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Our bar at The Cove - The Cove, Hastings, East Sussex

The Cove

4.7
4.7
78 Reviews
£25 and under
Pub

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 2 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Dog-friendly
  • Charming
In sleepy Fairlight, on the edge of the Firehills, The Cove is an independently run freehouse serving locals, wanderers and gastronauts alike. Halfway between Hastings and Rye, The Cove is the perfect stop after a walk across the local beaches and coastal paths of East Sussex. We have a fire for the winter nights, a garden for summer days, and a friendly bar waiting to welcome you.

Originally a hotel, the building sat empty for several years until 2022, when the Cove was renovated, restored and reopened with a new lease of life. It has quickly gained a reputation for excellent, elevated pub food with local chef and restauranteur Nick Hales leading the kitchen.

In 2023 it was featured on The Times 50 Best Summer Pubs, and given a glowing review by Grace Dent in The Guardian Observer.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub, British, Gastro Pub
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    01424 814772
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighbourhood
    Pett
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    The Cove Bus Stop
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer Garden, Dog Friendly, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access

What 78 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • East Sussex

    Best Overall

  • East Sussex

    Best Service

  • East Sussex

    Best Ambience

  • East Sussex

    Hot spot

  • East Sussex

    Neighbourhood gem

  • East Sussex

    Great for outdoor dining

  • East Sussex

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Cove offers a charming dining experience with "fabulous food and wonderful service." Diners praise its "lovely atmosphere," "friendly staff," and "delicious Sunday roasts." While some find it "a bit pricey," the overall experience is "great value for money." It's a "highly recommended" spot for both locals and visitors.

78 Reviews
  1. Rozzy

    London5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Cove never disappoints. The most delicious roast- and you must have the cauliflower cheese on the side. Service always with smiles, despite it being as busy as can be! Can't fault it.

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  2. Lesley

    London9 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Easy to book, friendly helpful staff on arrival. Nice atmosphere. The food was generally good but pricy. Not impressed with the pitiful scraps they called chips. We would go again, for the atmisphere and friendly staff.

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  3. Rozzy

    London5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious roast, as always - the best in the area in my (humble) opinion! Great service, thanks all!

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    London2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely food, service was excellent and the restaurant it’s self had a lovely feel to it. It was also good to see it so busy on a weekday.

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  5. Linda

    London9 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Welcoming environment, limited menu but enough choice for us. Food was well presented and tasty too.

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  6. OpenTable Diner VIP

    London2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely charming place to stop for lunch whilst walking a bit of coastal path. Perfect sirloin of beef with a glass of Pinot noir. Thank you guys.

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  7. Axel

    East Sussex1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Im a war vet with ptsd, I called to get a quiet table etc. The help was there, service and provisions excellent! We sat upstairs, quiet, lovely and Phoebe our waitress was attentive, helpful and kind. The food was as awesome as the reviews I'd made my decision on. Had the steak to share, oysters and cheese. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for so I can't complain. Steak served already sliced ! Maybe that's standard or thoughtful because I'm a left arm amputee. Ill be returning, go! You'll love it.

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  8. Rosie

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always brilliant. Delicious food, reasonably priced and fantastic service.

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  9. Debby

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love the cove and the food and service was spot on as usual. Slightly noisy on this occasion and had to repeat ourselves a few times to be heard which was a little bit annoying but I guess to be expected sometimes

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  10. Jan

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on January 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, excellent service and value for money.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Cove is rated 4.7 stars by 78 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 2 times today
Google Map for The Cove

53 Waites Ln, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4AX

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Pett
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Pub, British, Gastro Pub
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    The Cove Bus Stop
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer Garden, Dog Friendly, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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