
Think of Sussex and you conjure up views of undulating downland and the holiday beaches of the south coast. Both have their part to play in the county's food scene.
Southdown lamb is highly prized for its very distinctive flavour, while the waters around Rye Bay provide lobsters, sea bass and the like. Several big-name vineyards have also sprung up in recent years.
Brighton and Hove is best known for its colourful ethnic and vegetarian restaurants.
The Ginger FoxFrom the same stable as the Gingerman Restaurant and the Ginger Pig pub in Brighton, this is a cracking country hostelry that ticks all the boxes - whether you are looking for scenery, a kid-friendly attitude, fine local ales and wines or exemplary modern food.
Henfield Road, Albourne, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
George and DragonTo find this archetypal English country pub opposite Burpham's twelfth-century church, you need to navigate your way through long winding Sussex lanes for some three miles from Arundel.
The Main Street, Arundel, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Queens Room RestaurantHidden away for 900 years near the picturesque village of Amberley in the chalk South Downs, Amberley Castle is a magnificent historical treasure that offers a truly unique experience.
Amberley Castle, Arundel, Sussex - Cuisine: Eclectic
The Town HouseSitting in the shadow of Arundel's awesome castle, this demour Regency town house (formerly The Dukes of Arundel) has been turned into a delightful family-run hotel with a notable restaurant.
65 High Street, Arundel, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
NoblesPaul Noble's self-named restaurant occupies a stylishly refurbished townhouse in the historic Sussex town of Battle (the scene of a famous confrontation in 1066!).
17 High Street, Battle, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
The PowderMills Hotel, Orangery RestaurantThe name PowderMills is a reference to the fact that this building was a gunpowder factory during Napoleonic times - although these days it's a picture of tranquillity.
Powdermill Lane, Battle, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
The Curlew Restaurant at BodiamStanding at a quiet crossroads on the Kent/Sussex border is The Curlew Restaurant at Bodiam which dates back to the seventeenth-century, complete with weatherboarding and garden herbs in hanging buckets which are used in the kitchen.
Junction Road, Bodiam, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
Cliffords CottageSituated near the seafront in a popular holiday village not far from Chichester, this restaurant fully lives up to its rustic title.
Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham, Sussex - Cuisine: French
Terre à TerreTerre à Terre has been breaking rules and re-defining the genre since it opened as a BYO café just off Brighton seafront more than 15 years and it recently scooped 'Best for Vegetarian' at the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2008.
71 East Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Vegetarian
Coriander Restaurant'Around 90% of our dishes are organic,' proclaim the owners of this hugely popular restaurant not far from the Hove seafront.
5 Hove Manor Parade, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Global
GrazeBilled as Brighton's 'first and only taster restaurant', Graze is a stylish newcomer that has been glamorously done out with a Regency-inspired interior and slide-back doors opening out onto Western Road.
42 Western Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Contemporary
Havana Restaurant and BarOccupying the site of the old Duke Street Theatre – opened in 1790 – and later renamed the Theatre Royal after a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1805, Havana retains much of the building's classical Tuscan-style façade, but that's where any links with the past come to a halt.
32 Duke Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Moshi MoshiThe South Coast branch of London's ground-breaking sushi chain is tucked away in a bespoke building between Brighton's Lanes and the sea.
The Opticon, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Japanese
Regency RestaurantA bastion of the Brighton scene since the 1930s, this venerable seafront restaurant deals in fish – fresh and simple.
131 Kings Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
Sam's of BrightonSituated in Kemp Town 'village', between Brighton Pier and the Marina, Sam's occupies the site that once traded as One Paston Place.
1 Paston Place, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
Sevendials RestaurantSince opening in 2001, Sevendials has developed into one of the big hitters on the Brighton restaurant scene. Sam Metcalfe honed his skills in a clutch of big-name London kitchens before setting up his own place in a defunct branch of Lloyds Bank, a few minutes from the seafront.
1 Buckingham Place, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
The MeadowSituated adjacent to Hove's famous Clock Gardens, the Meadow is 'a welcome addition to the area,' according to one enthusiastic UK Restaurant Guide reporter.
