Restaurant Brighton's

Sussex Restaurant Guide

Our top picks

Sussex is fast becoming famous for its award winning sparkling wine. Visiting a Sussex vineyard is a great afternoon out where you’ll combine a little education with spectacular scenery and award winning Sussex wines. Albourne Estate’s Tasting Room is open on weekends from April to October from 11-5pm. There’s no need to book, you can simply drop in and sample a flight or share a bottle of wine over local charcuterie while basking in the views over the vineyard and South Downs.

Map for Albourne Estate
Albourne Farm, Shaves Wood Lane, Albourne, West Sussex, BN6 9DX
Find out more about Albourne Estate

Discover the excellence of The Cider Tap in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Sample their cider experience by delving into the epic array of house, local, internationally celebrated and cult ciders. Feast on delicious food from The Syndicate Kitchen and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the great British countryside. The Cider Tap champions quality, sustainability and excellence. These qualities are infused throughout the restaurant’s offering, through to impeccable hospitality and service. Opening times vary according to season, so you can keep up to date with those here. 

Map for The Cider Tap Sussex
Old Mill Fruit Farm, Cowfold Road, Bolney, West Sussex, RH17 5SE
Find out more about The Cider Tap Sussex

The Fig Tree in Hurstpierpoint is a Sussex restaurant, located just 15 minutes away from Brighton. Situated in the charming village, this family run restaurant provides a memorable and elegant dining experience. From its warm and inviting ambiance to its thoughtfully crafted selection of menus (including a six course tasting menu). With a focus on seasonal and local produce, their dishes showcase culinary creativity and expertise. Immerse yourself in a delightful culinary journey and discover the charm of The Fig Tree in Hurstpierpoint. Open at lunchtimes (Thursday to Saturday) with two and three course menu options. Seating for up to 38 guests. Ideal for private celebrations and parties. Vegetarian tasting menus available.

Map for The Fig Tree, Hurstpierpoint
120 High St, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks BN6 9PX
Find out more about The Fig Tree, Hurstpierpoint

Morleys Bistro is a comfortable, relaxed and inclusive restaurant that is nestled in the heart of the historic village of Hurstpierpoint. This Sussex restaurant dedicated to providing their customers with the best in local and sustainably sourced ingredients. Their menu is sophisticated and offers a diverse array of dishes, from lavish brunches to sumptuous seafood platters. They even boast a spacious sun-trap of a garden where you can sip on cocktails into the night.

Map for Morleys Bistro in Hurstpierpoint
42 High St, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks BN6 9RG
Find out more about Morleys Bistro in Hurstpierpoint

BRAVO award winning fish and seafood restaurant CrabShack is one of Worthing’s first class dining experiences. Situated on the town’s promenade, this family run restaurant and beach bar serve up some of the best fish dishes in the region. The philosophy of CrabShack is to provide the freshest local fish alongside fabulous drinks. They believe passionately in simple flavours and letting their amazing ingredients do the talking whilst giving great value for money. It’s a philosophy that has served them well as they are a much loved foodie haven of the South Coast. 

Map for Crabshack Worthing
2 Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3PN
Find out more about Crabshack Worthing

Some of you might argue that Woodfire Camping isn’t really a restaurant but we think the quality of the food and the unique dining experience more than justify its inclusion. Guests at the campsite can enjoy local produce transformed into delicious meals, cooked camp-style over fire and served under the stunning Sussex sky. The Woodfire team offers casual, friendly hospitality at its best. Over the summer months, you can book Woodfire Feasts, where innovative guest chefs produce live fire fine dining menus with camping included in the price. 

Map for Woodfire Camping
Westerlands Estate, Graffham, Petworth GU28 0QJ, UK
Find out more about Woodfire Camping

A gem in the Sussex countryside and a prize venue in Hurstpierpoint. The New Inn is as charming as its quintessentially British setting, offers awarding-winning cuisine, including lunches, dinners and Sunday roasts, that are underpinned by three values; quality, locality and sustainability, while still providing outstanding value for anyone who dines there. The restaurant’s elevated offering is remarkable, and with its seasonal food menu and regularly updated list of local beers and wines, there is always something new to explore. This venue is a cross between a Sussex restaurant and a Sussex pub. 

