Chez Joel in Horsham

The most delicious, authentically French food; excellent variety; generous portions; very good value for money.

A delicious, well-prepared meal using fresh ingredients and served with charm. This is what good food is all about.

Fantastic great staff great food great wine all very reasonably priced will be back again soon very comfortable atmosphere

Great little restaurant for lunchtime snack. Good selection, clean and friendly staff. Better than the other tea rooms in Steyning and far better value. Everything tastes fresh - no half measures. Well worth a visit.

To celebrate my husbands 70th birthday we wanted the perfect place for our celebration and we found it in Chez Joel. We received a warm and friendly welcome which continued throughout the evening - even helping us with our very poor French. But most importantly the food was excellent, well prepared and well presented. It fulfilled all our hopes and dreams and we are truly thankful.

Well this was rather fabulous! What a lovely little gem of a place. The wine was delightful. Will certainly be back. 🐌🐌🍷🍷🇫🇷🇫🇷🍴🍴

It is difficult in this country to find a bistro/restaurant that really has the charm of a French bistro, but somehow Chez Joel seems effortlessly to achieve just this. During the day this little shop serves as a deli/cafe, but on Thursday, Friday and Saturday it is open as a restaurant in the evenings. It only seats about 14 so booking is essential. It is run by husband and wife team John and Sarah and the food is fabulous, not exorbitantly priced, wines are of good quality and again are not over priced. We went last Saturday, dreadful (even biblical) weather, but we managed to park nearby and dash in, to be met by Sarah who made us welcome as ever. Your table is yours here for the evening, so you do not feel rushed and Sarah tries to stagger arrival times so that she can explain the menu fully to each table. By the end of the evening we felt at ease with all the other diners, there was a birthday to which we all sang Happy Birthday as the little cake was brought out and this all helped to make this a great evening. Thanks once again, we will be back

Visited for a breakfast after a bike ride. Wanted a vegan breakfast which they went out to shop for , it was served within 15mins, freshly cooked and delicious. My partner had a non vegan breakfast and was equally impressed. Charming environment, charming staff. We had a lovely table right by the open door which provided a fresh breeze on a very hot day. Will definitely visit again. Thank you Chez Joel

We spent £6 on two drinks, a coffee and an Oringina. The coffee was very weak and service was slow. There were no menus and not what I expected for a ‘bistro’. Remaining friendly and polite after asking to pay the owner asked why we didn’t want to eat there- ‘you aren’t after brunch.’ My boyfriend politely answered no we wanted to look around and she scoffed and made us feel uncomfortable. Very slow and the meat available looked dry. Extremely disappointed and felt she didn’t like us from the very start as we were clearly tourists.

A couple of good friends recommended this little cafe/restaurant in Steyning to us and we intended to practice our French a little whilst we were there. We had the most convivial evening and a superb meal in a relaxed and comfortable setting. I believe they just open for dinner 3 x nights week, but my goodness they do it well! We will certainly go again. Thank you Sarah and John Cherry & Roger

Celebrated our wedding anniversary at Chez Joel. Certainly didn't want to go anywhere else. The decor is just lovely - so French, warm cosy and welcoming. Usual friendly greeting from Sarah a nd John who always find time yo chat and explain the menu. The food us absolutely delicious and this is the reason we love this restaurant so much. Do visit and enjoy the experience. Frank and Gaynor.

Friendly welcome, and service with well spaced seating. We had a delicious salad and fish platter for a tasty nourishing lunch. Great coffee too.

Stopped by here a couple of times to get a take away coffee, lovely owner with a cheery smile, nice cakes on offer

OMG - AMAZING! went for the french dinner evening. The food was mind blowing. And I am a foodie! If you love good food you will LOVE this place! I live 90 mins away but I am coming back!! The owner/chef is wonderful ❤️

This is just what you expect from an olde English tea room. Though I had coffee. Rock cake must be on your bucket list. Coffee is excellent. Worth a detour if your within 10 miles of steyning

Very small restaurant within a shop. Delicious French dishes. The only criticism would be that portion sizes for the main courses were small.

