The Gravy Boat – From Small Beginnings to Widespread Success

Wherever you live, work or play in West Sussex, the warmest of welcomes and the freshest of food await you at Littlehampton’s gorgeous Gravy Boat Carvery and Restaurant, on Pier Road – complete with a view over the harbour and River Arun. Contemporary and yet welcoming, Tiho and Ivan have worked hard to get the Gravy Boat just right.

Opening a restaurant isn’t always plain sailing

Opening in July 2015, Tiho and Ivan overcame major challenges in trying to open on time, investing heavily from their own finances and ensuring all the correct planning permissions were in place, but the stunning 80-seater restaurant was certainly worth every sleepless night! Serving between eight hundred to one thousand covers every single week, around half of which are entirely new clientele, the food is fresh, locally sourced, of the very highest quality and all homemade.

A treasure for locals and visitors alike

With the primary aim of bringing more people into Littlehampton, to spend more time and money in the town, the Gravy Boat Carvery and Restaurant is also the only restaurant in Littlehampton to boast that full view of the harbour. The food is delicious, the menu is extensive – from a full breakfast selection, through pizzas and paninis to carvery and a la carte - and yet refreshingly good value for money. Visitors have been impressed, with comments including ‘a welcome touch of class to Littlehampton’, ‘a real asset to the town’, ‘as good as any top eatery [in London]’and ‘like popping over to friends for dinner’, while younger diners – and their parents - have also been very pleased with the excellent value and generous portions of the Under 10s menu.

Social Media Success

Creatively using social media as a marketing tool, they’re really engaged with their audience and use frequent social media messaging and regular Facebook posts showing off the latest succulent steak, freshly made pizza or mouthwatering dessert. Innovatively, they also have their own mobile app, and so can send promotional messages through push notifications.

Giving back to the community

Tiho and Ivan are passionate about their local community, and in the ten years they’ve been in the town, as owners of the nearby Nelson Hotel, they have raised over £15,000 for local charities.

Littlehampton is a gem of a town, which prides itself on traditional family-friendly fun and usually pleasant climate. The bustling marina and harbour along with the truly stunning architecture bring a contemporary vibe to a seaside resort, yet no visit to Littlehampton is complete without a visit to the Gravy Boat Carvery and Restaurant.

Introducing Us! - The Gravy Boat Carvery and Restaurant Littlehampton

The Gravy Boat Carvery and Restaurant Littlehampton

If you are visiting the lovely town of Littlehampton, or indeed in any of the nearby towns in West Sussex, then the Gravy Boat Carvery and Restaurant should certainly be on your “to-do” list, particularly if you enjoy good food served in a modern eatery. The recent addition of this unique restaurant on the Pier Road by the owners of the Nelson Hotel situated nearby, has allowed them to use their vast experience of running a successful restaurant in this well-designed and modern setting.

Succulent food, in a superb location

The Gravy Boat is a two storey building in an ideal location with stunning views of the River Arun from the balcony doors on its first floor. The use of well-spaced seating and trendy, stylish décor add to the feeling of a comfortable and welcoming place to sit and enjoy an excellent meal with family or friends. Why is this unique from any other eatery, you may ask? Well, the introduction of an excellent carvery at the price of £7 every lunchtime from Tuesday to Saturday along with a wide ranging a la carte menu upstairs ensures that the cost is easy on the pocket, the choice extensive, and the surroundings very tasteful. This is certainly not often found in one place but The Gravy Boat has certainly managed to exceed many visitors’ expectations.

A Carvery to Captivate the Senses

The Carvery itself provides something for everybody with a menu including the best of British meat. Choose from succulent beef, turkey, stuffed belly pork, gammon and leg of lamb or enjoy a vegetarian option that is much more than an afterthought. There’s even a fish dish, so you’re sure to find something to suit any palate. Add to this the full range of vegetables, carefully prepared to impress and you cannot go wrong. If you can’t make the lunchtime carvery you will find that it is still available in the evening for a very small amount more – perfect for an after work treat.

Another unique factor is the addition of a full breakfast menu which is available every Tuesday till Sunday from 9am to 12pm. The menu caters for all those who prefer the Full English Breakfast, vegetarian breakfast and adds a wonderful selection of egg dishes (Benedictine, Royals, Florentine) as well as Paninis and delicious American Style Pancakes.

In short, it would be a challenge for even the pickiest of diner to look at the a la carte menu or the carvery and not find something that appeals - in fact; the difficulty that may be presented is actually making the initial choice. From home pickled vegetables on the list of appetisers, homemade chicken in a jar and Carvery, Chargrills, Steaks, Pastas, Pizzas, and a full range of mains, guests can opt for either something a bit different or a trusted old favourite to whet their appetite – either way, they’re sure to be back to try more.

Whatever your reason for visiting or dining in Littlehampton, West Sussex, whether on business, as a local or for pleasure, be sure visit this gem of a restaurant to ensure your meal is a resounding success.