Cat Inn in Mid Sussex

We've eaten here several times and it's become a favourite. This time we took visiting friends, and phoned ahead to ask for a quiet table. Staff really went out of their way to accommodate us, and made us feel very welcome and well looked-after. The food and drink, as always, were very enjoyable. There can be some inconsistency at times — some items are excellent while others, incongruously, are just good. But then it is, deservedly, very, very busy at weekends.

Dans un charmant petit village typique, accueil attentionné et chaleureux. Déjeuner un dimanche, donc nous avons pris un roast de poulet accompagné de légumes, copieux et bon. Desserts très bons, mention pour la mousse de mangue, bémol pour la tarte au lait, portion réduite. Addition un peu élevée à 4. Vaut le détour.

The Cat Inn is a bit of a drive for us from Reigate, but it was absolutely worth it. Delicious roast beef and chicken which were perfectly cooked. Portion sizes just right. Service friendly yet so efficient. Ambiance relaxed. We will most definitely be returning to try more from the delicious menu.

Fantastic service and a lovely cozy atmosphere. Theres 2 open fires and some nice little nooks for a quiet meal. Highly reccomend.

Had an absolutely delicious Sunday lunch couldn't fault it staff were lovely efficient and friendly particularly Mel who was welcoming and added to our visit it was my sisters 81st birthday and Mel put a candle on her desert which was really thoughtful this is a 5 star restaurant from the food to the staff absolutely recommended

Our fourth time staying at The Cat over several years and it was just as great as ever. From the smell of wood smoke in the front bar, through the excellently kept local beer, to the delicious food, to the cosy rooms upstairs, it’s an absolute gem. Expect elevated pub classic food on the menu with some more adventurous specials and dishes and a great buzz throughout the building during service. And then come downstairs in the morning to a terrific breakfast of fresh fruit and yoghurt and a full breakfast. But one thing ties the whole place together: the service. Absolutely first rate; the friendliest, nicest team; completely on point. Would recommend again and again.

Booking of 7 well handled no issues. Reasonable space between tables. Full 3 courses of great quality, freshly prepared food. You don't mind paying the higher price tags for real quality. Would recommend as best place in the wider area for a more special occasion.

Best meal we’ve ever had, we had pork nuggets, cheese gourgers and a scotch egg to start, followed by burgers and ice cream. Everything is homemade and perfect. The service was great a very nice lady served us - we didn’t catch her name unfortunately. We thought the food and drinks were ever reasonably priced. Will definitely return.

My husband and I booked for lunch and this was the first time we have eaten at The Cat Inn. The food was outstanding - focaccia to start with bang band squid, mains of gammon & chips plus a sublime vegetarian dish of stuffed courgette with romesco served with freekah - I couldn’t have wished for more. Rounded off by homemade ice cream and gooseberry frangipane tart. Thoroughly recommend and we will definitely be revisiting in the future.

We had lunch here after the Ardingly antique fair and we sat outside as it was a sunny day . Firstly I would say there was very limited choice ( one dish ) for vegetarians but it was an extremely nice courgette bake . Fish and chips was excellent, and overall service was fast and professional a bit brusque but very good. This is a very nice place and it was our first visit but we would definitely like to go again .

We had a fabulous Father’s Day lunch. The Cat has friendly and really helpful staff who gave us excellent service and of course great food.

Wonderful food! Really fresh and tasty ingredients, beautifully presented, and original menus. I recommend the Steak, Mushroom & Ale Pie, and the "Snacks" for a starter, including the Chicken Bites with Gochajang Mayonnaise. But I particularly enjoyed the (Vegan) Coconut Creme Caramel, with burnt fresh pineapple, passion fruit gel and fresh pineapple compote. Beautiful! And a great portion. The beer bread is heavenly! - especially with the Pea & Goats Cheese Soup. The vegetables are given just as much thought and attention as the main course, which was pleasing. As for the Albourne Estate Rose wine...to die for!! Great coffee, not bitter. And water on the tables as you arrive. Great service, too. Very personable, friendly and professional. Very timely. There is no added service charge, but the team work hard to ensure everything runs smoothly, and are a credit to The Cat Inn.

Excellent food, very good choice of wines to select from. Staff wonderful and very helpful towards my husband who has a walking disability. The atmosphere in the restaurant was tremendous. Due to such adorable staff.

