The highly-anticipated Small Plates Food Festival is officially returning to St Leonards this summer on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June. Following previous success, the celebration of local flavours expands to a full weekend for the very first time.

The extended festival gives food lovers double the time to feast their way around town and discover new favourite dining spots, with small plate menus on offer for walk-in diners at lunchtimes and into the evening – no bookings required, just turn up and taste.

Which Restaurants are taking part in the Food Festival?

This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of 15 celebrated local eateries. Each venue will showcase its culinary identity through a specially curated small plates menu, allowing diners to design their own custom tasting tour across St Leonards On Sea.

The 2026 festival lineup includes: Arigato, Bayte, Bistro Albo, Boatyard, Colombo House, Farmyard, Graze On Grand, Half Man Half Burger, Mama Putts, No. 40 Bar Kitchen, Sonnys of Rock-A-Nore, Starsky & Hatch, The Royal and Reel at Kino.

Movies and Cocktails

The Kino-Teatr will also be celebrating Small Plates with a special screening of acclaimed film ‘The Taste of Things’ on Saturday 27 th at 7:30pm. Starring Juliette Binoche, this sumptuous 19th century French romantic drama explores the deep unspoken bond between a distinguished gourmet and his personal chef, who share a passion for haute cuisine – the perfect film for foodies!

Award-winning Copper Pot Distilleries, the only distillery to handcraft their gins and vodkas in St Leonards, return as the headline festival sponsor for the second consecutive year, bringing their premium spirits to the weekend’s festivities.

Adding to the vibrant weekend atmosphere, catering trailblazers Supernature are back on the scene and will host an exclusive pop-up at the Green Arena, located on Laser Avenue just off the King’s Road. Visitors can expect their signature wood-fired cookery + disco concept, and cocktails across both days.

The participating venues vary in their opening days and hours across the weekend, organisers advise festival-goers to plan their routes in advance. Attendees can access a live interactive map on the official festival website.