Discover a vibrant journey of fearless flavours, ambitious makers and taste-bud triumphs – a true testament to the bold foodie identity that Kent has made its own. 

In a county where difference is well and truly celebrated and rule-ripping innovation is placing it firmly on the global stage, flavour magic can be found in abundance. Not one to do things by halves, Kent’s food and beverage scene has never been so exciting. Bridging the gap between sustainable strides and modern technique, fusing global cultures with long-loved Garden of England tastes and weaving heritage with all things fresh and forward-thinking, the county’s wealth of chefs, creators and crafters are redefining taste rather brilliantly. 

From boundary-pushing kitchens bringing never-before-seen creativity to the culinary landscape to groundbreaking confectioners turning chocolate into edible artistry and distillers telling stories in every crafted concoction – not to mention those transforming not just dishes but entire settings into immersive foodie destinations – join us in a flavour feast for the senses and a rightful celebration of those swapping out the norm and, in doing so, creating some of the most thrilling food and drink experiences around. 

INNOVATIVE PLATES & BOLD TAKES

The Blue Pelican

THE PIG – at Bridge Place, Bridge, nr Canterbury

Glorious garden-to-table dining at its best, THE PIG – at Bridge Place’s much-loved restaurant offerings is a proud homage to Kent’s rich agricultural landscape. While the dishes here are refined and often guided by the philosophy of ‘simple food done well’, it’s the restaurant’s celebrated 25-mile menu – and its extraordinary use of kitchen garden produce and ingredients from nearby suppliers – that makes a meal here feel so wonderfully unique and unmistakably Kentish. With plates shaped entirely by Bridge Place’s gardener and forager’s top picks, and additional food and drink sourced strictly within a 25-mile radius of the hotel, diners are in for a masterclass in hyper-local feasting. 

Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford, Sevenoaks

A relatively new addition to Kent’s acclaimed dining hotlist, but already setting the culinary stage alight with its unapologetic flavour-led ambition – which has led to the restaurant being named Michelin Opening of the Year and picking up a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2026 – is Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford. 

Award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford’s debut restaurant Shwen Shwen is a colourful love letter to Maria’s homeland of Sierra Leone, honouring the stories and spice of West Africa through a distinctive Afro-fusion menu that is woven with tradition, respect and long-cherished ingredients. Expect standout dishes such as spatchcock poussin with palm butter, plantain hand pie and tomato, and pineapple with cassava, grains of selim and coconut ice cream.

The Blue Pelican, Deal

A gloriously swish seafront belle that has swept up locals and critics alike for its classy yet exploratory take on Japanese-inspired dining from head chef Luke Green. Having lived and trained in Tokyo, Luke brings the freshest of knowledge and concepts to Deal’s coastline with the kind of ingenuity expectant diners pore over; an act made all the more enjoyable by the open kitchen that takes centre stage in the beautifully finished dining room.

On Friday and Saturday, the full menu is served offering singing fish and veggie flavours: raw hamachi with fermented turnip tops and green mandarin, Jerusalem artichoke misozuke and chestnut clay-baked donabe, and a pork katsu with castel franco and sesame dressing. Served on a Thursday and Sunday, The Blue Pelican’s ramen menu is equally famed, boasting a curated broth selection brimming with quality ingredients. 

The Dining Club, Deal

Leading the way with a unique concept that invites parties to be seated in individual dining rooms – more like an intimate private supper than a traditional restaurant – The Dining Club are fervent champions of dining with a difference. 

Helmed by talented head chef Scott Roberts and front-of-house extraordinaire Suzanne Roberts, the pair deliver impeccable service within exquisitely decorated Georgian-style rooms suited to every occasion. Their weekly changing menu takes diners on a journey across the globe – from classic British and refined French fare to dishes packed with Spanish soul, Chinese-inspired feasts and even Scott’s own interpretation of an internationally renowned chef.

MARVELLOUS MAKERS

Curry Smugglers

Carrington Foods

Based in the heart of Faversham, it was helping his grandmother in the kitchen that saw Carrington’s flavour-loving founder Dominic discover his love of food and cooking. After a career as a chef, Dominic went on to set up his own food stall, serving tasty vegetarian and vegan food at festivals, markets and private events. Spotting a gap in the market for the right sauces to properly accompany his food, however, he decided to create his very own. Enter Chillichup – a deliciously versatile mild chilli sauce made with a rich mix of spices and chillies.

Now boasting an impressively wide range of sauces, oils, rubs, jams and marinades, Carrington’s continues to perfectly capture the ethos it was built upon – honest ingredients, vibrant flavours and a signature spicy kick. 

Curry Smugglers

Bringing a bold and unapologetically spicy vibe to the Desi snacking experience, Curry Smugglers has become a firm favourite of the seasoned snack enthusiasts for its flavour-packed bites that take inspiration from the vibrant street food culture of South Asia and the dynamic energy of modern Britain. 

Ditching dull snack bags in favour of beer cans, Curry Smugglers’ eye-catching packaging  better reflects its unique, punchy taste while keeping snacks fresher for longer. It’s also a fun nod to co-founders Steve and Ruby – first-generation British Asians – and their second love: the thriving local craft brewing scene.