Well what can I say? The food is outstanding and I mean delicious; I really didn't want each course to end. What a lovely team as well, friendly and top notch service. Don't delay, go to the Cat Inn and enjoy!

The best Sunday roast I have had. My wife’s burger was excellent too. Service very friendly and personal. Would definitely recommend to everyone😁

From our friendly welcome to a fond farewell this was a fantastic Sunday lunch The food was absolutely delicious, the beer and wine perfectly matched We loved it especially as I had booked the wrong day and it was a busy bank holiday weekend Thank you

Superb food from start to finish. Cheese gougeres and the chicken bite starters were to die for but we were all wowed by the lamb main. Tastiest local lamb with great potatoes. The roast beef was loved by others with us. Service is professional, friendly and on point. This is a gem of a place ! Thanks team.

The room we had was stunning. Spacious, comfortable, well fitted, and with a great shower. Delightfully dog friendly as well. Evening meals were delicious - I could not fault anything we had. A step up from normal pub fare in composition, with totally excellent cooking. Now breakfast deserves six stars! Only 4 rooms, yet a lovely continental selection is provided in little bowls on individual tables, plus a good cooked breakfast of your choice. This inventive design means breakfast is way better than most hotels with more rooms. As for staff - so friendly. Many thanks to them all.

A master class in how to run a pub. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful. Then to top it off the food is amazing. We absolutely loved the place.

Excellent Meal Surpassed any expectations will defiantly return Fine Dinning in a Pub worth the Hour Jeourney and 20 Pot Holes on the way Great Team delivering, a Great Experience

We love this place, food is always 10/10, imaginative, fresh and well-cooked. Lovely atmosphere and friendly staff. Stylish wines and lots of lovely good choices. One of my fave places to eat.

Super friendly staff and locals! The room was really cozy with lovely toiletries, nice coffee and tea available. Sweet view of the church and gentle bells to wake you in the morning. Our dog was very welcome and he enjoyed the biscuits left for him. There was a field just up the road to exercise him. Evening meal was delicious and plenty for a vegetarian. Breakfast was all served at the table and there was a lovely selection. There is an EV charger in the car park.

Excellent meal last night, Sea Bass was suberb, Table service was brilliant and I would highly recommend the pub/restaurant.

Very good family Christmas meal. Staff were very attentive and the food choices were also excellent. Harvey’s on draft, good English food - perfect

The food was delicious, lots of flavour and nicely presented with big portion sizes. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Very good value for money

Can't ask for much more for a cosy Autumn pub lunch: lovely interiors (with of course the mandatory fireplace and chesterfield armchairs for those lucky enough to nab them) and delicious fish and chips. The staff are out of this world - we were treated like family! - and the local area is postcard village british setting. Well worth a visit and I envy the locals who can pop round regularly.

My wife and had lunch today at the Cat Inn. It was excellent. The service was friendly and efficient and the meal was of the top quality. It was a delightful experience and one to be repeated.

We had a late booking for lunch for 5 adults and and a baby. They found us a lovely alcove with a long table. Excellent service and food!

Had a great lunch with the family at this restaurant. When we walked in the place was full of locals - always a good sign. The quality the food was excellent and the service was good. I will definitely be back

Some of the best food in Sussex and therefore one of our favourite haunts. One vegan option on each of the courses today and I had all three. Unlike many pubs where vegan food is a tokenistic afterthought these dishes were sublime. Went with a couple of veggie friends and they were highly impressed. Great choice of beers, including zero, and wines too. Staff are super friendly. You always need to book.

This is such a special place to have a drink, dine and stay the night…superb from start to finish. Food is locally sourced and cooked to perfection, I had local venison, highly recommend it.

Excellent! Extremely polite and professional staff, and the meal (Sunday lunch), was wonderful. Service was impeccable from start to finish, and the Pub itself is beautiful. Looking forward to returning again. One of the best Sunday lunch experiences I have ever had.

I have to say not having been here before we found the staff were very friendly and helpful throughout our visit. We started with a variety of snacks before moving onto the main course which was well presented and duly consumed by all in the party. We were all full to bursting however we found ourselves saying well we'll just have a look at the dessert menu, needless to say we all decided to have a sweet. I cannot speak highly of the quality of service and the quality food, we enjoyed the ambience of the place and never felt rushed at anytime. Now that we have found this gem we will be back

Took a group of 7 older English language students here for lunch to experience a bit of English culture and they were blown away. It wasn't cheap, but everything from the building, the interior, the food, the staff, the village itself and the local wines on the menu was absolutely brilliant. I don't go exploring the country pubs myself that much at the moment so I had almost forgotten these places exist. Will definitely go back if the opportunity arises.

