Best Foodie Experiences in Sussex: Wine, Local Food and More
Sussex has developed a fabulous food and drink scene, helped enormously by everything that’s grown, reared, caught and produced right here in the county. From the rolling chalk slopes of the South Downs and Sussex vineyards to fishing boats bringing their catch ashore along the coast, Sussex food and produce plays a big part in what you’ll find on menus across the county.
As Sussex locals and enthusiastic foodies, we’ve eaten, sipped and sampled our way around quite a bit of it. In this guide, we will take you on a journey through the very best foodie experiences Sussex has to offer. From award-winning wine tasting and coastal seafood feasts to artisan distillery tours and foraging adventures that connect you directly with the land.
Explore The Vineyards of England’s Wine Country
For decades, Sussex has been cultivating a reputation as the heart of England’s wine country, and today it stands proud on the world stage. The secret lies in the soil; the very same chalk seam that runs through the Champagne region of France blesses the South Downs with the perfect terroir for growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. This results in sparkling wines of exceptional quality, rivalling their French counterparts.
With vineyards scattered across both East and West Sussex, there are plenty of opportunities to experience Sussex vineyard tours with a walk through the vines to learn about English winemaking and, of course, taste the results with a Sussex wine tasting.
A visit to a Sussex vineyard is an essential experience. Esteemed estates like Ridgeview, a pioneer in the industry, or the beautiful Ashling Park Estate offer fascinating tours where you can walk through the vineyard, learn about the meticulous grape-to-glass process, and enjoy a tutored tasting of their finest vintages. For a comprehensive overview of your options, the official WineGB website is an excellent resource for planning your English wine tour.
You can even spend the night in some vineyards like Tillingham Winery near Rye, where you can combine a vineyard tour and tasting with lunch, dinner and an overnight stay overlooking the vines.
I’ve made it a mission to visit as many Sussex vineyards as I can and our guide to the best vineyards in Sussex covers wine tours, tastings, vineyard restaurants and places where you can even stay among the vines.
Taste the Spirit of Sussex with Gin Distilleries and Breweries
The county’s craft drinks scene extends well beyond the vineyards. Sussex is home to a burgeoning community of artisan gin distilleries and independent breweries, each with a unique story to tell.
Distilleries like Slake Spirits, located near the coast, forage for local botanicals to create gins that truly capture the essence of their surroundings.
Sussex’s brewing scene ranges from established names to small independent producers. Dark Star Brewery have been crafting characterful, award-winning ales for years.
In East Sussex, Battle Brewery produces small-batch beers just outside the historic town of Battle, with a Tap and Bottle Shop on the High Street as well as its countryside brewery at Beech Farm. And of course, you’ll have all heard of Harvey’s, the county’s oldest independent brewery founded in 1790 in Lewes.
A tour of these establishments offers a brilliant behind-the-scenes look at the craft. You can learn about the complex distilling process, understand how different botanicals create unique flavour profiles, or see how hops and malt are transformed into delicious beer. Naturally, these tours culminate in a tasting session.
After a day of exploring the county’s liquid delights, you will find a wealth of superb dining
options, from traditional country gastropubs and coastal seafood restaurants to small plates pubs or a refined Japanese restaurant if you’re looking for something more elegant.
Savour the Catch of the Day on the Coast
The Sussex coastline, with its fishing fleets and seaside towns, offers a bounty of incredible seafood. The principle here is simple: fresh, local, and sustainable. There is nothing quite like the taste of fish and shellfish caught just hours before it lands on your plate.
The undisputed star of the local seafood scene is the Selsey Crab. Known for its sweet, tender meat, it is a true local delicacy sought after by top chefs across the country. For an authentic experience, head to the seaside town of Selsey and buy a freshly dressed crab directly from the fishermen’s huts on the beach.
Alternatively, book a table at a renowned seafood restaurant like The Crab and Lobster in Sidlesham or The Little Fish Market in Hove, where chefs expertly prepare the day’s catch with skill and creativity.
Head east and you’ll find another strong fishing tradition around Hastings and Rye, where locally landed fish and seafood frequently appears on restaurant menus.
Forage for Your Supper in the South Downs
For a truly hands-on Sussex foodie experience that connects you with the natural landscape, why not try foraging for your supper? The Sussex countryside, particularly the ancient woodlands and chalk grasslands of the South Downs, is abundant with wild, edible ingredients that change with the seasons.
Depending on the time of year, you can find everything from fragrant wild garlic and earthy mushrooms to juicy blackberries and elderflowers. Joining a guided foraging walk is the best way to learn safely. Experts like those at Foraged by Fern lead workshops that teach you how to identify, harvest, and prepare the wild bounty around you.
It’s a wonderfully grounding experience that deepens your appreciation for the food you eat and the environment it comes from. The South Downs National Park website provides more information on the area’s rich biodiversity.
Indulge in Michelin-Starred and Gastropub Dining
The dining scene in Sussex caters to every taste and occasion, from special-occasion splurges to cosy, comforting meals. The county proudly boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, where diners can experience innovative cooking and impeccable service at the highest level. These Sussex restaurants are a testament to the quality of the local produce and the immense talent of the chefs who call Sussex
home.
At the other end of the spectrum, but no less exceptional, is the beloved tradition of the British gastropub. Venues such as The Ginger Fox in Hassocks or The Earl of March near Goodwood perfectly capture the essence of modern pub dining. Here, you will find expertly cooked classic dishes made with thoughtfully sourced local ingredients, served in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Some of the most interesting Sussex restaurants take their inspiration directly from the landscape around them. 24 at Goodwood Art Foundation, for example, has menu changes with the seasons and uses produce from Goodwood’s organic Home Farm alongside ingredients from local Sussex suppliers.
Elsewhere on the Goodwood Estate, Farmer, Butcher, Chef take the farm-to-table idea particularly seriously, using meat and produce from the estate’s own Home Farm.
Try Sussex Produce at Farm Shops and Food Festivals
There’s a whole range of Sussex food, drink and local produce to get stuck into. From Sussex cheeses, local meats, breads, bakes, chocolate and charcuterie to preserves, ciders, craft beer, wine and a whole raft of Sussex gins. It’s all deliciously Sussex!
Buy local and shop direct from the county’s farm shops, farmers’ markets, delis, fish stalls and high streets for local produce and seasonal fruit and vegetables.
For more unusual Sussex food experiences book yourself onto a Sussex food tour, join a cooking class or visit a food festival to sample a taste of Sussex’s best produce and flavours.
From world-class vineyards to humble fishing huts, Sussex offers a culinary adventure for every palate, making Sussex a truly unmissable destination for any food lover.
Food and drink is just one of the reasons to explore this corner of South East England. From vineyard lunches and country pubs to castles, coastal walks and historic towns, you’ll find plenty more inspiration in our guide to the best things to do in Sussex.
