TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on WHITSTABLE cont.
DINING OUT
The Whitstable Oyster Company
This world famous restaurant, also called the Royal Native Oyster Stores, has been around for a long time now, and the Whitstable Oyster Company itself has enjoyed over 500 years of success, so when it comes to eating the finest, freshest fish this is the place to come. As you would expect, you can start with half a dozen Whitstable Oyster Co. rock oysters, but you don’ t have to continue the theme as there are many other dishes on the menu too including chargrilled organic salmon with white bean purée and asparagus; baked halibut fillet with sour cream, swiss cheese and chives; and deep-fried local cod in beer batter with chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce.
Birdies Birdies is a lovely little bistro that has both indoor and outdoor seating. Chequered tablecloths, handwritten menus, chalkboards with specials written on them, photographs of Whitstable past on the walls … it’ s all incredibly charming. But, not only does it look the part, the food here tastes superb too. Freshly caught and cooked fish, lobster and of course oysters adorn the menu and the choices are a wonderful mix of modern and traditional cuisine.
Samphire Samphire is a gorgeous bistro restaurant that is well loved in Whitstable. The food is simple, the produce is high quality and the end result is the perfect place to enjoy excellent food in a gorgeous setting. The menu is varied and exciting, and includes items such as mussels with Biddenden Cider, garlic and thyme; ham hock and leek terrine with sweet and sour rhubarb; and miso and fermented chilli potato hash, pak choi and a fried duck egg.
ANNUAL EVENTS
Whitstable Oyster Festival // Jul One of the most important, colourful and famous events in the Whitstable calendar has to be the Whitstable Oyster Festival. This annual event, held each summer, is two weeks of celebration of the not-so-humble oyster.
That celebration involves plenty of live music, standup comedy, outdoor cinema screenings, games and events and of course a lot of oysters being shucked and eaten.
Whitstable Carnival // Aug Whitstable is a busy place in the summer thanks in part to its lovely location and attractions, and also in part to the Whitstable Carnival. There is a traditional parade full of fun floats as well as many different and unique stalls, live entertainment and, of course, the crowning of the carnival queen herself.
TOP SPOT
If there is one spot in Whitstable that houses all of its charm and personality in one place it has to the picture-perfect town centre. Winding, quaint streets filled with the most fascinating of independent shops, there is nothing chain-like or corporate about Whitstable. Come to Whitstable and explore and you’ ll discover treasures and gifts in abundance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Old Bridge Road in Whitstable is aptly named; this is where the oldest railway bridge in the world can be found.
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