Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orlaextra.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82434" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orlaextra.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orlaextra-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orlaextra-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orlaextra-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN </h2>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/orla-combines-the-intimacy-of-a-village-bistro-with-full-flavoured-foodie-magic-conjuring-dishes-that-will-have-all-your-senses-fired-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orla</a> sits plumb in the centre of Lindfield’s historic High Street, on a site formerly occupied by a well-liked Thai restaurant. It’s owned by Head Chef Ian Brunsdon, a quarterfinalist in 2024’s&nbsp;<em>MasterChef: The Professionals</em> who also happens to be a local lad, and his wife Ellen. So smitten were they with the property, they waited the best part of two years for the paperwork to go through. Their tenacity’s paying off: having only opened in late March, Orla has already snagged a spot in OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants 2025 list.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla8.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82421" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla8-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla8-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla8-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The restaurant is named after its owners’ children, and that family feel infuses Orla&#8217;s relaxed fine dining experience. A quaint exterior sometimes means a pokey interior, but there&#8217;s no hint of that here. The main dining area is light and airy, with a bay window and pretty posies on the tables. Further back, you’ll find a small bar and the open kitchen, where ‘the pass’ offers a slightly different atmosphere. Think ringside seats and views of some sizzling culinary action thanks to an open kitchen. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It must get intense on a busy night but Ian enjoys the chat, and you’d need to head into Brighton or up to London for a similarly up-close experience. Wherever you sit, the service is warm and professional, and with just 30 covers, there’s no risk that you’ll be forgotten. Muddy visited on a Friday afternoon, when fellow diners included a polished group of four giving strong PTA queen bee vibes, and a couple on what might have been a date (great choice!).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla10-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Despite having over 15 years of experience in kitchens from France to Australia, Ian believes you never stop learning as a chef. His curiosity fuels a flavourful, deeply satisfying modern-European menu that combines finesse with playfulness. It changes every quarter but he’ll often make tweaks in between.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the spirit of thorough research, my lunch date and I ordered from both the à la carte offering and the set menu. We were perched at the pass, where you’re rewarded with extra titbits between courses. Later on, that included a stunning palate cleanser of apple and sorrel sorbet. First, though, dinky portions of a creamy, fragrant turkey korma topped with black rice and served with a crisp of house ciabatta were delivered even before the pre-starter ‘snack’ we’d ordered: Fire Cracker Chicken, another Indian-inspired dish that came with cubes of delicately pickled cucumber and black sesame seeds. If this is snacking, we should all be doing more of it.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82432" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla11-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>From the set menu, I followed the waft of warm spices, savouring a Cauliflower Pakora that was fresh and light, with a scattering of Moroccan couscous plus cumin and pomegranate for a tart flash of colour. My date opted for a Confit Rabbit and Chorizo Terrine with carrot and crisped house flatbread – delicious, judging from the sudden lull in conversation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>From the à la carte menu, Ian steered us towards a main of local venison that he butchers himself. It’s served on pillow of smoked mashed potato which has to be tried to be believed, with dashes of intense black garlic – an eight-week fomentation project – that is definitely more than merely decorative. It’s accompanied by beetroot three-ways – one of them caramelised (yum) – and a small helping of hunter’s pie, wrapped sushi-like in a cabbage leaf.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla7.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82422" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>From the set menu, it was a tough choice between umami-rich Truffled Pappardelle with Parmesan and Yolk, and Cod Loin with Creamed Potato, Tenderstem and an Olive and Sundried Tomato relish. I went for the latter and while I didn’t regret one bite of it, that pasta feels destined to become my dish-that-got-away.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pudding? It’d be rude not to. The set menu was the easier choice: on a more golden autumnal afternoon, Salted Caramel Affogato with Amaretti Biscuits would have been irresistible, but the sky was grey and Steamed Ginger Sponge with dabs of tart rhubarb, buttermilk ice cream and a toffee-rich sauce hit the spot. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4.jpg" alt="Orla restaurant in Linfield, Sussex" class="wp-image-82425" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Orla4-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>À la carte was a tougher decision but steered by Ian, a Dark Chocolate Cremeux was ordered and we watched as he assembled something still more decadent than it sounded. Passionfruit, shortbread and a scoop of frozen yoghurt were all part of an artful stack resembling a witty take on a Jaffa cake.&nbsp;It was swiftly devoured – reader, my spoon might have strayed – but we managed a moment’s admiration beforehand.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each of these dishes was a thing of beauty. What makes Orla so special, however, is that this showstopping presentation is combined with a proper heartiness that makes the food intensely satisfying, too.&nbsp;</p>



<p>And to drink? The cocktail list includes a Sussex Negroni and an Orla-La, which changes seasonally and for us featured Cointreau, cranberry juice and cava with a spring of rosemary – a Cosmo-like combo that’s bang on trend (yes folks, the iconic&nbsp;<em>Sex and the City</em>&nbsp;tipple is back). The wine list is small but solid, with almost everything available by the glass as well as by the bottle, and a nice selection of local tipples among the European offerings. We enjoyed glasses of a dry Sangiovese and a Sembro Ribera del Duero, an informed Spanish smoothie.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids">KIDS </h2>



<p>A welcome lack of starchiness means you needn’t feel self-conscious about having them tag along at lunchtimes, when a children’s menu is available. Sausage and mash with gravy along with staples such as fish goujons or tomato penne pasta feature. You might want to keep this one to yourself, however. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY </h2>



<p>There are a couple of low steps leading up to the front door, and while I wouldn’t fancy trying to get a pram in here, I’m sure the staff would be ready to help if anyone were up for trying. If you’re lucky, you can snag free on-street parking for a couple of hours right outside, too.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdev.muddystilettos.co.uk%2Fsussex%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F11%2F2025%2F07%2F1-2.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" alt="Lindfield, Sussex" /></figure>



<p>Lindfield is as lovely a Sussex village as you could wish for so it’ll come as no surprise to learn that it’s one of Muddy’s Best Places to Live in 2026. With a high street lined with historic buildings and lime trees, you’d never know that Haywards Heath and its handy transport links are barely five minutes away. Don’t leave without popping next door for a peek inside Doodie Stark, an award-winning emporium of exquisitely curated togs and accessories. Only slightly further afield, you’ll find Borde Hill Garden, whose stroll-worthy grounds are full of rare plants and mood-boosting botanical marvels year-round.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT </h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> A special occasion, whether you’re arriving with a gregarious group or after a quiet tete-a-tete. No celebratory dates looming? A meal here is an occasion in itself, and the pass is a foodie’s dream.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>There’s pointedly no kids’ menu in the evening, and if you’re prone to food envy, avoid the pass – everything that’s served up looks crave-worthy.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>With à la carte mains starting at £24, it’s more or less what you’d expect for this level of culinary firepower, and at £34 for three courses, the lunchtime set menu feels a solid deal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Ready to book? Head <a href="https://www.orlalindfield.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for details. </p>



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Review: lunch at Orla, Lindfield

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