Kent’s 18 best restaurants you simply need to visit in 2025

While Kent has long been regarded for its gorgeous coastline and rolling countryside, now it has another defining characteristic drawing visitors from far and wide - the food scene. Our little green county really has blossomed into a true foodie’s paradise and it seems new, trendy spots to grab a bite to eat are popping up nearly every other week.

No matter your tastes, you can be sure there is a restaurant, café, gastropub or fast food joint that has what your heart (and stomach) desires. A new year is upon us and that means 12 months to tantalise your taste-buds with some fresh flavours from across the Garden of England.

We’ve got everything from Michelin-starred eateries to mouth-watering burger spots where queues wind out the door, so it can be hard to narrow down the best spots to visit. That’s where KentLive is stepping in to help.

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Using our own experiences and reviews from customers, we’ve rounded up our picks for the top 18 places to grab a bite to eat in 2025. Among our choices you’ll find highly-acclaimed staples of the Kent food scene, alongside newer establishments that are already making waves across the county and beyond.

The Sportsman - Seasalter

Address: Faversham Road, Seasalter, Whitstable, CT5 4BP

You can’t talk about Kent’s best restaurants without mentioning The Sportsman. This Michelin-starred establishment in Faversham Road has earned countless awards, most recently having been named among Estrella Damm’s Top 50 Gastropubs. Learn all about The Sportsman and its secret to success here.

Please Sir! - Broadstairs, Whitstable, Canterbury

Address:

• 36 High Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1LH

• 41 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AP

• 11 Butchery Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2JR

Jumping from fine dining to some more relaxed comfort food, Please Sir! has also netted itself a number of awards thanks to its signature smash burgers and delectable shakes. The owners proudly boast alongside their 2,000+ five-star reviews: “Consistency is key and regardless of the location, our product uses only the best of the best when it comes to ingredients.” See what KentLive made of Please Sir! when we tried it ourselves here.

Gurkha Fire - Chatham

Address: New Cut, Chatham, ME4 6AD

A newer spot that has already impressively risen among the ranks of Medway’s restaurants, it has even been rated the district’s best restaurant on TripAdvisor. Nestled within the former Chatham fire station, the Nepalese curry house has seen praise for its “authentic and flavourful dishes”. Take a quick virtual tour of the stunning restaurant here.

Folkestone Wine Company - Folkestone

Address: 5 Church Street, Folkestone, CT20 1SE

Last summer, this cosy coastal spot made it onto The Good Food Guide's 100 Best Local Restaurants list for 2024 - and for good reason. The family-run business is a fine food restaurant serving locally sourced, freshly cooked dishes based on what's in season with a regularly revolving menu. See what KentLive made of it here.

The Hopbine Inn - Tonbridge

Address: Petteridge Lane, Matfield, Tonbridge, TN12 7NE

Tucked away between two cosy villages, The Hopbine Inn is a freehouse in a stunning building, with red brick and hung tiles and it's right when it says it's "all that a country pub should be". If you love home-cooked, comfort food, you've come to the right place, as it serves a Sunday Roast that punters can’t praise enough, alongside woodfire pizzas, steaks and Spanish-style food, with tapas dishes. Find out more here.

The Small Holding - Cranbrook

Address: Ranters Lane, Kilndown, Cranbrook, TN17 2SG

Holding a Green Michelin Star, the charming restaurant and farm serves a set menu “celebrating the best ingredients available” in Kent. It opened in 2018 by brothers Will and Matt Devlin, with a key focus on sustainability with “growing and foraging” at the heart of what they do. It has even previously been crowned Kent Restaurant of the Year at the Taste of Kent Awards - see why here.

Whitstable Oyster Company - Whitstable

Address: Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, CT5 1BU

A world-renowned seafood restaurant right on the beautiful Whitstable seafront, this spot is a true staple of Kent’s food scene. It offers a full a la carte menu available from Monday to Sunday, priding itself on dishes that utilise the freshest fish cooked simply. Learn more here.

