The seaside surge of interest in town living that’s spreading west along the coastal fringe from Brighton is spilling over into beach dining.

Once, you were lucky to buy a decent sandwich in a remote eaterie, standing forlornly overlooking the English Channel.

Now, the choice of food is bewildering. Residents and day-trippers alike can sample some truly nifty nosh in traditional cafes and stylish destination spots.

I’m a great fan of the Sealane Café near Ferring but try finding a spare space inside or out at weekends and you may end up disappointed, or waiting a fair time for a seat.

These last few years I’ve seen the popularly of this great example of a British seaside institution expand its menu and appeal to cater for coastal ramblers, Sunday cycling clubs, families here for the day and the ubiquitous `old salts` – beachcomber types lost in memories of days past.

Eastwards, the modern metal and glass bar and diner opened a year or two ago is booming on Lancing seafront – rammed every time I venture in. On one sunny Sunday morning recently, seemingly the whole town had descended on the place. “Twenty-minute waiting time I’m afraid,” said the waiter. And that was at 10am.

Staff were bustling about, heaving plates replete with everything from full English to scrambled eggs on toast and breakfast bagettes bursting with sausage eggs and bacon and steaming beverages.

This is a destination to meet, greet and socialise – to linger and languish anytime you fancy and gaze across the glimmering water to the forest of wind turbines that have sprung up on the horizon – one of the largest offshore farms in Britain I’ve read.

Energy of another kind has sparked the resurgence of once sleepy Lancing.
City dwelling types throng the West Sussex haven, formerly classic bungalow land, now transforming into higher-rise inner-city apartmentville as young families, singles and couples envision their future here.

Lancing isn’t alone in feeling the tidal surge west from Brighton. Apartments are springing up across Shoreham-by-Sea too and to serve the new population settling here, another beachside dining destination is soon to open reportedly, involving local resident Fat Boy Slim.

By the end of the decade, once sleepy seaside suburbs will be vogue, if they are not already.

And if high street coffee houses and cafes are any yardstick, the Sussex coastal fringe will have become for many the preferred choice for modern living and classy cuisine.

The salty sea air certainly serves up a sterling appetite – and we’re becoming spoilt for choice for places to satisfy it.