The Crown

‘Encapsulates everything I love about a pub – comfort, cosiness, and community’ is one reporter’s appraisal of this family-run red-brick watering hole that’s considered the beating heart of Hastings’ Old Town. It hosts many community events, exhibits local artists, and is welcoming to all ages (it even has a snug full of toys), all backed up by cooking that puts the emphasis on fresh seasonal and local ingredients served with minimal fuss.

The kitchen team makes everything in-house – we’ve had many an endorsement for the stuffed courgette flower with labneh and chips, served with mayo and ketchup that were ‘markedly homemade’, according to one reporter. In addition, the sensibly short carte ranges from bar snacks (say broad bean and pumpkin seed dip), via roast lion’s mane mushroom ragù with handmade gigli pasta to venison and red wine sausages with green lentil cassoulet, salsa verde and braised carrots.

And who could resist such a finisher as Pevensey Blue cheese with treacle tart and a ginger and prune compôte? As for drink, the selection of hand-drawn ales (alongside keg beers) is from mostly local breweries, while the wine list offers European and local vintages at sensible prices.