64 Western Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
The Restaurant at DrakesDrakes now claims its place as Brighton's finest boutique hotel. It's a gem of a double-fronted Georgian townhouse overlooking the town's highly desirable seafront, and boasts an eclectic interior that fuses oriental influences with a splash of Indochine-French colonialism and a touch of decadence.
Drakes Boutique Hotel, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Al DuomoBrighton's oldest pizza and pasta joint (established in 1979) is a mammoth 300-seater with a vast piazza area next to the Royal Pavilion and close to the Pier and the Lanes.
7 Pavilion Building, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Italian
BlenioGuide entry suspended for Blenio Restaurant.
87-93 Dyke Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: European
Casa Don Carlos'Close your eyes and you could be on the Costa' just about sums up the irresistible charms of this cracking little tapas joint in The Lanes.
5 Union Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas
Casalingo'Casalingo' roughly translates as 'home cooked', which gives an idea of the ethos behind Angelo Martinoli's charming restaurant in a buzzy part of Brighton close to the sea.
29 Preston Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Italian
China GardenA stark black frontage marks out China Garden, a highly popular and rather fashionable Chinese restaurant on a street corner within strolling distance of Brighton seafront.
88-91 Preston Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Chinese
English's RestaurantEnglish's is one of the oldest and best known restaurants on the South Coast it has been delighting Brighton residents and visitors alike with seafood for over 150 years.
29-31 East Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
GarsGars Chinese restaurant is set in the heart of the famous Brighton Lanes and offers a creative mix of modern and authentic Chinese cuisine with a sprinkling of Japanese and Thai favourites.
19 Prince Albert Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Chinese
GingermanThe name may be quirky, but there is serious gastronomic stuff going on at Ben McKellar's intimate little restaurant just up from the seafront on the border between Brighton and Hove.
21a Norfolk Square, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Hotel du Vin & BistroOpened in 2002, Hotel du Vin Brighton stands in the heart of the Lanes conservation area, a stone's throw from the seafront, and it's one of the most unusual buildings in the group.
2-6 Ship Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Indian SummerIndian Summer in Hove opened its doors on East Street in 2003, with the aim of providing even more choice and flexibility tailored to the needs of buzzy, cosmopolitan Brighton.
69 East Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Indian
Kemp BrasserieA favourite with local Kemptownians, this no-frills brasserie attracts the crowds with its user-friendly mix of bistro-style dishes and seafood specials.
24-25 St Georges Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: International
L'EgliseJulia and Jean-Christophe Martin named their restaurant L'Eglise after its location in Church Road, Hove, but there's nothing reverential about the atmosphere or cooking in this exciting new arrival on the Brighton scene.
196 Church Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: French
Leonardo RestaurantA classic Sicilian family-run restaurant, Leonardo opened its doors in 1996 and now considers itself to be the 'Don' among Brighton's clutch of traditional trattorias.
55 Church Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Italian
SaharaA spectacular makeover has transformed this long-running ethnic restaurant (formerly Tehran) into an exotic venue with voluminous silks billowing from the ceiling, red velvet cushions to sit on, Arabic music playing and the intoxicating perfume of hubble-bubble apple tobacco wafting through the air (a hookah costs £10, if you fancy a puff).
103 Western Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Seattle Restaurant, Bar & Deck'Strange tranquillity at the water's edge' is what visitors are promised at this highly unusual hotel/restaurant on an ocean 'liner' moored in Brighton's stunning waterfront development.
Alias Hotel Seattle, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
Sukhothai PalaceThis well-liked neighbourhood restaurant is slightly off the beaten track, but it remains a popular destination with locals and delivers the best Thai food in the area, according to one UK Restaurant Guide user.
62 Middle Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Thai
Tandoori BitesPopular Indian restaurant in Hove serving delicious traditional and contemporary Indian cuisine in a relaxed modern environment. It also operates a BYO drinks policy with no corkage charge.
5 Victoria Terrace, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Indian
The Foragers PubWe are pleased to introduce The Foragers as a new addition to The Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
3 Stirling Place, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Ginger PigThe husband and wife team of Ben and Pamela McKellar have made a name for themselves with their Gingerman restaurants in Brighton, and recently added a third string to their bow in the shape of the Ginger Pig gastropub.
