Carol
FOOD + DRINK
MACKNADE
COAST, COFFEE AND CYCLING grown-up feasts, with plenty of options available from breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, kids can await the arrival of their chosen eats on the model trains before tucking into a classic breakfast sandwich or hearty burger.
Solley’ s, Ripple, nr Deal solleys. co. uk
Set amongst acres of family-run farmland in the heart of Ripple, Solley’ s has been making delicious Kentish ice cream for over 30 years. As warmer days are upon us, Solley’ s Ice Cream Parlour & Café is open daily for fresh scoops, with over 20 flavours to choose from in tubs, cones or delicious sundaes. There’ s also plenty to keep the family entertained on the farm with tractor rides running at weekends, a host of summer events and a campsite. Another refuel spot to add to the list, The Pub at Solley’ s serves an extensive refreshment lineup alongside toasties, cheeseboards, warm pastries and afternoon teas.
STREET FOOD FUN
Folkestone Harbour Arm, Folkestone folkestoneharbourarm. co. uk
Folkestone’ s famed Harbour Arm is a hub of culinary delights and creative fun for a family day beside the sea well spent. Along the arm, discover a host of vibrant independents with the likes of delicious seafood and Mediterranean food served in brilliantly converted railway carriages. At The Goods Yard, easy, crowdpleasing grab-and-go bites are in abundance- think authentic Nepalese street food, ice cream, stacked sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas and loaded jacket potatoes alongside coffee and tipples for the grown-ups. It also makes for a great picnic should you choose to take your chosen cuisine to go and enjoy it on the beach itself.
Macknade, Faversham macknade. com
Known for its excellent stocks of farm fresh produce, renowned food hall Macknade is a beloved pitstop for tasty Kentish fare. Alongside its cosy café which serves a plethora of locally sourced juices and children’ s dishes packed with hearty goodness to keep the little ones happy, Macknade’ s vibrant Food Village has returned for the 2026 season with an array of street-food favourites. Complete with indoor and outdoor seating and lots of family entertainment, the village boasts a fantastic lineup of local indies to sample the delights of including Macknade’ s own Hop Shed Bar & Kitchen, fully stacked burgers from Notorious BRG, delicious Japanese eats from Little Katsu Kitchen, hand-stretched wood fired pizza from Sig Pizza, cheesy bites from Mac & Stacks and irresistible scoops from Bears Ice Cream.
One of the things I love most about cycling in Kent is how easily a good ride turns into a good day out. Add sea air, great food stops and a train line never too far away, and you’ ve got the makings of a perfect coastal taste trail.
A favourite of mine starts in Whitstable and follows the coast into Thanet, taking in some of the most enjoyable stretches of the Kent coast along the way.
If you wanted to make a weekend of it, you could ride the Crab & Winkle Way from Canterbury to Whitstable, but Whitstable itself is a good enough gentle start. Coffee at Garage Coffee is never a bad idea, and Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium is a temptation even before the cycling begins. If you prefer to start after lunch, The Lobster Shack is perfectly placed on the beach.
From there, the ride rolls along Tankerton Slopes and the path continues through Herne Bay and on to Reculver, where the towers of the old church stand proudly against the big coastal sky. It’ s a lovely place to pause, stretch your legs and grab a coffee at HatHats.
Continuing east, the route skirts Minnis Bay. If you fancy a small detour, Birchington-on-Sea is just up the hill and home to The Cow Shed Bar & Grill- a welcoming stop before the final stretch. From there it’ s back onto the Viking Coastal Trail for the easy spin into Margate- just in time for a Turner sunset.
What makes this route such a pleasure is its flexibility. Stations at each town mean you can ride as much or as little as you like. Explore Kent’ s trails link beautifully into the area too, offering plenty of ways to extend the adventure.
Good cycling, good food and the sea alongside you- that’ s hard to beat.
Carol
CAROL FORD CHAIR OF PRODUCED IN KENT producedinkent. co. uk producedinkent
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