Best restaurants in Kent

In search of one of the best locations to eat in Kent? Native skilled Rosie Birkett has shared her must-visit suggestions, from small plates in Margate to Michelin-starred eating places.

For extra thrilling eating places and weekend concepts for meals lovers, try our greatest UK metropolis breaks, greatest pubs with rooms and foodie day journeys from London by prepare. Additionally uncover extra of one of the best eating places in Cornwall, greatest eating places in Bristol and greatest eating places in Cambridge.

Greatest eating places in Kent

The Pig at Bridge Place, Bridge

In verdant countryside simply outdoors of the village of Bridge (below one hour from London) is The Pig group’s Kentish outpost: a historic, stately purple brick home with a debaucherous previous as a rock venue that hosted bands together with Led Zeppelin and the Kinks. Its vibrant historical past performs into its current day attraction – a unusual, labyrinthine resort with plushly adorned bedrooms, fantastically restored interval options and quirky nooks. A powerful kitchen backyard kinds the spine of the restaurant’s ‘25 mile menu’, with delights together with Kitchen Backyard Fritters with Herb Mayo, or Tamworth Pork Collar with ‘0 Mile’ Mushrooms and Mustard Sauce, plus wooden fired pizzas from the outside kitchen.thepighotel.com/at-bridge-place/

Sargasso, Margate

Sargasso has change into one of the vital wanted locations to nab a desk in Margate’s more and more thrilling meals scene, ideally outdoors and overlooking the harbour at sundown. With a glass of vigorous pure wine from the in depth listing, and a plate of salt cod fritters and aioli, squint and it’s giving extra Sicily than Thanet vibes. That’s all the way down to the laser-focused sourcing of homeowners Ed Wilson and Josie Stead, identified for his or her lauded restaurant Brawn in East London, the place attention-grabbing, low-intervention wines and plates of impeccably-procured elements sing. Right here chef William Gleave (beforehand of Vibrant and P Franco) executes a menu that hones in on fish and seafood, with plates like slip sole and seaweed butter and the long-lasting squid sandwich in brioche. sargasso.bar

Fordwich Arms, Fordwich

This Michelin-starred restaurant, set in a rambling outdated pub in Fordwich – Britain’s smallest city – ranks among the many county’s most constant and thrilling culinary gamers. Married chef homeowners Daniel Smith and pastry chef Natasha, who between them have labored at The Clove Membership and Chapter One, craft menus that stability consolation with creativity. Anticipate rooster liver parfait with native ice cider and heat doughnuts, or South Coast turbot with swede, monk’s beard and vin jaune sauce. Select from tasting or à la carte menus (from £85), then linger on the sunny, wisteria-draped terrace overlooking the River Stour. fordwicharms.co.uk

Cover and Fox, Saltwood

Head to Cover and Fox in Saltwood, Hythe: Kent’s solely two-Michelin starred restaurant for gastronomic tasting menus of exactly cooked, inventively crafted dishes. Chef proprietor Alistair Barsby has returned to his Kentish roots after manyillustrious years cheffing throughout, (notably at Gidleigh Park with Michael Caines), and along with sommelier spouse Alice Bussi, the couple are creating one thing particular in an enthralling former village store. Pristine Kent produce defines the 5 and eight course tasting menus the place classical flavour pairings are energised with fashionable twists in dishes like Longland duck with plum tart, cabbage and Szechuan pepper, and native lobster with veal sweatbreads, salted lemon and lemon verbena. hideandfox.co.uk

Bottega Caruso, Margate

This homely Italian restaurant and deli in Margate’s Outdated City started as a stall slinging handmade pasta at The Items Shed (see entry) and is now hailed for serving a few of the most genuine Italian meals in Kent – if not the UK. We first tipped it in 2017, and we stand by it as a must-visit. Run by chef Simona, from Foglianise close to Naples, and her husband Harry Ryder, it’s normally totally booked, so reserve – and arrive hungry. Begin on the wine bar subsequent door earlier than indulging in polpette di pane al sugo, spaghetti con cozze e zucchine, and different shareable plates, then replenish on mozzarella and pasta from the deli. bottegacaruso.com

Angela’s, Margate

Few eating places within the UK are as targeted on respecting the planet and provide chain as this small seafood restaurant with rooms on the Kent coast, sister to Dory’s, a uncooked bar and wine store overlooking the seaside. Working with native fishermen, producers and its personal cooperative farm for fruit and veg, this place is doing its darndest to take away plastic from its enterprise, whereas offering a luxurious, seafood-focused eating expertise. Upstairs you may e-book a good looking room to spend the evening, having fun with all the identical eco-conscious design displayed within the restaurant with its recycled plastic furnishings, and downstairs feast on such fishy delights as poached oysters with trout roe, and monkfish with fennel and bisque. angelasofmargate.com

