The Laughing Fish
The Laughing Fish
4
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
About
Please note that this listing is under "attractions". The Laughing Fish is actually a village pub, which serves food. Many more reviews appear under the "restaurants" classification within Trip Advisor.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
37 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
13
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Monica H
Newick, UK206 contributions
Mar 2023
The friendlines and helpfulness of the staff plus the excellent menu of freshly cooked food. A word of warning though - the main courses are enormous and most of the starters are big enough to pass as a main course! Excellent value if you have a large appetite, but for us lesser mortals the choice of two starters (as a starter and a main) is more than sufficient. We were a group of 11. Despite most having different orders, the food all arrived at the same time, piping hot and efficiently served.
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gareth N
Lewes, UK41 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Everybody was so accommodating there with a last-minute booking. We were warmly greeted even though the pub was busy. Great service from all the staff and excellent food. Ale kept well. been a few times now and will certainly keep going back.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray P
East Sussex, UK6 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
I went to the laughing fish this week with my sister, we had come from Brighton and wanted to find a nice pub. The staff here were so lovely, really welcoming and friendly. The chef especially (sorry can’t remember her name) was really nice. Food was delicious, would highly recommended to anyone wanting a pretty pub with good atmosphere!
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven W
Uckfield, UK28 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
We've eaten here on a number of times, and have always been impressed with the home cooked food. The service was very good, albeit a little slow, but we weren't to bothered because we had more time to try out their guest ales, which were very nice. The Laughing Fish is well worth a visit.
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bumpkingal
Suffolk, UK71 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
My husband & I had a meal at this pub as we were staying in our motorhome at the small campsite for Caravan Club members which adjoins the pub. Unfortunately for us, on arrival we managed to get stuck in an area of a field which was boggy but with some help from some guys working at the pub we eventually moved our 3.5 ton vehicle onto firmer ground. Nightmare, particularly as it was ĂĽber hot and I am not particularly small but I bet I burnt off a few calories in the process! Which made the pint of bitter we drank after our shenanigans all that more satisfying. We found the staff at the pub to be friendly & helpful. So much so we decided to have a meal there later on.
The pub is a traditional pub; a rarity nowadays. There seemed to be a steady stream of customers so I had the impression that it is well used by the locals. No it's not fine dining and they don't pertain to be but we had a decent home cooked meal of a beef pie and vegetables. The beef was tender and plenty of it. The pastry was a little soggy in places but not unpleasantly so. The vegetables were not over cooked and the portion size was generous. We didn't have room for pudding. I don't think it was overly expensive either.
I'm not a real ale officinado but I believe The Laughing Fish does know a thing or two about craft beer. The service was friendly.
The pub is a traditional pub; a rarity nowadays. There seemed to be a steady stream of customers so I had the impression that it is well used by the locals. No it's not fine dining and they don't pertain to be but we had a decent home cooked meal of a beef pie and vegetables. The beef was tender and plenty of it. The pastry was a little soggy in places but not unpleasantly so. The vegetables were not over cooked and the portion size was generous. We didn't have room for pudding. I don't think it was overly expensive either.
I'm not a real ale officinado but I believe The Laughing Fish does know a thing or two about craft beer. The service was friendly.
Written July 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This appears to be a review of the boggy field as much as the pub! Thank you, however, for your positive comments about the pub itself - and we're sorry if your pastry was a little soggy...
Not for the first time, can we please point out to potential pub customers using this site that you are viewing this under Isfield "Attractions". There are many more reviews, mostly good, listed under Isfield "Restaurants".
Written July 27, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nigel H
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK31 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
Visited this pub on may occasions and it never disappoints.
Always has a great selection of real ales on. not tried the food yet but the food always looks and smells great. must go back for some food one day.
Always has a great selection of real ales on. not tried the food yet but the food always looks and smells great. must go back for some food one day.
Written September 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikki F
London, UK23 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
After having a lovely time next door at the lavender line we were bitterly disappointed with the rest of our day.
