Restaurants
Formal or fun, these are eateries where you can have a full meal, and which open in the evening – but please check first – Covid caution required! We are all vegans, so by default this list contains vegan-friendly restaurants. Bexhill has lots of more carnivorous establishments, so pound the pavements and you should come across lots more dinner ideas!
Wickham Bistro
With a cosy atmosphere and rustic decor, this restaurant/café feels like a friendly family meal at home – but then, that’s what it is – a family affair, run by chef Sharon, and her husband and three kids. Delicious, healthy home-cooked food, reasonable prices, and super friendly staff. Make sure to check when they have evening openings. With a different menu every time, this restaurant is one of our absolute faves. Their Sunday roasts are apparently legendary – watch their Facebook page for their latest nosh offerings and special events.
Rusticos
A big favourite of ours, with a fabulous authentic Italian menu and super friendly staff, this is a must visit. We are vegan, and this is the most impressive Italian restaurant we have ever visited for delivering such faithful cheesiness that we once queried if they’d given us dairy cheese by accident (they hadn’t, but they did kindly let us know their vegan cheese secrets!).
The interiors are great fun – check out the pics on their website for a sneak preview of all their lovely vintage wall decor – everything from old oil containers to telephones to scooters! The pride and love they have for their business is palpable. We’ve had many a beach pizza from them too, since they offer a robust takeaway pizza service that will become your first port of call.
Amazing pizzas, delicious pasta dishes, desserts to drool over, this Neopolitan Italian restaurant serves up food that will have you licking your plate clean. Our favourite is the Rusticotti shaped pizzas oh no I’m literally drooling all over my keyboard.
Trattoria Italiana
One of Bexhill’s Italian restaurants, the lovely staff here will treat you like royalty. Dress up a bit, and come to Trattoria for a more formal evening meal in a lively, friendly, warm atmosphere. There is a plentiful choice of pizza, pasta and meat and fish dishes to choose from on their menus.
It is in Trattoria Italiana that Julian and I first had our ridiculous idea of buying a holiday let in Bexhill…so it is obviously food that gets the creative juices flowing!
Look out for the moped on the ceiling…
Sobre Mesa
Leave England for dinner and go to South America in search of vibrant Argentinian, Brazilian or Peruvian dishes in this lovely cosy restaurant. The chef and owner conjures up exquisite dishes including some excellent vegan and vegetarian options. They have an awesome brunch menu too – make sure this restaurant is on your hitlist!
Bistro 45
Well, since we’re only a stone’s throw from Belgium, why not?! This lovely restaurant, with its quirky interiors and homely feel, is a bistro that serves a bewildering array of mussel pots – succulent moules in all sorts of delicious cooking liquors. But if moules mariniéres ain’t your bag, don’t fret, because there are also mouthwatering burgers, fish dishes, crépes and other delicious mains, starters, lunch bites and sharing dishes to choose from, not to mention crépes and waffles for desserts.
They also have a fantastic menu of Belgian beers, including lovely fruit beers, blond beers, and dark beers, so if you fancy yourself a beer connoisseur you need to get down here.
Look for lots of Tintin references, reading matter in the loo, and beautiful booze bottles in use as water bottles – just to confuse you!
This one is Julian’s favourite.
Pebbles on the Beach
“A Family run Seafood Restaurant looking out across the English Channel” this seafood restaurant has stylish outdoor dining right on the beachfront, with most foods gluten free, and vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu too, as well as a children’s menu. This friendly restaurant has inside and terrace dining areas, and is open for lunch and evening dining, so you can watch the world go by al fresco, or nestle in the warm interior for your meal.
Thai Chava
If like us you love Thai food, then head over to Thai Chava for your fix. A family run business, and unusually (and we think this is quite fun) it is unlicensed – so bring your own wine. They do of course charge corkage but by all accounts it is not ludicrous. It has a garden area, and has the kind of formal but relaxed atmosphere typical of many Thai restaurants, where you are treated civilly and looked after well by the staff. Best to book, as the restaurant is not huge, and you don’t want to be disappointed. Also – they offer a takeaway service so if Tobago’s Diner calls, but not its kitchen, so be it!
Picasso Express
A welcoming and friendly restaurant in the main town with an easy-going atmosphere and lively decor, this is fast becoming a favourite of many who visit in Bexhill. Definitely one that will welcome the kids, and with a good, broad Italian menu that will deliver something for everyone. We like the urban industrial interior and funky colours in the bar, and this restaurant has a reputation for being good value for money.
The Driftwood
This very cool boutique hotel has been drawing nationwide press attention for its hip interiors, fine dining and friendly service, and we would absolutely agree. Covid has no doubt affected its offerings but this one is worth checking out for evening dining if you are looking for something a little more fancy than usual!
Athena’s Fish & Chips
When we have fish and chips, this is where we always go. Their fish is caught by local night boats and delivered daily, and on their blackboard you can see where their fish has come from that day – and their potatoes! They are passionate about the quality and environmental impact of their food, supporting British food industry and keep nasties out of your dinner.
So you can feel smug about the responsibility of your food choices while you stuff your happy little face on the beachfront, fish & chip box in hand.
Or do what we do, and eat them in Tobago’s diner!