Family-friendly dining in the Garden of England
Family Foodie
When it comes to venturing out in search of great food with the littlest family members in tow, it’s a combination of friendly spaces, menu variety and entertainment to match that makes all the difference. From relaxed Sunday feasts with a backdrop of roaming animals to sweet treats aplenty, the freshest farm-to-fork dining and fun grab-and-go bites, Kent is brimming with family-favourite foodie hotspots, each promising a gastronomic adventure both kids and grown-ups will happily be on board with.
The Radnor Arms
Dining with a Difference
Landing an impressive fifth place in The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs in Britain 2025 and housed within a characterful Victorian pub now filled with eclectic decor and cosy furnishings, The Radnor Arms is the perfect modern pub to retreat to when a family foodie outing is on the cards. Making the very most of its Garden of England setting, the kitchen champions the finest local food and drink across its raved-about menus – from weeknight specials to brunch and flatbreads. It’s Kentish cooking at its best, with even the considered children’s menu featuring the likes of fresh Docker bread and Taywell ice cream.
Surrounded by rolling hills and woodland walking trails just outside of Canterbury, this perfectly unfussy gastropub is serious about refined, produce-led cooking, but equally about offering a warm, relaxed setting perfect for dining with the youngest family members. Promising excellent bar snacks, standout children’s Sunday roasts and the more recent addition of a brand-new outside bar and suntrap patio area, with live music and plenty of space for the little ones to run around and burn off some energy.
Keeping things as seasonal and local as possible, neighbourhood and Folkestone Creative Quarter hotspot Marleys offers a lovely homely feel for a leisurely family brunch, lunch or dinner. Children’s options here are as fresh as can be: grilled local carrots, crispy beetroot bites, grilled flatbread with creamy butterbean dip and veggie or beef burgers with sweet potato fries. Marleys are also known for their mouthwatering breakfast spreads, with little tummies sure to love the impressive pancake stacks and fluffy doughnut balls.
A cherished village pub with rooms complete with a bright and airy dining room and fantastic garden and terrace, The Milk House is perfect for those seeking something a little more refined, but just as equipped for families. If paying a visit on a Sunday, families can look forward to a great Sunday roast served with crispy roasties, fresh vegetables and lashings of gravy, while spring’s children’s menu highlights include a chargrilled halloumi, potato and red onion frittata, a rhubarb and apple crumble, and pots of Kentish Simply Ice Cream. The Milk House’s famed wood-fired pizzas are also sure to go down a treat as they are served outside in the garden until the end of September.
Situated in the village of Langley, this Scandinavian-inspired pub is the epitome of a family pub. With a spacious garden and play area for the little ones to run off some steam and soak up the fresh air, The Potting Shed serves up extensive menus of classic Kentish pub and globally inspired fare, all made with handpicked local produce and suitable for even the fussiest of little eaters, alongside popular private dining spaces for special family gatherings.
A beautifully historic 17th-century pub nestled just outside the remarkable Knole estate that has been nourishing and refreshing travellers for over 300 years. A family favourite for its lovely garden and friendly team, The White Hart is all about sourcing top-quality ingredients for its ever-changing menus that take on the British classics complemented by influences from global cuisines. Expect a varied children’s menu covering delicious nibbles of crispy baby squid and red pepper and tomato hummus with flatbread, alongside mains such as beer-battered fish and chips, mozzarella and tomato topped ‘pizza’ ciabatta and Cumberland sausages finished off with warm puddings or a great choice of ice cream flavours.
Light Bites & Littles’ Entertainment
The Garden Room, Port Lympne Reserve
A delightful play café passionate about creating a friendly spot for families to eat and meet. Keen to take the usual stress away from eating out with a hungry toddler in tow, Ollie Polly founders Amy and Neil are dedicated to providing families with a warm space for under fives to meet and make friends over breakfast, brunch, lunch or early dinner. Also has a Montessori-style play area designed for baby and toddler development, learning, social and cognitive skills, and a fantastic menu of snacks and dishes made to order, including vegan and dairy-free options alongside in-house baked cakes.
The proud home of a myriad of species from meerkats, squirrel monkeys and ring-tailed lemurs, to Amazon parrots and toco toucans, Medway’s Fenn Bell Conservation Project is one for the animal-loving adventurers. Alongside offering seasonal events and a variety of animal experiences, allowing all ages to get up close to and learn all about the animals that call Fenn Bell home, The Fenn Bell Inn sits at the heart of the site and boasts fresh, thoughtfully curated breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, including a wide selection for little ones and quick and easy packed lunches – perfect for a light bite on the go.
