The growing appetite for quick, simple service that doesn’t compromise on food quality has fuelled a steady rise in coastal food shacks, huts and trucks emerging across the county. Combining exceptional flavours with camera-ready presentations, these independent food vendors are proving that memorable dining is not just for restaurants.

Championing locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce, these food pop-ups bring us closer to both our food and the passionate people behind it, and better still, they make finding a delicious, fuss-free meal easier than ever.

This year, the Garden of England has taken this viral phenomenon by storm, with an exciting variety of independent businesses and street food vendors bringing their menus to seaside shacks, artisan huts and mobile food trucks. Whether you enjoy artisan pizza, fresh seasoned crab, gourmet doughnuts or want to try something a little bit different, this lineup of Kent’s hottest food shacks, huts and trucks has something to satisfy every appetite.

Kent’s Top Food Shacks

The Lobster Shack

Across Kent, food shacks bring a rustic, thrown-together feel that combines simple service with gourmet, picture-perfect dishes. Heading through Kent’s coastal towns, shacks can be found to serve some of the freshest seafood and most delicious burgers in the county.

Found on the harbour at Easy Quay in Whitstable, The Lobster Shack is your go-to local beach bar, with far-stretching views across the Thames Estuary; it is owned by the Whitstable Oyster Company Ltd. Open all year round, it serves a variety of high-quality local food and drink, from traditional cod and chips to fresh lobster, perfectly seasoned and garnished with lemon slices. 

Beyond seafood, visitors can try a selection of local beers and wines, including the company’s bespoke Whitstable Brewery Oyster Stout brewed by The Whitstable Oyster Company. The stout is an ideal match for Whitstable’s famous oysters, which are served at the shack’s sister venue, The Oyster Shed. A boutique oyster bar on the South Quay of Whitstable Harbour, they serve fresh local seafood and the famous Whitstable oysters; a delicacy which has been enjoyed since the Romans first landed on English shores.

Continuing along Whitstable’s South Quay, you can find Rad Burger, one of Kent’s most popular burger shacks. The local favourite has perfected their dry-aged fern and farrow beef patties with their signature options including The Classic, featuring two dry-aged beef patties, smoked streaky bacon and grilled halloumi, and the buttermilk chicken burger with mouthwatering southern-fried chicken paired with a side of rosemary-salted fries. 

Moving along Kent’s south-east coastline, the historic market town of Hythe is home to The Lazy Shack, a beachfront eatery set on Fishermen’s Beach. Since opening in 2019, The Lazy Shack has become known for its fresh local seafood, serving everything from dressed crab and fresh lobster and chips to steak burgers. Made using high-quality ingredients, each dish can be enjoyed while sitting on the beach – a suitably relaxed atmosphere with striking sea views of the English Channel.

Further along Kent’s south-eastern coastline, you will find Dungeness beach, a vast stretch of shingle beach that is widely regarded as Britain’s only so-called desert. This unique expanse is home to the Dungeness Snack Shack, a family-run local business built on more than a decade of sustainable fishing and a passion for serving high-quality, fresh seafood every day for both locals and tourists.

Sustainability and traceability are at the heart of the family’s ethos, ensuring every morning, fish is caught early and cooked to perfection. It is this commitment to sustainable fishing which has led to the Dungeness Snack Shack being seen as a must-visit local gem, where the unique geology of Dungeness’s landscape is as special as the delicious seafood found only a few miles off the coast.

Kent’s Top Food Huts

Hut 55

Kent’s food huts continue to grow in popularity, varying only slightly from the much-loved food shacks. Often smaller in size, these artisan huts feature broad menus and are often placed in scenic locations, allowing visitors to enjoy delicious food and a picturesque view.

The seaside town of Margate offers an abundance of local food huts; in particular, set on the Royal Crescent Promenade, you will find Po’ Boy “The Creole Fish Hut”. The seafood hut offers a relaxed, beachside experience, with a menu boasting authentic Creole street food. Each dish infuses bold spices with local seafood and you can try everything from loaded fries and speciality fish and chips to the classic Po’ Boy sandwiches, all to be enjoyed with views of Margate Main Sands.

