Six Sussex restaurants named among Britain's best local eateries

A feast of local talent

Sussex's thriving food scene has received a major boost, with six outstanding restaurants making the cut in the Good Food Guide's prestigious 2026 list of Britain's 100 best local restaurants.

The accolades celebrate venues that offer excellent food, value and atmosphere in relaxed settings — a fitting recognition for the diverse culinary landscape across Brighton, Worthing, and Hastings.

Leading the way

The Union Rye in Rye led Sussex's entries, ranking at number 23 on the national list. The restaurant, which features in the Michelin Guide, is known for its seasonal British cooking that showcases the best of local produce.

Following closely behind was Bauji in Worthing at 39th place. Founded by former Michelin-starred chef Dayashankar Sharma, Bauji serves Rajasthani-inspired Indian comfort food based on family recipes, bringing authentic regional cuisine to the area.

Brusco in Brighton secured 57th place, standing out as an intimate vermouth bar that celebrates Italian aperitivo culture with fresh local produce and a wide vegetarian selection.

Brighton's diverse dining scene

Brighton proved its culinary credentials with two more entries in the top 100. Amari, which earned 67th place, has been praised for elevating Spanish dining in the city with modern pintxos and tapas under the direction of chef Iain Swainson.

Namo, founded by Thailand-born chef Brookie Mitchell, took 89th place. The restaurant is recognised for its authentic Thai street food and was previously featured in BBC Good Food's list of Brighton's best places to eat.

A tribute to creativity

Rounding out the Sussex selection was Tonka in Hastings, a Mauritian fusion restaurant and bakery that came in at 90th place.

Chloë Hamilton, head of reviews and listings at the Good Food Guide, highlighted the resilience of these establishments: "In the face of adversity, creativity has flourished in unusual and unlikely places. It has been hugely rewarding to see how these tiny operations are offering outstanding quality in a way that so clearly strikes a chord with the local crowd."

Hamilton added: "Arrive with an open mind and a good appetite and you'll be brilliantly rewarded."

The rise of micro-restaurants

The Good Food Guide noted an interesting trend across Britain's top local restaurants — the growing success of micro-restaurants and venues that double as delis, wine shops, or cafés. Ten per cent of this year's entries seat 20 guests or fewer, whilst more than a quarter rely on additional income from retail operations.

This recognition underscores how Sussex's independent food businesses continue to punch above their weight, offering memorable dining experiences that resonate with both locals and visitors alike.

Source: Good Food Guide: Six Sussex restaurants among UK's best