Decadent Delights & Festive Feasts: Kent’s Christmas Dining Picks
Kentish fizz, spiced puds, creative cocktails, the sweetest of treats and dishes celebrating winter warmth and seasonal glory, Christmas time in Kent is an endless supply of delicious indulgences to sample and savour.
Some would say that Christmas is synonymous with food, and in our spirited foodie county, they couldn’t be more right. While the decades behind us have written beloved recipes of brandy-soaked puddings and turkey with all the trimmings into tradition, today’s festive dining lineup is an all the more adventurous affair. With Kent’s array of culinary masters at the helm, this time of year is a true celebration of local seasonal produce paired with finesse and festivity. So, whether you’re brunching with bubbles, dining in pure sparkly splendour or seeking all the comfort and joy of the classics, it’s right here in Kent that you’ll find the perfect ingredients to make this Christmas a special one.
Rocksalt, Folkestone
SEASONAL BRUNCHING & LUNCHING
A cosy Christmas is promised when festive brunching and lunching at Kent’s relaxed dining hotspots.
Oad Street Food & Crafts, Borden
Winter dining doesn’t get much cosier than Oad Street’s four luxurious pods, nestled in the café’s picturesque courtyard and dressed with faux fur throws and blankets, twinkly lighting and toasty heating. Settle in with a bucks fizz and enjoy a relaxed soundtrack while sharing a signature Brunch Board stacked with freshly baked cinnamon buns, bagels, sausages, bacon, smashed avocado, sweet waffles and seasonal fruits. Over the weekend, Oad Street’s Afternoon Tea Boards are a tempting alternative, complete with unlimited tea or cafetière coffee.
A stylish neighborhood café built upon a passion to bring people together over great food and drink, Fed on the Green makes for an excellent choice for festive brunching. Made fresh daily with top local produce, plates brim with love and flavour, think French toast, buttermilk pancakes, eggs aplenty and tasty breakfast bites, all served in a welcoming space that feels like the perfect retreat from the winter chill. For larger gatherings, Fed’s sister company, Fabulously Fed, brings indulgence straight to you with their lavish grazing boards piled high with delicious cheese and charcuterie or bespoke catering options.
Christmas with Kent’s Elite Pubs
Comprising an array of wonderful locations across the county – including The Wishful Thinker in Lenham, The Farm House in West Malling and The Pig & Sty in Bethersden – Elite Pubs has got Christmas dining covered in every corner of Kent. For something extra special, gather your nearest and dearest and step into one of their enchanting Forest Lodge adventure shacks. Cosily decorated and perfectly private, these delightful dining spaces offer the ideal scene to linger over festive lunches of hearty dishes such as Kentish game terrine, Romney Marsh lamb and ever-pleasing pud, yule log.
Christmas at Elite Pubs
FESTIVE FINE DINING
Opulence and seasonal splendour is served at these acclaimed restaurants where festive dining is crafted to perfection.
Smart, chic and cantilevered over Folkestone Harbour, Rocksalt impresses before a dining experience here even begins. Two AA Rosette award-winning, this revered restaurant and bar is gearing up for a Christmas to remember with a dining lineup fit for every kind of celebration. Rocksalt’s Christmas party menus are available from 26 November until Christmas Eve lunch, and their Christmas feasts offer exquisite sharing dishes and a sparkling setting perfect for larger groups. Rightfully taking centre stage this year is the restaurant’s seven-course Christmas lunch menu served exclusively on Christmas Day which, staying true to their ethos of seasonal Kentish food at its best, showcases quality dishes such as an Orchard Park Farm pork tenderloin Wellington and a selection of cheeses from the Cheesemakers of Canterbury.
Against a backdrop of warm furnishings, roaring fires, traditional Christmas decor and a frosty landscape stretching out across the Swale Estuary, The Ferry House is a magical place to dine during the festive season. A stunning 16th-century events venue with no shortage of toasty nooks and hearty heritage, as well as a thriving family farm and extensive kitchen gardens, The Ferry House’s talented team are prided on their use of homegrown and farmed produce that set the tone for their proudly Kentish menus.
The Ferry House
Bowleys at The Plough, Trottiscliffe
Indulgent, fiercely local and the kind of dining that feels truly special but relaxed and accessible, Bowleys at The Plough regularly tops the list when it comes to festive fine dining with a difference. Known best for their curated tasting menus and dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients, including a wealth from our blossoming county and their very own nursery, Bowleys is triumphant in offering a dining experience that feels both refined and rooted.
On 31 December, join Bowleys for their anticipated New Year’s Eve tasting menu. Dining with fellow guests in a convivial setting, you’ll savour a procession of courses including delicate canapés, artisan breads, intricate mains and delectable petit fours. With a fine sparkling wine in hand, this decadent evening is the perfect way to ring in the new year amongst like-minded lovers of exceptional food and festive revelry.
THE PIG – at Bridge Place, nr Canterbury
Winter garden flavours at their very best, THE PIG – at Bridge Place is a dreamy boutique hotel that makes you feel right at home from the very moment you step through its doors. A former 17th-century country house turned eclectic foodie haven, it’s all about characterful period features, quiet luxury and menus shaped by both exceptional kitchen gardens and the hotel’s famous 25-mile menu philosophy.
This Christmas, their chefs are serving up feasts set to excite – think garden-grown parsnips, locally sourced cuts and fish fresh caught off the Kent coast, all enhanced by glorious foraged herbs, pairing wines and winter cocktails. In signature PIG style, Christmas day itself goes above and beyond with a three-course menu beginning with Piggy Bits and a mulled wine.