Heading south to the fishing town of Deal, you will discover the ever-so-popular Hut 55. Found on Deal Beach, Hut 55 is a takeaway cafe serving homemade delights and cooling drinks; the perfect remedy on a hot summer’s day. Open seven days a week, with stretching views of the shoreline, here you can enjoy freshly prepared lobster rolls and shucked oysters, or, if you fancy a sweet treat, the hut offers a number of homemade cakes and pasties made fresh every day.

Food in hand, make your way onto Deal Beach and settle into one of Hut 55’s deck chairs for a traditional seaside experience. Afterwards, Hut 55’s bike rental offers the chance to enjoy a ride on the National Cycle Route 1. Conveniently set adjacent to the hut, the route offers the perfect opportunity to discover Kent’s famous coastline.

For those looking to sample a variety of food huts this summer, the vibrant coastal town of Folkestone has plenty to offer. Blending a historic fishing heritage with modern artists, galleries and thriving restaurants, head to Folkestone Harbour Arm where you’ll find The Goods Yard – an eclectic mix of independent street food huts and bars serving high-quality, fresh food and drink every day. 

The Thirsty Farrier

Starting at The Thirsty Farrier, indulge in one of the freshly made cocktails prepared by expert bartenders, ranging from a classic Mojito to a white chocolate Pina Colada and a refreshing Limoncello Spritz.

Among the huts, you can head to Pork & Co, which is run by a small, dedicated team lead by head chef Tom; all their dishes are made and sourced at the kitchen, bakery and smokehouse based on a rural farm just outside of Canterbury. You can choose from a delicious range of pulled pork and chicken dishes with chips, slaw and salad on the side. Make sure to try the legendary pulled pork bun served in a signature soft sourdough roll, batches of which are made fresh every day.

After a savoury kick, finish off at Bombo Doughnuts, a weekend pop-up serving authentic Italian-style doughnuts. Handcrafted by a dedicated team in Margate, these fresh gourmet doughnuts are packed full of decadent fillings, from the classic jam-filled to lemon meringue and sweet raspberry custard. Pick up a box and head down to Folkestone Beach for a perfect sweet ending by the coast.

Kent’s Top Food Trucks

Rustic Oven

Leaving the coastline behind, one of the most fast-growing industries across the county is Kent’s mobile food vendors. Offering the best of both worlds with quick service and delicious food, this surge has seen pop-up trucks, vans and even double-decker buses becoming the new hot food spots to visit. 

A day out at the Ashford Designer Outlet offers the perfect opportunity to try a number of mobile food vendors. Home to a range of premium fashion and lifestyle brands, the outlet is also home to Top Dog, an ideal pit-stop while exploring the outlet. The popular street food vendor specialises in gourmet hot dogs and loaded fries – perfect for a quick yet delicious lunch.

For a unique dining experience, make your way to The Airport Cafe, based near Ashford. Set in a refurbished double-decker bus, the restaurant on wheels offers a choice of lower and upper-deck dining. Serving a range of hearty meals, you can choose from a menu including classic English breakfasts and roast dinners alongside mouthwatering burgers and doner kebabs, all cooked to order with fresh, high-quality ingredients. 

Making your way to North Kent, you can find Rustic Oven based near Chatham. A mobile wood-fired pizza van, run by Lasitha who has a love for outdoor catering and Italian-style food, Rustic Oven strives to serve gourmet pizzas that taste as good as they look, with the company having gained a loyal following of regular visitors over the years. The menu ranges from the classic margherita to pepperoni and the mighty meaty, which is garnished with spicy ground beef, ham and seasoned chicken.

The Rustic Oven also serves a selection of gourmet hot dogs served with fried onions and jalapenos for a spicy kick, alongside homemade bagels filled with a choice of salt beef, smoked salmon or avocado.

To round off this foodie trail, the Nacho Wagon visits a variety of locations across Medway serving Mexican-style street food fresh every week. The menu features loaded nachos, served with a side of homemade pico de gallo and chunky guacamole, as well as freshly made tacos filled with a range of toppings from Mexican shredded chicken to Peking duck and lamb shawarma. 

Throughout August, the Nacho Wagon will be based in various locations across Medway, with regular weekday stops including Gillingham Business Park on Tuesdays and The George Pub in Rochester on Wednesdays, while weekend locations vary and can be found on the company’s website.