Boys Hall - near Ashford

Address: Boys Hall Road, Willesborough, Ashford, TN24 0LA

Husband-and-wife owners Bradley and Kristie Lomas acquired this striking 17th century, Grade II-listed Jacobean townhouse in 2019. Following an extensive three-year renovation, Boys Hall relaunched in September 2022, initially just as a 70-cover restaurant before opening seven stunning boutique bedrooms in January 2023 followed by two more in July. The spot has seen critical acclaim for both its dining options and gorgeous accommodation - find out more here.

Fordwich Arms - near Canterbury

Address: King Street, Fordwich, Canterbury, CT2 0DB

A real gem in the heart of Britain’s smallest town, The Fordwich Arms is simply bursting with charm and character. Taken over by husband-and-wife-duo Dan and Natasha Smith in 2017, the pub and restaurant gained a Michelin Star in 2018. The owners told KentLive that some customers travel from across the world just to try the acclaimed grub on offer at The Fordwich Arms.

Mori Mori - Margate

Address: 80 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2RE

It offers izakaya style eats and drinks and was also highlighted within the Good Food Guide for 2024. The menu features Japanese-inspired ramen and izakaya snacks and plates - think bao buns, dumplings and broths, onigiri and salads. Learn more here.

Gem of Kent - Maidstone

Address: 62 High Street, Maidstone, ME14 1SR

The Gem of Kent located on the high street in Maidstone rightly deserves its name with its freshly prepared and homemade dishes. The menu has a wide variety of Turkish entrees and meze platters, with a price range that makes it relatively accessible. See why KentLive raved about this spot when we checked it out here.

Cafe Des Amis - Canterbury

Address: 95 St. Dunstans Street, Canterbury, CT2 8AA

Moving from a KentLive favourite to a spot that’s a hit with the stars, Pirates of the Caribbean star and former Kent local Orlando Bloom has raved about this esteemed Mexican restaurant near the Westgate Towers. Described as a "quirky and colourful diner with modern artworks", Bloom has certainly been more than impressed with the establishment, which has been open over a decade now. Bloom has even said it's one of the best Mexican restaurants you'll ever eat. Find out more here.

Greedy Banker - Rainham

Address: 89-93 High Street, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 7HS

Set within a former Barclays bank branch, from the minds behind the popular Dead Pigeon micropub in Rochester came the aptly named The Greedy Banker which opened in 2022. Every month the spot crafts unique, mouth-watering smash burgers while the bar boasts the ‘biggest tap-wall in Medway’. KentLive gave The Greedy Banker a visit last year and quickly understood the hype.

The Corner House - Canterbury

Address: 1 Dover Street, Canterbury, CT1 3HD

Kent’s one and only city is brimming with fantastic eateries and The Corner House is among the area’s most popular. Well-known for its high quality food crafted using local ingredients, the restaurant in Dover Street has landed some impressive accolades, including a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and has previously been shortlisted for Restaurant of the Year at the Taste of Kent Awards. The owners previously spoke to KentLive all about their steps to success.

Tallow - Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

Address: 15A Church Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0RX

This restaurant is in Southborough in Tunbridge Wells and its menu changes each month. It has a tasting menu. It was opened by Rob and Donna Taylor in November 2021. It's an award-winning seasonal restaurant close to the picturesque Southborough Common, serving modern British cuisine.

SiamRadhuny - Dartford

Address: 83-89 Lowfield Street, Dartford, DA1 1HP

“Excellent food”, “outstanding service”, “gorgeous restaurant”, these are some of the reviews on TripAdvisor describing SiamRadhuny, which tops the website’s ranking of the best Indian restaurants in Dartford. What is so special about this place is that it serves both Indian and Thai, offering a wide range of dishes to its customers. See why KentLive sung its praises here.

Pink Paprika - Rochester

Address: 2 Main Road, Hoo, Rochester, ME3 9AD

An authentic Indian restaurant in Hoo, Rochester, Pink Paprika found itself among the Regional Restaurant of the Year finalists for Kent at the prestigious Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards last year. Customers have highlighted the high quality food, fast service and the delightful ambience.

Ephesus Lounge and Meze - Sittingbourne

Address: 47 High Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 4AW

If you’re after tasty grub without breaking the bank, this Sittingbourne gem is well worth a visit where you can nab a two-course meal for under a tenner. A family-run Mediterranean restaurant, the owners promise: “Each dish is a masterpiece, promising a delightful fusion of exceptional flavours and quality ingredients.”

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