This is the way to do pub food. Been 3/4 times in last 6 weeks & each time excellent Great menu with extensive choice. No cheap overpriced wines here. All good & by the glass. Simply try this out it’s packed for obvious reasons so book

Lovely pub with decent beer - started with fish cakes followed by roast pork and finished with crumble - couldn't fault any of it! Whatever was in the tart with the pork was amazing!

The best fish & chips ever! Our lockdown take away saviour! The triple cooked chips could not be better and the beer battered cod is outrageously good. We look forward to returning to eating on the premises but we can’t thank the team at the Cat for making our fortnightly takeaway so special. One final comment unlike some other (Gastro) Pubs not so very far away - The Cat has kept their post lockdown prices very reasonable - they deserve to be full and their loyalty to their customers & community rewarded. Thank you Thank you Thank you (Val Somers & Julie & Jon Woodhead)

Another great evening with friends at the Cat Inn, the staff were helpful and friendly. The outdoor seating area had plenty of patio heaters, to keep us warm. Due to Covid-19 there was hand sanitiser available, a one way operation in place of you had to use the toilet (of which I have to say were very clean). Looking forward to going back when they start serving food. (Food is amazing at this pub)

Myself and my family went just before lockdown and had an outstandingly good meal. The staff are so friendly and attentive, I had the Christmas dinner and the turkey was the most amazing I have ever eaten, will definitely be returning!

The Cat had always been one of our favourite pub restaurants in the area. Andrews' professionalism is always apparent and especially now in these difficult times. The food is still sublime and his staff well trained and friendly. The Covid safety measures that have been put in place should be an example to all hospitality establishments, with the magical outside seating area being the icing on the cake. Well done Andrew and thank you for making every visit to the Cat so special xx

Today my friend and I visited The Cat inn, for me I was the first time. Absolutely beautiful setting inside. The team were extremely conscience about safety, Temperature checks, hand sanitiser etc. We sat right front of the fire, service was attentive and friendly. Now for the food, amazing. I had the salt and pepper squid, dipping sauce spectacular. My main was the gammon steak, superbly cooked and the triple cooked chips to die for. I will definitely come back for a Sunday lunch to try their roasts. Well done to all staff, cooks and chefs, a lovely afternoon spent in the beautiful village of West Hoathly and The Cat Inn. Thank you

Although we live within 4 miles of The Cat , we had not eaten here for 2 years . Heaven only knows why ! We had a splendid delicious dinner of a high quality and at a reasonable level of pricing .Every course was a triumph of taste and presentation. The CV rules mean that guests are surrounded by screens which one could argue resemble an Immigration Centre at a major airport , but the Cat team obliterate that effect with their warm welcome and prompt , charming service . Highly recommended.

The Cat Inn has spared no expense in ensuring it adheres fully and thoroughly to the current Covid-19 guidelines, and it has certainly paid off. The result is the BEST dining experience you can enjoy for miles around. We sat outside with two friends on the edge of the marquee and the experience was pleasant thanks to the outdoor heaters. All tables were also well spaced-out which also leaves you feeling safe and at ease. And, with all that, the food is still delicious. Well done to all involved!

Sunday 13th dec this is supposed to be a sunday roast beef dinner!!!!!!! Might be for a child. This has got to be the most disappointing looking roast lunch ive ever had for £19.00

The Cat Inn is very special. Andrew and his team have gone to a huge amount of work and expense making the pub and garden safe, warm and compliant with current rules. I would not eat anywhere else at the moment.None of this has compromised the food which is superb, there is a reduced menu but the standard is excellent. As a vegetarian there is always an inventive and delicious choice.During the second lockdown my husband had a takeaway fish and chips which he said was absolutely delicious.Their lockdown shop has life a lot easier too.

My friend and I are “bubbling” in Covid and celebrating our December birthdays here. After a lot of research for a dog friendly, cosy and safe space we found this beautiful dog friendly gastro pub.We had the most amazing weekend here, enjoying gorgeous food and wine. Andrew and his team made us and our collection of dogs! feel so welcome.We would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a getaway and mini break. We enjoyed some lovely dog walks nearby at Ardingly Reservoir and around the villages. Thanks so much, we will be back!

