For the great gourmand (or just for the common or garden foodie like you and me) Sussex offers rich pickings, and if Kent is the Garden of England, then Sussex is surely the smorgasbord of foodie experiences. From producers of wine and craft spirits, to delicious delis, catch of the day, farm to fork and Michelin star dining, Sussex has it all. And what could be better than staying in and strolling through the streets of historic towns and cities, meeting the producers, exploring markets and enjoying local ingredients and the flavours of the county (prepared by top class chefs). If that tickles your taste buds, then tuck in your napkin and prepare to indulge with this Sussex Gourmet Food Trail. It takes you to three fabulous Sussex towns (well one is a city) and is a chance to deep dive into our wonderful Sussex larder.
Chichester
Your first port of call is the historic city of Chichester. Chichester was both a Roman and Anglo Saxon settlement and was also an important Norman town. You can still walk the Roman perimeter wall and visit the Cathedral which was built 950 years ago.
The city features in the Seven Good Things of Sussex for its lobster and sits on the edge of Chichester Harbour. It also has a number of great restaurants including Brasserie Blanc, Cassons Restaurant (just outside the city but Michelin starred and they have a seafood tasting menu), The Ivy and the nearby Tinwood Estate Vineyard Kitchen.
For local produce, try Runcton Farm Shop, Chichester Farmers’ Market (1st and 3rd Friday of each month) and maybe even slip out of Chichester to Sidlesham where you’ll find Berries on Tap where unsurprisingly you can buy fresh berries on tap. Selsey is not far away and this is a great place to witness the catch of the day being landed (if you’re up early enough).
Chichester foodie experiences
For a foodie festival you might want to try the Cheese and Chilli Festival held in June in Chichester or the Good Food Festival held in August at Goodwood Racecourse.
Fishing tours and catch and cook
If you are a lover of seafood, a Something Fishy Fishing Tour is a must. You can join a fishing boat from Chichester Harbour for a full or half day fishing. In 2024, they teamed up with The Boat House Cafe in scenic Chichester marina to offer waterside Catch and Cook experiences.
Make your own gin and drink wine in the vines
Head just west of Chichester to Ashling Park Estate. Although this is a vineyard (and a delightful one at that) they also have a gin making school and a superb “Farm to Table” restaurant which majors on serving local produce. As you might expect, they also offer vineyard tours and wine tasting and even have a cocktail making masterclass.
Farmer Butcher Chef
The Farmer Butcher Chef restaurant at the Goodwood Hotel is a superb “Farm to Fork” experience and their beef, pork and lamb are all reared at Goodwood Home Farm. The Butcher’s Boards are a stand out dish and include different cuts of beef, pork and lamb.
Walk off your over indulgence with a hearty stroll around the grounds: Three little walks at Goodwood.
Places to stay
You can stay at Ashling Park, the Goodwood Hotel, at Tinwood Estate or in Chichester town centre.
Midhurst
Loosen your belt and onward ho, to stop two of this Sussex Gourmet Food Trail, namely Midhurst. Midhurst is a historic market town that has the ruins of a 12th century Norman castle and the fabulous Tudor Cowdray Ruins.
Once again, there are plenty of good restaurants and eateries in and around the town, like The Duke of Cumberland Arms at Henley (where they major on meat from nearby organic farms, fresh fish from the south coast, as well as the pub’s own vegetable patch). If you’re walking in the area, this pub is on the route of the Serpent Trail.
Midhurst foodie experiences
If you’re looking for a good delicatessen in Midhurst, you’re in luck. Visit Comestibles (they have a café too) in the town and maybe stop at Fairview Wines and The Granary.
Then make your way to the Cowdray Estate Farm Shop and Café for a line up of local and artisan products.
Venison season
Next, head west to West Harting and Sky Park Farm. Here they have pretty much everything that a foodie’s heart (or stomach) could desire here. There is a deer park experience as well as a cheese and deli counter, a butcher, a farm shop and a bar and grill. They offer a Bottomless Brunch and have a “30 mile mission” to deliver 40% of their food offer from within 30 miles, with a further 40% from within Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex. And they major on venison so try their venison Biltong, pâté, steak or burger.
The Spread Eagle
Back in Midhurst, a meal at The Spread Eagle is a must. In their beautiful rooms you can enjoy locally sourced ingredients from Sussex and lots of local wine.
Places to stay
You can stay at The Spread Eagle, The Swan Inn in town or Park House Hotel and Spa just outside the town.
Petworth
Avoid standing on the the scales for now, as we make one last stop on our Sussex Gourmet Food Trail at Petworth. Petworth got a mention in the Domesday Book and is famed for Petworth House, a 17th century stately home with magnificent grounds and a world class art collection. The town is also known for its cobbled lane and its central square.
There is a regular market here and an excellent wine shop. Places to eat of note include The Angel Inn and the Horse Guards Inn at Tillington. There are also lots of little cafés in the town where you can stop for a bite as you explore, and a visit to The Hungry Guest deli is pretty much compulsory!
Petworth foodie experiences
There are two vineyards just outside the town namely Upperton Vineyards and Roebuck Estates. Roebuck offers tours, tasting, sunset sipping in the vines and wine flights. Upperton have a shop and a terrace bar. The views of the Downs are fabulous.
Beer and breweries
Langham Brewery is also just west of the town and past the vineyards. This is an award winning brewery and tap room who pride themselves on their innovative, distinctive and flavoursome craft beers. They also have delicious baked goods from SØDT, the Hygee Bakery in Petworth and very locally made pizza.
The South Downs Festival of Food, Fizz and Firkins
In its second year, in 2025, this food festival will be held at Langham Brewery and includes talks and workshops. The brewery also holds a beer festival in September and lots of other events so keep an eye on their events page for future foodie events.
Finish with a Michelin star
E.Street Bar and Grill is Petworth’s Michelin Star restaurant so it makes a fitting finale to our Sussex Gourmet Food Trail. They also host a Wine Dinner Series, featuring different wine regions from around the world and once again, major on local ingredients such as meat from Goodwood estate and South Downs game.
Places to stay
Great places to stay in Petworth include The Angel Inn or The Old Railway Station.
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