All about love, shared experiences and good vibes, with an explosion of herbs and spices that transports taste buds straight to the aromatic spice bazaars of Mumbai and Old Delhi, Curry Smugglers’ vivid collection of cans is packed with authentic tastes and serious crunch.

Karly’s Kitchen

An exciting range of seasonal preserves, all lovingly made by hand in Kent with locally-grown, responsibly sourced and foraged finds, Karly’s journey into the land of jams and chutneys began in her first small back garden, growing edible crops and experimenting with ways to make the most of every harvest. 

As ambition quickly outgrew the garden, an allotment then took its place, bringing abundant harvests of beautiful homegrown produce and a dive into the art of preservation. Today, that passion has flourished into a field in the East Kent countryside complete with a 56-ft polytunnel, large fruit cage and an expanding orchard, all supported by sourcing the very best seasonal ingredients from neighbouring farmers. 

Always seeking out exceptionally unique flavour combinations, the range includes the likes of spiced squash, date and orange; raspberry, vanilla and rose geranium; carrot and chilli; runner bean pickle; and a balsamic, strawberry and black pepper preserve. Karly still grows a large proportion of what goes into each jar herself and it’s this close relationship with the ingredients that allows for distinctive flavours you simply won’t find elsewhere.

Smokey Rebel

Certainly not your average rub company, Smokey Rebel is rule-breaking and flavour-shaking in all the right ways – crafting proper blends inspired by global BBQ traditions and sealed in funky signature pop-top cans for maximum freshness.

Smokey Rebel began with a handbuilt smoker and a hunger for better flavour, with founder and resident pitmaster Russ Jaques taking his experience learning from the best in BBQ and love of smoke, fire and family meals to bring real BBQ flavours to cooks across the UK and beyond. 

Adventurous and full of mischief (for all the right reasons!), Smokey Rebel’s lineup of rub blends caters to every BBQ occasion, from rich and bold showstoppers to midweek flavour boosts. Think Texas Red Chilli, Greek Odyssey Gyros and Al Pastor Taco, alongside a range of heat-packed and sweet BBQ sauces and glazes, all crafted in small batches for next-level flavour pay-off. 

SWEET SENSATIONS

Bears Ice Cream

Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, Whitstable

Recently celebrating a remarkable 10 years of ice cream making mastery, Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium is a brilliantly creative, family-owned ice creamery that continues to push the boundaries of ice cream making to bring oodles of joy to its customers with every creatively inspired scoop. 

Moving their flagship store and production kitchen to Whitstable in 2023, the Bears team have steered ahead with a firm farm-to-tub philosophy, crafting award-winning ice cream using the finest Garden of England ingredients. Creating over 70 unique flavours, co-founder and chef Phil Harrison is constantly whipping up new combinations that take both locals and visitors by storm including  blueberry and lavender jam meringue swirl; beetroot, raspberry and wasabi sorbet; and miso, banana and butterscotch pudding. Truly marvellous. 

N2 Sweet Lab, Maidstone

Handcrafting genius cocoa creations with the world’s most exceptional cacao and specialists in divine small-batch chocolate, N2 Sweet Lab’s founders Nina and Ned are true sweet fiends, bringing world-class chocolate to the Garden of England via the most indulgent, picture-perfect truffles, cakes, bonbons, bars and iridescent choco spheres. As well as marvellous in-house bean-to-bar production, the team offer an array of chocolate experiences for both the curious and the connoisseurs – from workshops to parties. 

Rooted in sustainability, quality and craftsmanship, the perfect cacao is paramount to the heralded N2 Sweet Lab flavours: “Our current origins include rare ancient Criollo beans from Peru – one of the most prized and delicate cacao varieties – Costa Rica Dos Lagunas, recently recognised at the International Cacao Festival in Amsterdam, and cacao from the Sierra Nevada region of Colombia, grown within a protected biosphere renowned for its depth and complexity,” says Ned. 

Fudge Kitchen, Canterbury

For over 40 years, Fudge Kitchen has been redefining the confectionery scene with its delicious, handmade and natural fudge that breaks the mould of tradition. Skilled entertainers in their craft and the home of ‘The Theatre of Handmade Fudge’, for Fudge Kitchen, artistry, knowledge and innovation that goes way beyond simple sweetness is at the very fore. 

From fudge, toffee and caramel to honeycomb, coconut ice and beyond, the team here are continuously refining recipes across their many UK shops and Kentish production site, ensuring exceptional taste and quality every time. Each year, the brand hosts its much-anticipated ‘New Year, New Flavour’ competition to delve into trend-led treats and unexpected triumphs to continue building their famously creamy legacy. 