We booked a table for 9 of us, for my mother's 70th birthday a month in advance of our visit.
Two of our party arrived two hours previous to drop off a cake but weren't given any info as to where we would be sitting or anything.
When we all arrived with my aunt in a wheelchair the disabled entrance round the other side from the disabled parking space was not clearly marked.
We had to wait at the bar in order to find out where we were sitting and when we sat down we were a chair/place setting short as they hadn't included the child.
Once dinner was finally ordered, this took some time as no-one appeared to take our order (and choices were limited to mostly meat and fish, with only two veggie choices and no pasta of any kind, all of which were somewhat overpriced for what was essentially pub grub) it was a further ten minutes before someone appeared to tell us there were no more Yorkshire puddings for the five roasts that we had ordered.
This meant a reordering for several of the party and a further 40 minute wait for the food to arrive. By the time we had finally eaten the food and waited another twenty minutes to have our plates cleared no-one could be bothered to order a pudding as we had now been there just short of two hours and still had birthday cake to have, presents to open and the bill to sort out.
Needless to say that the rest of the event went just as painfully slowly and I can't say that I would return to this pub to eat.
On the plus side the location was perfect for the lavender line, there was a large car park, disabled access if you could find it, a great little area for the kids to play in and a great selection of ales.
If you don't want to eat then it's ideal.
We booked a table for 9 of us, for my mother's 70th birthday a month in advance of our visit.
Two of our party arrived two hours previous to drop off a cake but weren't given any info as to where we would be sitting or anything.
When we all arrived with my aunt in a wheelchair the disabled entrance round the other side from the disabled parking space was not clearly marked.
We had to wait at the bar in order to find out where we were sitting and when we sat down we were a chair/place setting short as they hadn't included the child.
Once dinner was finally ordered, this took some time as no-one appeared to take our order (and choices were limited to mostly meat and fish, with only two veggie choices and no pasta of any kind, all of which were somewhat overpriced for what was essentially pub grub) it was a further ten minutes before someone appeared to tell us there were no more Yorkshire puddings for the five roasts that we had ordered.
This meant a reordering for several of the party and a further 40 minute wait for the food to arrive. By the time we had finally eaten the food and waited another twenty minutes to have our plates cleared no-one could be bothered to order a pudding as we had now been there just short of two hours and still had birthday cake to have, presents to open and the bill to sort out.
Needless to say that the rest of the event went just as painfully slowly and I can't say that I would return to this pub to eat.
On the plus side the location was perfect for the lavender line, there was a large car park, disabled access if you could find it, a great little area for the kids to play in and a great selection of ales.
If you don't want to eat then it's ideal.
Written July 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
(Once again, we'd like to point out to potential visitors that most reviews for us appear under "Restaurants" rather than this "Attractions" category)
Naturally, we are very sorry that you didn't enjoy your visit, but your overall review seems unduly harsh in the light of our recollections of the day, so we'd like to take each point in turn:
"Two of our party arrived two hours previous to drop off a cake but weren't given any info as to where we would be sitting or anything"
Yes, you did drop a cake in earlier and the pub was extremely busy at the time. We happily and promptly took the cake and promised to place your candles on it and deliver it to your table later on when you were ready. You didn't ask where you would be sitting, but we could have told you if you had done. Was it really such a big deal when your booking wasn't for another couple of hours?
"When we all arrived with my aunt in a wheelchair the disabled entrance round the other side from the disabled parking space was not clearly marked".
The disabled parking space is directly at the foot of the wheelchair access ramp, not round the other side of the pub. You didn't tell us that you'd encountered any diffficulty.
"We had to wait at the bar in order to find out where we were sitting..."
This was because you arrived half an hour before your booking. You had booked for 3.00 pm. Our POS records show that you ordered your first drinks at 2.35pm. The table we had planned for you was just being cleared after the previous people had left. Sorry - we don't have a separate waiting area - we're a village pub.
"...and when we sat down we were a chair/place setting short as they hadn't included the child."
