Lewes is a delightful and picturesque town located a short drive or train ride away from the bustling and vibrant centre of Brighton and Hove. The town has frequently been used as a means of escape for Brighton locals wishing to spend a day wandering through its cobbled streets and admiring its medieval architecture. Lewes is also the home of the famous annual Bonfire night and parade which attracts visitors from all over the country.
This humble market town may be a departure from the energetic cultural hub of Brighton, but it nevertheless boasts an extensive array of fantastic restaurants to entice hungry day-trippers and locals alike. Here are our top picks for restaurants in Lewes….
Bill’s Lewes
Where better to start on a list of the best restaurants in Lewes than with Bill’s? Aside from Lewes’ annual bonfire night, this restaurant is arguably the town’s most well-known export. With restaurants country-wide, Bill’s has forged a formidable name for itself in culinary circles since being founded in the town by Bill Collison in 2001. The restaurant began as a greengrocery and has retained its ethos for using fresh, locally-sourced produce in its food ever since.
Twenty years on, Bill’s specialises in cooking using distinctly British and European flavours. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner you’re after, Bill’s has you covered. When indulging in a slice of contemporary Lewes history, booking a table at Bill’s should be high on the priority list when visiting the town.
Address: 56 Cliffe High St, Lewes, BN7 2AN
The Cock Inn
Unsurprisingly for such a quaint and cheerful market town, Lewes boasts its fair share of delectable pub dining. The Cock Inn is among the very best pub-dining experiences Lewes has to offer. This family-run institution has everything you’d want from a gastro pub. The Ridley family, who own the pub, have taken an enterprising approach to pub cuisine with a range of dishes on the menu to accompany their cask ales and locally brewed beers and ciders.
Vegan and vegetarian-friendly mains and desserts accompany their wonderfully presented meat and fish dishes. For those travelling to the town on a Sunday, The Cock Inn has arguably the best Sunday Roast in the South East. Book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
Website: cockpub.co.uk
Address: Old Uckfield Rd, Lewes BN8 5RX
The Patch
The Patch is eccentrically marketed as a “beer café” and the restaurant does exactly what it says on the tin. With over ten keg lines, as well as an extensive selection of craft beers and wines, The Patch is the perfect destination for a boozy lunch. In addition to its wide array of beers, the menu at The Patch is well worth checking out. The café specialises in mouth-watering meat, vegetarian, and vegan breakfasts as well as lunchtime sandwiches tailor-made to soak up all the beer that will likely be drunk on arrival.
For those looking for a spot of hair-of-the-dog late breakfast, The Patch is the place to be. The restaurant serves breakfast until 3 pm Mondays to Saturdays.
Website: thepatchbeercafe.com
Address: 19-21 Market St, Lewes, BN7 2NB
Zorba Meze & Grill
Originating in Kent over 40 years ago, and now expanded into East Sussex, Zorba specialises in the very best in Turkish cuisine. The Lewes branch of Zorba opened in July of 2022 and has seen no shortage of visitors through its doors since opening. It’s easy to see why; the feast offered up at Zorba is a spectacle for the tastebuds with platters and freshly cooked specials aplenty.
Highlights of the menu at Zorba include the spicy chicken thigh cooked fresh over the Mangal as well as their “famous” meze platter for two, which includes lamb and chicken shish, Adana, chicken wings, lamb ribs and lamb chops. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. For those looking for a protein boost like no other need look no further than Zorba.
Website: zorbamezegrill.com/zorba-lewes
Address: Unit 2, Old Court House, Friars Walk, Lewes, BN7 2FS
The Rights of Man
Named in honour of former Lewes resident and political activist Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man has an austere name but the food and drinks on offer at this legendary pub are far from off-putting. The pub is positioned with a sought-after view of the interior of Lewes Castle and its décor is tastefully designed to compliment the wide array of Continental-leaning inspired dishes. With a vast menu of locally sourced ales, beers, and wines, as well as over 40 gins available, The Rights of Man pulls out all the stops to make sure its guests are well-fed and watered.