The best priced and best burger in Hyde Park! Chez Joel knows what he’s doing in the kitchen, and is such a friendly guy!

We drove 90 minutes for lunch on a recommendation. We miss France.... What a wonderful place. Can't recommend Chez Joel enough. We even had a baguette baked for us, while we had coffee, to take hime. The dinner menu looks fantastic - but not conducive...

Nice place and food was good. I just though £29 was a bit much for three coffees, a slice of quiche and Pre-made Croque monsieur with salad garnish. I should obviously have checked the deli prices before ordering for eat in.

As newcomers to Steyning, we tried out Chez Joel for the first time this evening. We were not disappointed! Superb home-cooked French food and the added bonus of friendly and attentive hosts and the opportunity to practise our French made this an evening to remember....

This place has lots of good reviews, though mostly from evening meals. I went there for lunch with family today and it was also lovely. The menu is small and simple, and sounds maybe less exciting than the evening menu - quiches, salads etc, but...

Lovely meal in this family rum small restaurant. Good value, lovely staff & relaxed 'cafe' style atmosphere. Fabulous Rose which they sell so went home with another bottle.

My husband and I dined at Chez Joel last night and I can honestly say it was one of the best dining experience I’ve ever had. This place is a little Gem! The owners of the restaurant Sarah and John could not have made us...

Four of us ate here recently and enjoyed a very pleasant evening. The menu is not extensive but was well explained by our server. All the the food was lovely, good sized portions and cooked to order, hence the slightly longer than average wait, but...

Sarah (owner) is a wonderful chef and generous host. She makes everyone feel welcome and you leave feeling full and well-looked after.

Mistakes get made, but it’s the way things are put right that tells you how good a place is. The quiche was terrible. I raised the issue and the ‘director of quiches’ came to the table and thanked me for pointing out the issues. Explained...

We really are lucky to have Chez Joel in Steyning. Whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I was with a group of 18 on Friday evening.where we had the restaurant to ourselves. The atmosphere was great, as was the food. Sarah the owner...

Loved it. A genuine Jewell locally. Good value & different menu. Will visit again soon ! See my comments above.

We are newish to the area and were undecided on where to book for our 10th wedding anniversary. So glad we chose this Bistro. Very good, humorous service, excellent food, romantic ambiance, and a lovely, lovely evening. The best goats cheese I have eaten for...

A group of 4 of us drove to Bamber for a country walk in the beautiful Sussex countryside. After a delightful walk we didn't like the Chequers Inn, I booked Chez Joel in Steyning, a 9 minute drive away. One of our party has a...

Told that this was wonderful food, cannot believe how excellent this is. I had the Plat Melange then the filet de boeuf a la mortarde. I cannot praise this enough. The atmosphere is so intimate, wine excellent and maitre de par excellence Thank you so much for a fabulous evening

We have been here as part of a group twice now and really enjoy a visit. The food is French style and is sensational. Sarah is an excellent and fun host and although small (or perhaps because it is) the atmosphere is great.

This is the 10th year we have dined in this Bistro after the fantastic BCDO event in Wiston.And as before, absolutely faultless. As there is a Street Craft fair every other year (this year was one) I always book in advance for our party of 8 and Sara could not be more accommodating.Table always ready available for us and the food and service, as ever, extremely good.This year we all varied from our normal breakfast and went for more "lunch" items, and with no disappointment.Our group cannot recommend this Bistro more highly, and we look forward to our 11th visit next May.Thank you Sara and your very attentive staff

A small place with a big heart. Salads and pasty were simple but delicious. Decent coffee and cakes. Staff super friendly and helpful. A gem

An evening at Chez Joel is always a huge pleasure. The food is excellent but what makes it really special is the delightful friendly atmosphere. It’s a small restaurant and owner Sarah is a great host. Good food and often lively conversation with the other diners make it a fun evening.

Went there yesterday with a guest who was surprised at the high quality of the lunch. Of course I was not as the standard has always been high.

