Orla Restaurant & Rooms, on Lindfield’s historic High Street, opened in March 2025 and is owned and run by husband-and-wife team Ian and Ellen Brunsdon.
At the heart of the kitchen is head chef Ian Brunsdon, who previously appeared on BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals. With a passion for seasonal ingredients and thoughtful, creative cooking, Ian and Ellen set out to create a restaurant offering exceptional food and wine in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
We reviewed the restaurant earlier this year, after it was named one of the UK’s top 100 restaurants. We thought it was a perfect spot for relaxed fine dining.
With just 31 covers, Orla offers an intimate dining experience, combining the attention to detail of fine dining with the warmth and familiarity of a neighbourhood restaurant.
Guests can enjoy everything from relaxed lunches and à la carte dining to tasting menus served at the chef’s pass, where diners can experience Ian’s cooking up close. The restaurant also offers a carefully considered wine list, including a selection of English wines. We also offer set menu lunches and selected evenings
Now, just over 18 months after opening, Orla has earned a place in one of the world’s most respected restaurant guides.
For Ian and Ellen, who have built Orla as a family business, the recognition is particularly meaningful.
They said: “Being included in the Michelin Guide is something we’re incredibly proud of. When we opened Orla, we wanted to create somewhere that offered really great food and wine, but without losing that relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
“We’ve put so much into the restaurant over the past 18 months, so to receive this recognition means a huge amount to us and the whole team.
“We’re also incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the local community. Lindfield is a wonderful place to have a restaurant, and we’re very lucky to be part of it.”
As an independent, family-run business, Orla has become part of Lindfield’s High Street, welcoming both local diners and visitors from further afield.
Alongside the restaurant, Orla also offers guest accommodation, allowing visitors to enjoy a longer stay in the picturesque Sussex village.
1. Orla
Orla Restaurant & Rooms, located in Lindfield High Street, has been included in the Michelin Guide Photo: Orla
2. Orla
Orla Restaurant & Rooms, located in Lindfield High Street, has been included in the Michelin Guide Photo: Orla
3. Orla
Orla Restaurant & Rooms, located in Lindfield High Street, has been included in the Michelin Guide Photo: Orla
4. Orla
Orla Restaurant & Rooms, located in Lindfield High Street, has been included in the Michelin Guide Photo: Orla