Four Exceptional Places Worth Travelling For
If you’re searching for the best restaurants in Kent, this shortlist captures the places that truly define the county’s coastal food scene. From Michelin-starred favourites to intimate seafood rooms and rustic farmhouse dining, these are Kent’s best dining spots. The kind of restaurants you book a trip around. The kind you remember long after you’ve watched the sun dip behind the sea or wandered home along a quiet coastal lane.
Whether you’re staying in a Coaste home or planning a coastal trip with food front and centre, here are the best restaurants in Kent to put straight at the top of your list.
The Sportsman, Seasalter: Michelin-Starred Dining on the Kent Coast
Consistently named one of the best restaurants in Kent and often one of the best in the UK, The Sportsman is the definition of understated brilliance. Set beside the marshes of Seasalter, it looks like a simple, sea-weathered pub from the outside, but inside you’ll find a Michelin-starred restaurant serving dishes rooted in the land and tide around it.
The menu changes constantly, shaped by what the kitchen can forage, what the fishermen land and what is at its seasonal peak. Expect home-baked bread, faultless seafood and quietly perfect plates full of depth and flavour.
If you love the idea of coastal fine dining in Kent without the formality, The Sportsman is essential. There is already a full guide to Michelin restaurants in Kent on the Coaste Edit blog if you want to explore it further. You can view our dedicated Kent Michelin restaurant guide here.
Kebbells, Broadstairs: Seafood Excellence Among the Best Restaurants in Kent
Kebbells is one of the most exciting small seafood restaurants on the Kent coast. Set just moments from the beach in Broadstairs, it is intimate, warm and beautifully run, with a menu that celebrates the very best of the day’s catch.
Expect fresh oysters from their raw bar, beautifully cooked fish dishes, and seasonal small plates designed for sharing. The style is simple, elegant and centred entirely on flavour. Every dish feels thoughtful and confident, with that quietly luxurious coastal feel Broadstairs does so well.
For seafood lovers searching for the best coastal restaurants in Kent, Kebbells is unmissable. It captures everything Broadstairs is loved for: independent, high quality and close to the water.
If you would like to read our full feature here: Discover Kebbells.
The Pig at Bridge Place: Garden-to-Table Dining at One of the Best Restaurants in Kent
Part country house, part kitchen garden, part destination dining room, The Pig at Bridge Place is all about flavour, fire and hyper-local ingredients. The menu shifts daily depending on what the gardeners, growers and local suppliers bring in.
Expect wood-fired cooking, garden vegetables with incredible freshness, slow-cooked local meats and puddings that feel deeply comforting. The interiors are full of character and atmosphere, making it one of the standout restaurants in Kent for special occasions.
The Pig is perfect for slow lunches, romantic dinners or long weekend escapes. If you are seeking one of the best dining experiences in Kent, this is it.
We also have a full Coaste feature on why we love The Pig
Updown Farmhouse, Near Deal: Rustic-Luxe Dining at One of Kent’s Best Hidden Restaurants
Hidden among the hedgerows just outside Deal, Updown Farmhouse is one of the most enchanting restaurants in Kent. The setting feels almost cinematic: a historic farmhouse wrapped in roses, outdoor tables under the trees in summer and candlelit dining in winter.
The food is generous, seasonal and beautifully executed, with a focus on thoughtful cooking and exceptional ingredients. Expect handmade dishes, wood-fired flavours, beautifully prepared vegetables and comforting plates that change with the rhythm of the kitchen garden and local suppliers.
Updown Farmhouse is one of the best restaurants in Kent for long, lingering dinners and romantic evenings. It offers charm, character and a slow, soulful atmosphere that defines the Kent coast. You can also explore our full Feature on why we love Updown Farmhouse here.
Planning Your Visit to the Best Restaurants in Kent
All four of these restaurants book up ahead of time, especially at weekends and during summer. Staying in a Coaste home means you can plan your reservations around slow mornings, beach walks and easy drives to the best food in Kent.
Whether you are visiting for a celebration, a romantic escape or a food-led weekend, these four restaurants show exactly why the Kent coast has become one of the UK’s most exciting dining destinations. And if you want to go deeper, check out our Guide to Kent’s Michelin-starred dining scene here.