The Southeast Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Southeast - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Blue Dolphin Fish Bar

    $ | Seafood

    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...

    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
    01424-425778

    Known For

    • Known across Britain
    • Beachside location
    • Proper, traditional fish-and-chips
    • Popularity across Britain
    • Tasty traditional fish-and-chips
  • 2. Gelato Gusto

    $ | Café

    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...

    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
  • 3. Hayden's Coffee Shop

    $ | British

    This incredibly popular High Street café serves high quality and great value meals and snacks from mid-morning to late afternoon every day of...

    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 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
  • 4. Kitsu

    $ | Japanese

    This tiny, unassuming restaurant might seem like an unlikely venue for exceptional sushi, but it's the best for miles. Everything is fresh and...

    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. There are only two drawbacks: the place doesn't take credit cards and doesn't serve alcohol, although you're welcome to bring your own.

    82a Victoria Rd., Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2PW, England
    01892-515510

    Known For

    • Excellent sushi
    • Good casual dining
    • Bring your own alcohol
    • BYOB and cash-only policies
  • 5. Knoops Chocolate Bar

    $ | South American

    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...

    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 grand expansion plans, starting with London, so make sure you visit while it's still only a local sensation.

    East Cliff, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7LD, England
    01797-225838

    Known For

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

    Restaurant Details

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

    $$ | Seafood

    White tiles, bare metal tables, and sparkling chandeliers set the tone as soon as you walk through the door of this casually elegant restaurant...

    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 smoked haddock in a proscuitto and champagne sauce or pan-roasted monkfish tail with sautéed gnochi. 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 (139 King's Rd. Arches, 01273/821218), overlooking the sea. The menu is largely the same, with a few meaty options thrown into the mix. Come before 7:15 on weekdays for the outstandingly good value set menu (two courses for just £15.95).

    12B Meeting House La., Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1HB, England
    01273-323008

    Known For

    • Romantic atmosphere
    • Superfresh seafood
    • Elegance in simplicity
    • Supremely fresh seafood
    • No reservations policy so be prepared to wait
  • 7. Sankey's The Old Fishmarket

    $$ | Seafood

    Serving the best of British seafood, as well as an extensive choice of champagne and sparkling wines, this intimate little restaurant has bar...

    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 great value daytime set menu (£15 might get you a pair of rock oysters followed by mussels linguine).

    The Pantiles, 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)
    • Historic old pavilion building

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 8. Sundial

    $$$ | French

    A 17th-century brick farmhouse with wood-beamed ceilings and lovely views of the South Downs is home to an excellent modern French restaurant...

    A 17th-century brick farmhouse with wood-beamed ceilings and lovely views of the South Downs is home to an excellent modern French restaurant. Situated near the castle in Herstmonceux, it features an imaginative three-course "Gourmet Menu" (£48 per person) that changes regularly but may include pan-fried wild turbot with truffle butter or beef fillet steak with a sauce of port and shallot. Courses can also be ordered separately, with mains priced at £25.

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

    Known For

    • Sophisticated Modern French cooking
    • Lovely views
    • Fabulous desserts
    • Delicious pineapple tarte tatin dessert

    Restaurant Details

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

    $$$$ | French

    Once the home of Victorian novelist William Makepeace Thackeray, this mid-17th-century tile-hung house is now an elegant restaurant known for...

    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. The fixed-price, three-course menu changes daily but often lists such dishes as poached monkfish tail with celeriac fondant, or beef fillet with hay-roasted carrots. If you really want to splurge, try the seven-course "Menu Exceptionnel" (£78 per person, plus £55 per person for wine pairing, or £98 for pairing with the best wines in the house).

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

    Known For

    • Fine dining
    • Extravagant wine list
    • Creative French cooking

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and last wk in Dec. No dinner Sun.
  • 10. The Corner House

    $$ | British

    Set just outside the medieval city walls, this historic pub turned restaurant serves locally sourced British produce with creative culinary...

    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 creamed kale and bacon and herb-crumbed cod loin with mash and cockles, 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.

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

    Known For

    • Building that dates back to 1574
    • To-die-for treacle bread
    • Four guest rooms available on-site
  • 11. The Town House

    $$$ | British

    This small but elegant restaurant in a beautifully converted Regency town house (look above you—the dining room ceiling is quite something)...

    This small but elegant restaurant in a beautifully converted Regency town house (look above you—the dining room ceiling is quite something) serves top-notch British and European cuisine. The fixed-price lunch and dinner menus change regularly but could include roast breast of local partridge with red-currant jelly or trout with a chive butter sauce. If you want to see more of the place, there are bed-and-breakfast accommodations from £95 per night.

