No.40 Bar Kitchen

You'll find No.40 tucked away on Norman Road in St Leonards—that bit of Hastings that's quietly become where locals actually want to eat. It's the kind of place where they've clearly thought about what they're doing: the menu changes, they know their suppliers, and there's an actual wine list that doesn't make you squirm. The room itself feels lived-in rather than designed, with proper lighting that doesn't blind you and enough space to have a conversation. Whether you're here for dinner or just stopping by the bar, there's a sense that this place exists for people who live round here, not for Instagram.