Staff Writer Polly Symes details where she would take you to eat if you ever visited her hometown of Eastbourne.
‘God’s waiting room’ is a friendly moniker ascribed to my hometown of Eastbourne, East Sussex. It is described as such for the disproportionate number of elderly residents living in certain areas of the town such as Meads Village, which, as of 2013, has an average age of more than 70.
Eastbourne specialises in care homes, funeral directors, charity shops, and denture clinics. Indeed, it wasn’t until I left Eastbourne to begin university in London that I truly appreciated that the place I grew up was incredibly special. As the wise Passenger once said: “Only know you love her when you let her go!”
Other than its elderly population, Eastbourne is also known for: its shingle beach, Victorian pier, and its location at the foot of the South Downs National Park, home to the Seven Sisters. What Eastbourne is perhaps not known for is its food. But having called Eastbourne home for over twelve years, I’d say there are plenty of hidden culinary gems in this charming coastal town. Whilst there is an array of restaurants doing foreign cuisine here, I have focused on classic British fare: what, I believe, most people are looking for when visiting this Victorian town by the sea.
Overall: Beanzz Coffee & Kitchen, 43 Grove Road
Beanzz must be my favourite place to eat in Eastbourne. It’s somewhere I’ve been to on multiple birthdays and a place I always try to take friends who are visiting, simply because it serves the most delicious food in the most fun and funky setting. Having been there many a time, I’ve managed to sample over half the menu, and have never been disappointed. Favourites include the Full Monty (full-English breakfast), the pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, and the Fish finger and Tartar Sauce Wrap.
For drinks, I’ll usually go for either a fresh Banana shake or a Oreo Cookies and Cream Shake. For those adventurous foodies with a sweet tooth: the Beanzz bakery always has offers some exciting new twist on a classic. Most recently, I’ve seen Kinder Bueno Cookies and Crispy Cornflake Brownies. All the food at Beanzz is complemented by the colourful interiors, school-desk style tables and retro music. Be sure to go here with a hungry stomach!
For Fish and Chips: Holiday Inn Fish Restaurant, 7 Carlisle Road
This is exactly what you want from your local chippy: it’s situated a stone’s throw away from the sea, serves unpretentious food, and has extremely friendly staff. I tend to either get the Cod or the Scampi with Chips, sometimes with a side of Mushy Peas. One time, I decided to push the boat out, and ordered a Pickled Egg. Unfortunately, this delicacy did not taste nearly exciting as it sounded, but I decided that this was more the fault of the dish than of this down-to-earth chippy.
For a pint at the pub: The Dolphin, 14 South Street
Photo taken by Polly Symes
A pub that hits the spot in all seasons: cosy in the winter, and offering a sunny beer garden in the summer. The interior is classic: all hard-wood floors and leather sofas, complemented by unique stained-glass windows. Whilst I normally stick to my cider, I have often looked enviously at the dinners being served to other patrons and intend to sample the food here soon. Each Wednesday at 8:00pm, The Dolphin hosts a pub quiz. The last one I attended was all trivia related to Spielberg’s 1975 classic, Jaws. Be warned: the older residents of Eastbourne will present fierce competition!
For a Mr Whippy: Any ice-cream van, Birling Gap
A coastal food guide would be incomplete without an ice cream recommendation, and where better to enjoy an overpriced ‘99 Flake’ (that’ll probably cost you £3) than on the South Downs? Any ice-cream van perched on the top of this windy brow will do. The best place to enjoy your cold and creamy delight will be a short walk up the hill away from the National Trust visitor centre, where you will find an uninterrupted view of the gorgeous Seven Sisters. Just watch out for any swooping seagulls!
For High Tea: The Grand Hotel, King Edward’s Parade
The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, sometimes referred to as a ‘palace by the sea’, is the only 5-star hotel to be found on any stretch of the English coast. It offers a luxurious Afternoon Tea, a little more on the pricey end, every day of the week. To drink, they have 13 different tea options, whilst nibbles include a selection of finger sandwiches, plain scones, fruit scones, and seasonal pastries. To elevate your experience, you can even go for a Champagne Afternoon Tea, which comes with a glass of bubbly!
Wild Card: Dickens Tea Cottage, 5 South Street
For a café experience unlike any other, make a stop at the Dickens Tea Cottage. The café is housed in a building constructed in 1719, predating most other structures in the town by over a century. It has been a tearoom for over sixty years. Previously, it was a boarding house, visited by the Charles Dickens himself.
Dickens Tea Cottage provides the feeling of stepping into an eccentric elderly couple’s house, but one stuffed with Charles Dickens memorabilia. Be sure to go there on a winter day to sit by the warmth of the open fire as you enjoy a portion of Welsh rarebit (a dish of hot cheese sauce served on toasted bread) with a cup of English Breakfast tea. Other food options include: a classic Sunday roast, a full-English breakfast, and jacket potatoes.
Final Thoughts
I hope this food guide comes in handy for anyone stopping off in Eastbourne, after having walked the 13-mile South Downs route from the town of Seaford, or for those looking for a coastal day out in a town that’s just 90 minutes from London Victoria by train. I hope to see you in our local eating spots soon!
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