17 Outstanding Places to Eat in Rye, East Sussex

Rye is a beautiful little town about an hour from London, and it’s so small you could grab a coffee and walk from one end to the other before it gets cold. Well, depending on how fast you walk.

But don’t let the size fool you. When it comes to places to eat in Rye, East Sussex, this little town punches well above its weight. I spent a week eating my way through here, and these are my favorites.

From cozy tearooms and coffee shops to a fish and chip shop, a cat cafe, and a few nice dinner spots, there’s a lot packed into this small town. So whether you want a quick bite, an afternoon treat, or somewhere to linger over a long meal, this guide has you covered.

Every spot here is one I visited and ate at myself, so you can skip the guesswork and trust these are worth your time.

Outstanding Places to Eat in Rye, East Sussex

Best Afternoon Tea in Rye

The Cobbles Tea Room | Address: 1 Hylands Yard Off, The Mint, Rye TN31 7EP, United Kingdom

The Cobbles Tea Room is a traditional English tea room set inside a little cottage in Rye, and it’s been open for over 70 years. It’s tucked down a tiny cobbled side street off The Mint.

It was opened in 1953 by two sisters, Doris and Iris Rouse, who lived here and served guests in the front room while caring for their father in the back. More than seven decades later, that legacy lives on under new owners who’ve kept the place just about the same. They serve homemade scones and cakes baked fresh daily, loose-leaf tea, and there is no wifi.

When I walked in, I almost felt like I was intruding in someone’s home. It’s small and snug, with soft floral wallpaper, and it’s full of vintage bits: a round wall clock, flying duck ornaments, framed seaside prints, and fringed lampshades that give the place a warm glow.

In terms of food, their specialty, of course, is afternoon tea, but they do have a food menu if you’re looking for something more substantial. I was very excited to try the afternoon tea, and it came with a warm scone with jam and clotted cream, a slice of Victoria sponge, and egg sandwiches cut into triangles.

Everything was warm, fresh, and exactly what I wanted on a cold November afternoon. If you’re after a traditional afternoon tea in Rye, this is the place to go.

Best Bakery in Rye

Cocoamore | Address: 23A Lion St, Rye TN31 7LB, United Kingdom

Cocoamore is a little dessert shop in Rye that does one thing: fresh strawberries dipped in warm, melted Belgian chocolate. You’ll find it on Lion Street in the heart of Rye’s old town. There’s a chocolate fountain in the window, and that alone should stop you in your tracks.

The strawberries are fresh, grown locally, and incredibly ripe and juicy. They come dipped in rich Belgian chocolate, with cream or ice cream if you want to go all in. They also do cookies, and I went for the cookies and cream one. A delicious option if strawberries aren’t your thing, or if you’re like me and struggle to choose just one dessert.

Best British Food in Rye

The Union | Address: 8 East St, Rye TN31 7JY, United Kingdom

The Union is one of the fancier and more expensive places to eat in Rye, serving elevated British food. It’s set in a stunning 15th-century building.

The food is modern British, built around small and large plates that are made for sharing. The menu changes daily depending on what’s fresh and in season. You could easily share a few plates between two people.

I started with the beignets topped with grated cheese, and they were hot, light, and melted in my mouth. Then came the Colchester oysters with jalapeño relish, which are their specialty, and I get why. For my main, I had the pork, which was tender with crispy kale on top that had a satisfying crunch.

Almost everything here is made in-house, right down to the ricotta, black pudding, crackers, and ice cream, and the wine is local too, with bottles from nearby vineyards like Westwell and Ham Street.

Best Brunch in Rye

Whitehouse | Address: 4 High St, Rye TN31 7JF, United Kingdom

Whitehouse sits right on the High Street in the middle of Rye, in a Grade II listed building. It used to be called White Vine House, but the vine out front was tearing up the brickwork and had to go, so Whitehouse it became.

It’s run by two women: Rosie is Rye-born and was head baker at an award-winning cafe in New Zealand, while Claudia has run pubs and inns around town for years.

