Landgate Bistro — Restaurant in Rother

Landgate Bistro is a gem that deserves every bit of recognition.

From the moment we stepped inside, the incredibly friendly staff greeted us with a smile and seated us at a great table at the back, next to a charming window that offered a cosy, intimate experience. Our server was an absolute delight, she was attentive, and helpful.

The ambiance of the restaurant is perfectly balanced, with thoughtful lighting and minimal fuss. However, the star of this gem is the outstanding food created by Chef Martin Peacock. His take on British seasonal cooking is nothing short of a culinary deliciousness.

The meal began with sourdough bread and focaccia, easily the best we’ve tasted, served with homemade marmite butter. The amuse-bouche, a delicate salt cod fishcake bite with romesco, was so moreish that it left us wanting more.

The starter, and mains exceeded expectations. The scallops with pork belly was delicious and cooked to perfection. The venison served two ways was nothing short of extraordinary—a dish that left us savouring every bite.

Despite the exceptional quality of the food, the pricing is remarkably fair, offering great value for an experience that easily rivals high-end London restaurants. For those visiting Rye or those living in the area, this gem is an absolute must.

A big thank you to the team Landgate Bistro for an great evening....

Superb food, not cheap but not outrageous. Attentive service when we arrived as we were the only ones there (though not so as the restaurant filled up). Waitress were accommodating and found a cushion for my daughter and helped with buggy etc.

My only real big problem was the heat. It was a warm but not sweltering day outside but we were all sat at the back roasting. The window was covered by a synthetic material which stopped what little breeze there was and unfortunately the seats were possibly pleather which made us all the more warm. There were 2 small air con units in the room (a bit silly as the window was open) but nothing at the back of the restaurant. When I asked about moving this I got a less than enthusiastic response to so with other patrons and extension cables so I chose not to press the matter.

Unfortunately this would affect my decision to go back and would perhaps choose to go in a cooler season (hoping they don't have the heating on of course 😊).

All that being said, however, the food really was very good, I had the scallops with pork belly, followed by the duck and certainly had no complaints with either. Would go back if I could guarantee a more...

During our recent visit to Landgate Bistro in Rye, we were thoroughly impressed by the exceptional dining experience. The food was truly outstanding, showcasing the chef’s dedication to sourcing local ingredients and preparing them with flair. You could tell he has spent time in Rome as there was a clear Italian influence to some of the dishes. Each dish was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality and taste. We really loved the lobster risoni and the carbonara. We actually ended up ordering a starter after our mains instead of a dessert as the food was so lovely.

The ambiance of the bistro was both charming and inviting, providing a perfect setting for a memorable meal. The service was impeccable; the staff were attentive and friendly, making us feel genuinely welcomed. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our waitress, Caoimhe, whose warm and professional demeanor added a special touch to our evening.

We highly recommend Landgate Bistro to anyone seeking a delightful culinary experience in Rye. We look forward to...