Category: Kent

Eating and Drinking Guide (Sandwich)

Updated June 2023

Sandwich is a historic town on the River Stour, home to nature reserves and two world class golf courses.

The Sandwich Eating & Drinking Map shows the locations of some of the Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Sandwich including the ones described below.

No Name French Delicatessen and Bistro – consists of an excellent deli on the ground floor and Le Bistro on the first floor. Le Bistro has a fairly extensive menu covering traditional french dishes like Tartiflette. It also offers a typical french breakfast, is licensed and has excellent house wine. It is open during day time only, it does not serve evening meals. In the warmer weather they provide outside seating on the pavement opposite.

Goats That Dance – A cosy and stylish cafe, that’s incredible value for money. Still can’t believe I had Coffee and Cake for £3.  Love the decor. Some outside seating too when the weather is good.

The Pit Stop – Excellent venue for breakfast/brunch. Lots of outside seating.

See https://tinyurl.com/NoExpertReview-PitStop

 

For information on places to Eat and Drink in nearby towns and villages, see the East Kent/Thanet Guide.

 

 

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Eating and Drinking Guide (Margate)

Margate is a historic seaside town which is slowly re inventing itself as a trendy destination helped very much by the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery located on the Harbour Arm.

The Margate Eating & Drinking Map shows the locations of some of the Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Margate including the ones described below.

The Bus Cafe – This is basically a Kitchen with upstairs seating squeezed into a vintage double decker bus. There is also outside seating available. It’s a local gem for Foodies, we loved their breakfast hashes.

Top quality Street Food. Friendly staff – (see Map for location)

The Lifeboat – Highly recommended for their Pies and Cider.

GB Pizza – An absolutely gem, serves the best Pizza in Kent and then some 😉

Buoy and Oyster – An excellent Fish & Seafood restaurant. When weather permits the balcony is a perfect spot with a panoramic view of the beach and harbour.

There are also several other cafes/restaurants I have not been to yet but which I have heard good things about :-

For information on places to Eat and Drink in nearby towns and villages, see the East Kent/Thanet Guide.

 

 

 

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Eating and Drinking Guide (Broadstairs)

Broadstairs is a historic seaside town with beautiful sandy beaches. It is often described as the “Jewel in Thanet’s crown”.

The Broadstairs Eating & Drinking Map shows the locations of some of the Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Broadstairs including the ones described below.

STARK – A Michelin starred restaurant. The focus is entirely on a well thought out, well structured tasting menu with excellent ingredients and matching wines. The menu changes on a regular basis to showcase the talents of Chef Ben Crittenden. It is only open Wednesday to Saturday Evenings. Booking is essential, typically 3 months in advance.

See https://tinyurl.com/NoExpertReview-STARK

 

Wyatt and Jones – An excellent restaurant with one of the best views in Broadstairs. The Menu consists of appetisers and small plates.

See https://tinyurl.com/NoExpertReview-WyattJones.

 

The Chapel – A Bar in a Bookshop that serves really good Pies and Cider (same menu as The Lifeboat in Margate).

The Restaurant at East Kent College – Look out for special events. Now located in The Yarrow Hotel.

Bessies Tea Parlour – A vintage Tea Room, that sells lots of different teas and  home baked cakes. Ideal for Afternoon Tea, which is beautifully presented on vintage china cake stands. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 every day of the week.

 

For information on places to Eat and Drink in nearby towns and villages, see the East Kent/Thanet Guide.

 

 

 

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Eating and Drinking Guide (Ramsgate)

Updated February 2024

RAMSGATE

Ramsgate is a picturesque historic seaside town with beautiful sandy beaches and one of the largest marinas on the English south coast. It has the only Harbour in the United Kingdom that has been awarded the right to call itself a Royal Harbour. It also boasts some quite stunning Architecture.

The Ramsgate Eating & Drinking Map shows the locations of some of the Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Ramsgate including the ones described below

Flavours by Kumar

A modern India Restaurant in Effingham Street that produces some beautifully spiced dishes. Good set lunch deals that even include an amuse-bouche. OK wine list and friendly staff. Ignore the decor, this is a great find. Owned by the former head chef of the acclaimed Ambrette.  Take away service available.