Had a really nice breakfast, scrambled egg and smoke salmon with a very nice cup of coffee. Good portion size, great service. Will definitely be going back.

Food - remarkably tasty escargot and beautiful goat tagine

Stumbled across this little gem on a Saturday night. Great food and at a very affordable price. The setting is cosy and very chic. Sarah was a delightful host and clearly explained her menu. Will definitely be back again!

Had an amazing dinner at Chez Joel, food is tasty and they accommodated a large group well. Service was very friendly and would definitely recommend.

Rare to find real home-cooked traditional French food in the UK, and a great evening with converstion (in French) with our hosts. The patés were gorgeous, the filet de boeuf excellent and the wines just right. Thank you!

Delicious meal in a bistro style setting. Food was beautifully presented, original, fresh and very tasty. Warm welcome and very friendly. Can’t wait to go back.

Booked for dinner on Sat 9th for anniversary/early Valentines. Realised on way that we haven’t been able to visit for over a year, but Sarah recognised us as soon as we walked through the door and even remembered our surname! It was another brilliant evening - you almost forget you are in a restaurant, Sarah makes you feel so welcome. The food was glorious as always (plus the bottle of rose went down very well!) and it was fun chatting with some of the other diners as the evening went on. We are so lucky to have this wonderful place just down the road from us!!

Big thank you to Sarah as we were a group with a variety of dietary requirements. I had emailed prior to our visit and we were all so well catered for. The food was delicious and it was just like being back on our holiday in France. Relaxed atmosphere, tasty food, flowing wine great service all at a reasonable price. I'm sure we will be back

We went on the off chance based on TA reviews and we weren’t disappointed! Amazing food but just as important was the service - Sarah (the owner) was really chatty and great fun! She even gave my single friend a packet of Love Heart sweets so she didn’t feel left out on Valentine’s Day!!! The price was very reasonable as well. Highly recommended!!

Little delicatessen and bistro with good atmosphere we went for lunch and I ordered a cheese and onion omelette which was the best one I have had for a long time as often come out like rubber,I was a happy bunny it was really tasty,they also do dinners on Thursday Friday Saturday evenings so that will be the next visit.Lovely friendly owner and staff suggest you book as we got the last table at 1230 we also had the most amazing homemade drizzle cake I love cream so they obliged and also warmed it up for me mmm Delicious

We have been going to this restaurant for some time now, the owner takes an active roll in the running and is always on hand to explain the menu, the food is very tasty and not over prices, there is a limited wine list, but with wines are great and not over expensive, I would recommend a visit if you like French food

Great little coffee shop good service and quaint surroundings, Coffee is really good and they have a good range of cakes I had a coconut and cherry loaf cake wich was excellent. Will certaing go back and try their bistro food

My friend and I have lunch here fairly frequently, and last Friday was the best ever we both said that was the best we have ever tasted! Wow ....Sarah the proprietor and kitchen staff thanks, you are doing a great job. The kitchen does so many good dishes Quiches, fresh French Bread pizza slices and irresistible desserts. Thanks too to Gina and waiting staff who have the patience with us confusionists we ain’t easy.We are looking forward to our next visit......

Wanted a cup of tea and cake, food ok but they charge extra if you want more hot water or like for tea milky. Makes you wonder if they charge less for black tea. Very cramped so not good for large parties.

Food is yummy and the staff are very helpful. The french evening menu is super and there are always good wines to match. Fab!

Dropped into Chez Joel as we passed through Steyning whilst walking along the South Downs, circular from Chanctonbury Ring

If you like your coffee piping hot like me, look no further,today friends and I met for coffee, excellent service friendly and a wide variety of food and snacks on offer. We will be visiting more often in future.

Every time it is a lttle better, had the boulubase Amazing! Such a lovely atmosphere and great food. All fresh all lovely all good. And a cheeky little wine list. Great value we will return again,and again

Living in Worthing, we're short of French places to eat, so it's fantastic to find a real small-town French bistro in Steyning. Excellent freshly-cooked food (the menu hand-written on a blackboard apparently changes every month or two), served by a friendly, helpful lady who knows and loves the cuisine. Don't expect 5-star Michelin attitudes or prices, but do bring an appetite.