If this place wasn’t already adorable enough, upstairs are six little B&B rooms, each named after a baked good. Tart, Crumpet, and Whoopie, to name a few.

Brunch is served all day. I had the Herbi: eggs on sourdough with spicy black beans, a roasted mushroom, and smokey tomatoes. If that’s not your thing, there’s plenty else: eggs benedict, Turkish eggs, blueberry pancakes, a salmon hash, or a full breakfast plate.

The entire place also smells like baked goods, so it’s nearly impossible to leave without grabbing a pastry or a slice of cake, which I did not do and still regret that decision to this day.

This is definitely one of the best places to eat in Rye for brunch.

Best Burger in Rye

Big Guys French Fries | Address: 24 Wish St, Rye TN31 7DA, United Kingdom

Big Guys French Fries is a little family-run place on Wish Street, just a minute from the center of town. It’s run by a trio: Georgi, Anelia, and Dvora.

This is where you come when you’ve had your fill of fish and chips, scones, and cream teas. I went with a beef burger with cheddar, bacon jam, pickled red onions, and a secret sauce, plus a side of herby fries with cheese.

Was it the best burger of my life? No. But it was tasty, filling, and exactly what I was craving.

They’ve also got chicken, fish, and vegan burgers, plus wraps and sandwiches, and if you’re really hungry, ribs and chicken wings.

Best Cafes in Rye

The Fig | Address: 2 High St, Rye TN31 7JE, United Kingdom

The Fig is a globally inspired cafe in the center of Rye. It’s run by chef Rosie Furnival, a MasterChef: The Professionals alum whose cooking pulls from her years traveling through India, Nepal, South America, Indonesia, and between ski seasons in the French Alps. She even cooked in the Arctic Circle in Russia once, flying in on a duct-taped World War II helicopter to feed remote fishing groups.

She opened The Fig in 2015 as a small tea room, and it’s since grown into one of the best places to eat in Rye, and it was by far one of my favorite meals in town.

The Fig serves vegetable-forward dishes that change every few weeks with the seasons. The style stays consistent, though: fresh, vibrant plates pulling from places like India, Morocco, and Thailand. I got a chicken shawarma bowl with halloumi, and it was fantastic.

During the day it’s a bright and casual cafe, but come evening, the lights dim, and it turns into a cozy dinner spot with an entirely different menu. For brunch and lunch, it’s walk-ins only, but for dinner, you’ll need to book through their website.

Fletcher’s House | Address: 2 Lion St, Rye TN31 7LB, United Kingdom

Fletcher’s House is a brunch, high tea, and cocktail spot in Rye set inside a stunning historic Tudor building right next to St. Mary’s Church, and it is absolutely gorgeous.

The house is named for John Fletcher, the playwright who was born in Rye in 1579 and went on to collaborate with Shakespeare on a few plays before dying of the plague in 1625. His father, Richard Fletcher, was a cleric who climbed all the way to Bishop of London and even officiated at the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.

These days Fletcher’s House is a great place to grab a bite and a drink, or do what I did and go on Sunday for a delightful roast. I had the roast beef, a Yorkshire pudding the size of my face, crispy potatoes, and a little jug of gravy.

If you can’t make it on a Sunday, they do brunch every day, plus high tea with sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones, and pastries. On Tuesday evenings they run a tapas and cocktail night from 4 to 8, and on Fridays they do a steak and surf night at the same time. The cocktails are really nice too.

Kiko’s Cat Cafe | Address: 22a Winchelsea Rd, Rye TN31 7EL, United Kingdom

Kiko’s Cat Cafe is a lovely way to spend a relaxing afternoon. It opened in 2023, and is a foster space for rescue cats, many of whom had rough starts. They’ve rehomed dozens since opening.

You’ll find it on Winchelsea Road, tucked a little outside the town center near the station. Sessions are timed, and they fill up, so it’s best to book ahead through their website.