TERRIFIC TIPPLES

Westwell Wines

The Hengist, Aylesford

A vibey restaurant and cocktail bar set in a beautiful 16th-century building, The Hengist is rightfully known best for its stellar lineup of cocktails that are crafted with utter passion and finesse. True masters at the art of mixology, these signature serves range from classic and contemporary to non-alcoholic and wonderfully theatrical. ‘Picnic in the Park’ is served in a picnic basket with homemade popcorn and is a deliciously sweet cocktail of muddled raspberries, elderflower liqueur, lychee juice and pink dragon fruit power; ‘Dream Catcher’ takes shape within a smoking book case and is a glorious concoction of Disaronno Velvet Amaretto, Baileys, Kinder Bueno, white chocolate hazelnut sauce and ice cream blended into a milkshake; and ‘Catch a Grenade’ is a proper showstopper with its blend of Disaronno Amaretto, strawberry puree, watermelon juice and sparkling wine, served in a grenade with a fire surprise. 

Canterbury Brewers & Distillers & The Foundry Brewpub, Canterbury

Handcrafting exceptional grain-to-glass beers and spirits with refreshingly distinctive aromas and flavours you won’t find elsewhere, Canterbury Brewers & Distillers is the creation of wonderful duo Jon and Jodie, whose love and drive for curiosity and creativity has produced some of the finest tipples Kent has to offer. 

Utterly dedicated to every detail – think handpicked natural ingredients, storytelling and a meticulous blend of tradition and innovation – Jon and his brewing team have curated an award-winning collection including real ales, gins, rum, vodka, whisky and moonshine. Together with serving up an array of traditional pub classics and American brewpub-inspired dishes at The Foundry, Jon and Jodie have also emerged as pioneers of sustainable brewing in recent years, harnessing the by-products of their whiskey production to launch into sustainable luxury mushroom growing – with plenty more still to come. 

Westwell Wine Estates, Charing

A boldly authentic wine estate that has certainly made its mark within Kent’s ever-growing 

viticulture scene for its inventive, original approach to wine production. Rooted in winemaking shaped by Kentish soil and character and with a proud philosophy to ‘plant well, respect the soil and make honest wines from brilliant fruit’, Westwell is heralded for its experimental wines ranging from from traditional method sparklers, pet nats, skin contacts, reds, whites, oranges and pinks to amphora-aged wines and collaborations with local brewers. 

Steaming ahead with sustainability, the vineyard’s wines are made with as little intervention as possible, utilising wild yeasts and letting the fruit speak for itself – with winemaker Adrian Pike hailed as one of England’s most exciting and innovative winemakers and his wife Galia Pike applauded for her design and illustration that perfectly captures Westwell’s independent spirit. 

Harnessing the artful pairing of food and wine, held within the estate’s Cellar Door bar, tasting room and terrace is a wealth of indulgent events such as monthly supper clubs, Friday pizza evenings and insightful tastings. 

iK’s Top Unique Dining Experiences

The Goods Shed

Not just all about out-of-the-box flavours, but imaginative backdrops, service with a twist and fresh concepts, these inventive foodie hotspots shine for surroundings that make a meal truly distinctive. 

Shesells Seashells, Folkestone

Situated on platform three of Folkestone Harbour Arm and housed within vintage-style renovated train carriages overlooking the shore, Shesells Seashells is known and loved for its quirky take on quayside dining and sourcing the freshest treasures from the sea. Expect excellent moules and lobster handpicked from the Folkestone Trawlers, as well as top-quality local steaks and Chapel Down wines.

Palette Pizza, Tunbridge Wells

A family-run pizzeria and neighborhood art gallery championing great food, warm welcomes and heaps of artistic expression. Alongside an ever-changing roster of community exhibitions, pizza and paint along evenings and opportunities for children to unleash their creativity, Palette’s menus are authentically brilliant, including inventive pizza specials named after famed artists, fresh breads, fried small bites and dressed salads. 

Nibbles Railway Cafe, Newenden

Nestled in the village of Newenden, this charming café is perfect for those with little ones in tow. Whether for a hearty breakfast, light lunch or quintessential afternoon tea, Nibbles promises the ultimate family dining experience as your chosen eats are delivered to your table by a beautifully restored vintage model railway. 

The Goods Shed, Canterbury

A vivid celebration of Kentish splendour, with a food hall, farmers’ market and restaurant all rolled into one utterly delicious package, The Goods Shed has long been at the forefront of local fare. Browse an array of produce and fine foods from the many independent suppliers before stopping off at the restaurant for seasonal dishes brimming with quality ingredients – the perfect viewpoint for admiring the bustling market activity below. 

The Bus Café, Margate

Built upon a simple vision to cook fresh, healthy and delicious food for the people of Margate and beyond, The Bus Café serves up a host of tasty treats using top-quality produce from a wealth of local suppliers – all from Rosie, a 1980 Bristol VR double-decker bus that’s been lovingly converted for pure foodie enjoyment. 

Oad Street Food & Crafts, Borden

A stylish spot to dine and celebrate, Oad Street has become a Kentish go-to for an Instagrammable brunch, afternoon tea or lunch bite within its modern restaurant. For group gatherings or special occasions however, Oad’s picturesque courtyard pods offer a delightful setting to sip and savour. Complete with chilled tunes, welcome tipples, beautiful floral decor, a cooling system for warm days and the choice of either a sharing brunch or afternoon board – each filled with freshly baked sweets and savouries.