The Southeast Restaurants

If you're in a seaside town, look for that great British staple, fish-and-chips. Perhaps "look" isn't the word—just follow your nose. On the coast, seafood, much of it locally caught, is a specialty. Try local smoked fish (haddock and mackerel) or the succulent local oysters. Inland, sample fresh local lamb and beef. In cities such as Brighton and Tunbridge Wells there are numerous restaurants and cafés, but out in the countryside the best options are often pubs.

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  • 1. Blue Dolphin Fish Bar

    $

    The crowds line up all day to make their way into this small fish-and-chip shop just off the seafront, down near the fish shacks. Although the decor is humble, reviewers consistently rank the battered fish and huge plates of double-cooked chips (chunky fries) as among the best in the country. Everything is steaming fresh, and it's all cheaper if you get it to take out—the beach is just a few steps away.

    61A High St., Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EJ, England
    01424-547484

    Known For

    • One of the best fish-and-chips in the country
    • Convenient take-out options
    • Beachside location
  • 2. Due South

    $$

    One of the finest dining options on Brighton's seafront, Due South draws young professionals who also appreciate its celebratory atmosphere. The menu changes monthly and showcases clever takes on classic seafood dishes. You'll find everything from cured wild bass with wasabi crème fraîche to saffron monkfish with rock samphire, all fresh off the boat. Even the vegetables are sourced locally. Desserts are decadent. Big windows overlook the sea and let in plenty of light.

    139 King's Rd. Arches, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN2 2FN, England
    01273-041667

    Known For

    • Seafood-focused fine dining
    • Locally sourced vegetables and fresh off the boat fish
    • Sea views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
  • 3. Gelato Gusto

    $

    No seaside town would be complete without an ice-cream store, and the delicious, housemade, artisanal gelato on sale here is a real treat. Everything is made fresh daily; try the cherry cheesecake flavor or maybe a scoop of the delicious chocolate and sea salt. There are also dairy-free options available, as well as a full menu of desserts, including the "gelato burger" (sandwiched between brioche with chocolate sauce) and the old-school British concoction known as the knickerbocker glory (a tall glass filled with a mixture of ice cream, whipped cream, fruit, and nuts). Alternatively, if you have high levels of self-control, you could just have coffee.

    2 Gardner St., Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1UP, England
    01273-673402

    Known For

    • Delicious Italian ice cream
    • Indulgent desserts
    • Essential part of the Brighton seafront experience
  • 4. Knoops Chocolate Bar

    $

    Despite the fact it has no hot meals, no waiters, and no tables, Knoops has been one of Rye's most consistently popular "restaurants" for years. Step inside and it's easy to see why: this unassuming little shop serves perhaps the best hot chocolate in England. You can select your chocolate from a dizzying array of clipboards that highlight cocoa percentages and tasting notes, then you have the option to add all manner of extra flavors, from herbs and spices to fruits. Knoops has become very successful, with five stores in London and another in Brighton, but this is where it all started.

    E. Cliff, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7LD, England
    333-3600608

    Known For

    • Local Rye phenomenon
    • Choosing your chocolate by cocoa percentage
    • Tasty milkshakes and mochas

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 5. Riddle & Finns The Lanes

    $$

    White tiles, bare metal tables, and sparkling chandeliers set the tone as soon as you walk through the door of this casually elegant restaurant. The house specialty is oysters, fresh and sustainably sourced, served with or without a foaming tankard of black velvet (Champagne and Guinness) on the side. Other options include squid and shellfish risotto and Sri Lankan monkfish and prawn curry. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so come early or be prepared to wait. However, you can reserve a table at their sister restaurant, Riddle & Finns The Beach overlooking the sea. The menu is largely the same, with a few meaty options thrown into the mix.

    12B Meeting House La., Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1HB, England
    01273-821218

    Known For

    • Romantic atmosphere
    • Supremely fresh seafood
    • No reservations policy so be prepared to wait

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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  • 6. Sankey's The Old Fishmarket

    $$$

    Serving the best of British seafood, as well as an extensive choice of champagne and sparkling wines, this intimate little restaurant has bar seating set around an open kitchen, so you can watch (and chat with) the chef preparing your food. But don't let the relaxed, friendly, and unstuffy atmosphere fool you; this is exceptional quality, fresh seafood cooked to perfection (or not cooked at all, in the case of the delicious oysters). Order from the catch-of-the-day specials pinned up above the bar, from the à la carte menu, or from the special oyster menu: it's just £1 a shuck every Friday between 4 and 5 pm.

