Review of the Friar’s Oak, Hassocks

The Friar's Oak in Hassocks

I have to hold my hands up and say I’m not much of a pub man, writes Nick Mosley.

You’re much more likely find me sipping on dry gin martinis in a hotel bar than cradling a pint of warm Sussex Best at the Dog and Duck.

However when I meet up with family, we often head out into the wilds of the county for lunch on a weekend. Hats off to my Olds who are relatively new to Sussex – they’ve certainly put the groundwork in over the past five years or so to find pubs on the other side of the Downs. My mother in particularly appears to have reinvented herself as a lady who lunches, quite possibly – and impressively – more than I do.

In 2025, we’ve dined at the Bolney Stage in Bolney, The Jolly Sportsman in East Chillington, The Oak Barn just outside of Haywards Heath, The White Hart in Lewes, Horse Guards Inn in Tillington and The Sportsman at Goddards Green. I don’t have the column inches to go into details here but some were hits and some were misses.

Most recently, the Friar’s Oak at the north end of Hassocks has particularly caught my attention. Over the extended New Years weekend, this proved to my third visit and, I have to say, I really like it. In fact as a busy enjoyer of Sussex food and drink, I can probably count only four or five dining venues in Brighton that I’ve frequented more often in 2025 which for a pub multiple is praise of the highest order.

Tandoori chicken skewer starter at the Friar's Oak in Hassocks

Part of Vintage Inns – a pubco chain – what consistently impresses me is that the Friar’s Oak always does exactly what it says on the tin. Good drinks, good food, good service and no sticky tables or beer sodden carpets. It’s not exceptional but it is very, very good and much better than most pubs I’ve been to in recent memory.

Without losing any character, it’s a really expansive venue with multiple spaces for general dining, groups or simply a drink and snack in the main bar area. There also appears to be gently separated family-friendly spaces so parents can bring the kids without feeling apart from the adult pub vibe, which I’m sure is appreciated by everyone. In warmer months, the pub garden also has plenty of tables and space for little bundles of joy to burn off some energy.

The pub experience has come a long way in the last decade or so. Although there are undoubtedly still plenty of wet-led boozers to be found, more and more pubs have accurately identified changing demographic trends and in doing so have leaned towards a stronger food offering and reevaluated what contemporary consumers want whether food, drink or wider social environment. If the Friar’s Oak is anything to go by then owner Vintage Inn’s have nailed it.

Pan-fried salmon at the Friar's Oak in Hassocks

The menu is expansive – which makes it all the more impressive that the dishes are so good. I have no doubt that the kitchen are balancing fresh, chilled and frozen ingredients but the execution is excellent. There really is something for everyone, whether you’re snacking, grazing, sharing or just after some hearty pub grub.

I started with the tandoori chicken skewer – a more than generous portion of perfectly cooked, gently spiced meat over a bed of yogurt and cucumber with punchy pickled vegetables and slithers of red chillies. It was so good I offered it around the table to try so I didn’t end up eating much of it but – a-hem – I’m renowned for my generosity.

I wouldn’t typically order salmon in a restaurant as its something that’s so easy to rustle up at home but I wanted to eat light as I had another venue to review later that day. I wasn’t disappointed; everything in the dish came together with aplomb. Moist flavoursome flakes of skin-on salmon that melted in the mouth over an absolutely delicious light white wine sauce with crushed new potatoes, broccoli and a couple of juicy shrimp. This was one of the rare occasions that I could’ve actually licked the plate clean.

Signature steak burger at the Friar's Oak in Hassocks

My partner wolfed down his visually spectacular steak burger loaded with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, bbq sauce, red onion and salad leaves with a crown of crisp onion rings. A bit like my regular dining companion Little Miss Greedy Guts, he can definitely ‘put it away’ but once the hearty burger was devoured the chips ended up on my dad’s plate.

I feel rather bad that I can’t remember the name of our server but she was an absolute superstar. Too many pubs rely on kids from the local village who clearly have no passion for hospitality whatsoever. Despite running multiple tables, this young lady really took the time to engage with us in a friendly and professional manner ensuring all our needs – including dietaries – were catered for and with a genuine smile. Her knowledge of the menu was very impressive. That really is gold dust for any hospitality business.

As I’ve always got my eye out for deals, if you visit their website then you can register for a Vintage Inns rewards card that gives you access to regular offers that recently have included 50% off main courses in early January. You really can’t sniff at that.

If I’m honest, I wouldn’t choose a chain pub but the very fact I’ve been back to The Friar’s Oak several times speaks volumes. It really ticks the box for all ages. If you’re passing Hassocks and hunger strikes then I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Friar’s Oak, London Road, Hassocks BN6 9NA

01273 847 801 • www.vintageinn.co.uk