Restaurants in Selsey

Where to eat out at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula

Selsey is not a dining destination in the way that Chichester or Arundel are, but the town has a respectable selection of places to eat, anchored by its access to some of the freshest seafood on the Sussex coast. The fishing fleet at East Beach lands crab and lobster daily during the season, and this local catch finds its way onto menus across the town and the surrounding area.

The standout dining option in the wider Selsey area is the Crab and Lobster at Sidlesham, a pub and restaurant overlooking Pagham Harbour about two miles north of the town. The Crab and Lobster serves fresh local seafood in a setting that is hard to match anywhere in the Chichester district. The views across the harbour, particularly on a summer evening, are exceptional, and the menu makes full use of the crab and lobster landed at Selsey. Booking is advisable, especially during summer weekends and bank holidays when the restaurant is in high demand.

In the town itself, the High Street and surrounding streets have a handful of restaurants, cafes and takeaways covering a range of cuisines. Fish and chip shops are a natural fixture in a coastal fishing town, and the local chippies do a steady trade with both residents and visitors. Indian, Chinese and pizza options are available, mostly from independent operators rather than national chains. The quality varies, but the best places have built loyal followings among the local community.

The holiday parks on the western side of Selsey, particularly Bunn Leisure, have their own restaurants and bars serving the seasonal visitor population. These tend towards family-friendly menus with a broad appeal. During the summer, these facilities add significantly to the dining capacity of the area, though they primarily serve park guests rather than the wider community.

For a broader restaurant choice, residents typically drive to Chichester, eight miles north, where the city centre has a good selection of independents and chains. East Wittering, to the west, has a small but growing food scene. The Witterings are popular with the surfing and sailing community, and the cafes there tend towards a more contemporary style.

Selsey's restaurants reflect the character of the town: practical, unpretentious and rooted in the local landscape. The seafood is the genuine draw, and anyone visiting for a meal should make the most of the crab and lobster that the fishermen bring in each morning.