    19 The Upper, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5TN, England
    01892-511422

    Known For

    • Intimate 20-seat setting
    • Extensive oyster menu (including £1-an-oyster happy hour on Fridays)
    • Historic old pavilion building

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 7. Sundial

    $$$$

    Located near the castle in Herstmonceux and set within a 17th-century brick farmhouse with wood-beamed ceilings, this charming restaurant features imaginative, modern French fare. Opt for "Vincent’s 5-Course Menu Dégustation" (£70 per person); it changes with the seasons but may include pan-fried king scallops with pine nuts and tarragon, venison medallion with black peppercorn and juniper cream sauce, and Crêpe Suzette. For those who prefer to order à-la-carte, main courses are priced at £34.

    Gardner St., Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 4LA, England
    01323-832217

    Known For

    • Sophisticated Modern French cooking
    • Lovely South Down views
    • Expensive dining option

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.
  • 8. Thackeray's

    $$$$

    Once the home of Victorian novelist William Makepeace Thackeray, this mid-17th-century tile-hung house is now an elegant restaurant known for creative French cuisine, with à la carte dishes like roast stone bass with artichoke sauce and confit pork belly with blue cheese ravioli. A starter, main (plus side), and dessert will easily set you back £65, so if you're feeling hungry, it's probably best to just opt for the prix fixe, seven-course "Chef's Tasting Menu" (£78 per person, plus £55 for wine pairing).

    85 London Rd., Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1EA, England
    01892-511921

    Known For

    • Fine dining experience
    • Extravagant wine list
    • Very expensive

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner Sun.
  • 9. The Corner House

    $$

    Set just outside the medieval city walls, this historic pub turned restaurant serves locally sourced British produce with creative culinary twists. Mains include confit pork belly with burnt-ends croquettes and cod loin with creamed bacon and leak, but it's the "nibbles" (snacks) that are really inventive—try the sausage roll, served as three thick slices with housemade mushroom ketchup. It's a little pricey, but the food is excellent and the portions are very generous. There are also five appealing bedrooms available upstairs, with prices starting from £100, including breakfast.

    1 Dover St., Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3HD, England
    01227-780793

    Known For

    • Building that dates back to 1574
    • To-die-for treacle bread
    • Five lovely guest rooms available upstairs
  • 10. Theion

    $$

    This excellent Greek restaurant is set within a gorgeous space in the city center, with brick walls and high ceilings. The à la carte menu features delicious Mediterranean dishes including fried zucchini "cakes" with fresh Greek yogurt, veal cheeks with potato purée, and roasted octopus with caramelized onions. Save space for a traditional Greek dessert.

    Chapel St., Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3UH, England
    01483-579786

    Known For

    • Delicious modern Greek cuisine
    • Atmospheric dining room
    • Extensive wine list
  • 11. Webbes at the Fish Café

    $$

    One of Rye's most popular restaurants, where most of the seafood is freshly caught nearby, occupies a brick building that dates to 1907, but the interior has been redone in a sleek, modern style. Sample the cuttlefish and noodle salad with fennel and orange or the pan-fried Rye Bay scallops with pancetta and chive vermouth sauce. The ground-floor café has a relaxed atmosphere and upstairs is a more formal dining room.

    17 Tower St., Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AT, England
    01797-222210

    Known For

    • Top-quality and locally caught seafood
    • Fast and friendly service
    • Dinner reservations recommended
  • 12. Bill's

    $

    What started in the early 2000s as a distinctly Lewes café-restaurant has since grown to become a full-blown chain, with dozens of restaurants across the United Kingdom. This is where it all began, and the casual, mostly Modern European food remains as reliably good here as it is everywhere. Start with a plate of garlic and herb flatbread, then move on to spiced crab cakes with chili, then a flavorful cheeseburger with grated black truffle. Breakfasts here are excellent, too.

    56 Cliffe High St., Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AN, England
    020-80545395

    Known For

    • Lots of vegetarian and vegan options
    • Great breakfasts
    • Family atmosphere
  • 13. City Fish Bar

    $

    Long lines and lots of satisfied finger licking attest to the deserved popularity of this excellent fish-and-chip shop in the center of town, where all orders are takeout. Everything is freshly fried, the batter crisp, and the fish tasty; the fried mushrooms are also surprisingly good. There's no seating, so your fish is wrapped up in paper and you eat it where you want, perhaps in the park. This place closes at 7 pm.