The food menu at the pub is varied and delicious. With Tapas sharing dishes, conventional pub grub, and an enterprising selection of sandwiches on offer, there is no shortage of mouth-watering food on offer at The Rights of Man.
Website: rightsofmanlewes.com
Address:179 High St, Lewes, BN7 1YE
Erawan
While it would be easy to assume that the majority of restaurants in Lewes are concentrated within the walls of its many pubs, the town in fact boasts a varied assortment of cuisine from all over the world. Erawan is the town’s leading pioneer in Thai cuisine and its diverse and mouth-watering menu has been attracting visitors to the restaurant for many years. The name of the restaurant derives from the Thai name of Airavata, a symbol that represents an elephant and has much cultural significance within the country’s history.
The menu at Erawan reflects a rich emphasis on traditional Thai heritage and the food is a joy to behold. The restaurant offers a bring-your-own-booze policy with a small corkage fee. But aside from the drinks, it’s the food at Erawan that really draws the crowds through its doors. For fans of Thai cuisine, this restaurant is not to be missed when visiting the town.
Website: erawan.co.uk
Address: 34 Lansdown Pl, Lewes, BN7 2JU
Fork Lewes
Fine dining connoisseurs visiting Lewes should be placing Fork at the very top of their itineraries for the day. The restaurant prides itself on authentic British cooking using only the very best in locally sourced ingredients in its enterprisingly conceived dishes. The restaurant places an emphasis on supporting local farmers and artisan producers, with meat, fruit and cheeses all sourced from Sussex farms, while Fork’s fish is sourced directly from the fishing boats of Newhaven.
The restaurant was recently given the critical seal of approval from The Guardian’s Grace Dent and it has firmly established itself as one of the town’s crown jewels in forward-thinking cuisine. Don’t hesitate to book a table well in advance as the restaurant is unsurprisingly in high demand.
Website: fork-lewes.co.uk
Address:14 Station St, Lewes, BN7 2DA
Pelham Arms
Those looking for no-frills pub dining in Lewes at its very best ought to look no further than the Pelham Arms. This family (and pet) friendly pub offers up all the pub-grub essentials, expertly cooked using the freshest local ingredients available supplied from all over Sussex, from classic burgers, to palette-quenching fish and chips, the Pelham Arms has it all.
The pub is on a mission to satisfy the tastebuds of everyone, no matter their dietary requirements. The menu is unbiased and curated to be strictly 50/50 between plant-based and omnivore. Pelham Arms also caters to those who are Gluten-free so there is something for everyone who chooses to dine in this iconic pub.
Address: High St, Lewes, BN7 1XL
Shanaz of Lewes
Authentic Indian cuisine in Lewes doesn’t get any better than at Shanaz of Lewes. Situated in the heart of the town on its famous High Street, Shanaz’s menu is the talk of the town. The cooking at Shanaz is of the highest quality with inspired flavours inhabiting each dish. The restaurant itself is cosy and welcoming, while neither the food nor the service will leave you hungry or disappointed.
With a wide variety of eclectic and flavourful dishes on offer, the restaurant caters to a wide range of dietary requirements with plant-based dishes available alongside tender and delicious oven-cooked meat.
Website: shanazlewes.co.uk
Address: 83 High St, Lewes, BN1 1XN
Fuego Lounge
The Lewes branch of the popular “Lounges” chain of bars and restaurants is a vibrant treat for those looking for a great place to sit back and unwind after a busy day exploring everything Lewes has to offer culturally. Fuego Lounge has an extensive menu of food and drinks and serves all day long. Highlights of its menu include a tongue-wagging selection of burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches, Tapas, and brunch options.
The atmosphere in Fuego Lounge is always lively and welcoming and its menu caters to a wide range of dietary requirements. The restaurant also takes bookings for larger groups, so it’s the perfect place to stop off when exploring the town accompanied by family, friends or both.
Website: thelounges.co.uk/fuego/
Address: Unit One, The Old Courthouse, Friars Walk, Lewes, BN7 2FS
