A seaside town of two parts, St Leonards and Hastings are parvenus when it comes to seaside cachet, but as a result they’ve got more of a quirky vibe than their neighbours Eastbourne and Brighton. You can get the train journey there down to under 90 minutes if you go via St Pancras and change at Ashford.
Farmyard Wine
Where: 52 Kings Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings TN37 6DY
This restaurant and wine bar was opened in 2019 by former Evening Standard food writer Ben and his wife Kate. Sustainability is at the heart of what they do, so expect a very locavore menu with lesser-used cuts of meat. The wine list specialises in natural, biodynamic and low-intervention wines. The duo are also behind Boat Yard - the cafe and bar at Hastings Contemporary Art Gallery - and are involved in Heist Market, a food and drink collab which will feature a bar, restaurant and more and is opening this summer.
Follow them on Instagram: @farmyardwine and@boatyardhastings
The Royal
Where: 1 St Johns Road, St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex TN37 6HP
This 18th-century pub has recently had a new lease of life, opening last summer with James Hickson and Sam Coxhead, who previously worked together at Great Queen Street, The Canton Arms, and St John. They went straight onto the 50 Best Gastropubs list with their dishes of rabbit nicoise and onglet tagliata.
Follow them on Instagram: @the_royal_st_leonards
St Clements
Where: 3 Mercatoria, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN38 0EB
The menu at this lovely local spot changes incredibly regularly, so expect to find dishes made from whatever was good at the fishmonger or grocer that morning. So there might be fresh white crab with buttery new potatoes, samphire grass & lemon mayo or even Blue Cheese Ice Cream with Hazelnut Praline & Poached Pears.
Follow them on Instagram: @stclementsstleonards
Plus: look out for Goat Ledge on the seafront serving up fish baps, katsu fries and more.
Badger Inc is worth keeping an eye for their supperclub series with The One Armed Chef.
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