FOOD & DRINK : ACCLAIMED DINING
Sargasso , Margate Michelin-listed seaside outpost of London restaurant Brawn , Sargasso sits beside the harbour wall and comes with some great views . The ethos and the menu are similar ; an almost daily-changing selection of 12-15 well-priced , wide-ranging seasonal dishes . Fish from the small local boats is a highlight . www . sargasso . bar
Bottega Caruso , Margate Deli / osteria housed in a fresh-looking former pub . Find southern Italian fare utilising artisanal ingredients from Campania and pastas made fresh every day . bottegacaruso . com
Bowleys at The Plough , West Malling Michelin-listed neighbourhood pub proudly owned by the Trottiscliffe villagers . Run by the Yates family and boasting the youngest kitchen team in Kent , it offers a concise menu of carefully crafted , classic dishes . www . theploughkent . com
THE PIG at Bridge Place , Bridge Kent ’ s first ‘ PIG ’ offers an obsessive commitment to home-grown and local produce , with a menu that aims to source every ingredient from within a 25-mile radius - and most from its own plentiful kitchen garden . Dine at THE PIG ’ s open-air restaurant and expect vibrant salads , locally sourced meats and fresh fish or tasty flatbreads from its garden oven . Perfect for boozy lunches , sunshine , inspired cocktails or tea and cake on the lawn . www . thepighotel . com / at-bridge-place
NEW OPENINGS :
herd ., Canterbury Follow the herd . to great steak , great wine , great cocktails and great times . Stylish city centre dining room offering exceptional cuts of the globe ’ s best steak alongside locally sourced Kentish produce , an extensive New World wine list featuring acclaimed Kentish wine , and a bespoke expert-mixologist curated cocktail menu . Voted in the Top 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in Kent by OpenTable Diner ’ s Choice Awards 2023 . www . herdcanterbury . co . uk
Quince , Westgate-on-Sea Debut ‘ neighbourhood-style ’ restaurant from Ben Hughes and Rafael Lopez . Offers a beautifully conceived yet unpretentious menu showcasing the best of local produce . Michelin-listed within months of opening . www . quincewestgate . co . uk
Updown , Deal Farmhouse kitchen and terrace restaurant , open year round , offers limited choice , hyper seasonal menus using the best of local and European produce alongside a short list of exciting wines of limited availability , local beers and seasonal cocktails . www . updownfarmhouse . com
Dorothy And Marshall , Bromley Showcasing local ingredients in seasonally changing menus from a fabulously restored dining room . Expect to find things like London honey , artisan cheeses and fresh produce straight from the fields of Kent . www . dorothyandmarshall . co . uk
The Square Peg , Tunbridge Wells Michelin-mentioned restaurant The Square Peg , owned by self-taught acclaimed chef Rob Marshall , provides that intimate dining experience seating only 16 . A regularly changing menu offering ‘ contemporary British ’ cooking with robust flavours , contrasting and complementary textures , temperatures and tastes . www . thesquarepegtw . co . uk
Boys Hall , Ashford Showcasing the best produce that Kent has to offer , the team of chefs here strive to delight and inspire with fresh , local and seasonal produce while the wine cellar is brimming with Kentish and international vintages . www . boys-hall . com
The Stables by Chef Mark Charker at The Bell in Ticehurst A newly launched five-course tasting menu paired with wine and bespoke cocktails . The special occasion menu will take guests on a journey from the sea to the best lands in Sussex , including locally sourced meats and fish , seasonal fruits , wines and cheeses . www . thebellinticehurst . com
Chef ’ s Table , West Malling Representing an intimate dining feel in a relaxed environment , bringing a unique dining experience , focusing on seasonal flavours matched with local and international wines . Creating beautifully innovative dishes , with a passion to marry classical flavours with a modern twist . With the addition of an open kitchen , allowing just 12 guests a time to visually feel immersed in the story from start to finish . www . chefstablekent . co . uk
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