What’s not to love about waterside dining and views of the sea as you sip on your coffee, lunch or dinner? There are some fabulous seaside restaurants & cafés in Sussex which we have sampled on our Sussex Exclusive travels, and here are some of our favourites.
Eater’s at Pett Level (near Hastings)
Walking from Rye to Hastings (as you do), you come to Pett Level about 8 km into your walk and just before you start the first big climb of the day. Eater’s is a super little café where we tucked into the best bacon sandwiches and coffee, and then bought locally made cake for our onward journey. It’s right by the beach where there is lots to explore (like dinosaur footprints, an ancient sunken forest, the Royal Military Canal and the Pett Pools – small lakes a little to the east).
Goat Ledge, St Leonards-on-Sea
You can’t miss Goat Ledge if you’re ambling on the seafront from Hastings to St Leonards because it’s bohemian and eclectic, with its brightly coloured huts, deckchairs and there is always a bit of funky music floating gently on the breeze. There are lots of vegan and veggie options on the menu and I had a fabulous sausage roll and turbo charged hot chocolate which kept me going for the rest of my walk. That said, I really wanted to stay and just soak up the beach party vibe, but there is much to explore in St Leonards so I had to walk on.
Relais Cooden Beach
Another restaurant right on the beach is the recently refurbished Cooden Beach Hotel. Promising the “best and freshest of seasonal whole-food ingredients, supporting local suppliers” and protected from the wind, whilst still right on the beach, is their Seaview Terrace where I recently enjoyed a a great lunch of four courses, full of interesting flavours. For things to do in the area, there is a golf course, great beach walking and a few Martello towers to spot.
Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne
Set just slightly back from the sea, Sovereign Harbour has a marina vibe. There are a few places to choose from if you want to eat waterside here, and although I was just grabbing a drink on my way through, there was something so relaxing about the chime of the boats and the gentle thud of footsteps on boardwalks, I wanted to stay. If you’re looking for things to do, why not go on a boat ride from here.
National Trust Café at Birling Gap
Although I’d like to recommend this cafe, because of its fantastic location, the last few times I have been through, it’s been too busy to be pleasant. The cake is what I call “National Trust” cake (good quality and you know what you’re getting but not that exciting) but visit on a really bleak day if you want to avoid the crowds.
The Tide at Buckle, Seaford
In between Newhaven and Seaford, the beach at Seaford Bay is a great place for swimming, paddle boarding and a touch of history. Parking off the A259 just before Bishopstone means you’re quite a long way from amenities but stroll along the seafront towards Seaford and you come to the brightly coloured coffee van selling refreshments and bites. It’s got a little bit of seating or just take your wares and enjoy them down by the water’s edge.
Saltdean
Get ready for a 1920s, Art Deco vibe at Salt Dean. Whitecliffs Café as it once was is reopening in June 2025 under the new name of Kitti’s (after a local bird). It’s a great location so it will be interesting to see what it is like. However, you also have the option of popping across the road to the Lido where the very Art Deco café and restaurant is set in the iconic Rotunda. It’s super stylish and I’ve enjoyed a first rate lunch there.
If you’e heading into Brighton and forgot to stop at Saltdean, the Undercliff Café at Ovingdean is also well worth a visit.
Brighton
You are slightly spoilt for choice when it comes to seafront eateries in Brighton. Personal favourites are Shelter Hall and The Seahorse (I do like Art Deco) but what about drifting down to Hove? Rockwater has a fabulous roof terrace and balcony and I’ve enjoyed the best seafood and steak there for a birthday lunch, washed down with cocktails. Extravagant? Yes. Divine? Equally so.
Perch on the Beach and Perch on the Pier
Again, right on the beach as you might expect, Perch on the Beach has generous portion sizes, epic breakfasts and last winter, I enjoyed a mouthwatering “Ultimate Sharing Roast” (I think this is a winter option). Get down there for an early morning beach walk, and then tuck into “The Fry Up” or “Loaded Plant Smash”. What a start to the day.
Just a little further along the coast and at the very end of the pier in Worthing, the sister restaurant of Perch on the Pier feels slightly more sophisticated. I have only had coffee there but their menu looked great.
The Beach Club, Littlehampton
You have quite a lot of choice in Littlehampton and the café that gets a lot of press is the East Beach Café because of its unusual design. However, my favourite haunt is The Beach Club from where they host lots of activities like water sports and yoga but also have a great café and restaurant. Why not head there for Tapas after a morning spent on the water, or for burgers and fish of the day after time spent exploring the area.
The Lobster Pot, Felpham
This little seaside eatery is so popular, you may have to queue to get a seat. As you might expect, seafood is the name of the game although there are other options and I enjoyed whitebait and then their Huevos Rancheros. It has a real holiday vibe here, and there is plenty to do in the area, from following the William Blake Trail, to heading into Bognor and visiting the museum, or hiring a bike and cycling along the seafront.
Crab and Lobster, Sidlesham Bay
This pub cum restaurant has quite a remote feel because its tucked away on the edge of Pagham Harbour in the tiny hamlet of Sidlesham Quay. You can walk there from Pagham, Selsey or via the Selsey Tram Way from Chichester and you get a real sense of the long history of the harbour. Again, there is lots of seafood as you might expect, but there are other options too and lots of local produce on the menu. Watch the sun set over the harbour before or after you eat just to add to the atmosphere.
Beach Café, West Wittering
If you’re walking the coast, this is the last stop before you turn up the coastal path from East Head to Itchenor. Parking is expensive so you might want to walk from East Wittering but they serve fabulous cake and free water (I filled up my bottle). Beware, they only serve food until 3.30 pm and shut at 4.00 pm which is a shame for the evening walker but they do have a good all day menu.
There are lots more seaside restaurants & cafés in Sussex, and we will carry on eating way through them all. If you’ve enjoyed this post, you may also like:
