Tuck in: special places to eat & drink in Margate

Angela’s / Dory’s

A Margate institution, Angela’s daily-changing menus start with whatever lands fresh with the boats each morning and dish it up simply with organic vegetables, letting the quality of the ingredients shine through. Delicious, seasonal menus and a focus on ethical provenance and minimal environmental impact has resulted in a coveted Michelin Green Star. Light, modern bistro-style interiors are the setting for tucking in. Check out Dory’s too, their sister seafood bar, just around the corner, serving raw, pickled, cured and baked seafood and vegetable dishes overlooking Margate Main Sands. This is also the place to pick up a decent bottle of wine. They stock English (some local Kent bottles) and European wines, all organic and chosen from vineyards that work in harmony with the land. 

Buoy and Oyster

Husband and wife duo, Simon and Nadine, worked together in luxury hospitality across Europe before falling in love with an old building with sea views in Margate (Nadine’s home town) and transforming it into this friendly family restaurant with a 2 AA Rosette rating to boot. Inside, the vibe is East London meets seaside Kent: stripped-down décor, muted lighting, a nod to your marine surroundings. Celebrating local ingredients and just-caught fish, come to tuck into expertly prepared seafood platters, crafted cocktails or pick up piping hot fish and chips from their beachfront takeaway ‘Beach Buoys’ and soak up a spectacular sunset. 

The George & Heart

An ancient coaching inn refurbished with huge personality, individually designed bedrooms and a pretty courtyard garden. At the bar you’re served local craft beers and fine wines while admiring the beautiful stained-glass windows and having a look at the menu. This is seasonal and ever-evolving with lots of Kent produce and plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices, alongside meat and fish which supports British farmers and artisan producers. You eat in the informal and welcoming restaurant. If you’re staying the night, help yourselves to tea, coffee, biscuits and cereals from Reggie’s, a private and charming mini bar area; or pop into the honesty bar for afternoon cocktails or a late night tipple. Sunday roasts are cracking, there’s a Zen Den for yoga or meditation and it’s a three-minute walk to the sea.

Stay at The George & Heart >

Oast Bakery

Will and Charlotte are passionate about using sustainable, high-quality ingredients to craft delicious bakes at their on-site bakery. Come to pick up sourdough and yeasted loaves, sweet buns, pastries and ryes, or one of their daily specials. They also run one-day Beginner’s Bread Making courses. You’ll be guided through the process of starting and maintaining a sourdough starter, the principles of baking with naturally leavened and yeasted doughs and how baking at home can fit into your busy schedule. On the day, you’ll bake a focaccia and a white tin loaf as well as taking a sourdough loaf home to bake. And if you bring a jar you can take a starter home to carry on your baking journey.

Bottega Caruso

 Harry and Simona’s superb homage to southern Italy began life as a market stall in Canterbury, selling fresh pasta and authentic Italian produce sourced from Simona’s home town near Napoli. In 2017 they took a leap of faith and opened their restaurant and deli in Margate. You can pick up artisan produce: preserved tomatoes, olive oils, natural wines, chocolates, heritage flours and more, all imported directly from Campania. Or pull up a chair (there are only six or seven tables) and tuck into a short menu of sublime Italian food. Perhaps anchovies or ricotta to start, followed by braised squid or an unctuous ragu on fresh pasta. Make room for a tiramisu to finish. For groups, book the Cantina, or to learn more, sign up to a cookery workshop. 

Sargasso

Come to soak up the Margate skyline replete with epic sunsets in this building that hunkers beside the sea wall. Outside it might not be much to look at but inside is bright, airy and authentic. You perch at the counter or at high tables to work your way through a sublime menu where seafood and veggies take centre stage. Decidedly European dishes paired with excellent wines and moreish aperitivos make the experience one to remember. Snack on salami and salted almonds, move on to turbot and clams, Dover sole and mackerel. Finish with a rich chocolate cake. Leave planning your next visit.