Best Restaurants in Kent

Best restaurants in Kent

Angela’s, Margate – for seafood

Two small dining rooms separated by a central kitchen, Angela’s is as no-frills as the menu, which prides itself on simplicity and minimal waste (even the tabletops have been fashioned out of recycled plastic bags). Plump Whitstable rock oysters, mussels with cider and garlic, whole roasted plaice and thornback ray with brown butter are just some of the reasons why Angela’s is still in rude health after more than half a century. angelasofmargate.com

A white circular plate is topped with thornback ray and is sat in a puddle of brown butter sauce

The Sportsman, Seasalter – for fine dining

Probably the most well-known restaurant in the area, The Sportsman is a Michelin-starred gastropub in Seasalter but isn’t half as pretentious as that sounds. If you're visiting Whitstable, take a taxi out to The Sportsman for lunch then enjoy a leisurely walk back along the coast to walk off any excess. Bookings need to be made quite far in advance but it's worth it.

Treading a clever line between casual and classy, the pub’s wooden floors, scrubbed pine tables and pumps of Shepherd Neame beer (brewed in nearby Faversham) maintain the feel of a rural pub (just). Likewise, when it comes to the food, there’s no pretension, just locally sourced seasonal ingredients cooked simply but with an expert understanding of flavour combinations. There are currently two menus across the week – the five course tasting menu or the three course midweek menu. The dishes on the menu changes frequently but there are always local meat and fish dishes (think Monkshill lamb, Thornback ray or Whitstable native oysters – at their best in July). Puddings are outstanding; we liked the apple soufflé with salted caramel ice cream. thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk

Rock oysters, pickled cucumber and avruga caviar at The Sportsman, Seasalter

Samphire, Whitstable – for Kentish produce

The best Kentish produce is on offer at chef and owner George Begg’s cosy all-day dining high street bistro. Opened in 2006 a pebble’s throw from Whitstable beach, Samphire has been consistently popular with locals and visitors, including Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, for seasonal dishes such as asparagus, ricotta and potato pithivier and brunch dishes such as sugar pit bacon loin with fried eggs and hash brown. samphirewhitstable.co.uk

Bottega Caruso, Margate – for Italian

This small Italian kitchen and shop started out as a pop-up stall at The Goods Shed in Canterbury, selling fresh pasta and Simona’s family sauces. Popular dishes on the menu include verdura e fagioli – a slow-cooked stew of greens, organic beans and smoked chilli – and handmade cavatelli pasta with a meaty Neapolitan ragu comprising slow-cooked beef shin, top rib, pork belly, pork rump, fennel sausages, meatballs and Simona’s family tomato sauce. bottegacaruso.com

Melt, Margate – for gelato

No trip to the coast is complete without an ice cream. And in Margate the freshly churned gelato from Melt is the best in town. Flavours range from peaches and cream to rhubarb and custard, peanut butter jelly and Turkish delight but they change all the time so no two days’ offering is the same. Find their parlour under the Sands Hotel, right on the seafront. facebook.com/MeltMargate

Containers of ice cream at Melt ice cream Margate

Wheelers, Whitstable – for oysters

Oysters are must-try whilst you're in Whitstable. Candyfloss-pink-fronted Wheelers has been dishing up oysters in its parlour-sized dining room since 1856. wheelersoysterbar.com

A woman uses her phone to photograph the famous Wheelers Oyster Bar established in 1856, Whitstable, Kent, UK — Wheelers Oyster Bar, Whitstable, Kent

Twenty Seven Harbour Street, Broadstairs – for sea views

The sea views and food are equally stunning at this smart bay-side restaurant serving small plates cooked over fire. The restaurant, formerly known as Wyatt and Jones and still under the same ownership, has an upmarket but inviting feel with dark grey painted wood panelling and an open kitchen. Dishes from the charcoal oven might include cod loin served with a smoked cream veloute, trout and herring or roe or Kentish lamb rump with aubergine puree. The restaurant also opens for breakfast. The owners reckon the best seat in the house is table 11 at the bar with it’s own ‘cute nook’ and great views. twentysevenharbourstreet.co.uk

Morelli's, Broadstairs – for ice cream

Morelli's is a must-visit for ice cream lovers along the North Kent Coast. This branch has been here since 1932 and sells gelato in myriad flavours, from a vanilla to pistachio to nocciola. morellisgelato.com

Bar Ingo, Broadstairs – for small plates

This San Sebastian-inspired chef-led small plates bar, set on a double-fronted corner site yards from Broadstair’s sandy Viking Bay, is the latest addition to the town’s dining scene. Accepting walk-ins only, the intimate bar’s casually stylish interior features whitewashed brickwork and a tiled bar with counter dining where you can enjoy a regularly-changing blackboard menu of Spanish classics including chilled gazpacho soup, padron peppers with romesco and crema Catalan with cherries as well as a carefully chosen list of wines and craft beers. @‌bar_ingo_broadstairs

Chapel Down, Tenterden – for a vineyard lunch

One of the best-known English vineyards, Chapel Down covers a huge 325 acres of prime Kentish wine country. It’s open all year to visitors, and offers packages and gift experiences with tutored tastings. Alternatively, just go and have a look and pick up a treat from the terrific wine and fine food shop. Stop at Chapel Down’s smart restaurant, the Swan for lunch. chapeldown.com

Click here to read about more of our favourite English vineyards