Ed Roberts & Elianne Reed
01 March 2020
We believe the best thing about being on holiday is discovering new places to eat, and where better than those recommended by locals? From hearty breakfasts in undiscovered fishermen's cafes to contemporary vegan brunches, elegant lunches and fine dining at the most sophisticated venues, you will be sure to find the perfect place to eat out.
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Book a stay at one of our relaxing holiday cottages in Sussex. For the budding chefs among you, we have properties with impressive kitchens for you to experiment in the delicious arts. If you are planning a holiday as a couple or with family and friends, check out our range of superb properties, large and small.
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This little restaurant may be tucked away in the back streets of St. Leonards but it is widely known as the place to go. Opened by chef patron Nick Hales in 2007, the seasonal menus of the restaurant are sourced locally with rare-breed farms and non-intensive dairies providing excellent produce.
Our tips:
- Try the freshly caught Dover sole and sea bass
- Be sure to visit if you are staying at our Hastings cottages
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Arty with a laid-back vibe, the Rocksalt doesn’t accept table reservations – it's just the sort of place you pitch up at. The two-storey venue has a brasserie feel upstairs and cosy booth seating downstairs with a great young team. It’s also a live music venue welcoming lots of local talent, so it's brilliant if you like a bit of something in the background as you eat.
Our tips:
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This little delight nestled in the cobbled streets of Rye is fast becoming the place to go. Serving simple wholesome food, it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. Famous for its healthy brunches and lunches, everything is presented beautifully and tastes excellent to boot.
Our tips:
- Sample the Monmouth coffee, roasted in the UK and delivered to the café within 24 hours. Sourced directly from the farmers, it's truly Fairtrade!
- Head there if you are staying in our Rye cottages for a tasty treat.
This understated, elegantly decorated seaside restaurant offers excellent service and a great ambience. Its aim is to deliver uncomplicated, full-flavour food made with the highest quality seasonal produce. It's not only a favourite of locals, but also for those in the know who come from miles around to visit The Gingerman and its sister restaurants, the Ginger Fox, the Ginger Pig and the Ginger Dog.
Our tips:
- Try our favourite sweet treat on the menu: cinnamon crème brulee with banana sorbet and honeycomb
- It's the perfect place to stop into on a day trip to Brighton from our Lewes cottages
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This grandiose Elizabethan manor house is home to one of our much-loved Michelin-starred restaurants. Surrounded by miles of countryside, its elegant drawing room with roaring open fire invites you in to dine on a cold winter's evening. In more clement weather, eat outside on the smart terrace where you can drink in the spectacular scenery of Cuckfield Park.
Our tips:
- Try the caramelised lemon tart with blackcurrant sorbet
- Head there if you are staying in our cottages in Uckfield
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It may not be a gourmet restaurant or the place for a half-shot toffee skinny latte, but if you want the best all-day breakfast in the area then head to this little harbour café for a hearty fry-up. Used by its neighbours, the RNLI, after a particularly harsh night shift or to get an energy boost before heading back out to sea, it's the best place for old-style cafe culture. Right in the middle of the harbour, it is perfect before a brisk beach walk to Winchelsea Beach or a stroll with the pooch at the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. As it's so busy, you may have to wait - but it’s well worth it.
Our tips:
- Enjoy a hearty breakfast with the cafe's breakfast bap – sausages, bacon, tomatoes, hash brown and eggs all in a buttery white bap
- It's the perfect place to start your day in if you are staying in our Rye Harbour holiday cottages
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Beautifully presented dishes with a modern flavour, the ingredients used at Michelin-starred Restaurant Tristan are of the highest quality. Friendly service and a laid-back relaxed vibe make this 16th-century building, with high traditional oak beams and contemporary styling, well worth a visit. Try the excellent six or eight-course tasting menus if you are going with a group.
Our tips:
- Don't miss the home smoked salmon, beetroot and goat’s curd.
- Enjoy a stay at our nearby cottages in West Sussex for the ultimate indulgent getaway
Come and stay in Sussex and dine out at some of these inspiring eateries up and down the county. Take a look at our cottages in Sussex today to start planning your foodie getaway.
Browse our Sussex cottages
For even more culinary inspiration, read about even more adventures with our guide to the vineyards of Sussex.
Discover Sussex's vineyards
** Please remember that restaurant menus are seasonal and constantly changing so our recommendations may not be available. Please call the establishments beforehand to check availability.
Photo credits:
Pic 1 @ reaganomixcomic
Pic 2 @ dissideup
Pic 3 @ rogerisgreat203
Pic 4 @ nospaceformynameson
Pic 5 @ foodislove444
Pic 6 @ twotoomanyuk
Pic 8 @ persistantjon
Pic 9 @ frenchclotheshorse
Pic 10 @ foodgroups1980
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.