Inside, it’s bright and cozy. There are usually a dozen or so cats around, some playing, some asleep, and most happy to be petted. Each one has a little profile on the wall with their name and story, and the staff clearly love them.

If you’re hungry, the cafe does paninis they call pawninis, plus cakes and delicious cappuccinos they call catachinos, topped with cat-shaped cocoa art.

It’s not just coffee and cake either. They serve wine and beer and host events like movie and game days.

Best Coffee Shops in Rye

Grounded | Address: 7 Lion St, Rye TN31 7LB, United Kingdom

Grounded is a cozy community coffee shop on Lion Street, and it might be the most relaxing spot in town. The walls are packed with books and board games, there are chess sets on the tables, and you could easily stop in and stay for hours.

The food is simple and homemade. I had the lentil soup, which was thick and hearty and came with crusty bread for dunking. Then the lemon cake, moist and zingy and melted in my mouth, with a cappuccino to go with it.

It’s open during the day most of the week, but on Thursday evenings it stays open late and hosts events such as games nights, book clubs, and poetry nights. If you want somewhere to read, play a game, or just warm up, Grounded is perfect.

Apothecary Coffee House | Address: 104A High St, Rye TN31 7JN, United Kingdom

The Apothecary Coffee House sits on the corner of East Street, in a 16th-century building that (no surprise) was an actual apothecary once.

I love a quirky cafe, so this one was right up my alley. The current owners kept the old pharmacy fittings, so the walls are still lined with the original deep red shelves, antique glass bottles and jars, and a bank of little wooden drawers, each labeled with its old Latin medicine name.

If you are in need of a pick-me-up, they do coffee, cakes, and scones as well. My cheese scone hit the spot.

Café des Fleurs | Address: Station Road, Rye TN31 7AB, United Kingdom

Café des Fleurs is a florist and a coffee house right next to Rye train station. You sip your coffee surrounded by buckets of fresh seasonal flowers, which, as you can imagine, smell absolutely lovely.

It opened in 2008, inspired by the owner Lucy’s flower-loving grandmother. It’s a great spot to kill time before your train. There’s even a hatch right onto Platform 2, so you can grab a coffee without leaving the platform.

The menu is limited to coffee, tea, sandwiches, cakes, and scones, but everything is delicious and homemade. The carrot cake, especially, was incredible! If you’re arriving or leaving by train or need a quiet place to retreat after a busy day exploring, Café des Fleurs is the perfect spot.

Best Fish and Chips in Rye

Marino’s Fish Bar | Address: 37 The Mint, Rye TN31 7EN, United Kingdom

Marino’s Fish Bar is widely considered the best fish and chips in Rye, and after one bite, it’s easy to see why. You’ll find it right at the bottom of The Mint.

It’s owned by Neon Poyiatzis, who’s run it for well over a decade. The business goes back generations on his wife’s side. His father-in-law opened the first Marino’s in Maidstone back in 1970, and the family now runs several branches across Kent and Sussex.

Like most fish and chip shops, there’s a takeaway counter, but at Marino’s they have a sit-in restaurant with table service, so you can enjoy your food fresh out of the fryer. The specialty is cod and chips, though they also have haddock and plaice.

I was originally going to get the haddock, but they were out, so I went with the cod instead, and honestly, no regrets. The fish was flaky and crispy, and the chips were thick, golden, and fluffy inside. Exactly what fish and chips should be.

Most of the fish comes from London’s Billingsgate Market, the UK’s biggest fish market, since the family buys in such volume. In the cooler months, roughly autumn through early spring, they batter fresh scallops, which is worth timing a visit for. Rye even holds a Scallop Week every February.

And don’t forget to add mushy peas to your order!

Best Hot Chocolate in Rye

Knoops | Address: Tower Forge, Tower St, Rye TN31 7LD, United Kingdom

Knoops in Rye is the original location of the now UK-wide build-your-own hot chocolate chain, and for anyone obsessed with hot chocolate, it’s heaven.

