Climping Restaurant Guide

This seemingly medieval venue actually first saw the light in 1927, when it was designed by antiquarian and architect Amyas Phillips for a member of the Guinness brewing clan. Feedback on the tapestry-hung dining room was limited and slightly up-and-down this year (mostly about the fact that they are “sadly no longer doing £15 weekday lunches”), but all agree on the “impressive” setting – a 30-acre plot hosting a hotel, spa and 39 bedrooms set in cottages and houses leading down to the Climping coast.

In a “great situation on the beach” and in an even greater, Heatherwick Studio-designed building – comprising long, undulating ribbons of raw steel that are akin to driftwood – this is “more of a hybrid” than your standard seaside caff: whether you want a snack or a three-course meal, “the menu always has something for everyone, with delicious fish dishes” a feature.

“Slightly hidden away from the main shopping drag in Arundel”, this “calming, understated yet stylish” indie (est. 2015) inspires a large amount of highly positive feedback in our annual diners’ poll. Chef Lee Parsons is behind the “enjoyable, original and delectable” bistro-style cooking (noted for particularly “exceptional fish cookery” and a “great-value set lunch”), while “lovely” FOH wife Liz – whom he met while the duo were working at Claridge’s decades back – “really looks after you” too.

“A favourite Pig in the litter to date, thanks to the splendid view across the lawn, the vineyard and across the South Downs” from “a conservatory dining room laid out with an eclectic mix of tables and chairs, likewise the crockery (must be a nightmare stacking the cupboards!)”. “Like all the Pigs, it has a good buzz” and “friendly and helpful staff” are also noted in feedback. “The food’s not complicated, allowing local sourced produce to shine”.

As it heads into third decade, Viv Casson’s “slightly dated but cosy” restaurant (rustic, with exposed brick and many a beam) has long been known in these parts for its “lovely food and service”, which extends to regular themed dinners, including eight- or nine-course tasting menu nights.

“When you walk through the portcullis into the castle it’s like entering another world” at this luxury hotel, which sits in “well-manicured grounds” and looks straight out of a Disney movie. The dining room itself is “situated upstairs” in a modestly sized barrel-vaulted space. Not everyone is wowed by the straightforward modern British cuisine but even doubters say the surroundings “make up for it”.

A “brilliant, family-run, beachside fish restaurant” (“crowded” and a bit rustic) that was launched in 2015, and whose tented terrace spills onto the seafront promenade. There’s a “short menu, but with sufficient variety and choice” and “good simple seafood” (that’s “always good value”) is the order of the day, with the headline crustacean making several cameos.

This “charming, small and very English hotel” has “well-kept, comfortable sitting and dining rooms” and “makes a nice place to take aged relatives” if you’re keen on silver service. Visitors can choose between the modern British (with the odd Thai touch) Sea School restaurant or more casual brasserie offering “surprisingly good” prix-fixe menus. Chef Neil Hiskey, who oversees both venues, has been at the Millstream since way back in 2001, besides taking care of the food at the Millstream-owned Shoreside Café and Pop-in coffee shop, both also in Bosham.

“You can enjoy many hours relaxing before, during and after a wonderful meal”, say fans of this characterful venue attractively located in the heart of this cute small town. The upscale bistro/brasserie menu is sensibly priced and every week they mix it up with a small-plates menu on ‘Tapas Thursdays’.

“Given the number of great country pubs within 20 minutes of Chichester, Horse Guards stands out for the quality and originality of the kitchen” (which delivers a short seasonal menu strong on local produce) but the setting is also “exceptional” – being a “stylishly rustic” 350-year-old pub with a clutch of rooms on the fringe of the Petworth estate (and with a “lovely peaceful garden” to take in the scenery).

“Superb, proper Indian food” that’s “remarkable value for money” has made the name of this red-brick subcontinental, “handy for the Witterings and Chichester”. The venue, a converted pub, was launched by couple Mayank and Nita Gupta (orthopaedic surgeon and dental surgeon respectively) as a riposte to inauthentic British curry houses, and offers a wide programme of events ranging from Elvis tribute nights with ‘curated’ curries, to regular demonstrations of home cooking; there were also several shout-outs this year for the “reliably excellent friendly service”.

“Fresh produce gets to shine” at Nick Sutherland’s boutique hotel restaurant in the heart of Chichester, which has retained the name of a well-known wine merchant that previously occupied the Georgian premises. It’s “busy but not manic – leisurely dining seems to be the aim”, and it’s also useful as a pre-theatre option.

Near Chichester and looking for a quintessential pub in a picturesque location? This waterside tavern just a short drive outside the city fits the bill. Book in advance, though, as cars are often parked down the lane to get in. The menu leans towards fish and seafood and is consistently well-rated.

Good early reports on this former village pub in the South Downs National Park, which is now a restaurant-with-rooms featuring an eight-course tasting menu plus à la carte dining from former private chef Grant Jones, who trained at Le Gavroche. Game from the surrounding countryside and fresh fish landed at Chichester Harbour are staples of a kitchen that’s well-rated all-round: “an elegantly refurbished conservatory, with a well-balanced menu, all very well executed and efficiently and pleasantly served. Not cheap, but this pub is a cut above the average and worth a visit”.