Newest Discoveries We LOVE In Kent
One of the pinnacles of the ‘new year, new me’ mantra is a philosophy of positive change, so what better way of escaping the mundane everyday than exploring what our ever-growing county has to offer?
Now that the January rush of resolutions and post-Christmas clean-up has passed, it’s time to travel outside of our collective comfort zones and try somewhere new. From seaside restaurants and quaint countryside cafes to historic exhibitions and stunning places to stay, here our insideKENT’s top 10 newest discoveries we LOVE in Kent:
Fifteen Square Metres, Broadstairs
A cosy dining room just 15m², this intimate location opened in August 2024 just a stones throw from Viking Bay. Run by MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd and wife Becky (their last offering was notable London hotspot Copper & Ink), Fifteen Square Metres is where an eclectic style meets creative culinary flair. With a menu that is entirely gluten free, vegans are in luck, too as all vegetarian options can be made to suit their dietary needs. Dishes are best enjoyed in a sharing style, with tasty snack plates of olives, smoked almonds or focaccia and butters to start.
Their menu changes frequently with the seasons, though currently features plates of seared venison loin with figs and king oyster mushrooms, winter vegetable rosti with parsnip puree, and cod loin with porcini risotto and tarragon oil. As for desserts, the restaurant spares no expense when maximising flavours with their chocolate baked yoghurt and blood orange compote, or their crémeux with miso caramel and vanilla sesame ice cream. Always delicious and fresh, a meal at Fifteen Square Metres is the perfect place to unwind after a day spent along the Kentish coastline.
Station Books, Tunbridge Wells
Since opening their doors to the town of Tunbridge Wells in November of last year, Station Books have become a welcome respite for book-lovers in Kent. A true indie bookshop owned and run by Tunbridge Wells locals, Laura and Ross, Station Books is high on our list of must-visits this year. Having curated the best reads in new and classic fiction, politics and humanities, children’s titles and much more, Station Books hopes to build a name for itself as a thriving community hub with a range of events fit for every bibliophile.
By community request, Station Books have since launched not one, not two – but three book clubs! From their Cosy Club of heartwarming fiction to In Translation, an exploration of translated titles and Better World, which prompts the big questions in pursuit of a brighter future, there’s a club for everyone’s reading tastes. Each meeting sits 10 people and takes place for one hour a month, which can be booked in advance for £3 per person via their website, stationbooks.co.uk. As we move closer to World Book Day on 6 March, there’s never been a more perfect time of year to shop local and support a passionate, community-driven independent business, all the while scoping out your future favourite reads.
Stacks, Whitstable
Hidden within Emma’s Cafe in Whitstable is Stacks, a sandwich shop with a mission to create bold, flavour-packed sandwiches using the best ingredients Kent has to offer. Collaborating with local suppliers to support the community and serve fresh, mouth-watering sandwiches, Stacks is a great place to stop by for an elevated lunch on the go.
Since their opening back in September, customers have been raving about their hero sandwiches stacked (pun intended) with layers upon layers of indulgent ingredients. Most notably, their Fat Cow sandwich is a combination of slow braised beef short rib with shoestring fries, caramelised onions, horseradish mayo and a hot beef gravy dip pot to accompany it. Even better is their Cluck Norris sandwich, featuring a crispy breaded chicken fillet, miso mayo, pickled red onion and a dip pot of fragrant katsu curry sauce. If you’re on the lookout for uncharted culinary territory this weekend, then why not stack up some flavour at one of Kent’s best new eateries?
Turner Contemporary, Margate
From 2pm on Saturday February 22 to June 1, the Turner Contemporary’s First Floor Galleries will be showcasing its newest exhibition, Resistance, an exploration of how protest shaped Britain – and how photography shaped protest. From the suffragettes marching across London’s streets to the mass protests against the Iraq war, photographers have witnessed and recorded a century of British resistance. Curated by the acclaimed artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen, this landmark exhibition will chronicle how ordinary people fought for change between 1903 and 2003.
Featuring the work of renowned photographers such as Tisha Murta, Edith Tudor-Hart and Christina Broom, Resistance will highlight the moments that shaped modern Britain, both celebrated and forgotten. A four-year project made possible by the Ampersand Foundation Award 2023 and supported by the Dana and Albert R. Broccoli Charitable Foundation, Resistance is well worth a visit for families and friends looking to see through the lens of some of Britain’s bravest photographers.
Colts Hill Glamping Pods, Five Oak Green
A family-run glamping experience situated in the heart of the Kentish countryside, Colts Hill Glamping offers luxurious pods to pairs and small groups from just £110 per night. Well-equipped to accommodate two adults and two children, each pod benefits from a comfortable bed, kitchen equipment with crockery and utensils, an en-suite bathroom and outdoor decking area featuring a barbeque, patio table and chairs, and access to a fire pit.