This small (about 16 covers) family run Bistro is informal and casual but at the same time the service is friendly and perfect. There is a blackboard menu which changes frequently. on the night we were there there were 7 starters ,and four mains, Filet de Boeuf a la Moutarde,Bouillabaisse, Vegetarian Option and Agneau Marrocain so something for everyone.I had the Coquilles St Jaque followed by the Filet de Boeuf. Both dishes were beautifully cooked. There was a good choice of deserts or fromage. The wine list was short but good and we were provided with tasters before we opened the bottle. If you are in the area then make a point of booking you will not be disappointed. I wished they could up-sticks and move to Greenwich so they were on my doorstep.

Enjoyed a superb evening yesterday at Chez Joel. The bistro style food was very fresh and was delicious.

We had a fantastic meal here. Authentic home cooked French food. We we went on a Thursday pm, which is speak French night. It wasn't compulsory! My rusty gce French from over 30 years was dragged up and our fantastic hosts encouraged us and helped us along with our vocabulary, so our conversation flowed through the evening. Our hostess grew up in France, this is a family business and would recommend this for a quiet evening or a family lunch. Catering for vegetarian / pescatarian as well as the regular omnivore! Looking forward to going back and checking out the breakfast and lunch menu.

Don’t book here if you are looking for a sophisticated evening in swish surroundings. This is a deli during the day and the oil clothed tables in an old minimally restored building is very reminiscent of visits to rural bistros in France. The portions are small but the food is delicious and we had a really wonderful evening, a big part of which was due to the owners interactions with us. I’d like to go back when they have a French language only evening.

Whilst trying in Steyning we decided that it would be good to try this interesting looking bistro. We had excellent food with a great atmosphere. We enjoyed the mini wine tasting to choose our bottle of wine and Sarah was a fantastic host. We will definitely be back next time we make it there! Will brush up on my French beforehand though!

Have been using Chez Joel for years including their catering service for some family parties.

Called in even before it was officially open but was given a lovely welcome. A big party of local gents were there before us, so food took a bit longer than is usual but we did not mind as the lady provided papers to read.

First visit was a few weeks ago for a sandwich and a coffee, excellent quality all round. Second visit was for the same, noticed that on Thursday, Friday & Saturday in the evening it became a small bistro. My wife is of French desent so I booked a table. What can I say, you know occasionally you go to a hotel or restaurant and you immediately feel comfortable and relaxed then pay a visit. Great food, great atmosphere and a great host in Sarah. Three courses for £25.99 and try the wines before you buy! Total quality from start to finish. Already booked to go back, love it.

Good options on the menu, meat, fish and vegetarian options, our choices were well cooked and tasty. A very warm welcome and made to feel relaxed and unhurried.

I have eaten here many times and always enjoyed the food and have found the staff to be really friendly and attentive. The prices are much more reasonable than the other cafes, which is one of the reasons why Chez Joel is a favourite with locals.

We decided to try this one rainy evening and weren't disappointed. Although busy, we were found a charming little table in the corner. The decor is as you would expect of a cottagey bistro.. checkered tablecloths, pretty china and simple furnishings.

This charming French deli becomes a cosy unpretentious restaurant on certain evenings.

We mistakenly booked this restaurant for a french lunch and it appears this is only available in the evening. We had salad and sandwich it was ok and reasonably priced but not rushing back.

Just visiting Steyning and chez Joel had great reviews so we booked to eat there. Best decision we could have made! Delicious meal, great value and great wine made it a truly wonderful evening. Owner absolutely lovely and you feel welcome immediately. Thank you so much. Would highly recommend

At the other end of the High Street and a deli too. We went in late afternoon and what a lovely welcoming place. Staff were very friendly. We ordered the mocha's and home made brownies ad wow both were excellent. The menu looks great with a very good choice at a reasonable price. I understand that the owner is French and they also do Bistro nights. Will definitely go back.

