Taste the difference: the best pubs and restaurants in Kent for foodies

The Dog at Wingham

Three talented chefs have put this pub on the map. A favourite among Kent’s best and oldest gastropubs, The Dog at Wingham serves top notch modern British cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms and the coast.

Wake up to black pudding and smoked salmon (in bed if you like), dine on freshly caught fish or prime steak, and enjoy a stellar Sunday roast. Once you’re full and you’ve sunk a couple of the bar’s latest guest ales, head upstairs to stylish rooms and dog-friendly vibes.

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The Milk House

A stylish village pub with a foodie soul, The Milk House pairs a laid-back vibe with food that heroes Kent and East Sussex produce. They’ve got everything from handmade charcuterie and boutique gin to artisan bread and local asparagus. Relax by the fire with an English wine or ale, dine in the timber-framed restaurant, or join the fun at their 4-day lively August festival where food is a big part of the festivities.

Sleep well in bright, uncluttered bedrooms with fine fabrics, crisp linens and excellent bathrooms. Wake to a farmhouse breakfast featuring homemade muesli, berry compote, croissants or a full English. Bliss.

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Three Sisters Sevenoaks

For an unforgettable fine dining experience in Kent, head to Tom Duffill’s Supper Club at Three Sisters Sevenoaks set on Chart Farm. A former head chef at Michelin starred Arbutus, Tom and his wife Becky launched two foodie ventures during lockdown: Dining at Home, and a Friday night Supper Club on the farm.

Working with the 450-acre estate, Tom shortens the gap between farm and table while championing local suppliers by crafting seasonal menus using the finest local ingredients. Order a gourmet meal delivered to your door with cocktails, fresh-baked breads, indulgent extras included, or book a place at the farm table for a hyper local, flavour packed feast.

Stay at: Medley Court Cottage at Hever Castle, where you can treat yourselves to a stay in the Astor Wing with your own private terrace and views over Hever Castle and the Tudor garden.

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The Swan at Chapel Down 

Enjoy refined British cuisine with vineyard views at The Swan Restaurant in Tenterden, part of the award-winning Chapel Down Winery. Menus feature the freshest local, seasonal fare like Essex crab salad and Morghew Estate pheasant. Each dish comes with a recommended wine pairing, all chosen from the vineyard’s award-winning sparkling and still wines. Book the private dining room for celebrations, seating up to 18, or join a guided tour and tasting.

Stay at: Boxwood, at the end of an unpaved road, surrounded by oaks, chestnuts and pines. A simple, architect-designed home that’s airy by day and cosy by night.

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Fordwich Arms

Set in England’s smallest town, the Michelin-starred Fordwich Arms near Canterbury pairs elegant Arts and Crafts interiors with exceptional, modern British cuisine. Dine in the oak-panelled room or on the wisteria-draped riverside terrace. Menus highlight seasonal Kentish produce – think house-cured meats, local crab, pheasant dumplings and inventive vegetarian dishes like sweetcorn panisse with duck egg yolk. It’s widely acclaimed by critics and foodies alike.

Stay at: 14 Love Lane, a beautiful, fresh townhouse with spoiling touches just outside the city walls of Canterbury. Whitstable close by, eateries a walk away.

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Tallow Restaurant

Named Best Local Restaurant by the Good Food Guide, Tallow in Southborough is a must-visit for foodies. Expect seasonal, locally sourced tasting menus with wine pairings and refined technique. For a unique experience, book The Chef’s Table for an intimate dinner party-style tasting session with behind the scenes insight. The chef will talk you through techniques and ingredients while preparing a dinner-party style, tasting menu for up to eight guests.

Stay at: The Cottage in the Garden, an enchanting hideaway with sensational views in a flowery English semi-wild country garden, near Sissinghurst and Great Dixter.

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Photography by Saltwick Media

The Windmill

For a proper Kentish pub experience, The Windmill is a charming 15th-century inn with open fires, exposed beams and a locally sourced menu that moves from elevated pub classics to indulgent plates like lobster Thermidor and beef Wellington, best paired with Balfour wines or Jake’s Kentish cider.

Cosy up in characterful dining spaces with wood burners or soak up the sunshine in the rear garden. Freshly renovated rooms with a private entrance offer minimalist comfort, big fluffy towels, smart TVs and Birchall teas for a restful night.

Book a stay at The Windmill >