Established on former farmland and overlooking the quiet fishing lakes, guests are encouraged to explore the surrounding woodlands to make the most out of their stay. A short drive from Maidstone town, guests can take a day-trip to the museum or embrace the outdoors even further at Little Fant Farm. For the best spot of serenity this side of Kent, Mote Park is a vast green space of woodland, grassland, rivers and a 30-acre lake to enjoy.
The Blue Pigeons, Worth
Having reopened in mid-December after a stunning refurbishment, The Blue Pigeons is a cosy retreat where guests can feel right at home within the charming village of Worth. A family-run English restaurant and hotel, The Blue Pigeons take pride in serving delicious, locally sourced and seasonal food in an inviting atmosphere, with eight cosy rooms designed for a peaceful escape of utter comfort and relaxation.
Here, a menu of delightful dishes awaits; from hearty family meals to plates for special occasions, each paired with a glass of one of their carefully selected wines. As for an overnight stay, guests will be met by luxurious rooms of simple soft furnishings, relaxing blue interiors and tasteful decorations just enough to provide at-home comforts, but with an ambience of elegance. Prospective guests can enquire on their website, thebluepigeons.co.uk, and are sure to find a weekend away at this newly-renovated haven a rejuvenating and refreshing experience.
The Woodfire Kitchen, Whitstable
A family-friendly spot offering relaxed dining and delicious takeaway for all to enjoy, The Woodfire Kitchen has been serving up everyone’s favourite pizzas since December of last year. In a building that was once The Nelson Inn from 1871-1981, the kitchen now brings a little wood-fire flare to 49 Harbour Street, just a stone’s throw from Whitstable’s iconic pebbled beach.
The Woodfire Kitchen is a love story of the Italian classics, with a menu serving up fresh and authentic sourdough pizzas from prosciutto with parmesan and rocket to Patate e Salsiccia with a white base, rosemary, potatoes and fennel sausage. The first of its kind in the town, The Woodfire Kitchen also offers handcrafted garlic dough bowls with homemade spaghetti bolognese for those who can’t choose between the warm comforts of pasta and that iconic, charred woodfire taste. With small bites, sharing platters and plenty of Italian-inspired desserts to enjoy, The Woodfire Kitchen is one of our favourite new discoveries in Kent.
Rewind Festival at Dreamland, Margate
The much-loved ‘80s festival is back this summer – and for the very first time – it’s coming to Kent. Bringing old-school tunes by artists such as Midge Ure, Nik Kershaw, Tony Hadley and Heaven 17, the one-day festival is sure to bring all attendees to their feet for a day of iconic music. From Dreamland’s Scenic Stage, the outdoor event – aka Rewind at Sea – will be welcome to all ages, though under 18s must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or older relative.
At Dreamland, visitors can also enjoy a great array of retro and vintage rides and amusements, with plenty of street food places on site to cater for every palate. For those wanting to have a more luxurious experience, VIP tickets will grant them access to the special Rewind VIP area with uninterrupted stage views as well as private access to even more food and bar facilities. Beginning at 5pm on Saturday June 14 2025, Kent’s very first Rewind Festival is one you’ll not want to miss.
Bar Ingo, Broadstairs
A San Sebastián-inspired gem in the heart of Broadstairs, Bar Ingo is a place for small plates and great wines. The restaurant opened its doors in July of 2024, and has been taking inspiration from the fun, informal and fast service of the Basque country ever since. Far more than ‘just’ Spanish cuisine, Bar Ingo is a space for all occasions, from a quick bite to an indulgent glass of wine with an extra special dinner. Led by the Swedish-born chef, Tomas Eriksson with the help of his son, Rio, Bar Ingo boasts a delicious menu that truly is the pinnacle of al-fresco dining.
Standout dishes include their burrata with salsa verde, chicken schnitzel with pickles and curry mayo, and seared tuna with romesco and chimichurri. Alongside a positively sparkling wine list featuring the very best bottles of white, red, rose and fizz, guests will be sure to find the perfect pairing with their small plates. Serving flavourful dishes in a warm environment filled to the brim with ambience, Bar Ingo is a must-visit for those looking to try somewhere new in Kent this February.
Dragonfly Farm Cafe & Farm Shop, Speldhurst
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Coming soon to the Dragonfly Farm, Speldhurst is a brand new farm shop and cafe project taking cues from the traditional oast house form. With building work underway and a projected opening in Spring of this year, the Dragonfly Farm Cafe & Farm Shop is one to keep on your radar as we move closer towards those warmer months.
The farm shop will offer produce grown on-site alongside that which has been sourced from the local area, with the cafe acting as a local amenity space for friends and families to unwind together. With a central, semi-external walkway serving as a main entrance to both, visitors will be able to wander freely between the farm’s nursery space and idyllic courtyard beyond. Sure to be a rich addition to Speldhurst’s local scene, and is one we certainly can’t wait for this year.
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