    30 St. Margaret's St., Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2TG, England
    01227-760873

    Known For

    • Fresh fish in crispy batter
    • Chunky chips
    • Good-quality fast food
  • 14. Don Vincenzo

    $

    This lively Italian trattoria in the center of Rochester specializes in delicious pizza and pasta, the best of which is the simple Napoletana, which is topped with mozzarella, anchovies, capers, and tomato sauce. If that's just not enough to satisfy your appetite, try a hearty calzone stuffed with two types of Italian cheeses, spicy salami, and tomatoes. There's also a good range of pasta, fish, and meat dishes. Best of all, the prices are reasonable.

    108 High St., Rochester, Medway, ME1 1JT, England
    01634-408373

    Known For

    • Delicious pizza and pasta
    • Filling calzones
    • Cheap eats
  • 15. Haydens

    $

    This incredibly popular High Street café serves high quality and great value meals and snacks from mid-morning to late afternoon every day of the week. Come early for an excellent full English breakfast or opt for a light lunch like homemade soup or Welsh rarebit (a fondue-like dish where a sauce of melted cheddar, ale, and mustard is poured over slices of toasted bread). And make sure you save room for a homemade cake or delicious cream tea (scone, jam, and clotted cream). Above the café are eight pleasant, individually themed bedrooms. Avoid peak lunch hours (12:30 to 2 pm) on weekends, unless you want to wait in line (it's not possible to reserve a table).

    108 High St., Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7JE, England
    01797-224501

    Known For

    • Lovely views of salt flats out the back
    • Tasty cream teas
    • Long lines during weekend lunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 16. Iydea

    $

    This popular restaurant and café is a must for visiting vegetarians, though even the most ardent carnivores are likely to leave satisfied. The food is laid out cafeteria style (or "canteen" style in British English), so you choose your meal based on choices of main dishes, sides, and toppings. You could go for a chile bean enchilada or pea-and-goat cheese arancini (breaded and fried rice balls), maybe with some Cajun spiced potato wedges or sugar snap slaw. The restaurant also does a very popular vegetarian breakfast.

    17 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 4AL, England
    01273-933060

    Known For

    • Top vegetarian restaurant
    • Delicious international cooking
    • Popular veggie-focused breakfast
  • 17. Kitsu

    $

    This tiny, unassuming restaurant might seem like an unlikely venue for exceptional sushi, but it's the best for miles. Everything is fresh and delicious, from the fragrant miso soup to the light tempura to the sushi platters that are big enough to share. For something heartier, try a bowl of steaming fried noodles or a katsu curry. Note that the restaurant doesn't serve alcohol, although you're welcome to bring your own.

    82A Victoria Rd., Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2PW, England
    07425-900016

    Known For

    • Excellent sushi
    • Good casual dining
    • BYOB policy

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 18. La Scala

    $

    This cheerful Italian restaurant in the center of Dover is much favored by locals looking for an authentic, inexpensive Italian meal without feeling the need to sit up too straight. The menu is mostly Sicilian influenced; you might start with a simple caprese salad of fresh tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, before moving on to some homemade scialatelli pasta with swordfish in a tomato and white wine sauce or a whole rump of lamb cooked with garlic and rosemary.

    19 High St., Dover, Kent, CT16 1DP, England
    01304-208044

    Known For

    • Delicious homemade pasta
    • Authentic and informal Italian cooking
    • Busy on weekends (so book early)

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 19. Purchases

    $$$

    This excellent bistro is popular with locals for a special-occasion dinner and with the pre-theater crowd, who enjoy the fixed-price early-bird menus. The food strikes a nice balance between hearty, traditional fare and contemporary stylings. The pre-theater menus, available before all performances at the Chichester Festival Theatre, are a good deal at £23.95 for two courses or £26.95 for three—especially considering mains alone normally cost between £20 and £30.

    31 North St., Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1LY, England
    01243-771444

    Known For

    • Bargain pre-theater menus
    • Traditional cooking with a contemporary edge
    • Tasty beef Wellington with parmesan and truffle mash

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
  • 20. Robson's of Lewes

    $

    Good coffee, fresh produce, and delicious pastries make this coffee shop one of the best places in Lewes to drop by for an afternoon pick-me-up. A light-filled space with wood floors and simple tables creates a pleasant, casual spot to enjoy a cup of coffee with breakfast, a scone, or a light sandwich or salad lunch. You can also order to go.

    22A High St., Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2LN, England
    01273-480654

    Known For

    • Great coffee
    • Tasty light bites
    • Good to-go options

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner

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