East Sussex Restaurant Guide

“An absolute stalwart gem, with many years serving Brighton” – the Gingerman group’s flagship is turning twenty this year and this small, unpretentious dining room near the seafront is still a big favourite with locals and out-of-towners alike. The only drawback is that the room is “rather cramped” – the “concept-free” food is “terrific” and the “friendly, knowledgeable and diligent” service particularly stands out.

“One of a number of restaurants bringing new energy into the Brighton restaurant scene in recent years” – this former fishmonger’s (“a tiny restaurant, where Duncan Ray operates in a very basic kitchen”) delivers “an incredible all-round dining experience” wherein “fabulous fish” from the tasting menu is “matched with wine and exceptional service from front of house Rob”.

On the seafront, the smart dining room of this Kemptown boutique hotel continues to please – fans say “if it weren’t in the basement it would be up there with Gingerman”. In the meantime, a visit to the upstairs cocktail bar will provide the requisite views.

2014 Review: You won’t find a setting much more “historic” than this old smugglers’ inn (which has quite a grand dining room); the food has always seemed a bit incidental, but most recent reports have been very positive; “good ales” too.

“In the middle of nowhere” – sat nav will be a necessary evil – Bruce Wass’s “cracking”, “charmingly located” gastropub continues to impress with its “lack of pretense” and “excellent” cooking (not to mention its superior outdoor playground).

2014 Review: Befitting the name, the owners of this “excellent gastropub” serve “foraged food they collect themselves”, plus locally-sourced meat and fish, creating dishes that are “very different from standard restaurant fare”.