 

The Vineyard Kitchen at Mannings Heath is open for guest diners from breakfast to late lunch every day. Terrace views over the estate and an open fire make this a perennial place to visit for some quality food and wine direct from their own vineyard. The menu includes a good mix of lighter and larger meals, as well as a kid’s menu of trusted favourites. All food is made fresh and with quality ingredients. Afternoon teas are also available as well as wine tasting and private dining

Map for Mannings Heath Golf & Wine Estate
Hammerpond Road, Mannings Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PG, United Kingdom
Find out more about Mannings Heath Golf & Wine Estate

This fine Elizabethan manor house has been transformed into a luxury hotel and spa with a fabulous fine dining restaurant. The beautiful dining room is awash with the style and elegance that you would expect from this historic building, and offers a unique setting for diners. Offering a full service from breakfast through to evening meals this is a restaurant for all occasions. The evening menu offers diners a taste of the best Sussex has to offer with a la carte and tasting menu options. Ockenden Manor is a destination venue that you can spend a whole day, and night enjoying.

A Sussex restaurant of the highest recognition. Restaurant Interlude earned a Michelin star within the first year of opening quickly establishing itself as one of the premium fine-dining Sussex restaurants. The restaurant is located in the historic mansion house, set within the picturesque Leonardslee gardens and estate from whence Chef Jean Delport and his team source much of the menu. Restaurant Interlude serves two tasting menus, The Garden Experience and The Estate Experience, with 14 to 19 courses that change through the seasons. Guests are advised to set aside three to four hours in which to immerse themselves in the epicurean journey. You can watch our interview with Jean Delport here.

In the historic village of Alfriston you will find Wingrove House. This gorgeous 19th Century hotel and restaurant offers a relaxed sense of luxury, with its informal restaurant and stylish terrace and veranda. The spacious restaurant is bright and airy giving views over the terrace and village church on the Tye. Head chef Mathew Comben serves modern British fare with a focus on seasonality and sources from local Sussex producers wherever possible. Offering Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner there are plenty of ways to enjoy Wingrove House. It is the perfect spot for a delicious refuel whist enjoying the beautiful village of Alfriston and the surrounding Sussex countryside.

Rathfinny Wine estate was established in 2010 by entrepreneurial couple Sarah and Mark Driver with the express intention of producing world-class sparkling wine. The Tasting Rooms offers two delightful options from their Michelin Plate awarded kitchen. A luxury three-course Vineyard Estate Picnic Hamper is available to be enjoyed in the 200-acre grounds. The Sussex restaurant now serves as the “Seafood and Wine Kitchen” with a menu of locally caught seafood available to eat al fresco on the restaurant deck or picnic style in the grounds. Both are available Wednesday to Sunday 11.45am – 6pm and both can of course be enjoyed with their award-winning sparkling wines. 

The Pass is an intimate restaurant, offering a unique dining experience for up to 28 diners within the historic walls of South Lodge.

Situated within the stunning South Lodge Hotel, The Pass is a modern restaurant that focusses on providing diners with a culinary experience to remember. The Pass aims to take diners through an exploration of food, flavours and textures through a variety of tasting menus. The Pass was one of the first restaurants in the area to provide diners with an immersive open kitchen and chef’s table experience. 

Awarded a Michelin Star and 3 AA Rosettes in 2023 with Ben Wilkinson at the helm and his partner Monika Zurawska leading the front-of-house team, The Pass delivers exciting tasting menus making the very best of seasonal produce, the highlight of your plate.

Another one of sussex’s Michelin star venues is Gravetye Manor, a beautiful country hotel set in 35 acres of stunning gardens. It is these gardens that influence the cookery on offer, with head chef George Blogg taking full advantage of the kitchen garden and produce from the estate. There are many dining options from the full seven-course tasting menu through to relaxed garden dining and superb afternoon tea. There is always a sense of occasion when dining at Gravetye Manor, so be prepared for something exceptional.

The Glass House Restaurant is located within the beautiful Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel and Spa. The first class experience begins as you walk through the door the with stunning interiors of the modern orangery filled with natural light. Open for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner there is something for everyone. The restaurant currently holds an AA Rosette. Sunday Lunch served 12-6pm, makes for a stylish out of town take on the classic family get together.

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In 2023 Crabshack was voted best restaurant in Sussex at the BRAVO Awards. The BRAVO awards are a public vote where almost 60,000 votes were cast by the Brighton and Sussex public. Runners up in this category for best Sussex restaurant were Pitch in Worthing and Morleys in Hurstepierpoint. Rathfinny Tasting Room, Albourne Estate and Restaurant Interlude were among the top 20 Sussex restaurants. Here are the current best restaurants in Brighton in 2023.

The Michelin Guide is the gold standard in the hospitality industry, the allocation of one to three Stars represents the height of achievement for a given restaurant. Restaurant Interlude is a Sussex restaurant which has retained a Michelin star for 2023. You may also like to see our BRAVO guide to the best restaurants in Brighton in 2023.

The Cider Tap also offers a different experience as a Cidery in the Sussex countryside. The venue serves delicious cider and outstanding food from The Syndicate Kitchen.