incredible Middle Eastern cuisine. One of the hidden gems of the St Leonards food scene.

Very authentic Italian restaurant on the seafront. A local favourite for pasta, pizza, and great hospitality.

Intimate fine dining from Jack Lury, who previously worked at Galvins and Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. Listed in the Michelin Guide.

Fantastic gastro pub in Hastings Old Town. Great menu and excellent craft beer selection. Popular — book ahead.

Very charming pub in the Old Town with great, well-priced food. The lunch menu is particularly good value.

Voted one of the best fish and chip shops in the country. It gets busy, so book ahead or expect a wait — worth it.

Bread baked on site, bacon cured in-house, and coffee from Rye Bay Coffee. A genuinely lovely independent café.

A freehouse in the pretty coastal village of Fairlight with a seasonal menu and regular live folk and blues nights.

Great food, snug interior, and a large veranda overlooking the pool. Highly recommend the scotch egg starter and the fish and chips.

Varied menu served in a chic orangery. Part of the Powdermills Hotel — a lovely setting for a more formal dinner.

Quite possibly the best cheese scones you will ever taste. A wonderful café in a historic orangery on the grounds of an old stately home.

High-end pub with an amazing view and a seriously good Sunday roast. A cut above the average country pub.

Great for lunch with lovely cakes and cookies. Incredible views over the Tillingham valley. Regular seasonal events — fruit picking, duck hunt at Easter, pumpkin picking in autumn.

Famous for its legendary all-day breakfast and perfectly placed next to Bodiam Castle — ideal for a post-walk refuel.

A beautiful Scandinavian-style boathouse café on the River Rother, with views of the Bodiam steam train. Boat hire available.

Trendy organic vineyard with an upscale restaurant and outdoor pizza kitchen in summer. You can also stay overnight.

Rated one of the best pubs in the region. Great Sunday roast with views towards the sea.

Part of a boutique hotel on the Rye high street. Nice décor and satisfying pub-style food in elegant surroundings.

All-day café and bakery in a beautiful heritage building in Rye town centre. Fresh coffee, baked goods, and a calm atmosphere.

A Michelin-recognised restaurant on East Street with limited covers. Book well ahead — it fills up fast and for good reason.

A classic Rye inn with a no-reservations policy — first come, first served. Atmospheric, well-priced, and popular with locals.

Recently refurbished café in an award-winning farm shop. Great for a proper breakfast or lunch with excellent local produce.

18th-century freehouse with Harvey's ales on tap. Food sourced from their own kitchen garden, with a lovely covered pergola for outdoor dining.

Part of the Elite Pub group. A great family pub with an interesting menu, good kids menu, and a play area in the garden.

Fine dining tasting menu that's not remotely pretentious — generous portions, hyperlocal ingredients, and a Green Michelin Star. In our opinion, the best restaurant in Sussex. We can't recommend it highly enough.