Just a marvellous pub to drop into en route between SW London and East Sussex. Tucked away in a picturesque village right up against a particularly impressive parish church the pub is full of character and the food is worthy of the extravagant claims made for it here and elsewhere. Certainly a cut above most so-called gastro pub offerings. All the covid observances were well managed and the staff could not have been more pleasant. One to remember.

Myself, husband and dog came to stay at the cat inn last night and had such a lovely time. The staff were so friendly, and worked as such a team, and the owner was friendly and helpful the whole time, not even minding about a very muddy spaniel, towels immediately offers to help dry him off! The rooms are lovely, and the beds are so comfortable. We had a problem during our stay which was sorted out professionally and with no fuss.Dinner was lovely, seated next to a lovely big fire,and I would really recommend the bar snacks too, especially the pork belly bites, they were fab.Definitely worth a visit.

Visited The Cat with family following the rule of six yesterday evening. We sat outside and it was soo fab! Heaters and a covering so no fear of getting cold or wet. Lovely food really great attentive service. What an absolute treat after all the current misery.

We ate twice in the Cat in the 3 weeks before Lockdown 2.0. Each time the service, smiles behind the masks, food and ambiance were as one has come to expect and love from this excellent Sussex Fixture. Andrew has taken so much care to make us all feel safe with his “separators” which means you all have your own little Dining room. Perfect. The food and wine were as ever top notch. Congratulations. See you on the 18th of December with luck!!

Booked to go here for a family lunch but I sadly contracted Covid and so had to cancel, which I did via email. I got a call on the day of the reservation from the manager who was extremely abrupt and rude asking me where I was and that he hadn’t received any cancellation email and that he would be charging my card £75! I told him that I didn’t give consent and that I would forward my cancellation email again, as I was sending the email I saw that my card had been charged £75, which put me into my over draft and WITHOUT my consent - disgusting! I then called up and he said he had got my email and would refund it (but no apology!?) 5 days later... I still hadn’t received my money back, I called and emailed yet again to which the manager said they never had any money to which I then sent proof of the money going out my account and then he FINALLY actually bothered to issue a refund. In all of this, not once did I receive an apology, for taking my money without consent, not believing I even sent a cancellation email and then not even refunding the money when he said he had. His attitude was terrible, extremely rude and stuck up, with absolutely no attention to customer care. I WILL NEVER be attending this pub again, this is the worst level of customer service I have ever received and run by a rude manager. DO NOT RECOMMEND! Take your money elsewhere.

Firstly, this was the most thorough restaurant I've been to when it comes to Covid precautions, and that's a good thing! Unlike my fellow reviewers, I liked that each table was sectioned off properly with these wooden structures and fabric coverings; I'd much rather have that than cheap, flimsy plastic. Upon arrival, we were asked to check-in using the NHS app, had a temperatures checked and hand sanitiser was available. All staff were wearing a mask or visor and the toilets had a traffic light system to know when it was clear to use them.The staff were really friendly and polite, and the food was excellent, good portions and well priced. Overall, a really nice experience and would recommend when restaurants can reopen again!

We visited the Cat twice this summer. The safety screens that decorate the restaurant are cozy and tasteful, the safety checks efficient and soon over. The hake dish I had on our last visit was superb and the happy guests were very happy and satisfied. The staff especially Ali were fun and friendly. We had booked a table for our Golden Wedding, Locked down cancelled that. We had booked a table for my birthday Lockdown 2 cancelled that. Will be queuing up to return in December.

Good food; friendly staff.The puzzle is why clear polythene screens weren't used rather than the closed claustrophobic screens now in place?The result:gloomy surroundings with a monastic uninviting shut off space for pretty much each table.Not pretty.You will see v little.A glimpse of someone passing a table and nothing more.It's laudable the management quite properly want to protect staff and customers alike.But not like this.And it needn't have been this way.It's one of those things that seem self evidently not to do early on in the process.But they ignored the problem and went ahead the result now i think it's unsatisfactory for both staff and diners, but especially diners.The Cat management are pros.Good at what they do and that's the puzzle.