3 Hove Street, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Real Eating Company'Real Eating is shaping the way we eat in Britain', wrote Terry Durack in The Independent, and this admirable all-day venue ticks all the right boxes.
86-87 Western Road, Brighton and Hove, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
CassonsOver the years, dedicated owners Viv and 'Cass' Casson have turned their self-named restaurant into valued asset for the people of Chichester and beyond.
Arundel Road, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern English
Comme ÇaMichel and Jane Navet's delightful restaurant occupies a converted Georgian pub across the park from the Chichester Festival Theatre. Inside, old Victorian prints, objets d'art, dried flowers and hop-garlanded beams show Jane's eye for detail; the same theme spills over into the beautiful new Garden Room, which leads through French doors to the enclosed patio and sunken garden.
67 Broyle Road, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: French
Crouchers Country HotelA converted 1900s farmhouse in open countryside between Dell Quay and Chichester Marina is the setting for this family-run country hotel/restaurant.
Birdham Road, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
The Dining Room at Purchases'Purchases' has made a name for itself over the years as the country's oldest wine merchant and has been run by the same family since 1780.
31 North Street, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
West Stoke HouseWest Stoke was originally Goodwood's Georgian dower house, but it now serves as a restaurant-with-rooms set in five acres of impeccably nurtured gardens within striking distance of the Downs.
Downs Road, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
Field & Fork at Pallant House GalleryA calm retreat situated within the Pallant House Gallery (with a separate entrance in East Pallant), this relaxed venue is an ideal daytime pit-stop for shoppers, office workers and visitors to the town.
9, North Pallant, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: Indian
The Earl of MarchWe are pleased to introduce The Earl of March as a new addition to The Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Lavant Road, Chichester, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
GallucciAuthentic regional Italian food within a few miles of Gatwick Airport is the promise at Gallucci, the revamped fine-dining restaurant on the ground floor of the Arora International Hotel.
Arora International Hotel, Crawley, Sussex - Cuisine: Italian
Gatwick Oriental RestaurantGatwick Oriental is a stylish, elegant eatery at the foyer level of the Sofitel London Gatwick Hotel offering a smart menu of pan-Asian cooking.
Sofitel Hotel, Crawley, Sussex - Cuisine: Pan Asian
Ockenden ManorOckenden Manor is all about understated class and elegance. The fine-looking sixteenth-century manor is set amid nine acres of impeccably maintained grounds and is a joy to behold.
Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern French
The Coach and HorsesFrom Danehill, head down School Lane towards Chelwood Common to find The Coach and Horses, a delightful Victorian country pub (circa 1847) with a pretty garden surrounded by unspoilt Sussex countryside - the views of the South Downs are splendid.
School Lane, Danehill, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Gravetye ManorSuperlatives come easily when talking about this instantly alluring and enchanting Elizabethan manor house set in 1,000 acres of awe-inspiring grounds.
Vowels Lane, East Grinstead, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
Alexander House Hotel, Reflections RestaurantWe are pleased to introduce Reflections Restaurant as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Turners Hill, East Grinstead, Sussex - Cuisine: Mediterranean
The Old MillWe are pleased to introduce this restaurant as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Dunnings Mill, East Grinstead, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Royal OakA stone's throw from the sporting pleasures of Goodwood, this civilised eighteenth-century pub has been given a sophisticated makeover by current owners Nick and Lisa Sutherland.
Pook Lane, East Lavant, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Grand Hotel, Mirabelle RestaurantThe Grand was built 1875 and has a suitably rich past: over the years it has welcomed all manner of dignitaries from Winston Churchill to Charlie Chaplin, and the BBC Palm Court Orchestra used to broadcast live from the Great Hall every Sunday night.
King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Flamenco Tapas RestaurantWe are pleased to introduce Flamenco Tapas Restaurant as a new addition to The Guide for 2009. A full review will be published shortly.
8 Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne, Sussex - Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas
The Grand Hotel, Garden RestaurantThe Garden Restaurant, situated in Eastbourne's illustrious Grand Hotel, offers a quintessentially British dining experience with stunning views across the cliffs of Beachy Head.
King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne, Sussex - Cuisine: English
Ashdown Park HotelThe setting is an absolute joy, a sprawling Victorian mansion standing in 186 acres of grounds complete with secret gardens, woodland trails, streams and ornamental lakes.