The Cooks Story, Canterbury

Endorsed by legendary Indian chef Cyrus Todiwala, who’s beforehand collaborated with its award-winning chef Dev Biswal, this restaurant near Canterbury Cathedral affords friends an enchanting journey into the delicacies of Odisha in Japanese India. Drawing on Biswal’s heritage, the menu presents scrumptious fashionable interpretations of his dwelling area’s staples (assume fish cooked in banana leaf, delicately spiced lentil and rice dishes, a passion for yoghurt) alongside extra acquainted dishes. Choosing one among his well-known Odiya Thalis is an efficient begin: I like the mackerel curry and smooth shell crab. Cookery lessons and immersive meals journeys to Odisha are one other a part of Biswal’s drive to share his love of his culinary heritage from this nook of Kent. thecookstale.co.uk

Gilda Bakery, Bishopsbourne

So named after founder Jon Warren’s love for the sensationally easy Spanish pintxo of anchovy, pickled pepper and inexperienced olive – Gilda is a superb artisan bakery equally devoted to the transformation of humble elements into one thing mesmerising. Set within the countryside of Bishopsbourne, close to Bridge, you may watch the bakers chatting and crafting laminated pastries and natural sourdoughs as you queue in your bread and cinnamon rolls. gildabakery.com

Tallow Restaurant, Southborough

Daring, comforting flavours and classical cookery with a beneficiant grating of creativity is the MO at Tallow, a smooth, family-run restaurant in Southborough, close to Tunbridge Wells. With earlier expertise on the much-loved Compasses Inn in Crundale, married homeowners Robert Taylor and Donna know hospitality, and whether or not you’re sitting upstairs on the intimate, 8-seat Chef’s Desk watching Rob at work, or downstairs in the principle eating room, Donna and her crew will make you’re feeling very properly sorted. Swoon over indulgent, seasonal dishes like lobster arancini with pickled cucumber, or roast loin of venison with preserved cherries and celeriac. tallowrestaurant.co.uk

The Blue Pelican, Deal

This Japanese small plates restaurant from the visionary couple behind Deal’s lauded food-led boutique resort The Rose occupies a Georgian townhouse overlooking the ocean, and its jewel-box, chequerboard-floored eating room is without doubt one of the greatest locations to eat in Deal. Chef Luke Inexperienced, who manned the range at The Rose earlier than opening this cooked in Japan for years, and his distinctive, completely mesmerising menu nods to Japanese Izakaya and robata traditions: assume umami-rich broths topped by rustling tempura mushrooms; juicy pork katsu with bitter leaves and sesame dressing or seared squid with Tokyo turnips and pomelo. thebluepelican.co.uk

The Items Shed, Canterbury

It’s not possible to go to this native meals haven with out leaving with an enviable haul of a few of Kent’s most interesting native, seasonal and artisanal produce. And whereas this historic railway freight storage shed is greater than a restaurant, with a particular menu drawing on the highest tier produce of the farmer’s market, butchery, fish monger and cheese and charcuterie producers below its vaulted roof, this place is a favorite hang-out for a scrumptious lunch or twinkly dinner. Think about plates of venison scrumpets with pickled walnut; Wigmore cheese with celery, apple and lovage and roast pork shoulder with celeriac, purple sprouting broccoli and anchoïde. Additionally hit Wild Goose for hedgerow impressed cocktails and attractive small plates, fantastically imagined by gifted native chef Lucy Varley. thegoodsshed.co.uk

The Sportsman, Seasalter

Having opened in 1999 and gained a Michelin star for its cooking 9 years later, Stephen Harris’ legendary pub on the Seasalter sea wall is famend for retaining the spirit of a no-nonsense inn, while serving up connoisseur tasting menus that make you weak on the knees. He and companion Emma Learn conjure a really particular environment within the eating room, overlooking the wild, surrounding marshland, and the kitchen’s remit celebrates the Kentish terroir, Harris going so far as to make use of foraged seaweed and sea salt for his well-known slipsole in seaweed butter. The meals on the Sportsman is pure pleasure, and with a midweek tasting menu on provide for £55, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a extra memorable or better-value lunch choice in Kent. thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk

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