It was founded in 2013 by Jens Knoop, a former IT manager from Germany, and you’ll find the shop at Tower Forge on Hilders Cliff, right next to the Landgate.

They have around 20 chocolates to choose from, ranging from 28% white all the way up to 100% extra dark. You pick your percentage, pick your milk (dairy or plant-based), and then customize with flavorings like sea salt, orange zest, chili flakes, ginger, or mint.

They call this “Knoopology.” The staff will help you land on your perfect drink if you’re struggling to pick, and I get it. There’s a lot to think about and choose from.

Beyond hot chocolate, they do iced chocolate, milkshakes, mochas, and specialty coffee and tea for anyone who somehow doesn’t want hot chocolate. They also sell handmade marshmallows, cookies, and other treats that change depending on what they make that day.

Knoops is worth a stop. Fair warning though: it’s far too good, and it’ll take all your willpower not to go in every single day.

Best Mediterranean Food in Rye

Marco’s Mediterranean Kitchen | Address: 6 High St, Rye TN31 7JE, United Kingdom

Marco’s Mediterranean Kitchen is a restaurant on Rye’s High Street, run by Marco and his wife Mia. The inside is warm and cozy, with a brick fireplace. There’s also a conservatory at the back that looks out over the church, so grab a table there if you can.

The menu pulls from around the Mediterranean, Greek, Turkish, Spanish, and Italian, and you can order a few plates to share or just get your own.

I had the brisket tortellini, which was rich and creamy and the best thing I ordered. The halloumi was fine, but the tortellini was the one I’d go back for. I had a cocktail too, and while I can’t for the life of me remember what it was, I do remember I drank it very fast.

It’s a little pricey, but it’s a cozy spot and one of the better places to eat in Rye.

Best Steakhouse in Rye

Hoof | Address: 35 The Mint, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7EN

Hoof is a farm-to-table steak and burger restaurant. The beef and potatoes come from the owners’ own farm, just four miles down the road on Romney Marsh, so the food is about as traceable as it gets.

It opened in 2018 and is run by local farmer Oliver Furnival, part of a third-generation farming family. It’s tucked into a charming building right in the center of town.

Inside it’s small and cozy, so it’s the perfect date night spot, or in my case, a solo date night.

On the menu, you’ll find plenty of options, from smash burgers to chicken, veggie, and even triple-patty versions. On the steak side, they have a few cuts to choose from, and if you’re feeling really hungry, they have a surf and turf option.

They also have a selection of small plates such as pork belly bites, crispy halloumi, and nachos. These are the times I wish I had someone to travel with, so I could order an entire menu and not feel guilty about it.

To drink, they have Romney Marsh beer, brewed just down the road and sold by the bottle. There are a few to choose from, including an amber ale and a darker, richer one, and they go down easy with a burger. If beer isn’t your thing, there’s a small list of local wines and a signature cocktail list. I had the Cherry Sour, and it was perfection.

For dessert, they have these insane milkshakes that I was too full to order, but dang, they sounded so friggin good, and I would go back to Rye just to try one.

Best Tea Shop in Rye

Bird & Blend Tea Co | Address: 106 High St, Rye TN31 7JE, United Kingdom

Bird & Blend Tea Co. is a B Corp certified British tea company famous for its creative tea blends and its colorful in-store tea wall. If your relationship with tea begins and ends with a sad grocery-store tea bag, this place will completely change you. For the better, I’m sure.

The company was founded in 2013 by Krisi Smith and Mike Turner, who met while studying politics at university (random, I know). They started out packing tea in their bedroom and selling it at markets, and have since grown it into one of the UK’s leading independent tea companies, based down the coast in Brighton.

They call themselves “tea mixologists” rather than tea sellers, and they’ve created over 100 blends. They use ingredients like cake sprinkles, chocolate, caramel, flowers, fruit, and herbs, and they have wild flavors like cherry cola, carrot cake, banana bread, strawberry lemonade, and even peppermint toothpaste. Although, I don’t know how I feel about that last one. You can also try some samples before you commit to buying.