Hartfield Road, Forest Row, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Star and GarterA village pond and cottages built of Sussex flint set the scene in this pretty village close to the South Downs Way, and the Star & Garter fits in perfectly.
East Dean, Goodwood, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Black PearlLocated in the heart of the historic Old Town, Black Pearl brings 'gastronomy and good times' to Hastings. It's a flexible set up on two levels: you can soak up the informal, animated atmosphere of the ground-floor brasserie or enjoy something a touch more sophisticated in the upstairs restaurant.
9 George Street, Hastings, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
Chatsworth Hotel, Jali HastingsWe are pleased to introduce Jali Hastings as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Carlisle Parade, Hastings, Sussex - Cuisine: Indian
Jeremy's at Borde HillOverlooking the Victorian walled garden you enter Jeremy's through the cobbled courtyard of a former stable block on the 200 year old Borde Hill Estate.
Balcombe Road, Haywards Heath, Sussex - Cuisine: Contemporary
Chequers InnThe warning 'Mind your head!' gives an idea of the history and age of this delightful old pub in the tiny hamlet of Rowhook just off the A281 Guildford Road.
Rowhook, Horsham, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Cisswood House HotelOriginally built for a former chairman of Harrods and featuring marvellous examples of wood and plasterwork created by the famous store's craftsmen; Cisswood House is set in acres of mature landscaped gardens in the pretty village of Lower Beeding.
Sandygate Lane, Horsham, Sussex - Cuisine: Contemporary British
Restaurant TristanMichelin-starred chef Tristan Mason (formerly of Orrery and the Hare Restaurant in Lambourn) has moved south to open his own place in Horsham.
3 Stan's Way, Horsham, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
South Lodge HotelA 100-year-old camellia holds pride of place on the south-facing terrace of this splendidly restored Georgian mansion, which was built as a family home in 1883.
Brighton Road, Horsham, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Hungry MonkOpened in the late 60s, the Hungry Monk occupies a centuries-old building that originally served as a retreat for medieval pilgrims (hence the name).
The Street, Jevington, Sussex - Cuisine: Anglo French
The Real Eating CompanySister to the original in Hove, this branch of the Real Eating Company also ticks all the right boxes. Menus change daily, ingredients are local and seasonal where possible, prices are keen, everyone is welcome, and the place goes about its business without airs, graces or pretence.
18 Cliffe High Street, Lewes, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
The ShelleysThe elegant dining room overlooks the garden and has an excellent reputation for its cuisine.
High Street, Lewes, Sussex - Cuisine: British
The Silk Road Mediterranean RestaurantNovember 2000 saw the opening of Littlehampton's most flamboyant restaurant The Silk Road serving Turkish and Mediterranean food. The interior is a breathtaking mix of Persian carpets, mosaics and rich velvet drapes with tented ceilings amongst gleaming copper and brassware.
8-10 Arcade Road, Littlehampton, Sussex - Cuisine: Turkish
The East Beach CafeWe are pleased to introduce The East Beach Cafe as a new addition to The Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Sea Road, Littlehampton, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
MuranoFollowing her departure from the Connaught in 2007, the doyenne of British female chefs Angela Hartnett (MBE) is back with a vengeance and two new openings.
20 - 22 Queen Street, Mayfair, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
The Angel Hotel, Bentley's GrillA fine example of an old English coaching inn, the Angel dates back to the sixteenth century but now offers travellers up-to-date comforts as well as traditional hospitality.
North Street, Midhurst, Sussex - Cuisine: Steak
The Duke of CumberlandOn fine days it's just possible to look right across the Leith Hill (the highest point in neighbouring Surrey) from this delightful fifteenth-century pub.
Henley, Midhurst, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Newick Park Hotel & RestaurantWith fabulous views across the surrounding park and countryside, Newick Park is a haven of peace and tranquillity. The house is full of beautiful antiques, many of which are old family heirlooms, and guests soon become friends of the owners, Michael and Virginia Childs who devoted five years to refurbishing this delightful country house.