A wonderful charity supporting and caring for individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities, empowering them to learn and grow, Aspens’ beautiful Pembury site offers a fantastic café that makes for a delightful spot to grab a bite with the littles. Serving a selection of hot and cold beverages and a selection of delicious cakes, meals, sandwiches and snacks, The Bluebell Café is only a hop and skip away from Aspens’ outdoor gym, playground, idyllic woodland walk and animal farm home to donkeys, alpacas, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ponies, ducks, goats and resident emus Charles and Camilla!
A small, independent Margate café that has become a lively community hub for all ages. Sip on local, speciality coffee and tuck into freshly prepared deli sandwiches and sweet bakes, all while the children run wild in the cafe’s popular play area. High Tide also regularly exhibits inspiring works from a range of local artists and plays host to a calendar of inclusive events such as Little Chef cooking clubs and creative workshops.
Dining at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
A remarkable 600-acre reserve that’s home to over 900 animals across 75 species that includes giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers and Kent’s only spectacled bears, Port Lympne often ranks top of the list of the county’s top family days out for its unforgettable safari experience. After exploring the Dinosaur Forest, embarking on a safari truck tour and spotting the extraordinary animals across the reserve, you’ll certainly be in need of a refuel in one of Port Lympne’s superb dining locations. Set within the pretty Mediterranean gardens, Babydoll’s Wood-Fired Pizza restaurant is the perfect pitstop for child-friendly, authentic Italian bites in an informal and welcoming setting, or The Garden Room is sure to be a hit with its small plates for young explorers and generous Sunday roasts. Open seasonally to short break guests, Bear Lodge Restaurant also serves up a variety of all-day spreads with lovely reserve views.
Afternoon Teas & Treats
The Lane
Boasting a relaxed environment for foodie enjoyment, only a short distance from Deal’s seafront, The Lane is a firm family favourite for its fresh breakfasts, lunch bites and immersive themed afternoon teas. Kids are certain to love The Lane’s imaginative spreads, with tiers of freshly baked savouries, cakes and treats taking inspiration from their best-loved films and characters. Running until 17 May, the NeverLANE Afternoon Tea will whisk its diners away to a magical land complete with Lost Boys sliders, mermaid cheesecakes and a treasure chest filled with chocolate coins. The NeverLANE Afternoon Tea is £22.50 per child and £45 per adult.
There’s nothing quite like having your meal delivered to your table by a wonderfully restored vintage model railway. Nestled in the quaint village of Newenden, family-run cafe Nibbles is an all-round hit promising warm welcomes, homemade food and a dining experience to remember. Perfect for both little appetites and grown-up feasts, with plenty of options available from breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, kids can await the arrival of their chosen eats on the model trains before tucking into a classic breakfast sandwich or hearty burger.
Set amongst acres of family-run farmland in the heart of Ripple, Solley’s has been making delicious Kentish ice cream for over 30 years. As warmer days are upon us, Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour & Café is open daily for fresh scoops, with over 20 flavours to choose from in tubs, cones or delicious sundaes. There’s also plenty to keep the family entertained on the farm with tractor rides running at weekends, a host of summer events and a campsite. Another refuel on the cards, The Pub at Solley’s serves an extensive refreshment lineup alongside toasties, cheeseboards, warm pastries and afternoon teas.
Street Food Fun
Folkestone’s famed Harbour Arm is a hub of culinary delights and creative fun for a family day beside the sea well spent. Along the arm, discover a host of vibrant independents with the likes of delicious seafood and Mediterranean food served in brilliantly converted railway carriages. On The Goods Yard, easy, crowd-pleasing grab-and-go bites are in abundance – think authentic Nepalese street food, ice cream, stacked sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas and loaded jacket potatoes alongside coffee and tipples for the grown-ups. It also makes for a great picnic should you choose to take your chosen cuisine to go and enjoy it on the beach itself.
Known for its excellent stocks of farm fresh produce, renowned food hall Macknade is a beloved pitstop for tasty Kentish fare. Alongside its cosy café which serves a plethora of locally sourced juices and children’s dishes packed with hearty goodness to keep the little ones happy, Macknade’s vibrant Food Village has returned for the 2026 season with an array of street-food favourites. Complete with indoor and outdoor seating and lots of family entertainment, the village boasts a fantastic lineup of local indies to sample the delights of including Macknade’s own Hop Shed Bar & Kitchen, fully stacked burgers from Notorious BRG, delicious Japanese eats from Little Katsu Kitchen, hand-stretched wood fired pizza from Sig Pizza, cheesy bites from Mac & Stacks and irresistible scoops from Bears Ice Cream.
