About
Tern is a love letter to British produce, shaped by seasonality, sustainability, and a deep respect for the land and sea that feed us. We cook with intention: sourcing every ingredient exclusively from within the British Isles, and working closely with farmers, fishermen, foragers, and micro-producers who care about quality as deeply as we do. From the most humble vegetables to the most celebrated cuts, each ingredient is treated with precision, creativity, and honesty – always honouring flavour, origin, and story.
Our tasting menus evolve with the seasons, showcasing the very best of what’s growing, swimming, and being crafted across the country. Chef/Director Johnny Stanford is known for an expressive and technically refined approach to cooking, thoughtful, surprising dishes that feel rooted in place and alive with character. Our drinks list follows the same ethos: an all-British selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails that shine a spotlight on those redefining what British drinking culture can be.
Tern is proudly listed in the Michelin Guide and holds 2 AA Rosettes, recognition of our commitment to excellence, but also a reflection of something simple: when ingredients are respected, when people are valued, and when creativity has room to breathe, good things happen.
We began life on Worthing Pier: a tiny open kitchen, a small dining room, and a community who immediately understood what we were trying to build. After an astonishingly successful £80,000 crowdfund, we were able to grow into the space we always dreamed of, right here in the heart of Worthing.
Our new home was created with the same philosophy as our food: everything connected to a real person. We’ve worked with many brilliant local independents and creatives to bring the restaurant to life. From the ceramics and artwork to the woodwork, tiles, and lighting, every detail tells a story. Nothing is generic, nothing is for show. The space is a celebration of craft and community, designed to showcase makers in the same way our plates showcase producers.
Split across two levels, the restaurant has its own rhythm. Upstairs, the open kitchen takes centre stage: warm, textural, and full of energy. Downstairs, the mood shifts into an intimate cocktail bar, playful, darker, and made for lingering.
We believe hospitality should feel personal, not formal. Come as you are. No dress codes, no pretence, just thoughtful service and food made with care. Our aim is simple: to give you a meaningful, memorable experience, rooted in flavour, creativity, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Tern is more than a restaurant. It’s an ethos. A community. A celebration of what’s possible when sustainability, craft, and people come first
The Basement
We’re really excited to be able to invite you to the basement!
Down here, the lights drop, the music warms, and the pace slows. It’s a comfortable, welcoming space, somewhere you can enjoy the Tern experience without committing to a full tasting menu. We’re open for drinks and bar snacks, perfect for relaxed evenings, spontaneous visits, and anyone who simply wants great cocktails in good company.
What makes this bar truly unique is our commitment to a 100% British drinks offering, something incredibly rare in the cocktail world. Every spirit, wine, liqueur, and mixer is sourced from within the British Isles. No airmiles. No exceptions. From coastal distilleries and small-batch gin makers to natural winemakers and creative fermenters, every bottle has a story and every drink celebrates the people behind it.
Our cocktails are ingredient-led and driven by the seasons, using house ferments, cordials, and infusions made in our kitchen or in collaboration with local producers. Flavours change as we grow, brew, distil and experiment – proving that British drinks can be every bit as exciting, expressive, and world-class as their global counterparts!
The bar itself was created in partnership with brilliant local independents and creatives. Ceramics, artwork, lighting, carpentry – everything is made by real hands, crafted with care, and designed to make you feel at home. It’s the same philosophy we bring to our food: nothing generic, everything personal.
This is Tern after hours: darker, richer, more playful, and entirely its own thing. Come for a drink before dinner, stay long after dessert, or visit just for cocktails and snacks. No reservations needed, just walk in, settle in, and stay as long as you like.
