Where to eat in Rye

• Dogs welcome
• Couples
• Groups
• Book ahead

My go-to, every time. Look out for their themed food nights, and order four to six small plates to share. They try to have a catch of the day and pride themselves on using local produce wherever they can.

My husband always goes for the burger and fries, which is super tasty and very filling. Wash it all down with a local ale or one of the Globe's cocktails.

Jacqui orders: Four to six small plates to share, plus the catch of the day

• Always welcome, and always fussed over with dog treats and fresh water bowls.
• Children are welcome, but let them know when you book. They prefer little ones to eat earlier.
• The outside area is small and very popular in summer, so book and ask for a table outside.

• Dogs welcome
• Couples

A warm, welcoming pub with good grub. It's cosy with an open fire in the winter months, and there's covered seating outside in a small courtyard.

Our go-to is the pie of the day with veg pots or fries. The pies are made locally and always a hit.

Jacqui orders: The pie of the day, with veg pots or fries

• Dog friendly.
• Best suited to couples; not ideal for children.
• A centuries-old, Grade II listed pub with rooms upstairs.

• Dogs in the daytime
• Couples
• A treat
• Book ahead

Great steaks and quality service. I love their steak sandwich with a glass of fizz.

Jacqui orders: The steak sandwich, with a glass of fizz

• Dogs are welcome at lunchtime if you tell them in advance, but not in the evening.
• Listed in the Michelin Guide.
• Open for dinner every day, and for lunch every day except Wednesday and Thursday.
• Bookings are through OpenTable, and they charge for late cancellations.

• Dogs: ask first
• Families
• Takeaway
• Good value

Italian cooking and fresh pizzas, just what you'd hope for from a proper Italian. It's super child friendly.

They even do takeaway pizzas, if you don't fancy dining in.

Jacqui orders: A freshly made pizza

• Well-behaved dogs are accepted, but check when you book, as they sometimes have restrictions at busy times.
• Super child friendly.
• Recently voted the best place for pizza in Rye (Rye News).
• It's on The Strand, at the bottom of Mermaid Street.

• Families

A burger joint with amazing milkshakes. I haven't actually eaten here myself, but guests with children love it and tell us it's super child friendly, with crayons and an activity sheet to keep the little ones amused until the food arrives.

Jacqui orders: A burger and one of their milkshakes

• Crayons and activity sheets for little ones.

• Families
• Good value
• Takeaway

Fish and chips has to be Marino's: the best fish and chips in Rye, in my opinion. Take away or sit in, and watch out for the local seagulls, who are big fans too.

Jacqui orders: Fish and chips, of course

• Couples
• A treat
• Families
• Book ahead

For fish lovers, this is another favourite. Lobster and chips, when lobster is in season, is my secret pleasure, and it's so good. All the fish is locally sourced and it's the star of the plate, so expect delicate flavours and simple delights.

Looking for a reason to dress up a little? Ask for the top floor and enjoy the service and atmosphere; it's a great choice for a celebration. Downstairs is lovely too, and there's no strict dress code.

Jacqui orders: Lobster and chips, when lobster is in season

• Lovely for couples or families of all generations, but not ideal for very young children.
• It's also home to Paul Webbe's cookery school.
• There's no parking of its own; the nearest car park is Rope Walk.

• Dogs welcome
• Couples
• Families

Freshly caught fish in a relaxed setting, buzzing in the summer months with tables outside. My daughter-in-law says they're the best oysters ever! Expect punchy flavours alongside delicate fish.

New for autumn is indoor dining, so we can enjoy it all year round. There's plenty of parking, but it's walkable from all our Rye cottages.

Jacqui orders: Oysters, then whatever came in on the boats

• Dogs are welcome outside, and well-behaved dogs indoors, but let them know you're bringing your furry friend.
• The fish comes straight from Rye's own small fishing fleet.
• Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and hours change with the seasons, so check before you go.

• No dogs
• Couples
• A treat
• Book ahead

I was lucky enough to eat here for my wedding anniversary, made even sweeter because my son and daughter-in-law had given me a gift voucher. It's fine dining with attentive staff. We had the set menu, which was delightful with plenty of choice, and once they realised it was a special occasion they treated us to some extra little touches.

My only quibble was the lighting, a little bright for me. If it were softer, it would tick every box for a romantic dinner.

Jacqui orders: The set menu

• Not dog friendly (assistance dogs only).
• Chef-patron Matthew Drinkwater's menu follows the seasons and local producers.
• Closed on Mondays. Lunch is served Friday to Sunday only.

• No dogs
• Couples
• Groups
• A treat
• Book ahead

French-style cooking with all the choices you'd expect. I ate here with my sister and my best friend for my birthday and the place was really busy. The service was attentive and the decor is attractive and cosy.

I had the classic moules marinières and the others went for seared sea bass. The starters were all lovely, and I may have had the rich dark chocolate mousse for pudding, but it was my birthday. I can't wait to go back.

Jacqui orders: Moules marinières, and the dark chocolate mousse

• Not dog friendly.
• A new, family-run bistro that opened in September 2026, upstairs from The Grapevine. The menu changes regularly.

• Couples
• Families

I've been coming to Haydens for years. I always meet another best friend here for a light lunch (normally an omelette) and a coffee, but if I'm going for breakfast or brunch, I'd always choose the pancakes.

Jacqui orders: Pancakes for brunch, or an omelette for lunch

• Dogs in the daytime
• Couples

Rosie, the chef-owner, was a contestant on MasterChef, and her restaurant is a little Rye gem. The dishes are mainly vegetable-based but all really tasty, and they serve Monmouth coffee, so it's a favourite of mine.

They do evening dining too, which is particularly popular with couples who stay with us.

Jacqui orders: Avocado on toast with poached eggs and a crack of black pepper

• Quiet, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome for brunch and lunch, but not in the evening.
• Brunch and lunch are walk-in only, every day. You can book dinner on OpenTable for up to five people.

• Couples
• Families
• Takeaway

A great breakfast and brunch spot, with good coffee and lots of choice. I may have enjoyed the pancakes here too, but the bacon and egg breakfast is good as well.

While you're here, pick up a fresh sourdough and a sweet treat for later. They do takeaway coffee, so grab some goodies and head off on a picnic walk to Camber along the car-free Sustrans path.

Jacqui orders: The bacon and egg breakfast (or the pancakes)

• Open daily from 8.30am. The kitchen closes at 3pm, and the bakery and coffee counter at 4pm.
• The path to Camber Sands is about 3 miles, flat and almost entirely traffic-free (National Cycle Network Route 2).

• Families
• Good value

Breakfast and brunch are served until 12, with a huge choice; the build-your-own bap is always a favourite. It's a regular coffee-and-pastry stop for my chatty running group, and Sarah is always on hand with friendly local advice and service with a smile.

It's also where you'll find the best ice cream in Rye (my granddaughter approves) and the most Instagrammable window: 'I licked it, it's mine'.

Jacqui orders: A build-your-own bap, or a coffee and a pastry

• At the bottom of Mermaid Street, by Strand Quay.

• Families
• Couples
• Takeaway

The best hot chocolate, and a great post-run refuel. Rye had it first, before it rolled out nationally.

Jacqui orders: A hot chocolate, made your way

• This is the original Knoops, opened in Rye in 2013. You choose the cocoa percentage, the milk and any extras.