Tasting Menu and Fine Dining Restaurant in Sussex

Located in the historic village of Alfriston, the Tasting Room Restaurant opened in the summer of 2018 when we launched the first vintages of our English Sparkling wines. Since then, we have been featured in the Michelin Guide and welcome guests from far and wide to experience fine dining in the Sussex winelands. Headed up by Chef Chris Bailey, our goal is to create a unique dining experience in our Vineyard restaurant, serving authentic British cuisine that pairs perfectly with our Sussex Sparkling wines.

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Rathfinny Tasting Room

SAMPLE MENUS

All menus are samples of what you can expect in our restaurants and are subject to change depending on the seasonality of produce and availability. Please inform us if you have food allergies or intolerances.

Sample Lunch Menu Sample Small Farm Lunch Menu, January Sample Tasting Menu
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Reservations

Tasting Room Tarte Tatin with Pine Sorbet
January - February

Small Farm Lunch Menu

The challenges facing small farms are well-documented. To support our fellow growers and celebrate their exceptional produce, Executive Chef Chris Bailey has created a weekly-changing set menu that spotlights the finest ingredients from our favourite British farms.

Wednesday-Friday lunch | Snack & two-courses | £30pp 

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April - December

Evening Tasting Menus

Yield your palate to our chefs and indulge in an exceptional tasting menu designed to surprise and delight. Tasting menus are served on Friday and Saturday evenings between April – December with an optional wine flight.

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Rathfinny Tasting Room Balcony Bar
Tasting Room Interior
Tasting Room Dessert

Seasonal Menus

Join us for two or three-course lunches, and tasting menu dinners (April – December) with optional wine flights. Provenance and a sense of place feature in every menu, meaning ingredients don’t have to travel too far to reach your plate. Our menu changes regularly based on conversations with our suppliers and their seasonal recommendations.

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Tasting Room at Rathfinny table for 12

Larger Groups

The Tasting Room has space to accommodate groups up to 12 people located at the end of the restaurant. Perfect for special occasions. Please call us to reserve.

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“The upper floor of the Rathfinny Winery houses a narrow restaurant boasting lovely vineyard views (their sparkling wine is a must-try). Modern British cooking is guided by seasonal Sussex produce; lunch sees a concise fixed price menu, and dinner, a tasting selection.”

Michelin Guide

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Rathfinny Tasting Room Tom Parker Photography
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Chef Chris Bailey
Meet our Executive Chef

CHRIS BAILEY

A talented visionary, Chris trained at Westminster College and has worked in some of the top restaurants in London and Spain which culminated in being awarded a Michelin Star at The Black Rat in Winchester. Chris Bailey joined the Rathfinny team three years ago to launch the Tasting Room restaurant and he now manages all dining experiences across the Estate. Inspired by produce and conversations with farmers and suppliers, he uses the seasons to guide his cooking, treating all ingredients with respect to keep the flavours clean and, most importantly, tasty.

Tasting Room table

Fine Dining in Sussex

Located within our Sussex Heritage award-winning Winery, the Tasting Room restaurant offers breath-taking, panoramic views of the Vineyard and South Downs. Head Chef, Chris Bailey, and his team serve a new take on contemporary, ingredient-focussed British cuisine, using the finest seasonal produce available from the land, sea, and garden of the British Isles. After spending most of his career in Michelin-starred restaurants, Chris developed an appreciation and deep understanding for sourcing and handling great ingredients which are reflected in the dishes his team produce.

Indeed, as a B Corp, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. The restaurant you sit in is powered by renewable energy and our Sussex Sparkling wines are produced in the Winery next door.

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Tasting Room menu

Sussex Wine Pairings

Did you know, our Sussex Sparkling wines are best enjoyed with food? Our winemakers and talented chefs work in synergy to create the perfect pairings, showcasing the best of Sussex on a plate. Wine flights are a great way to discover our portfolio of wines and we also offer a hand-picked list of some of our favourites from around the world.

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View of Alfriston
A local treasure

A Restaurant in Alfriston

If you’re looking for a restaurant in Alfriston, let us welcome you to Rathfinny. Our wine Estate is located in one of the oldest villages in Sussex, most famously home to Alfriston Clergy House which was the first property purchased and saved by the National Trust.

Alfriston is frequently cited as one of Britain’s ‘prettiest villages’ to visit, known for its 14th century inns, independent restaurants, boutiques and stunning walking routes along the Cuckmere River.

Our close proximity to the enchanting village of Alfriston means that you can easily explore the area during your visit to Rathfinny.

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Tasting Room Restaurant

OPENING HOURS

Monday - Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday - Sunday (January - March)
Open for lunch 12noon to 15:00
Thursday - Sunday (April - December)
Open for lunch 12noon to 15:00
Friday - Saturday (April - December)
Open for dinner 18:30 to 20:30
Balcony Bar opening hours (May-August)
12noon - 10pm Friday & Saturday | 12noon - 6pm Sunday
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FIND US

The Rathfinny Wine Estate is located 1.5 hours from London Victoria with nearby stations of Berwick and Polegate just a short taxi ride away. We're also very accessible from the seaside towns of Brighton and Eastbourne and just 7 miles from the iconic Seven Sisters Country Park.

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FAQs

Can I dine on the balcony?

The balcony is not open for al fresco dining. Please note, you cannot request to eat outside, all reservations will be seated inside the Tasting Room. The balcony is open for drinks  on Friday, Saturday & Sunday during summer and is weather-dependent.

What is your child policy?

Our Tasting Room restaurant is not best suited to children and babies. We welcome well-behaved children over the age of ten who are happy to eat from the main menu with limited alterations.

In order to allow our guests an evening of relaxation, the Tasting Room restaurant is an adult-only venue at dinner.

What is the dress code?

Our dress code is smart/casual and quite relaxed. We usually advise against sportswear e.g. baseball caps and tracksuits. Smart trainers are allowed.

Can you cater for all dietary requirements?

Unfortunately, we cannot cater for vegan or lactose-free diets on the evening tasting menu but we will do our best to cater for other dietary requirements, as long as you provide at least seven days written notice.

A vegetarian option is always available on all our menus and we can cater for vegans and lactose-free diets on our lunch menu with advance warning.

If you have any queries about dietary requirements or allergies, please contact us directly or leave a note during the booking process.

Cancellation Policy

For all lunch bookings, we require guests to cancel their table at least 48 hours before the booking otherwise you will be charged £20 per head. You will also be charged for a no show.

For all dinner reservations, we require at least 48 hours cancellation notice before the booking otherwise you will be charged £40 per head. You will also be charged for a no show.

Can children go on the balcony?

Children are not allowed on the balcony for health and safety reasons and we’re not insured for them.

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STAY AT THE FLINT BARNS

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Roast Beef

FLINT BARNS DINING

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Vineyard tour

Tour the Estate

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Sussex Sparkling Rose surrounded by summer fruits

Shop Wine

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