Top cafés and restaurants - eat and drink on the Sussex seafront

Where better to spend a lazy lunchtime than beside the ocean? Hazel Sillver lists of some of the top coastal spots in Sussex for a bite to eat

ICE CREAM PARLOURS

Marrocco’s | Hove

This unfussy, friendly Italian gem is a nice spot for breakfast and for pizza in the evening, but it is most famous (and rightly so) for ice cream. Their incredible flavours include tiramisu, hazelnut, After Eight, apple pie and strawberry cheesecake.

marroccos.co.uk, BN3 2WA, 01273 203764

Fusciardi’s | Eastbourne

This Eastbourne institution has been whipping up ice cream since the 1960s. As well as ice cream cones and waffles, they also serve great coffee and amazing sundaes in flavours such as bubble gum, coconut, maple walnut, honeycomb, banana and ginger.

fusciardiicecreams.co.uk, 01323 722128

Di Pola’s | Hastings

The homemade ice cream at this friendly spot in Hastings Old Town is scrummy. There are incredible flavours (sea salt caramel, chilli chocolate, white chocolate, cappuccino, black cherry...) and the coffee is first class.

14 Marine Parade, TN34 3AH, 01424 203666

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FOR WONDERFUL VIEWS

De La Warr Pavilion | Bexhill on Sea

Enjoy art exhibitions in the galleries of the pavilion before refueling in the café. Sit outside and soak up the sea views as you sup cappuccinos and gorge on pastries and cakes.

dlwp.com, 01424 229119, TN40 1DP

Whitecliffs | Saltdean

Park in Rottingdean and saunter along the undercliff walk to this café, which boasts sea views from its raised position. Lunches include tapas, burgers, sandwiches and paninis. thewhitecliffsuk.com, 01273 309357, BN2 8SQ

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FOR CHILDREN

Barefoot Cafe at Yellowave Brighton

A top spot for organic coffees, breakfasts and light lunches, and you don’t need any shoes! The café looks over the beach and volleyball courts (which offer children’s lessons) and a playground, a crazy golf course and the Volk’s railway are close by. The kids’ menu includes pancakes, mini bacon sarnies and cheesy beans on toast.

yellowave.co.uk, 01273 672222, BN2 1EN

Eat at The Stade | Hastings

This light, contemporary café by the sea in Hastings Old Town is family friendly. Situated opposite the Jerwood Gallery in the new Stade Open Space, it offers simple food done well and has plenty of veggie options. There’s a play area with toys and books, lots of highchairs and plenty of room for pushchairs. Great for breakfast, lunch or coffee and cake.

eathastings.co.uk, 01424 447116, TN34 3FJ

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BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

East Beach Café | Littlehampton

This iconic building, designed by architect Thomas Heatherwick, tastes as good as it looks. A great spot for lunch, but the breakfasts are delicious too. Greet Sunday morning with a Sussex bacon sandwich, field mushrooms on toast or eggs benedict.

eastbeachcafe.co.uk, 01903 731903, BN17 5GB

The Lobster Pot | Felpham

This popular café on the seafront near Bognor Regis gets busy from lunchtime onwards so visiting earlier in the day should ensure you a table. They serve hearty breakfasts, including traditional fry-ups (with a vegetarian option), smoked salmon and eggs, bacon sandwiches and mushrooms on toast. Four-legged friends are welcome.

lobsterpotfelpham.com, 01243 862751, PO22 7AF

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FOR LUNCH

The Beach Deck | Eastbourne

This café is in a gorgeous spot, right on the beach. They serve breakfasts, lunches (such as paninis, burgers and vegetarian dishes) and dinners. Alternatively pop in for a locally brewed Long Man beer, coffee or afternoon tea. This is a great place for parents because children can roam free on the beach right in front of you.

thebeachdeck.co.uk, 01323 720320, BN22 7AE

The Anchor Bleu | Bosham, near Chichester

This old pub has beautiful views over the harbour in the peaceful little village of Bosham. They serve simple tasty food such as salt and pepper squid, whitebait, fish and chips and crab salad. Be very careful where you park on the shore if the tide is out – cars have been known to disappear underwater! The village car park is a lot safer...

anchorbleu.co.uk, 01243 573956, PO18 8LS

Harbour Lights | Littlehampton

Technically this café and restaurant is close to the seafront rather than on it, but it has lovely views over the harbour so you can watch the boats coming and going out to sea. They serve a varied lunch menu of burgers, fish and chips, paninis, scampi and veggie options. They also do nice breakfasts.

lookandsea.co.uk, 01903 718984, BN17 5AW

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FOR DINNER

Riddle & Finns | Brighton

Gaze over the beach and enjoy tasty fish and seafood such as tiger prawns, lobster, oysters, Keralan fish curry and crab linguini. Both the outside and indoor eating areas have views of the ocean.

riddleandfinns.co.uk, 01273 821218, BN1 2FN

The Gallivant | Camber Sands

This elegant eatery opposite the Camber dunes is a great place for dinner. Freshly caught fish and local meats dominate the menu and there are delicious desserts such as warm chocolate doughnuts and pistachio mousse with white chocolate sauce.

thegallivanthotel.com, 01797 225057, TN31 7RB

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FOR AFTERNOON TEA

National Trust Café | Birling Gap

Soak up the views from this clifftop café after a walk along the dramatic Seven Sisters coastline. Choose between a cream tea (with freshly-made scones), a toasted teacake or a slice of homemade cake. There are gluten-free options and the café also does breakfasts, hot lunches and sandwiches. Children will love the ice cream parlour selling locally made ice creams.

nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the-seven-sisters, 01323 422511, BN20 0AB

Tea Beside The Sea | Bexhill on Sea

Head down to The Colonnade building for cream teas, high teas and buttered crumpets, served with lashings of hot tea. The cakes are homemade and some are gluten-free. If you’re in the mood for something stronger, they serve cool lagers and Pimm’s at the weekend when there are often music events.

teabesidethesea.co.uk, 01424 213385, TN40 1BP

The Grand | Brighton

Take afternoon tea in style at the famous Grand hotel on Brighton’s seafront. Hand-cut sandwiches and cream teas (made with homemade scones) are served in the Victoria Lounge, which overlooks the West Pier and the sea.

devere-hotels.co.uk/the-grand, 0871 222 4684, BN1 2FW

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FOR DOGS

The Blue Bird | Ferring

Doggies are very welcome at this seaside café near Worthing, which dates back to 1932. Visit for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, milkshakes or ice creams, after a walk on the nice stretch of beach here.

01903 503033, BN12 5QX

Plato’s | Hastings

This friendly, unpretentious café opposite the crazy golf course serves tasty traditional fare. It’s right on the main seafront road, but the food and service are worth it. The fish and chips are good, as are the breakfasts and their speciality Greek dishes. Children and dogs are always made welcome.

01424 716464, TN34 3AJ

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FISH AND CHIPS

Head to one of these much-loved chippies, arm yourself with a warm parcel of fish and chips and go down to the beach to share it.

Osborne’s, Seaford; 01323 891779, BN25 1HG

Real Fish & Chips Company, Worthing; realfishandchips.co.uk, 01903 238837, BN14 9JH

Life Boat Restaurant, Hastings; 01424 420388, TN34 3AL

The Regency, Brighton; theregencyrestaurant.co.uk, 01273 325014, BN1 2HH

Pagham Beach Café; ourbutton.com/pagham/pagham-beach-cafe/1132, 01243 267433, PO21 4SX

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