Steyning has the luxury of having two tea rooms or possibly more. Luckily this one is at the opposite end of the street to the other one which is a more conventional type of tea room from my memory. This one is modelled on the kind of place that may be found in France according to their menu blurb and I think they have achieved this, it certainly has a lot of character anyway. We had the 'small' baguettes which were delicious and very filling, in fact we couldn't finish them and took the remains home. We also had smoothies which were very good. The pot of tea was in a large metal teapot which was big enough for many cups. This is a good improvement on the small teapots often used in tea rooms. They had some nice looking cakes on show and also some very rustic looking bread which was very tempting. I hope to go back again and try some of their other menu items. Service was excellent.

Came here for a birthday party and cannot fault the food. It was totally delicious as usual. Sarah is a complete star when if comes to tastes and flavours. All 12 of us were well looked after and we are planning a revisit soon, watch out!!!

Have visited a few times and always been impressed with the variety of food on offer and the quality and...

I love Chez Joel. As well as lovely food in the cafe, there is always something new or different in the deli. We go here a couple of times a month for breakfast, they do a very decent bacon sandwich and coffee for £4, which I think is very reasonably priced. Their lunch time offering is always fresh and affordable and they are very accommodating for food intolerance's; they will find something that you can have! On every trip there my husband dreads hearing 'I'll just have a look in the deli on my way out' 20 mins later we depart.

There are just a few times when you dine out and the experience is magical, this for me, was the closest it gets to the perfect dining experience.

What a truly wonderful find. Delicious French Cuisine coupled with Charming service. Looking for somewhere to have dinner in Steyning?-Look no further! Thankyou Chez Joel for a fabulous evening J'Adore ..... a lot! ❤️

this place serves decent food in the evenings but when we went on a Saturday lunchtime it had the appearance of a coffee shop. Most of the tables were busy with lots of children but nobody appeared to be eating anything other than cake or sandwiches and drinking pop and on their mobiles. We decided not to bother, Shame as we had driven there for a special meal. Maybe we were just unlucky. In order have this 'review' accepted have ticked average for all the questions as cannot leave blank.

We really enjoyed our diner in the restaurant. As French people living in UK it's a really pleasure to taste French food.Very nice wine as well. We will definitely come back if whave the opportunity.

Thank you for more yummy food and an extremely pleasent evening. All in the lovely rustic and genuine feeling surroundings. Excellent value and great wine too.

This tiny restaurant is a real find! The charming owner described the menu with great enthusiasm and left us wine to taste while we made our choices. It certainly didn't disappoint. Everything was beautifully cooked and extremely tasty and the house wine was top quality. A very convivial experience which we will certainly be repeating!

Popped in for a coffee and a piece of cake one Saturday morning. Very busy with a good buzz about the place. The service was prompt and friendly. The cake was delicious. Will definitely be returning.

Excellent French restaurant and great service. Been a number of times and always enjoyed the food and the wine and great value too. Well worth a visit...

We chose Chez Joel following the Tripadvisor status of being #2 in Steyning. As I said at the time to our hostess although the service and the attention we were given was excellent as was the opportunity to sample the wines on offer the three courses we had were rather disappointing. Perhaps we set our expectations too high having eaten in France quite a lot. For example the lobster bisque was a soup full of flavour but not of lobster and the Coquille St Jacques had lots of cheese but only two scallops. The bouillabaisse was ok but not full of flavour and the Agneau Marocainne was a tasty lamb stew but not really easily identified as inspired by Moroccan flavours. The cheese platter was good but there was no fruit or garnish. For the price the meal was good but not good enough to have us rushing back. Just being honest.

Exactly what you would expect from a hidden jem in a quaint town in France!! Lovely fish ,sauces... and yummy rustic salads! And it's in STEYNING! Perfect.

