Where to Eat in Hastings, East Sussex

Farm-to-table food and low-intervention wines abound in this scenic pocket of England’s southeastern coast.

To quote local photographer Fraser Carr Miles from our Homegrown issue, "Hastings doesn't need an excuse to dress up and drink". After a few days of wining and dining around this edgy East Sussex enclave, that sentiment rings true. While the town excels at the nostalgic coastal fare we all know, love and crave, like proper fish and chips (doused in salt and tangy, lip-smacking vinegar), its farm-to-table restaurants and atmospheric wine bars stand up. First-up on our next foray? Farmyard, of course. We'll be ordering Colchester Rocks' oysters, sustainably sourced beef tartare and local asparagus with a zippy glass of Baglio Bianco, a low intervention Sicilian white with gusto.

bread and pecan pie

restaurant

Farmyard

This twinkling restaurant and natural-wine bar serves tapas-style dishes using sustainable produce sourced from farms, fishing communities and vineyards. The menu is split into farmyard (meat), backyard (veg) and boatyard ( fish) and accompanied by a stellar wine list.

Address

52 Kings Road, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6DY

goat ledge beach hut

restaurant

Goat Ledge

It’s hard to miss this fish hut and ice-cream café, given the giant plastic fish that perches atop its roof and rainbow beach-hut facade. Order a fish roll stuffed with crispy local fillets, pickles and garlic mayo – but watch out for the crafty hovering seagulls.

Address

Lower Promenade, Warrior Square St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6FA

restaurant

The Royal St Leonards

This cosy recent revamp of a pub dating back to the 1860s is the welcome venture of co-owners James Hickson, Jamie Waddell and Sam Coxhead, who have brought their impressive experience at legendary London restaurants including St John and The Clove Club to bear on an unpretentious, regularly changing menu.

Address

1 St Johns Road, St Leonards-on-Sea TN37 6HP