Places to eat in Arundel

The Parsons Table, as the historic name suggests, is a traditional, gimmick-free establishment. The restaurant, a short walk from the castle and cathedral on Tarrant Street, is simply designed, and the food is presented on simple white plates. But the simplicity is the key, especially when it comes to the food, which is locally sourced and brilliantly tasty with plenty of seasonal updates and vegetarian and vegan options. Classy, stylish and understated, it’s the best of British.

Directly opposite, you’ll find Butlers, a busy and buzzy European-style bistro with a popular bar and terrace garden. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, it’s a real crowd-pleaser, especially on a sunny day while sitting in the garden terrace.

A short walk away on High Street is La Campania, one of our favourite Italian restaurants in the region. Open daily for lunch and dinner, the romantic spot serves some of the best pizza and pasta in West Sussex and also runs special menus through the week including steak and seafood nights.

Head further down the High Street towards our Arundel hotel, and you’ll find The Burger Shop Co., the best place to get your burger and fries fix. As well as a range of meat and chicken burgers, they have an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu, all washed down with a choice of over 30 craft beers and cocktails.

Lastly, you’ll find India Gate just next door. The leading Indian restaurant in the region, it’s an upmarket and stylish restaurant known for its authentic Indian dishes, friendly service and a vast menu including their own range of tandoori dishes and their house specialities.

Cafe by day and in-demand bistro by night, the Motte & Bailey Café on the High Street should be on everyone’s knife and fork list in Arundel. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, it turns from a traditional café into a bustling bistro from Wednesday to Saturday night from 6pm and is known for its Moroccan- and Spanish-inspired food.

Just down the road is The Moathouse Café, a local favourite since launching over 20 years ago. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and some excellent tea and coffee options, they also do an excellent range of gourmet burgers, the perfect thing after traipsing around nearby Arundel Castle.

Alternatively, head next door to Lulamae’s, a wonderfully old-fashioned café selling homemade cakes, giant sandwiches and cafés (the scones are delish), as well as a small range of cards and gifts.

Just around the corner and opposite the lido, you’ll find the Waterside Café & Boat Hire. As the name suggests, it’s the place to come for a cuppa overlooking the River Arun with freshly baked cakes and sausage rolls followed by a jaunt on the river in their self-drive motorboat you can hire by the hour.

For a real treat, book a table at Belinda’s Tea Rooms on Tarrant Street. An Arundel favourite for over half a century, they use a range of traditional recipes and local produce to create wholesome and healthier cakes, bakes and treats as well as a large array of breakfast and lunch options.