A lovely pub in a wonderful setting. Very helpful staff, a good selection of local ales and a wine list including several Sussex Wines. The food was well sourced with plenty of variety and, mostly, above average pub grub. So why a ‘but’? The Covid control was thorough to the extent that it removed all atmosphere, the individual tables have had high fabric screens placed around them, the effect is not of a cosy ‘booth’ rather a hospital isolation bay. One will make one’s choice, very Covid secure or preferring some atmosphere. I would return on a fine summer day..., post Covid.

I go here every now and again with family and i have to say that this is THE best pub i have ever been to. Consistently amazing staff and incredible food. The owner is a funny, lovely guy who always has a smile on his face. Cant say enough about this place, it is amazing. If you are passing anywhere near you need to visit.

Our first and definitely not our last visit to this very special place. Totally Covid safe with temperature checks on arrival and full screens between all tables. A great menu selection. We had salt and pepper squids, rib eye steak and beef pie. All were spectacular and cooked to perfection. Deserts were incredible with a good selection to choose from. Such shame we had to leave at 10pm. Friendly helpful staff. I would most definitely recommend a visit.

Welcome excellent temperature taken, sanitisers available & friendly. Then get taken into a screened cubicle to eat, just like sitting in a box. I have before eaten at The Cat excellent food, good service and a buzz from the restaurant. The buzz has gone, we did not enjoy the experience although the food was excellent, the staff could not be faulted. I have not experienced these screens any where else. I will not return to The Cat whilst these screens are in place but go to places that have atmosphere and still abiding by the Covid protocols where I still feel safe. I have eaten in restaurants that have clear perspex screens, these are far more successful than the one the Cat uses, you can see other people in the restaurant.

Truly the best pub, with delicious food (the fish and chips is fantastic!) and wonderful staff which is why we always return. On our most recent visit, we were really impressed with the effort to ensure the health and safety of visitors, with very tasteful partitions and individually wrapped cutlery whilst still maintaining the lovely atmosphere it's always had. Huge well done! We can't wait to return.

Huge effort made by staff to get people through by the 10pm curfew in a jovial and friendly manner. The pub has been redecorated in such a lovely way to comply with restrictions, and all of the measures taken made it feel very safe. 10/10 for all your efforts in adapting the pub to the Covid world - even the most anxious will feel cared for, and the least anxious will enjoy the intimate atmosphere in the little booths you’ve created.

Wow ...my dad told me it was good and treated us to it. The best I have ever had. Well done. Cant wait to have it again

We'd stayed here overnight and had such a good meal that we decided to plan a walk around coming back for lunch. Glad we did as the food was excellant again.

Nice food, good value and welcoming staff. We had a table for three at lunch and this Covid prevention enabled pub made us feel safe and valued customers. The food, especially the small plate starters were excellent as was the soup and bread and butter desert and the drinks were well priced and tasty. We are going back again with friends soon.

My goodness, this place is taking care of visitors. Temperatures checked, sanitisers and each table screened. Good food, my wife says you must try a pie. Because the screens are opaque service can be difficult if the waiting staff forget to visit, but the standard of food makes a visit worthwhile.

We ate at the pub/restaurant last Saturday to celebrate a wedding anniversary. We have eaten here several times in the past. Firstly the food was excellent. The wines were slightly on the dearer side.We arrived , give temperature check and then asked to scan the Q code (probably for Trak n Trace) If it worked fine but if it didn't-didnt seem to be a problem!! We were directed to out table.. Every table area had been screened off with 2m high cloth covered screens!! This did keep you away from other guests, are these sprayed every night? What I ma saying is that 'how effective are these really? What they did do was completely eliminate any ambience or atmosphere in the place. No background music to fill the space and very bleak feeling. Bread and butter pudding had dark or milk chocolate in it!!! Only said white chocolate! Good service and food as usual.

My husband and I went to the Cat Inn for a lunch time meal this August. We were very impressed by the whole experience and will certainly return. A lot of thought had clearly been put into how to make the restaurant safe in terms of covid and we felt very well looked after. The staff were friendly and extremely helpful. I am vegetarian and gluten free and was especially impressed by the wide choice of dishes I was able to eat and how clearly the menu was set out, including where meals contained gluten but an adapted gluten free option was available. So many pubs have very limited vegetarian meals and it was refreshing to have a choice of dishes. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and can honestly say that the ice cream was the best we have tasted!