Newick nr Lewes, Newick, Sussex - Cuisine: British
The Green Man Inn and RestaurantThe well-maintained Green Man stands just outside the village of Partridge Green, but it's easy to spot: just look for the neat exterior, lawned garden and water features.
Church Road, Partridge Green, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Halfway Bridge InnFrom the outside, this seventeenth-century village pub midway between Petworth and Midhurst looks for all the world like a private house, with its tidy porch and neat brickwork.
Halfway Bridge, Petworth, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Ghyll ManorIn a charming Sussex village within easy reach of the M23 and Gatwick Airport, Ghyll Manor is a pretty-as-a-picture sixteenth-century mansion set in 40 acres of grounds.
High Street, Rusper, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
Landgate BistroDuring its lifetime, the immensely likeable Landgate Bistro has established a reputation for honest, classy food based emphatically around local ingredients.
5-6 Landgate, Rye, Sussex - Cuisine: British
The Riverside RestaurantOpened in 1999 as part of the River Haven Hotel, this restaurant naturally benefits from glorious riverside views and is handily placed close to the ancient town of Rye.
The River Haven Hotel, Rye, Sussex - Cuisine: International
Webbe's at The Fish CaféHaving made a name for themselves at The Wild Mushroom in Westfield, Paul and Rebecca Webbe decided to breathe some new life into Rye by opening this exciting seafood venture.
Tower Street, Rye, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
Flushing InnThere's been a building on this site since the early years of the thirteenth century, although it didn't become the curiously named Flushing Inn until several hundred years later.
4-5 Market Street, Rye, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
The George in RyeA dazzling transformation has taken place at this historic coaching inn (circa 1575), thanks to a new team who have turned it into a stylish boutique hotel.
98 High Street, Rye, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
The Rushmere Restaurant and BarOriginally a tearoom surrounded by its own grounds, this '30s building has been transformed into a likeable restaurant with charming country-house fittings.
Hillfield Road, Selsey, Sussex - Cuisine: International
The Crab & LobsterWe are pleased to introduce The Crab & Lobster as a new addition to The Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
Mill Lane, Sidlesham, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
St ClementsNick Hales goes down to the local day boats almost every day to procures spanking fresh supplies for his relaxed neighbourhood restaurant a short stroll from the beach.
3 Mercatoria, St Leonards on Sea, Sussex - Cuisine: Seafood
Nava Thai RestaurantFrom the outside, the Hamilton Arms looks every inch the quintessential Sussex country pub, complete with white walls, a tiled roof and a small flowery terrace, but inside it tells a very different story.
The Hamilton Arms, Stedham, Sussex - Cuisine: Thai
Old ForgeSituated in the West Sussex down land village of Storrington, The Old Forge Restaurant is a combination of several cottages and a forge dating back to the late 16th century.
6 Church Street, Storrington, Sussex - Cuisine: Contemporary
The Keepers ArmsNestling on a hillside above the river Rother at Trotton Bridge, this archetypal Sussex pub looks a picture with its ancient tiled exterior, lovely views and trees all around.
Terwick Lane, Trotton, Sussex - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Alexander House Hotel, AG's Grill RoomWe are pleased to introduce AG's Grill Room as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2010. A full review will be published shortly.
East Street, Turners Hill, Sussex - Cuisine: Grill
The Griffin InnA focal point of village life in Fletching since the sixteenth century, the gentrified Griffin is every inch the traditional English inn – with a few extra attractions for good measure.
Fletching, Uckfield, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
Buxted ParkBuxted Park is a magnificent Georgian Palladian mansion set in 312 acres of superb parkland roamed by fallow deer and traversed by the River Uck.
Buxted, Uckfield, Sussex - Cuisine: British
Horsted Place'Glorious' is an understatement for this magnificent example of Gothic revivalist architecture, designed by Augustus Pugin and built around 1850 by George Myers.
Little Horsted, Uckfield, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern British
Best Beech InnOff the beaten track, down a country road surrounded by beech woods, the Best Beech Inn can trace its history back to the late seventeenth century.
Mayfield Lane, Wadhurst, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European
The Wild MushroomSet back behind an old wooden fence, the Wild Mushroom occupies a Victorian farmhouse in the Sussex village of Westfield.
Woodgate House, Westfield, Sussex - Cuisine: Modern European