    65 High St., Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AJ, England
    01903-883847

    Known For

    • Local meats and fish
    • Seasonal menus
    • Beautiful dining room
  • 12. Theion

    $$ | Greek

    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...

    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 balls with fresh Greek yogurt, black pork casserole with roasted potatoes, and oven-baked sea bream stuffed with seasonal greens, while the lunchtime set menu offers excellent value (two courses for £12.95).

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

    Known For

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

    $$ | Seafood

    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...

    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 salt and Sichuan pepper squid with soy and sherry dressing 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
    01797-222226

    Known For

    • Top-quality seafood
    • Local catches
    • Great service
    • Top-quality and locally caught seafood
    • Fast and friendly service
    • Dinner reservations recommended
  • 14. Berties of Arundel

    $ | Café

    This place is a real little charmer. A lovely, old-school café in the center of Arundel, Berties serves delicious sandwiches, panini, light...

    This place is a real little charmer. A lovely, old-school café in the center of Arundel, Berties serves delicious sandwiches, panini, light lunches, and homemade cakes. Tea is served in colorful ceramic pots in a dining room bedecked with bunting. The staff is delightfully friendly, too.

    31 Tarrant St., Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9DG, England
    01903-882110

    Known For

    • Old-school vibe
    • Excellent homemade cakes
    • Friendly staff
  • 15. Bill's

    $ | Modern European

    What started in the early 2000s as a distinctly Lewes café-restaurant has since grown to become a full-blown chain, with more than 80 restaurants...

    What started in the early 2000s as a distinctly Lewes café-restaurant has since grown to become a full-blown chain, with more than 80 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, leading in to a delicious salad with smoked chili jackfruit, or a flavorful cheddar and bacon burger with truffle mayo. Breakfasts here are excellent, too.

    56 Cliffe High St., Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2AN, England
    01273-476918

    Known For

    • Quick and delicious lunches
    • Great breakfasts
    • Family atmosphere
    • Lots of vegetarian and vegan options
  • 16. City Fish Bar

    $ | British

    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...

    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

    • Crispy batter
    • Chunky, hot chips
    • Superfresh, good-quality fast food
    • Fresh fish in crispy batter
    • Chunky chips
    • Good-quality fast food
  • 17. Don Vincenzo

    $ | Italian

    This lively Italian trattoria in the center of Rochester specializes in delicious pizza and pasta, the best of which is the simple Napoletana...

    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 mozarella, 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, tomatoes, and salami. 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

    • Great pizza
    • Filling calzone
    • Cheap eats
  • 18. Gourmet Burger Kitchen

    $ | American

    This very popular place makes what it says on the label—good burgers—and not a lot else. You wait for a table, then order at the counter. All...

    This very popular place makes what it says on the label—good burgers—and not a lot else. You wait for a table, then order at the counter. All the burgers are excellent: try the Don, with Gorgonzola cheese and baconnaise; the Habanero, with spicy salsa; or the Dippy Hippy, a bean burger with beetroot and mint hummus. The enormous milk shakes are tasty diet-busters (ask for them malted). One order of fries will be enough for two.

    10 Friary St., Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4EH, England
    01483-572464

    Known For

    • Gourmet hamburgers
    • Delicious malted shakes
    • Good veggie options
  • 19. Iydea

    $ | Vegetarian

    This popular restaurant and café is a must for visiting vegetarians, though even the most ardent carnivores are likely to leave satisfied. The...

    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 some harissa couscous or pea-and–goat cheese arancini (breaded and fried rice balls), maybe with some Cajun spiced potato wedges or beet, chili, and ginger coleslaw. The restaurant also does a very popular vegetarian breakfast.

    17 Kensington Gardens, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, BN1 4AL, England
    01273-667992

    Known For

    • Top vegetarian restaurant
    • Delicious, international cooking
    • Popular veggie breakfast
  • 20. La Scala

    $ | Italian

    This cheerful Italian restaurant in the center of Dover is much favored by locals looking for an authentic, inexpensive Italian meal without...

    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 salad of fresh tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, before moving on to some homemade pasta with swordfish in a tomato and white wine sauce, or lamb cooked with garlic and rosemary. It gets busy on weekends, so try and book early.

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

    Known For

    • Excellent pizza
    • Homemade pasta
    • Authentic and informal Italian cooking

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