Eating Out
Sportsman Multi award winning and internationally acclaimed Michelin star restaurant. You’ll need to book 6 months in advance to get a table. Although it’s sometimes possible to get a table on in winter mid-week if you chance upon a cancellation.
The Pig Newly opened hotel, spa and restaurant located at Bridge Place near Canterbury. They have their own kitchen garden from which they source most of their food. You’ll need to book in advance.
Fordwich Arms Chef-patron Daniel Smith was recently awarded Observer's Young Chef of the Year and his seasonal menu focuses on provenance, showcasing the best of local Kentish ingredients, sourced direct from local farms and producers. You’ll need to book in advance.
Harbour Street Tapas Delicious, seasonal, tapas. This is a great relaxed place with a varied menu. It’s a regular of ours! Take out (if you collect) is available is it’s not to busy and you’re flexible with time. You’ll need to book!
Wheelers Oyster Bar Delicious minimal menu based around fish & seafood. BYO wine and cash only! You’ll need to book 3 months in advance. It also has a seafood bar where you can get take-away bits like crab, mussels, oysters. Their homemade fish tart is delicious and this is where we buy our oysters. You can order picnic boxes for the weekend through their facebook & instagram pages.
Farm & Harper This is a great brunch spot although they also do evening meals. Gastro pub type of food. Well cooked and priced. You’ll need to book at busy times and in the summer.
Ossies Fish Bar Whitstable Take-away fish and chip shop. Best to call in advance and order as it gets busy in high season. You can eat in the restaurant too.
Seasalter Fish Bar is the closest to the air bnb and is pretty good. You can order online and collect or they deliver. We always collect so I'm not sure on the delivery times.
VCJones, Take Away Fish and Chips Take-away fish and chip shop on Harbour Street - it tends to get very busy in the summer. You can eat in the restaurant too.
Jo-Jo’s Great value and great tasting restaurant in Tankerton by the sea. Great for a weekend lunch. You’ll need to book in advance for this. They are now doing take-away food and cocktails.
Cafe Kitchen This is a lovely lunch spot although they also do evening meals. Varied menu. You’ll need to book though as it’s tiny.
Whitstable Oyster Fishery company Good fish and chips and gastro food. A bit over priced but it gives you the authentic Whitstable experience and the atmosphere is great. In low season we sometime pop in for a drink at the bar. You’ll need to book.
Lobster Shack On the seafront behind the harbour. A great location with good atmosphere and OK food. Good for summer lunches with the kids and big groups as you can lie on the beach and eat. Not much shade in summer though!
Tower Hill Tea Garden Good homemade cake and a nice shady garden with sea views. Only open in the summer months.
Grain and Hearth A must! Newly opened bakery serving lovely baked goods, sandwiches and coffee and lovely homemade sourdoughs loafs. There is a nice yard to sit outside too.
Blueprint Coffee Excellent espresso bar with wonderful coffee and cakes.
Harbour Market A collection of craft sellers and food huts by the harbour. Sushi, thai, vegan options. Fully open during the weekends in high season. Check the website for opening hours outside of these times.
Sundae Sundae Lovely independent ice-cream parlour on Harbour Street
Windy Corner Located just back from the seafront on island Wall. It does great hot chocolate and homemade sausage rolls. They do roasts in the winter. It’s worth booking on busy weekends.
Nomad Pizzas Nice thin crispy pizzas.Collection only in season & delivery out of seasons.
Sale&Pepe Pizza & pasta restaurant Lovely simple and good value Italian. You can bring your own wine. They deliver too!
Browns Event Van @ Coals Yard Lovely daily changing lunch menu. Excellent value and really delicious.
Eating In
Staines vegetable shop 61 High street. The best vegetables in Whitstable. Open 7 days a week.
Hubbard's bakery next to Staines at 63 high street. Great sourdough (lots of varieties at the weekend). Get there early as they often run out at busy times.
Grain and Hearth The best sourdough in Whitstable. They also sell baked goods to take away.
Jim's Family Butchers at 99-101 high street. Good local butcher.
The Cheese Box on Harbour Street is a fine english cheese shop. It has an incredible selection of local cheese. On Friday and Saturdays they are open till 10pm and are fully licensed. You can get a selection of cheese with a drink!
Macknades A deli farm store in Faversham with a cafe and wine store. Great for all food and drink. Lots of locally sourced items. It’s where we regularly shop for food for a special occasion and we get all our meat & wine from here.
Fish
You can buy fresh fish from a boat in the harbour on Saturday mornings. You'll need to get there for 8am to get the best bits as they often sell out early. In the winter they may not be there.
If you contact George in advance you can get a local fish box delivered. All his fish is local and freshly prepared. We get a local fish box delivered monthly which is always amazing.
We have a great little local co-op on Faversham Road about 3mins drive away. There is a big Tesco’s Extra about 10minute drive away. Marks and Spencers & Lidls is about 5mins drive away.
Drinks
Twelve Taps Is a craft beer and gin bar on the high street.
Duke of Cumberland on the High Street is a nice pub. It often has live music.
Person Arms on the seafront by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery company has good live music and does a good burger! You’ll need to book if you want to eat though.
The Neptune Fantastic location right on the beach off Island Wall with basic pub grub. It can get very crowded in the summer.
There is a quiet bar above the restaurant that serves a good selection of cocktails, wine and beer. It can be closed out of seasons. Last orders at 10pm
West Beach Pavilion Caravan Park is a great bar by the beach. Cheap and cheerful but lovely atmosphere.
Amedea Nice small bar serving craft beers. Lovely atmosphere.