The best pubs, fish and chip shops and cafes in Sussex, named by holidaymakers and locals
IF you’re Sussex-bound for your next £9.50 Holiday, you’ll want to know the best places to eat and drink while you’re there.
We’ve spoken to locals and Sun readers who have holidayed in Sussex (both West Sussex and East Sussex) to get their top tips on the best places to eat and drink located near your holiday park.
We’ve also suggested our own recommendations and found some of the best-rated options you won’t want to miss – from traditional pubs to chippies and everything in between.
Here’s some food for thought…
Best beer gardens
Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, visits Camber Sands at least twice a year on £9.50 Holidays. Nora, from Hounslow, recommends calling in at The in Romney Marsh en route to your holiday park.
She said: “Their food is good but they have a wonderful garden. If it's a nice day we tend to go there on our way down and stop for lunch.
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"I've had their fish pie that is really good. The grilled salmon fillet is also delicious (£16.95).”
Meanwhile, in West Sussex, in Selsey comes highly recommended by Sun reader Clare Johnson.
The 52-year-old, from Brighton, said: “They have a lovely beer garden and do great roast dinners and music on the weekends.”
It’s also a good option for families – with a play park for older kids as well as a smaller toddler park, plus eight covered seating pods outside for dining come rain or shine.
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Traditional pubs
Nora Hinds suggests , which is handily located near a bus stop in the old town of Rye.
Expect open log fires inside as well as outdoor seating for when the sun shines.
Menu highlights include gammon and eggs, pie of the day and lamb hotpot.
“It’s always been a friendly pub,” Nora says. “Plus, if you've missed a bus it's a good place to go in for a drink.”
In Rye Harbour, is another traditional pub – although it serves more than your classics.
Nora says: “They do a nice mixture of food like Greek and Cypriot dishes, as well as your normal sort of pub food.”
Examples include grilled halloumi (£7), veg meze (£16) and Greek salad (£5.50). A kids’ menu is also available with mains from £6.50.
Best place to take the kids
For families, Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park, suggests in Rye.
She said: “They serve straightforward, authentic Italian dishes like pizza and pasta.
"It’s a big venue and they have colouring for the kids.” In West Sussex,
in Chichester is family-friendly, with baby changing facilities, step-free access, a kids’ menu beyond your regular fried options and colouring to keep them entertained.
Favourite cafe
Clare Johnson says: “The best cafe around Selsey is definitely on the High Street.
"It has a great atmosphere and decor, and they do afternoon teas and ice creams. They've got such a variety.”
It’s also an affordable option, with sandwiches from around £5.50 and takeaway afternoon teas from £10 (or £25 to eat in).
For an East Sussex option, try in Hove, in Eastbourne or in Rye, which are all highly rated for their coffee and cake.
Best fish and chips
For Clare Johnson, you can’t beat , which is right on the seafront in Selsey. Cod and chips cost £9.60, or £5.20 for kids.
She said: “It’s a fantastic chippy. The queue is always about 20 deep.”
Meanwhile, in East Sussex, Georgie Radford-Brown rates in Dungeness, saying: “It serves the best fish and chips around.
"Sit inside to eat, surrounded by fishing paraphernalia, then go and see the and get a bird’s-eye-view of the coastline.” Cod and chips from £10.95.
Favourite brunch spot
Bethany Haysey, 34, from Pagham in West Sussex, says: “I love at Bracklesham Bay.
"They do good seafood. It’s great for brunch after a bracing walk and it’s dog-friendly, too.”
The menu features everything from takeaway breakfast baps to fish curries, mussels and seafood platters.
For something special
A ten-minute drive inland from Selsey is in Sidlesham, recommended by Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham.
It’s a great option for a lunch treat, and there are menus dedicated to vegetarians and vegans.
A two-course set lunch costs £28, with options like ham hock terrine, vegetable gnocchi and lobster rolls.
Sue said: “You can work up an appetite with a gorgeous walk around Pagham Harbour to get there.”
Meanwhile, in East Sussex, in Rye comes highly recommended by Georgie Radford-Brown.
She said: “It’s great for brunch or small plates in the evening for dinner.
";Their head chef is former MasterChef finalist Rosie Furnival, so the food is excellent.”
Small plates – such as wild garlic arancini and tuna ceviche – start at £8.
Best watering holes
is a tiny, family-run micropub serving local ales and ciders three days a week (Friday-Sunday).
It’s housed inside a 19th-century building that has served as everything from a soup kitchen to a public toilet.
But the best place to sit is outside on one of the heated undercover tables – perfect for people watching and chatting with locals.
On Sundays, they run a Cheese Club, when you bring your own cheese between 1-3pm.
Georgie Radford-Brown also recommends , a champagne and jazz bar, with glasses of fizz from £7.75.
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She said: “They have live music five nights a week, and a second bar has recently opened half an hour inland, in Tenterden.”
Meanwhile in West Sussex, Chichester’s receives rave reviews for their excellent cocktails (from £7.50) and welcoming atmosphere.
