James's Guidebook
Food scene
The Clam
15 Lydd RdNice and handy new cafe with avocado on toast, good breakfast and nice drinks.
Absolutely excellent food in the dining room. Expensive but worth it. Sadly no longer welcome kids but ideal for couples or groups of adults.
7 locals recommend
The Gallivant
New Lydd RoadAbsolutely excellent food in the dining room. Expensive but worth it. Sadly no longer welcome kids but ideal for couples or groups of adults.
Very friendly family steak house with good food and service. Popular with locals and visitors alike.
34 locals recommend
The Union Rye
8 East StVery friendly family steak house with good food and service. Popular with locals and visitors alike.
Very well stocked farm shop with local produce, fresh bread, sandwiches, wine, quality frozen meals and coffee.
21 locals recommend
Salts Farm Shop
Very well stocked farm shop with local produce, fresh bread, sandwiches, wine, quality frozen meals and coffee.
Very popular family Italian restaurant in Rye with an extensive menu. Can handle sizable parties but is large enough for couples to find a romantic corner too. Even on a busy day they will try and squeeze you in. The owners are really friendly and it’s always a good experience here.
42 locals recommend
Simply Italian
12 StrandVery popular family Italian restaurant in Rye with an extensive menu. Can handle sizable parties but is large enough for couples to find a romantic corner too. Even on a busy day they will try and squeeze you in. The owners are really friendly and it’s always a good experience here.
Best fish and chip shop in Rye. Very popular with locals. You can sit in too.
31 locals recommend
Marino's Fish Bar
37 The MintBest fish and chip shop in Rye. Very popular with locals. You can sit in too.
A good spot for a lighter bite. Pretty decor and healthy menu and helpful staff.
54 locals recommend
The Fig
2 High StA good spot for a lighter bite. Pretty decor and healthy menu and helpful staff.
Knoops Chocolate Bar
Tower StreetA must visit for coffee and hot chocolate lovers.
Great decor, good food, always busy but never uncomfortable. One Seashells guest said it was one of the best pub they’d ever been to. Covered garden too.
8 locals recommend
Globe Inn
Military RoadGreat decor, good food, always busy but never uncomfortable. One Seashells guest said it was one of the best pub they’d ever been to. Covered garden too.
When it was The Ambrette it was the most interesting restaurant in Rye. Top quality local produce cooked in indian flavors. A new look and name in the same tradition from award winning chefs and restaurateurs.
The Ambrette Kitchen
6 High StWhen it was The Ambrette it was the most interesting restaurant in Rye. Top quality local produce cooked in indian flavors. A new look and name in the same tradition from award winning chefs and restaurateurs.
Sightseeing
Music fans might like to visit setting for David Bowie’s Ashes To Ashes video. Interesting architecture and a tiny shed church with free tea and biscuits to help yourself to. Also interesting WWII embedded concrete lookout tower and underground bunkers to explore just on Toot Rock.
14 locals recommend
Pett Level
Music fans might like to visit setting for David Bowie’s Ashes To Ashes video. Interesting architecture and a tiny shed church with free tea and biscuits to help yourself to. Also interesting WWII embedded concrete lookout tower and underground bunkers to explore just on Toot Rock.
Britain’s only desert, this spectacular landscape is a must visit. The mini railway that goes along the Romney Marsh Coast ends here (it was opened by Laurel
& Hardy). Film maker Derek Jarman’s famous shingle garden and house is here. The power station looks immense at night and there are lots of local artists studios, fishmongers and interesting private houses.
120 locals recommend
Dungeness
Britain’s only desert, this spectacular landscape is a must visit. The mini railway that goes along the Romney Marsh Coast ends here (it was opened by Laurel
& Hardy). Film maker Derek Jarman’s famous shingle garden and house is here. The power station looks immense at night and there are lots of local artists studios, fishmongers and interesting private houses.
Home to our other house, Pebbles Rye on social, Winchelsea Beach is a beautiful, less visited stretch of coast that fronts the Rye Nature Reserve. Both are well worth a visit and ideal for cycling, walking or bird watching.
50 locals recommend
Winchelsea Beach
Home to our other house, Pebbles Rye on social, Winchelsea Beach is a beautiful, less visited stretch of coast that fronts the Rye Nature Reserve. Both are well worth a visit and ideal for cycling, walking or bird watching.
Shops
This non branded Waterstones bookshop made the news when it opened as a new way for the larger chain to sell books in small towns. It’s is well stocked and it’s been a welcome addition. There’s also a very interesting second hand shop called Rare Books round the corner in Lion Street.
The Rye Bookshop
25 High StThis non branded Waterstones bookshop made the news when it opened as a new way for the larger chain to sell books in small towns. It’s is well stocked and it’s been a welcome addition. There’s also a very interesting second hand shop called Rare Books round the corner in Lion Street.
Very good deli with an array of quality home made food, cheeses and treats. Definitely worth visiting if you fancy making up a picnic for the beach.
21 locals recommend
Rye Deli
8-10 Market RdVery good deli with an array of quality home made food, cheeses and treats. Definitely worth visiting if you fancy making up a picnic for the beach.