Ramsgate Tandoori

A Traditional Tandoori restaurant and take away on Harbour Street. Excellent service.

The Dining Rooms at Albion House

Located in the beautiful Albion House Hotel. The Dining Rooms are a good option for an upmarket Brunch, Afternoon Tea or Dinner. The Hotel also has a comfortable lounge area that is ideal for relaxing with drinks.

The Italianate Glasshouse – Tea Garden (Seasonal opening)

Hidden away in a corner of King George VI Park, you will find the stunning Italianate Glasshouse, the owners operate a small cafe serving Cream Teas, Cakes and Scones at the weekends. The opening times are weather dependant, typically open on weekends and bank holidays from May to September/October. A very picturesque spot.

The Hive

A friendly local reasonably priced Cafe. It’s a little out of the way in George Street but worth a visit as the Cafe is a pleasant quiet spot for a quality brunch or lunch. They also serve a nice selection of cup cakes baked on the premises. There is also extra seating in the basement. It’s a popular Afternoon Tea venue especially at the weekend.

The Falstaff

A small boutique Hotel. The Falstaff Restaurant is open on Saturday Evenings for Dinner and on Sundays for Lunch (extra days for Christmas Menu). It is advisable to book.

There is a Bar and a Deli where you can Eat in or Take Away. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday 8:30am to 4:00pm.

There is also a garden area at the back that is open to non residents. There are occasional music events and BBQ’s are also held during Summer months.

Vincent’s

A lovely little cafe overlooking Spencer Square Tennis Courts with plenty of outside seating. Sells excellent Coffee and homemade Cakes. While your there don’t miss the stunning sculpture of Vincent Van Gogh who used to live & teach in Spencer Square & Royal Road.

Little Ships

A Brasserie/pavement cafe overlooking the Harbour. Little Ships is open 7 days a week and is a great spot for a people watching brunch. It’s more expensive than surrounding places, but the food is well cooked and uses quality ingredients mainly from local suppliers.

Coco Latino

A cafe Bar in a great location overlooking the Marina.  Serves a good range of Cocktails and Beers, and is a regular venue for live music. Opening times vary depending on time of the year.

The Arch Bar

An attractive comfortable and popular bar located under the Arches overlooking the Harbour. Has lots of outside seating. Serves Food including substantial seafood platters that are ideal for sharing.

Ship Shape

A popular Cafe built into the Arches, frequented by harbour workers and tourists. It’s very reasonably priced and serves one of the best full English breakfasts in Ramsgate. It’s much bigger than it looks and if you’re lucky you can grab one of the outside tables and get a good view of the harbour.

Sorbetto

Ramsgate Ice Cream Parlour. The ice cream is made in a small artisan factory below the parlour.  You can order the ice cream to take away or you can choose to sit in the air conditioned parlour or outside overlooking the harbour. They serve generous portions of quality Italian gelato as well as hot and cold drinks, toasties, sandwiches and cakes.

Royal Harbour Brasserie

An interesting place with fabulous views of the Harbour, the Marina, the English Channel and France. Generally delivers some pretty decent fish and seafood dishes and does good Sunday roasts.

Coasters – Pimms & Prosecco Bar

Bar overlooking Ramsgate Main Sands, does a decent Pimms (even if it is in a Plastic glass), have not eaten here yet but menu includes Sandwiches, Salads, Burgers and other snacks. (Open Summer months only).

Royal Victoria Pavilion

The largest Wetherspoon pub in the UK. The food and drinks range is pretty much what you would expect to find in a Wetherspoon. The building and the views are what makes this place special and worth a visit, especially on a sunny day.

The Belle Vue Tavern

A popular pub with a large and very attractive beer garden in Pegwell Bay. The sea views from the garden are stunning. It is also known as “The balcony of Kent”. A Shepherd Neame Pub.

Sir Stanley Gray at the Pegwell Bay Hotel

A Restaurant and Bar with a beautiful balcony and view over Pegwell Bay. Part of the Thorley Tavern Group.  There is also a large colourful Children’s play area below the main balcony with an outdoor bar that is open in the Summer months.