Have eaten here several times in the past four years. Have always been impressed by the staff and food. It's a lovely pub with a nice outside space. The way the pub has been set up during the current restrictions is very clever. Booths have been created in the dining area which actually creates a nice intimate space around each table. The separations have been made in a really clever and sympathetic fashion. I didn't see the older part of the pub but I would think the nooks in that part would lend themselves well. I make a point of letting a pub or restaurant know about any food allergies in advance and here they have always made that look easy with the high quality food delivered from the kitchen. I've had a great sunday roast here in the past and always liked the clever cooking. The chef really knows how to combine flavours and I've had great food here but this Saturday was exceptional. I had the harissa mussels (a thing of beauty) and then the fish and chips which was served with beautiful fresh crushed peas bursting with mint and sweetness. The hake was perfect, the batter light and crunchy. My wife loved the deep fried corgettes and the falafel. Perfectly nice bottle of vino alongside. Throughout the service was exceptional. In an area which has some excellent pubs serving great food the Cat sets a very high standard and always delivers.

Food was excellent, service really friendly and COVID precautions second to none. Very impressed and will book again soon. An hour's drive from home but totally worth it - also very close to Wakehurst!

Stunning food, unique twists and divine flavours. Friendly staff and great wine. Definitely recommend!

We booked ahead and were not disappointed, the restaurant was beautiful and the food was so delicious! It was the first meal we have had out since COVID and was very happy with the measures they had in place we felt comfortable and safe and throughly enjoyed our time there. We would highly recommend and can’t wait to go back again!

So pleased that we can finally eat out again and nice to see the food and service is still fantastic as always. We had the wonderful Beer Bread with salty butter a must, then we had Smoked Duck, Feta, Raspberry & Walnut Salad and South Coast Mackerel, Apple & Radish Salad with Beetroot Aioli both were simply stunning, light & summery followed by 28 Aged Ribeye and Parmesan & Almond Crusted Whole Plaice, Jersey Royals, Heritage Tomato, Basil Pesto another burst of summer on a plate, no room for desert but we did manage a express with a chocolate salted caramel truffle. Thank you for a wonderful lunch and for making it so easy with all the new Covid restrictions. Amazing as always.

Having read - repeatedly - about the Cat Inn, and given that my GF and I were in the surrounding area for a countryside break, I simply HAD to make a reservation for a Sunday afternoon visit. And I didn't leave disappointed. With the ongoing COVID-19 issues the pub was segmented and converted into a great many individual seating areas. This wasn't an issue for us. We could still see - on arrival - how the Cat looked. The decor was very tasteful, and the staff were wonderfully polite - always a big plus. My better half and I both indulged in the Sunday roast beef. And it got our week away off to a superb start. The meat was cooked to medium rare perfection. The vegetables were firm but soft. The Yorkshire pudding (puddingS in my girlfriend's case) were fluffy but crisp. And the gravy had a lovely deep flavour. We also had an IPA and a glass of wine between us. All together it came to about £55, which we found to be more than reasonable, given the service, the surroundings, and the quality. My only regret is that I don't live in West Hoathly, and thus, can't visit all the time. Outstanding establishment. Can't recommend highly enough. Thank you to all the Cat Inn for a fantastic visit.

Our first outing since the lockdown. The staff at the Cat could not have been nicer, they were very patience and helpful when I couldn't download the app to register our names and contract details. They have had to make significant alterations to accommodate screens keeping everyone apart. They are working under difficult conditions but couldn't have been lovelier.The food was, as usual, delicious and we all so enjoyed our first experience of eating out again. Hope to be back again very soon.

Great to be back after lock-down. Food and Service excellent. The Cat team have accommodated all the new COVID requirements in a very professional manner. They've made a big effort to keep everyone safe. Slightly new look with individual table booths but works very well. Thanks Andy. We'll be back soon.

The Cat Inn certainly lives up to its' reputation as being one of the finest gastro pubs this side of London. With Andrew and his team of staff (and locals!) always insuring you have a warm welcome and its countless awards earnt in theh hospitality industry, this pub is always going to be a gem for fellow concierge to reccomend. The food certainly speaks for itself, with the menu including 'Pan Fried Seabass', 'Wild Skate' and the 'steak, ale and mushroom pie'. Although you might be paying a couple of pounds above the standard prices in the area, it is certainly worth the money.This 15th century alehouse is well maintained, harnessing a traditional stlye in the bar, while bringing a contemporary feel to the restaurant. Overall we determined The Cat Inn to be very good value for money.For further information, please visit our Facebook Page @sussexconcierge.