Been meaning to eat here for ages and finally got the time the other week. Was a quite thursday (only customer) but was a fantasic meal. The waitress/owner/chef was so lovely and did not make me feel at all uncomfortable. Lovely snails to start (gotta be done in a french resturant), followed by beef in mustard sauce and finished off with a hazelnut maccaroon which was unlike any i have ever had. Wonderful sevice, not too invading but was lovely to have a chat with the owner as well. Bargin wine at just under £6 for a large glass! Will be back with guests!

There's one thing the french cook well and thats a quiche Lorraine. I purposely popped in to check when they were fresh next day she said. We duly bought the ham which was packed and tasty but was expecting a larger taller one. It was very hard and not a wobbly custard as expected I would have done better at the co op sadly.

I haven't eaten here so this is purely a review from the deli side. The staff are always very friendly and helpful as is the owner who will go out of her way to get you what you want.Though it isn't the largest deli shop it's kind of like a tardis and you can usually find what you want however obscure.The high street would be a lesser place without this place. Use it.

Lovely Bistro to visit with tasty food and great friendly service.Thank you very much and see you very soon!

How do you make mushrooms taste that good? Everything here was excellent, including a fabulous cheese board. All set in a charming little deli/cafe. Apparently on Thursday evenings they only speak French! Two courses was £20, three was £26 but the quality was easily worth it. They also, unlike many French places, cater really well for vegetarians. Highly recommended.

Once again, we visited to this Café / Bistro after a thrilling Big Church day Out in Wiston Estate.As usual, Sara and her team were polite, efficient, friendly. Our table I had reserved was ready and waiting for us, even though were running a little late and excellent food promptly served with a smile.Some say, always try something new, I say, once you have found a great experience, keep going back for more.Thank you again Sara and I look forward to next year when we visit the 10th Anniversary of BCDO.

This place truly is a home away from home! Together with my 5 Swedish friends, we walk the South Downs way - this is the second year and we are barely a third of the way! Could be all the stopping in lovely food places such as Chez Joel. This is a real gem with food cooked with love and high quality ingredients! It is not pretentious at all, but a wonderful friendly atmosphere and the wines are to die for!

Fabulous service, had expected a slightly more 'french' menu but what we ordered was lovely. Good Latte, tartuflette good, disappointing generic pie to go with it. I had the crayfish with a jacket. Puddings lovely, rhubarb crumble and bread and butter pudding. Arrive hungry as portions are generous. Highly recommended for a cheeky lunch

Super service, very welcoming and not at all intrusive - great quality food, tea, coffee and a great delicatessen too whilst being very kind to your wallet! I love this place.

What an amazing diner experience. This is truly the best French restaurant in Sussex. Amazing balance of flavours and a wonderful dining experience. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable regarding food. It is lovely to see new customers and seasoned locals who enjoy this family run restaurant. I highly recommend a visit even if you are not a local. A must in my book. Tres bien! :)

Went with parner was extremely relaxed was great to be not feel rushed. Staff very friendly and helpful. Meal was phenomenal each dish beautifully laid out and each mouthful was a treat. Would definitely revisit with friends and family as although restaurant quaint will happily accommodate larger parties.

Friendly, French,fun on fursday evenings! On French spoken on that night. Sarah the owner is happy to help you out with her fluent French.

Another fantastic evening at this amazing intimate restaurant. This place never fails to please on every level and is one of the most welcoming places in the area.Birthday celebration for myself and 3 others, everyone had a great evening and left the place smiling and fully satisfied.Cheese board never fails to hit the spot with me and the L'escargots are outstanding.Highly recommend to anyone in the local area or well worth the trip if you are not!

Book ahead as Chez Joel gets booked up in the evening. We offered to share our table with a couple who turned up on speck. We all enjoyed a wonderful meal and excellent choice of wine.

Another great dinner in Chez Joel for five. Just dazzling food, including L'escargots, excellent wine and so much fun service. You won't do better in Steyning or anywhere else for an informal, just perfect meal.

Second visit here and even better than the first if it was possible. Such a lovely atmosphere friendly waitress and amazing food. A real gem.