Nestled in the heart of the charming market town, with romantically lit dining spaces dressed in rich tones and stylish furnishings, St.Leonard’s bottles up indulgence, style and warm welcomes in one shiny Christmas package.
Guests can perch at the bar for casual small plates, opt for a delicious weekend brunch or savour a tasting menu for up to eight guests in the restaurant. For something more exclusive, the Turner and Barton private dining rooms perfectly set the scene for long lunches, celebratory dinners and festive drinks. The cocktail menu here is just as impressive, brimming with creative mixology and seasonal inspiration.
THE PIG – at Bridge Place Image by: Sam Grady
SPARKLING AFTERNOON TEAS
Traditional elegance meets festive flavour with afternoon teas that bring a seasonal twist to this quintessential treat.
Grandeur, glamour and the elegance of a traditional Christmas at this awe-inspiring manor surrounded by frosty manicured gardens is nothing short of divine – perfectly captured at Eastwell’s Afternoon Tea and Carols event taking place on 12 and 20 December. As the aroma of freshly baked scones and festive patisserie mingles with the merry sounds of the season performed live by acoustic duo Deux Melodies, guests will be treated to a specially curated festive afternoon tea. Delicate finger sandwiches, winter-spiced petit fours and warm scones are paired with fine teas or sparkling wine for those wishing to raise a glass in true Eastwell style.
A contemporary seafront bolthole that has made special occasions their speciality, Hythe Imperial does Christmas spectacularly. A true festive highlight however, is its seasonal twist on its already cherished afternoon tea. Served in the historic Windsor Tea Parlour – and the perfect opportunity to take respite from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations – devour a picture-perfect spread of sandwiches such as turkey, stuffing and cranberry, and smoked salmon and dill cream cheese, alongside fruit scones, mince pies and marzipan Christmas cake, all served with your choice of tea, coffee or bubbly.
Known and loved for their creatively imagined afternoon teas that transport families into new worlds with thrilling themes, The Lane is once again bringing festive magic to the table with its new Elf Afternoon Tea. Bursting with yuletide cheer and playful nods to the hit Christmas flick, it’s a spread that promises to delight all ages. Available from 25 November – 4 January, look forward to tucking into tiers of sandwiches, colourful cakes and innovative sweet treats in the comfortable setting of this cosy café tucked just off Deal’s high street.
Bringing boatloads of festive flavour to the shore, Buoy and Oyster’s praised festive afternoon teas have returned, with even more sparkling savouries and sweet bites to delight your taste buds. With the sweeping Margate Sands as your backdrop, the talented team behind this family-run restaurant and seafood bar are passionate about creating dishes that are both delicious and visually enchanting, and their afternoon tea is no exception. With a mix of traditional creations and exciting new tastes, all handcrafted to perfection, these terrific platters are undeniably a holiday season treat, made even sweeter by the allure of Margate’s winter coastline.
Eastwell Manor
Image by: Fleur Challis Photography
CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS
Shake up your seasonal celebrations with a visit to Kent’s top cocktail spots and experiences.
Set in a restored former city gaol, The Pound is as atmospheric as it gets. Located right in the heart of historic Canterbury, it’s especially magical in the winter months with twinkling lights, a buzzing festive crowd and a cocktail list full of seasonal serves. Expect cosy corners, creative tipples and a front-row seat to Canterbury’s Christmas charm.
A quirky seafront bar that has become a go-to for locals and visitors alike, during seasonal festivities, Little Swift will reimagine their inventive cocktail lineup to reflect the wonders of Christmas, served alongside an array of natural wines, craft beers and spirits. Pair your refreshment of choice with a delightful cheese and charcuterie platter for the ultimate treat by the sea.
Cocktail Masterclass with Gaia Studio and Distillery Tasting, Folkestone
On 13 December, trendy homeware and cocktail hub Gaia Studio at Folkestone Harbour will be holding an immersive cocktail masterclass including exclusive tastings with Pleasant Land Distillery. A perfect pre-Christmas outing for friends and family, or anyone looking to add a little flair to their festive hosting this year, after each tasting participants will follow along to make cocktails that showcase each spirit, learning the secrets behind great mixology, shaking their own serves and sampling their creations.
Gilda
Image by: Ashleigh Britten
iK’s Top Five Marvellous Mince Pie Pitstops
Gently spiced and offering all the warmth and comfort, mince pies are a Christmas staple – and luckily for us, Kent’s praised bakers offer some of the very finest.
Renowned for their artisan bakes, Gilda’s mince pies are rich and buttery, and packed with all the nostalgic flavours that keep loyal fans returning year after year.
Florence’s Artisan Bakery, Hythe
A trendy bakery on the high street whose sweet and crumbly mince pies pair perfectly with an expertly brewed coffee or a warming hot chocolate.
Handcrafted and baked to order, Trudy’s scrumptious mince pies are filled with succulent fruit, nuts and spices, infused with brandy and encased in sweet pastry topped with a sprinkling of sugar.
Known for their award-winning sourdough, Docker’s take on the traditional mince pie often showcases its own creative edge – think bold flavours and a rustic, hearty finish.
Halstead Bakery, Tunbridge Wells
This beloved bakery is prided on its collaborations with local producers that create the most outstanding bakes – including, of course, tasty mince pies once the festive season has begun..
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