You may be right about this, but it didn't cause an issue - there was plenty of space and an additional chair was quickly provided.
"Once dinner was finally ordered, this took some time as no-one appeared to take our order..."
Your food order was actually keyed into the till at 2.42pm - seven minutes after you had bought drinks and still twenty minutes before your actual booking time.
"...(and choices were limited to mostly meat and fish, with only two veggie choices and no pasta of any kind, all of which were somewhat overpriced for what was essentially pub grub)..."
Our menu was our normal Sunday menu. We don't always offer pasta. As for your "overpriced" comment, well value is always a matter of some subjectivity. We're not the cheapest pub in the district but we're well away from being the most expensive - and even though you describe it as "pub grub" it's still locally sourced and freshly prepared. For the record, your total bill for food for the nine in your party was ÂŁ91.75.
"... it was a further ten minutes before someone appeared to tell us there were no more Yorkshire puddings for the five roasts that we had ordered."
Must have been some sort of timewarp effect. Your original order went in at 2.42pm. The revised order after informing you of the lack of Yorkshire Puddings went in at 2.46pm.
"This meant a reordering for several of the party..."
We're genuinely sorry that we had run out of Yorkshire Puddings - it can happen, especially on a very busy day when we are getting towards the end of the session. We apologised immediately (not after ten minutes). Half our your party seemed unconcerned and were happy with the price reduction we volunteered; the other half were disappointed, and ordered alternative meals - all dealt with quickly.
"...and a further 40 minute wait for the food to arrive."
Our systems don't - unfortunately - record the time the food is actually delivered. We don't recall serious delays on this occasion, but your own timing would suggest that the food arrived at 3.30pm. Read on...
"By the time we had finally eaten the food..."
We don't know how fast you ate. Would 15 minutes be a reasonable estimate? That takes us to 3.45pm...
"... and waited another twenty minutes to have our plates cleared no-one could be bothered to order a pudding as we had now been there just short of two hours..."
On your own timings it's by now 4.05 pm and you've actually been here one and a half hours
"...and still had birthday cake to have, presents to open and the bill to sort out. Needless to say that the rest of the event went just as painfully slowly..."
Once we had cleared your plates we proceeded to fetch your own birthday cake, decorate it with the candles and bring it to your table, providing our own plates. You all sang a jolly chorus of "Happy Birthday", ate the cake, and opened your presents. Oh, yes, and paid your bill. At 4.20pm.
This review exaggerates the impact of trivial concerns (not being told where you would be sitting two hours before you were due; having to wait a while when you arrived half an hour early) and contains material inaccuracies (the location of the disabled entrance; the timings).
We have no issue with you not liking our menu, or believing that we do not offer value - these are subjective opinions. We do not argue about the lack of Yorkshire Puddings.
Our issue, once again, is that you gave us NO indication at the time that you were unhappy, but waited to write a review clearly in the hope of damaging us.
"...and I can't say that I would return to this pub to eat."
Probably for the best.
Written July 30, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tdixon50
Leeds30 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Good traditional pub. Good choice of ales and the food menu varied daily. We had some good and some not so good food but didn't complain as my husband enjoyed the cider so much as well as the atmosphere of the pub. They have a beer garden to the side and the front, and a caravan park at the back for tourers.
Written June 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat D
Brighton, UK16 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
We stopped here after visiting the lavender line as we were in need of refreshment what a nice find
freindly wellcoming staff drinks were good prices and the food was well served and very good sized portions even our dogs were wellcome and a young lady even put two dog bowls of water
out as well would definately visit again
freindly wellcoming staff drinks were good prices and the food was well served and very good sized portions even our dogs were wellcome and a young lady even put two dog bowls of water
out as well would definately visit again
Written June 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnsul
Uckfield, UK166 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
this is obviously a bit of a web type c**k up but .........As an attraction the Fish is obviously not to be compared to say the Louvre .The art in Louvre is not for sale the art in the fish is .Also you cannot take your dog into the Louvre so basically Fish 2 : Louvre0.
Written January 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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