REAL ALE TRAIL

Ramsgate has a diverse selection of Real Ale Pubs and its own Brewery. The Map below provides a trail from Ramsgate Train Station to Dumpton Park Train Station 

FISH & CHIP SHOPS

As expected in a seaside town, there are more than a few Fish & Chip shops too.

AFTERNOON TEA & CAKE STOPS 

There is also a good selection of places to indulge your sweet tooth.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To learn more about Ramsgate check out the Visit Ramsgate web site.

 

For information on places to Eat and Drink in nearby towns and villages, see the East Kent/Thanet Guide.

 

 

 

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Royal Harbour Brasserie – How dramatic

Locations for a new cafe/restaurant opening don’t come much more dramatic than the newly opened Royal Harbour Brasserie on the extreme tip of Ramsgate Royal Harbour. On a freezing but sunny day there can’t be many venues with views to rival this one with sea on both sides and views of Ramsgate’s Victorian skyline.

As the cafe has just newly opened the menu has been limited. A wise move in order to judge its popularity with the local and visiting clientele. While I was there it had a good turn around of customers and the venue had a cosy atmosphere. The decor has a nautical feel without going over the top. A nice touch was the hessian sacking used to upholster some of the seating.

As a lone diner, I was not in a position to try more than one item on the menu, so I settled for the big breakfast which while not the cheapest in Ramsgate (£6.00) was better than the average with a nice runny egg and savory sausages.

On my way out I was struck by some quirky touches like the toilet signage. Sounds dreadful but I was amused.

The Chef Patron of Royal Harbour Brasserie is Adrian Mowl, formally of the Turner Contempory Gallery Cafe, Adrian has cooked for a few VIPs, like the Queen when she visited the aforementioned gallery and he was also executive chef in the London Olympic Village 2012 catering for the likes of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.  Wonder if they would get a kick out of braving the elements trying to get to this remote outpost when the weather gets interesting!

We certainly plan to return again to do a more comprehensive review in the Summer, where hopefully we can take advantage of the large outdoor terrace with great views of the Harbour, the Marina, the English Channel and even France.

UPDATE 2013 – See post titled Dining by the Sea

UPDATE 2014 – We have been to the Royal Harbour Brasserie several times now for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and have found that the Food and Service has been fairly consistent, the event type menus are a bit dull, but in general the Fish and Sea Food dishes are good.  Personal favorites are Smoked haddock with bubble and squeak, beurre blanc, and poached egg and caviar,  Scallops with chorizo, Fried duck egg and brown shrimps in shrimp butter on granary toast.

I would also say that if you find that they have Lobster on the menu, that  it’s not to be missed. The Lobsters I have eaten here were full of meat and beautifully cooked and presented.

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Broadstairs Food Festival – Going Medieval at the Seaside

After the Real Food Festival in London, we thought it would be interesting to highlight an out of town festival in the seaside resort of Broadstairs.  Broadstairs Food Festival or Food Fayre as it is also known is an annual event and this year had over 100 stalls showcasing Kent produce. I visited on the third day of the Fayre, it was fairly busy when I arrived mid-morning, but by the afternoon it was packed with visitors sampling the free wares.

There was lots of English Wine, Flavoured Cider, Cheese and Chutney on display, along with the obligatory burger stands, which in this instance at least included local butchers selling venison burgers and wild boar and venison sausages.

Kent restaurants like the The Ambrette (Rye and Margate) and The Siam Kitchen (Broadstairs) were also represented and I couldn’t miss O’re the Moon the award winning Kent fudge company’s display of  Scottish Tablet (not sure where that fits in as traditional Kent produce, but as a Scot I am not complaining).

The highlight of the day though had to be the Medieval Cooking demonstration from Mo Joslin of Farmhouse Kitchen. It was entertaining in between the disruptions from the dodgy sound system (the bane of so many outdoor festivals).  I also got a good picture of another typical Food Festival event “The Swarm” (pictured above) homing in on the samples from the Cooking demonstration – a rather tasty pigeon dish. Funny it’s normally the Pigeons that do the swarming,  although in Broadstairs it’s more likely to be Seagulls, which is all part of the British Seaside experience.

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