We cannot speak highly enough of The Cat Inn. There is always a very warm and friendly welcome from Andrew Russell, the ladies and all of the staff. The food is delicious and well presented (a menu and a ‘specials’ board), and there is a wide choice of reasonably priced wines. The accommodation is well-appointed, very clean and comfortable - and to round off our stay, a breakfast to die for! We can certainly recommend it, and will be back soon! Many thanks to everyone. Anne and Terry Blissett

Excellent food and superb local wine. Lovely atmosphere with lively and fun ladies serving. We will definitely come back. *** Star place!

This restaurant was recommended by the concierge from our hotel, it was a good recommendation. We arrived as a party of 9, 7 adults and 2 children. We had a semi private area which helped greatly as we did not have to worry about the children being disruptive. The food and service were both very good and the staff particularly helpful. The atmosphere in the pub/restaurant seemed very good and I would certainly visit again if we were in the area.

Great Christmas meal chosen from the Christma menu. Food was excellent and could not be faulted. Service was also great and we found waitress very attentive Beautiful old building in a nice village. The only reason this is not native star rating is because the online menu promised live music and possible dancing and yet this was not the case, infact the ambiance was quite flat. Overall we still had a very pleasant meal.

Went to our staff Christmas do yesterday at The Cat, the best venison I’ve ever had, it was to die for and beautifully cooked. The whole meal was great and service friendly, efficient and unobtrusive.

The Cat Inn is quite simply a delightful place to stay & eat.We stayed for one night & ate in the bar area as we were accompanied by our dog. We were made to feel very welcome & the room we stayed in (No 2) is large with a lovely comfortable bed & a light, airy bathroom.If you want to eat here you are advised to book; it is exceptionally popular & it’s not hard to see why. The atmosphere in the saloon bar is lively & friendly. The selection of drinks available is plentiful & impressive.Our food was beautifully cooked & the presentation was first class. My venison haunch was cooked to perfection & my wife’s corn fed chicken was equally tasty & well presented. The desserts are all home made & ours (bread & butter pudding and banana cake) were fantastic.The wine list here is good too with plenty of choice from the various regions & grape varieties.The breakfast in the morning deserves a special mention. There’s fruit, great yogurt, toast and a wonderful cooked breakfast with eggs cooked how you want them. The staff throughout our stay were friendly, welcoming & nothing was too much trouble at any time. All in all, our stay was excellent & we would definitely stay here again.

We were staying in the area after arriving into Gatwick. We decided to eat here after reading the reviews on tripadvisor and the Good Pub Guide. We were not disappointed. On a damp and dark Sunday evening we enjoyed a superb meal. Both the fish and chips and the steak, mushroom and ale pie were excellent with the best chips we have had for a long time. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was great. Highly recommended, but best to book to avoid disappointment.

On a wet and grey Tuesday in November we were surprised to find the pub heaving with people. Fortunately we had booked but it started to thin out after 2pm.There is plenty of choice on the menu both in terms of food and wine. There were also 4 decent bitters to choose from.Our mains were excellent in terms of quality and presentation and very tasty. Every table got a slice of homemade bread and butter and later on chocolates were provided with the coffee. Overall the bill was slightly higher than other good pubs but we felt it represented good value as you are treated as a valued customer.All the staff we met were friendly and delightful and were attentive in a good way.

Set in a quiet village The Cat serves more than 'gastro pub' food. The beer bread was sensational. We were greeted in an unabashed friendly manner and continued to get exemplary service from several members of staff over the busy lunchtime period. I ate the roasted cauliflower, broccoli with almond and tarragon salsa verde which was excellent. My husband had the Pork Belly with red onion and pepper ragu served with a separate dish of mashed potato which was huge and excellent.There are several different dining areas some with extra large tables some with tables for just two creating an interesting ambience. This was a great lunchtime experience and we will definitely be going again.

We revisited The Cat on a wet and cold October lunchtime to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We were not disappointed! The service was friendly and efficient- if a little slow- the restaurant was busy. There was a good choice of vegetarian options on the menu. The portions were generous and all the dishes beautifully presented. The homemade truffles served with coffee were sublime!

Great food and atmosphere. A little pricey but restaurant quality food. Only reason not to rate 5 stars was the service was very slow.

