FOOD + DRINK
Culinary Class cont...
THE FORDWICH ARMS ANGELA’ S
THE DOG AT WINGHAM
The Sportsman, Seasalter thesportsmanseasalter. co. uk
Overlooking the sweeping shores of Seasalter, steered by the locally and nationally celebrated Stephen Harris, Michelin-starred gastropub The Sportsman is one of Kent’ s most revered dining spots, where a setting that is both rustic and relaxed simultaneously carries an air of quiet, expectant triumph.
With the vast Thames Estuary, surrounding marshes, woodlands and fertile soils dictating what is served, the cooking changes day by day and is offered as a three-course midweek menu and a fivecourse tasting menu, combining long-loved recipes with thoughtful new interpretations. Served with confidence and a recognisable precision, dishes take the form of a poached salmon fillet with dill and pickled vegetables, game terrine with pickled walnut ketchup and linguine with black truffle.
The Small Holding, Kilndown smallholdingrestaurant. com
Under the esteemed stewardship of chef and owner Will Devlin, this rightfully raved-about Michelin Green Star establishment, set on its very own biodiverse farm, is every bit deserving of its national applause, with each element of its fervent identity firmly planted in a philosophy of farm-to-table excellence.
Guided by core principles including low intervention, organic farming methods and no-dig growing practices to preserve nutrients and diversity, the farm produces over 180 ingredients for the restaurant, with everything else sourced from a small community of nearby farmers. Alongside a wine list showcasing organic and biodynamic vineyards, diners can choose from the Full Acre tasting menu, a seven-course exploration of hyper-seasonal flavours, or the Half Acre menu, a five-course option offering a more concise yet equally delectable experience.
Angela’ s, Margate angelasofmargate. com
An unassuming seafront star with an ethos rooted in sustainability, simplicity and seasonality, Angela’ s serves up a daily changing menu of sublime local seafood, alongside fresh vegetable-led dishes. Recognised with a notable Michelin Green Star for its commitment to responsibility, the team works directly with growers, fishermen and suppliers who understand how to make the most of their produce while minimising environmental impact.
At the end of the month, Angela’ s will close the chapter for sister restaurant Dory’ s and expand next door to create a larger dining space. Fans of Dory’ s can expect raw, pickled and cured dishes to find a new home on Angela’ s menus, alongside exciting new additions- making Angela’ s the one to watch in the year ahead.
Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford, Sevenoaks shwenshwen. com
A boldly authentic and colourful celebration of Sierra Leone’ s culinary legacy, infused with rich heritage, tradition and utter passion, award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford’ s debut restaurant Shwen Shwen has swiftly ascended the ranks of Kent’ s ones-to-watch since opening in June 2025, most recently achieving a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2026 and being named as Michelin Opening of the Year at the prestigious awards last month.
With Michelin inspectors praising the spatchcock poussin with palm butter sauce for having‘‘ provided an invigorating kick”, Shwen Shwen’ s menus form a distinctive, palate-exciting kaleidoscope of flavour as Maria sets out to create plates that tell stories, redefine fine dining and sing with contemporary West African flair.
Sargasso, Margate sargasso. bar
Nestled on the sea wall of Margate’ s harbour arm, Sargasso is an intimate wine bar and restaurant with a small yet mighty, designedto-share dish offering that allows quality ingredients to truly shine.
Proud holders of a Bib Gourmand which recognises the sought-after pairing of good value and good quality cooking, Sargasso harnesses all that’ s loved about coastal
dining: fresh flavours, delightful seafood and Mediterranean and European influences, infused with oodles of Margate cool and a global perspective. Savour seasonally inspired light bites, fried snacks and fresh fish sharers, while sipping on natural wines, perfectly picked with the ever-changing menu in mind.
The Dog at Wingham, Wingham thedog. co. uk
With much to be applauded for, including a recent ranking of No. 12 in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs for 2026, The Dog at Wingham are true masters at contemporary British cuisine that is both polished and beautifully hearty. Helmed by head chef Charlie Kendall-Smith, menus here are a masterclass in local, seasonal splendour, with Charlie at the forefront of hand-selecting only the finest ingredients to demonstrate the very best in modern Kentish fare.
Expect innovative plates such as a whipped smoked cod’ s roe with caviar, or Cornish sole with Sobrasada caper sauce, clams and samphire, sitting comfortably alongside elevated pub classics and a carefully chosen wine list representing the world’ s mostcelebrated regions and varietals.
The Kentish Hare, Bidborough thekentishhare. com
Owned by the celebrated Tanner Brothers, Chris and James, this honest, relaxed yet expertly refined gastropub has continued to rank among Kent’ s finest since opening its doors in 2014. With two AA Rosettes to its name, it was crowned Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Best Newcomer of the Year in 2016 and has consistently placed in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs, currently sitting at No. 21 for 2026.
A masterclass in bold flavour pairings and beautifully plated fare, the Tanner brothers are devoted to catering to a diverse range of tastes while always emphasising top-notch Kentish produce. Menus are straightforward yet accomplished, showcasing great local cuts, produce-led vegetarian and vegan dishes, and excellently dressed fish and seafood- from wild seabass to Cornish crab.
www. insidekent. co. uk • 69