And I added this place to the list because you can order a tea latte using any of the teas they have in stock. I was there during the holidays, and they had some special signature holiday lattes available, but there were soooo many options.

Best Turkish Food in Rye

Diamond Köz | Address: 22 Cinque Ports St, Rye TN31 7AD, United Kingdom

Diamond Köz is a Turkish restaurant in Rye serving authentic Turkish food at prices that won’t make your wallet cry. You’ll find it close to the train station, so it’s an easy one if you’re arriving by rail. It’s a great place to eat if you want something a little different. I know I tend to have weird cravings for Turkish food every so often.

To be honest, I was not expecting the food to be as good as it was. I tend to order with my eyes instead of my stomach, and in this case, I wanted to order EVERYTHING. Although my meal did come with complimentary pita, salad, and a couple of dips, which settled me just enough to order logically.

I ended up ordering the Beyti Kebab, which is lamb wrapped in flatbread topped with tomato sauce and served over yogurt. I am actually glad no one was with me to witness the atrociousness of me eating the entire plate. I almost licked the plate; it was so good.

They are one of the few places that stay open quite late. Part of the reason I ate here was that it was 10 pm and the only place open, but no complaints on my end.

Places to Eat in Rye Map

Where to Stay in Rye

The Hope Anchor | Address: Watchbell St, Rye TN31 7HA, United Kingdom

If you want to stay somewhere with history and a view, the Hope Anchor is hard to beat. It sits at the top of Watchbell Street, one of the prettiest corners of Rye’s old town, in a building that’s been here since around 1750, originally built for the sailors and shipbuilders working the harbor.

Back then, Rye was a famous smuggling town. The Hope Anchor’s location near the sea and the marsh made it perfect for sneaking brandy, tea, and tobacco past the customs officers, and the hotel sat right in the thick of it. The hotel is said to have been a hideout for the Tenterden Gang, one of the most notorious smuggling crews around.

They supposedly used secret passages in the building to move their goods. Whether every story is true or not, it’s fun to imagine you are staying in what was once a smuggler’s den.

Anyway, with that little history lesson out of the way, the Hope Anchor is perched high in the old town with sweeping views over the quayside, Romney Marsh, and out toward the sea. You’re a short walk from pretty much everything on this list. Not that Rye is that big, but still!

My room was cozy with a comfy bed, nautical prints, and lots of old building charm. Downstairs there’s a snug sitting room, and a bar with a fire that’s open to non-guests too.

Breakfast was absolutely wonderful. The night before, they leave a card in your room where you tick off exactly what you want and what time you’d like to eat. I went for the full English every single morning. They also had a table with bread, cheese, meats, and other items to have with your hot breakfast.

If you would like to explore other accommodation options in Rye, check out the map below!

Places to Eat in Rye, East Sussex: FAQs

How do I get to Rye from London?

Rye is about an hour from London by train. The quickest route is from St Pancras to Ashford International (around 40 minutes on the high-speed line), then a short connecting train to Rye. Driving takes roughly two hours.

How many days do you need in Rye?

You can see the highlights of Rye in a day, since the town is small and walkable. But staying overnight lets you enjoy the cafes and restaurants at a slower pace and explore the streets early before the day-trippers arrive.

Is Rye worth visiting?

Yes. Rye is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England, with cobbled streets, independent shops, a strong food scene, and easy access to beaches and countryside, making it a popular day trip or weekend escape.

What food is Rye famous for?

Rye is best known for fresh local seafood, particularly Rye Bay scallops, which get their own festival every February, along with traditional fish and chips and a thriving independent cafe and bakery scene.

Do you need to book restaurants in Rye in advance?

For sit-down dinners, especially on weekends, booking ahead is a good idea since Rye’s nicer restaurants are small and fill up. Cafes and bakeries are generally walk-in.

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Travel Resources

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