Went there on Saturday night the place was very busy but the food and the service were excellent. Relly nice friendly atmosphere and you have a choice of dining in the bar area which is dog friendly or the restraurant. Same food available in both. They have some very nice specials plus their normal choice. Back again in a few weeks and this should prove we like the place

Excellent lunch. Good menu; friendly and welcoming staff. Even our little dog was welcome at The Cat! Perhaps a wee bit expensive but well worth it. Car parking can be problematic as narrow street and limited space.

The Cat Inn is situated in a delightful olde worldly village at West Hoathly which is only a short driving distance from East Grinstead. The Inn is an attractive building facing the village green.It is difficult to date but probably early 18th century.

After numerous recommendations we tried the Cat Inn with high expectations. The bar area when you first walk in is welcoming and there was a roaring open fire which is always a good start when walking into a pub! We were shown to our table in what seemed like a slightly newer part of the pub and it's fair to say it's a popular place because nearly every single table was taken. I think booking is a must. This didn't effect the speed and friendliness of the services, however, which was very good. The food itself was absolutely brilliant. I had the squid starter which was delicious and a very generous portion. The roast beef was probably up there with one of the best roasts I've had in a pub. Very thick cut, juicy and plentiful! The potato's where exactly how I like them and there is also a portion of cauliflower cheese included, which was a very welcome addition. We didn't have room for desert but definitely plan on coming back to try more items off the menu. All in all I'd say it was a faultless Sunday lunch, from the services to the food.

Located in a village with a pub (The Cat), a church, and a RR/Bentley dealership amongst very affluent housing, this pub is an absolute gem. Indoor an outdoor seating. Diverse menu. Impeccably maintained. A pleasant stop after a long walk.

We don't live locally but this was our second visit to The Cat. We enjoyed the first one so much that when we had a significant anniversary to celebrate we decided to take the whole family! The food and atmosphere were great whilst the service could not have been better which was just what we wanted. We all had a great time and cannot recommend The Cat highly enough. To cap it all we booked 3 of the 4 rooms to stay the night only to get up ready to enjoy the delicious breakfast on offer the next morning. Thank you so much for making or anniversary so very special!

The restaurant is made up of a maize of small rooms with tables plus a larger area with several tables and a glass wall.

Had a most enjoyable meal at the cat Inn.On entering the Cat Inn we were made to feel very welcome . The service was outstanding. A really good pub atmosphere.

We were visiting the bluebell railway for the day and looked for somewhere near to round off the day. The reviews for the Cat were consistently good and we took reveiwer’s advice and booked a table. We were not disappointed! Everything was as reviewer’s described. Service, quality of food, range of beers and wines were all brilliant. The vegetables and the pie were particularly well cooked and delicious. Good quality “gastrio pub” but with a proper old fashioned local pub ambience and atmosphere.

Have stayed at The Cat Inn many times over the last 3 years and the accommodation, food and service has been consistently excellent however this evening’s food was exceptional. In fact it was the best meal I have EVER eaten. Looking forward to many more enjoyable evenings at this fabulous inn.

We visited with our family always an exciting menu and hard to chose you dinner. Absolutely delicious. Would highly recommend

Our first visit to The Cat and certainly not our last. Top class gastropub. First class food and service. Good standard menu of pub classics and local specialties plus blackboard menu of the day. The Steak Pie was superb as was the veg that accompanied it. Good choice! Not the cheapest of the gastropubs, but certainly at the top of the league and value for money. You must book in advance as even on a Monday they were sadly turning people away. Decent car park if you get there early enough - this is a very busy venue even though it is tucked away. Its hi reputation as a top venue is well deserved.

It was our wedding anniversary, so we had been wanting to go to the cat for a while, it seemed the perfect excuse to go. The interior is lovely, old beams, wood tables and chairs. We sat in the garden room, which was bustling (especially for a Tuesday evening when school had just started back) the menu has something for everyone. I had the steak pie, that was delicious a proper pie with a top and bottom! My husband had fish and chips. He said the batter light and crispy, chips were fat, crispy and fluffy perfect. We both had dessert I had the cheesecake that was served with raspberry sorbert it was gorgeous. Hubby had sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, he said it was just right!. Staff were friendly, efficient and service was very good. Would highly recommend the cat. Top tip would be book a table before you go so as not to be disappointed.

I travel extensively throughout the UK and beyond for work. However, when my travels are UK based, I always try to find nice little privately run hostelries rather than the easy option of a Premier Inn or other faceless chain of hotels.