Hardens Guide to the Best Restaurants in East Sussex
Hardens guides have spent 15 years compiling reviews of the best East Sussex restaurants. On Hardens.com you'll find details and reviews of 253 restaurants in East Sussex and our unique survey based approach to rating and reviewing East Sussex restaurants gives you the best insight into the top restaurants in every area and of every type of cuisine.
Featured East Sussex Restaurants
1. The Coal Shed
Steaks & grills restaurant in Brighton
8 Boyces St - BN1
“Top meat on the south coast”, say fans of Dave Mothersill’s original industrial-style grill operation (now with an offshoot in London as well as a fish-specialist sibling in Brighton), praised for its “superb steaks and burgers”, plus “wonderful cocktails”.
2. The Gallivant
British, Modern restaurant in Camber
New Lydd Rd - TN31
Reporters this year “loved the whole vibe about this place” – a former 1960s motel, set back from the dunes, turned hip nautical-themed B&B. The bistro’s hyper locally sourced food is mirrored by an impressively long English wine list.
3. Gingerman
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
21a Norfolk Sq - BN1
“This tiny stalwart” just up from the sea front is “always popular and deservedly so”. “Cosy but not stuffy, it has a lovely atmosphere and booking is a must” given the allure of its consistently “imaginative and skilful” cuisine. It’s been “a fixture of the local food scene” for 20 years, with founders Ben and Pamela McKellar opening a series of spin-off Gingers – Dog, Pig and Fox. Scheduled to open soon are Flint House tapas in the Lanes and Ginger Fish in the new Soho House Brighton.
4. Little Fish Market
Fish & seafood restaurant in Brighton
10 Upper Market St - BN3
“Fish so fresh that it’s almost swimming onto the plate is treated with the utmost care, and served in beautiful combinations that show it off to its best advantage” at Duncan Ray’s “intimate” 20-cover venue – “one to seek out in Hove”. “First class service” too (“couldn’t have been more helpful and flexible with my various food likes/dislikes and the end result was excellent”). “If this place was in London, you’d never get a table (as it is, it’s tough!)”
5. Etch
British, Modern restaurant in Hove
216 Church Rd - BN3
“Right at the top of the vibrant Brighton food scene”, chef Steven Edwards is now earning high acclaim for the tasting menus at his debut venture in Hove. “On our second visit, six courses had grown to eight for the same price – and all were very good”. A former Masterchef: The Professionals winner, Edwards showcases local Sussex produce – “it’s always good to hear him explain the details of the food”.
6. Terre à Terre
Vegetarian restaurant in Brighton
71 East St - BN1
This “iconic vegetarian”, founded 25 years ago, is “still the best veggie restaurant in the country” – its “extraordinary”, “original and inventive” global-fusion cooking being “worth a special trip to Brighton”, even for omnivores. Top Tip: “afternoon tea of savoury buns, muffins, sweet cakes and scones – all stunningly presented and described in extravagant tongue-in-cheek detail – tastes as good as it looks!”
7. Jolly Sportsman
British, Modern restaurant in East Chiltington
Chapel Ln - BN7
“A favourite for a spot of lunch at the weekend” if you don’t mind the schlep, Bruce Wass’s off-the-beaten-track, humble-looking gastroboozer has notably “strong cooking” and “great service for a pub”.
8. 64 Degrees
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
53 Meeting House Lane - BN1
“It’s great sitting at the pass watching the chefs” at (Great British Menu 2017 winner) Michael Bremner’s compact small-plates restaurant with open kitchen, which fans feel is “Brighton’s most adventurous restaurant by quite some way”. “Great combinations in sharing plate form are often classic (e.g. fettuccini with egg yolk and truffle) but the flavours are always amazing”.
9. Drakes of Brighton
British, Modern restaurant in Brighton
43 - 44 Marine Parade - BN2
“For years this was Brighton’s standout special occasion venue”, and although this Kemptown boutique hotel has more rivals nowadays, it’s “still absolutely brilliant”…“just think how lovely it would be if it weren’t in a basement!”
10. The Curlew
British, Modern restaurant in Bodiam
Junction Rd - TN32
Since a change of team, this remote coaching inn “has raised its game” winning only positive feedback this year for its “innovative menu with local ingredients”: fans say it’s “back to Michelin star standards”.
View full listings of 253 East Sussex Restaurants
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Top East Sussex Restaurants
These are the top restaurants in East Sussex based on reviews by Hardens users.
Gingerman
The Wild Mushroom
Indian Summer
Drakes of Brighton
Riddle & Finns
Landgate Bistro
The Chilli Pickle
Basketmakers Arms
Popular Cuisines in East Sussex