Restaurants Sussex

Looking for the best restaurants in Sussex?

Brighton and Hove is well served when it comes to fantastic places to eat; but sometimes you want to escape to the country and try something different. Thankfully the county of Sussex boasts some of the best places to eat in the country. In a county that covers nearly 1,500 square miles you can easily get lost when it comes to finding that perfect spot.

Restaurant Tristan, Horsham

We kick things off with one of Sussex’s two Michelin Star restaurants. Horsham’s Restaurant Tristan is housed within a 16th Century building within the historic town. The restaurant pride themselves on their seasonal menus that make the most of the wonderful produce available, creating simple yet original dishes and flavour combinations. With a la carte and tasting menu options available, restaurant Tristan is a modern and innovative dining experience that is refreshingly relaxed.

Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead

Our second recommendation is Sussex’s second Michelin star venue. Gravetye Manor is 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.

Jeremy’s at Borde Hill, Haywards Heath

Jeremy’s restaurant is set within the beautiful grounds of Borde Hill on the outskirts of Haywards Heath. Head chef, Jeremy Ashpool, has set about creating wonderful dishes that are as creative and modern as anything you will find elsewhere. The light and airy dining room is a fabulous space to dine in, but Jeremy’s comes into its own with the terrace overlooking their walled Victorian Garden. With thirty years’ experience in Sussex dining, Jeremy and wife Vera know a thing or two about how to create dishes that make the most of local and regional produce. Certainly a Sussex highlight, this is a dining experience not to be missed.

Limes of Lindfield, Lindfield

This warm, welcoming restaurant, with hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and a bay window looking out onto the high street, serves a seasonal menu which changes often to make the most of fresh local produce. There’s plenty of choice from the al la carte menu, which focuses on traditional British fare sourced from surrounding farms in Sussex. On the second Thursday of every month, Head Chef, Patcharee, holds a gluten free vegan feasting night. Serving no less than eleven tasting dishes inspired by her home country of Thailand, with accompanying wines, the menu is completely plant based and delicious!

The Pass, Horsham

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 menu’s. The Pass was one of the first restaurants in the area to provide diners with an immersive open kitchen and chef’s table experience. Originally under the guidance of Matt Gillan, where he achieved a Michelin Star, the three AA rosette rated restaurant is currently under the guidance of head chef Ian Swainson. Ian brings 15 years of Michelin experience to The Pass, focussing on interesting ingredients and big bold dishes with plenty of artistic style.

The Curlew, Bodiam

This former coaching inn for travellers between London and Hastings has been transformed into a modern British restaurant for Modern British diners. Within a stone’s throw from the fabulous Bodiam castle, The Curlew has twice been named Sussex dining experience of the year. Despite the historic backdrop to the restaurant there is a distinctly modern feel to it. From the quirky décor to the organic and biodynamic wine list, The Curlew is bang up to date with current culinary trends. The Curlew is a place where formal food meets informal dining, where the city and country brush shoulders, style meets stile.

Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield

Head to the Ockenden Manor website and you will be faced with the words “Tranquility, elegance and indulgence”, and this sums it up superbly. This fine Elizabethan manor house has been transformed into a luxury hotel and spa with a fabulous fine dining restaurant within. 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 dinner this 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 enjoying.

Wingrove House, Alfriston

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.

The Griffin Inn, Fletching

The Griffin Inn is an idyllic Sussex country pub that we think ticks all the boxes. The glorious 16th Century Inn, with inglenook fireplaces and a traditional pub interior, is matched by the two-acre garden with outside bar and terrace with views over the Sussex countryside. This is truly a spectacular venue that is a firm favourite with its many visitors. The menu is best described as modern European taking influences from London’s River Café from which the owners have family connections. With Sussex ales and a 120-strong wine list this is a venue that takes its offering seriously. Whether you eat from the bar menu, restaurant or one of their huge garden BBQ’s you will not be disappointed.

The Fig Tree, Hurstpierpoint

Just a stone’s throw from Brighton you will find the picturesque village of Hurstpierpoint. Nestled in the rolling Sussex hills, this village is home to one of Sussex’s best kept secrets. The Fig Tree has been operated by husband and wife team David and Monika for the best part of a decade. This elegant venue offers a fine dining experience that comes at a fraction of the cost of other venues. The confident menu is refreshingly short and uncomplicated, focussing on seasonal produce from the finest local suppliers. Despite focussing on a fine dining style of food there is a relaxed informality about the restaurant that makes for a pleasant dining experience.

The Bull, Ditchling

Just 15 minutes from Brighton in the historic village of Ditchling you will find The Bull. Awarded Great British Pub of the Year 2016, this classic village pub has been given a modern edge in terms of what it offers. The 5-star AA rated Inn, and brewery tap for local Bedlam Brewery, is one of the oldest buildings in the village. Modern British cuisine is at the heart of what they do at The Bull, utilising ingredients from their kitchen garden, the best local farms and fish from the nearby coastline. The menu features strong pub classics, but made with a style and flair that elevates them to a new level. Being a traditional pub, their Sunday roasts are not to be missed; especially when taking advantage of their beautiful garden and outside space.