Culinary Class: A Celebration of Kent’s Award-Winning Restaurants
A county that continues to triumph in gastronomic greatness, Kent’s impressive collection of well-deserved accolades is a testament to both its rich bounty and the innovative culinary talents that celebrate it.
While our county’s breathtaking landscapes, rich heritage and worthy Garden of England coin has long captured the attention of cultural ramblers far and wide, in recent years, it is arguably Kent’s bold and burgeoning dining scene that has stirred up the most praise. Brimming with fresh visions, expertise and the kind of honed craftsmanship that demands attention, our county’s ever growing roster of award-winning dining destinations is not to be missed.
From gastropub gems to Michelin-starred jewels, let insideKENT’s award-winning dining hotlist for 2026 inspire another year of Kentish gastronomic revelry.
Image by: Saltwick Media
hide and fox, Saltwood
In an intimate dining room exuding warmth and sophistication, nestled in the quaint village of Saltwood, Allister Barsby and Alice Bussi’s shared penchant for provenance, flavour, beautifully pairing wines and impeccable hospitality has secured three AA Rosettes and made local gastronomic history as Kent’s first restaurant to hold two Michelin stars, achieved in 2025 and retained in February 2026.
Allister’s expressive and creative, but equally assured approach to classic British and European cookery is underpinned by a pure love of fresh seasonal produce, intertwined with his Kent coast roots and in-depth experience as an award-winning chef. This is seamlessly complemented by Alice’s sheer expertise, hand-picked wine list – featuring accessible bottles, family run wineries and the finest English wine estates – and comfortably polished front-of-house service that makes a dining experience here feel as relaxed as it does utterly special.
The Fordwich Arms, Fordwich
Sitting resplendent beside the idyllic River Stour and set within a stunning, ivy-clad old pub complete with a lovely 1930’s bar and oak-panelled dining room warmed by three open fires, The Fordwich Arms is nothing short of a culinary victory.
Chef-patrons Daniel and Natasha Smith have honed a signature style shaped by exemplary training and a shared passion for contemporary dining, unsurprisingly earning them one of the county’s mightiest collection of accolades. Highlights include Dan taking the crown for both Observer’s Young Chef of the Year 2016 and Estrella Damm Top 50 Chef of the Year in 2024, as well as one Michelin star, three AA Rosettes and a current position of No.19 on Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs for 2026. The seasonal tasting menu here is unmissable, currently showcasing the likes of a South Coast native lobster with Kentish gooseberry, squash and lobster butter sauce, and a roast Peking duck with glazed sausage, carrot and plum.
The Sportsman, Seasalter
Overlooking the sweeping shores of Seasalter, steered by the locally and nationally celebrated Stephen Harris, Michelin-starred gastropub The Sportsman is one of Kent’s most revered dining spots, where a setting that is both rustic and relaxed simultaneously carries an air of quiet, expectant triumph.
With the vast Thames Estuary, surrounding marshes, woodlands and fertile soils dictating what is served, the cooking changes day by day and is offered as a three-course midweek menu and a five-course tasting menu, combining long-loved recipes with thoughtful new interpretations. Served with confidence and a recognisable precision, dishes take the form of a poached salmon fillet with dill and pickled vegetables, game terrine with pickled walnut ketchup and linguine with black truffle.
The Small Holding, Kilndown
Under the esteemed stewardship of chef and owner Will Devlin, this rightfully raved-about Michelin Green Star establishment, set on its very own biodiverse farm, is every bit deserving of its national applause, with each element of its fervent identity firmly planted in a philosophy of farm-to-table excellence.
Guided by core principles including low intervention, organic farming methods and no-dig growing practices to preserve nutrients and diversity, the farm produces over 180 ingredients for the restaurant, with everything else sourced from a small community of nearby farmers. Alongside a wine list showcasing organic and biodynamic vineyards, diners can choose from the Full Acre tasting menu, a seven-course exploration of hyper-seasonal flavours, or the Half Acre menu, a five-course option offering a more concise yet equally delectable experience.
Angela’s, Margate
An unassuming seafront star with an ethos rooted in sustainability, simplicity and seasonality, Angela’s serves up a daily changing menu of sublime local seafood, alongside fresh vegetable-led dishes. Recognised with a notable Michelin Green Star for its commitment to responsibility, the team works directly with growers, fishermen and suppliers who understand how to make the most of their produce while minimising environmental impact.
At the end of the month, Angela’s will close the chapter for sister restaurant Dory’s and expand next door to create a larger dining space. Fans of Dory’s can expect raw, pickled and cured dishes to find a new home on Angela’s menus, alongside exciting new additions – making Angela’s the one to watch in the year ahead.
Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford, Sevenoaks
A boldly authentic and colourful celebration of Sierra Leone’s culinary legacy, infused with rich heritage, tradition and utter passion, award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford’s debut restaurant Shwen Shwen has swiftly ascended the ranks of Kent’s ones-to-watch since opening in June 2025, most recently achieving aMichelin Bib Gourmand for 2026 and being named as Michelin Opening of the Year at the prestigious awards last month.
With prestigious Michelin inspectors praising the spatchcock poussin with palm butter sauce for having ‘‘provided an invigorating kick”, Shwen Shwen’s menus form a distinctive, palate-exciting kaleidoscope of flavour as Maria sets out to create plates that tell stories, redefine fine dining and sing with contemporary West African flair.
The Dog at Wingham, Wingham
With much to be applauded for, including a recent ranking of No.12 in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs for 2026, The Dog at Wingham are true masters at contemporary British cuisine that is both polished and beautifully hearty. Helmed by head chef Charlie Kendall-Smith, menus here are a masterclass in local, seasonal splendour, with Charlie at the forefront of hand-selecting only the finest ingredients to demonstrate the very best in modern Kentish fare.
Expect innovative plates such as a whipped smoked cod’s roe with caviar, or Cornish sole with Sobrasada caper sauce, clams and samphire, sitting comfortably alongside elevated pub classics and a carefully chosen wine list representing the world’s most-celebrated regions and varietals.
Sargasso, Margate
Nestled on the sea wall of Margate’s harbour arm, Sargasso is an intimate wine bar and restaurant with a small yet mighty, designed-to-share dish offering that allows quality ingredients to truly shine.
Proud holders of a Bib Gourmand which recognises the sought-after pairing of good value and good quality cooking, Sargasso harnesses all that’s loved about coastal dining: fresh flavours, delightful seafood and Mediterranean and European influences, infused with oodles of Margate cool and a global perspective. Savour seasonally inspired light bites, fried snacks and fresh fish sharers, while sipping on natural wines, perfectly picked with the ever-changing menu in mind.
Tallow, Southborough
Striking the perfect balance between unpretentious simplicity and bold technique, Southborough’s Tallow is led by the esteemed Rob Taylor, whose meticulous attention to detail and modern approach has created an outstanding culinary destination – recently crowned No.25 on SquareMeal’s UK Top 100 Restaurants for 2026.
Alongside a monthly changing á la carte and tasting menu, diners are encouraged to nab a coveted seat at The Chef’s Table, a fully immersive culinary adventure set within the restaurant’s private dining room. Seating just eight per evening, guests can watch on in awe as Rob serves up a seven-course tasting menu cooked entirely at the table, soaking up tips from the top as he talks all things ingredients and his well-practised craft.
The Kentish Hare, Bidborough
Owned by the celebrated Tanner Brothers, Chris and James, this honest, relaxed yet expertly refined gastropub has continued to rank among Kent’s finest since opening its doors in 2014. With two AA Rosettes to its name, it was crowned Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Best Newcomer of the Year in 2016 and has consistently placed in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs, currently sitting at No. 21 for 2026.
A masterclass in bold flavour pairings and beautifully plated fare, the Tanner brothers are devoted to catering to a diverse range of tastes while always emphasising top-notch Kentish produce. Menus are straightforward yet accomplished, showcasing great local cuts, produce-led vegetarian and vegan dishes, and excellently dressed fish and seafood – from wild seabass to Cornish crab.
Bowleys at The Plough, Trottiscliffe
Praised for its unwavering farm-to-table finesse, Bowleys at The Plough is the work of talented duo Alex and Grace Yates, who together create a seamless dining experience – defined by exceptional food, attentive service and thoughtful drink pairings. A trio that has earned two AA Rosettes, The Good Food Guide recommendations and a place in the Michelin Guide, no less.
At its heart lies The Nursery, where just 300 metres from the kitchen, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers shape extraordinary seasonal menus. Guiding guests on a culinary journey across the British Isles, Bowleys’ aim is simple yet profound: ‘to help guests connect with where their food comes from, sharing a belief that every dish carries the story of a person, a place and a purpose.’
The Counter by Robin Read, Tunbridge Wells
The masterful Robin Read is the visionary behind this Michelin-listed Tunbridge Wells restaurant that takes its inspiration from a love of classical cookery, a curious mind for new techniques and a long family history of serving great produce over a counter. With an acclaimed career spent training and working alongside some of the country’s finest chefs in many of the nation’s most-prestigious Michelin-starred kitchens, it’s little surprise that Robin’s solo venture has captured the attention of critics and local foodies alike.
Championing top produce from artisanal suppliers, maximising ingredients to reduce waste and never missing that artful finish the restaurant is becoming known for, The Counter is perhaps best recognised for its sought-after Kitchen Counter seats, where diners are served a brilliantly executed nine-course menu, cooked, plated and served by Read himself.
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