Top Picks for ‘26! Kent’s Newest & Most-Anticipated Openings
BEST OF KENT®: Top Picks for ‘26!
As we step into a brand-new year, Kent is bursting with exciting new ventures ready to make their mark. From unique start-ups to fresh foodie destinations already setting the local culinary scene alight, here’s the new kids on the block you’ll want on your radar in the months to come.
The Royal Bell, Bromley
Built in 1898 and reborn in 2025 under the stewardship of The BELLE Collective, The Royal Bell reopened in autumn 2025 as Bromley’s new boutique hotel and members club. Brought to life through a £10M investment, the Grade II listed landmark has been transformed into a contemporary multi-purpose destination, honouring its legacy while embracing a thrilling new chapter.
At its heart is a growing members’ community, with exclusive spaces to co-work, connect and socialise, alongside a fitness studio, event spaces and four vibrant dining destinations. With the likes of flame-grilled plates, quality coffee, after-hour pizza slices and golden hour cocktails to look forward to. The Royal Bell also opened its doors to hotel guests, offering a refined stay of both comfort and excellent style.
In the evenings, the first-floor bars and lounges transform into a buzzing destination cocktail venue with a candlelit ambience and a blend of entertainment from low-key DJ sets to live music sessions.
The Royal Bell opens soon with both guest and member’s only spaces; for membership information visit theroyalbell.co.uk.
Stakehaus, Margate
Beloved female-founded steak brand, Stakehaus has excitedly landed in Kent with a glistening seafront hotspot in the historic Margate pub, Cinque Ports, sitting just next door to Margate’s Dreamland.
With founder Lily Smith at the helm, the Cinque Ports menu is Stakehaus’ first traditional à la carte – allowing the team to create a wider selection of pub classics with a twist, plus a flagship Sunday roast. Keeping favourites from the menus at Camden, Covent Garden and Brighton, diners can expect a raved-about menu of steak frites, plus a wider selection of snacks, starters and mains in Stakehaus’ bold, flavour-forward style.
Opened officially on 20 November last year and under the care of Alfie Smith, Lily’s husband, the pub champions the Margate community with local beers and a vibrant arts and music events calendar. Alfie and Lily’s goal is simple: to create the kind of pub that their own family and friends would want to spend long, lazy lunches in before rolling into a livelier evening.
Stakehaus Cinque Ports is open now from Thursday – Sunday from 4.30pm – 9pm; Thursday and Friday from 12pm – 9pm; and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm – 5pm.
Bridge Deli, Tonbridge
Ready to be fully-stocked with beautiful and unusual gourmet products sourced from Kent and beyond, partners Sophie and Yux are delighted to be opening Bridge Deli in Tonbridge. Long talking of opening a deli as a place where people can delight in quality products, when a charming shop on Tonbridge High Street became available, Yux set his sights on it and Bridge Deli was set in motion.
The deli will be offering a wide range of gourmet and high-quality food and drink products such as olive oils, pasta, sauces and chocolate, as well as cheeses and fine wines alongside takeaway beverages, delicious sandwiches and fresh pastries.
“We have been touched by the support we have already received from people in the community who have either been following us on Instagram or popping in for a chat as we set up shop,” says Sophie. “We are looking forward to opening our doors, making new friends and becoming part of the community as a new independent addition to the high street.”
Bridge Deli is open now!
Align Studio, Lolé Wellness Café & Malu Beauty, Deal
Located in the heart of Deal at 20 High Street, a brand-new mat Pilates and yoga studio is all set for its grand opening this month. The studio will sit on the top floor above two exciting new ventures launching at the same time: Lolé Wellness Café and Malu Beauty. Together, creating a community-focused hub dedicated to health, wellbeing and self-care.
Led by trained Pilates instructor Lucy Johnson, who is passionate about empowering people through mindful movement, Align Studio will be an inclusive studio, welcoming everyone regardless of their ability or experience.
Alongside Align Studio, the building will also be home to two incredible family-run businesses. Lolé Wellness Café is run by Betty Johnson, owner of the established Lolé Wellness Studios in Sandwich and Deal. Known for bringing together mindful movement and nourishing food, the new café will offer a unique experience powered by healthy living. On the second floor, you’ll also find Malu Beauty, run by Molly Johnson, offering a range of professional skincare and beauty treatments that combine expertise with a restorative experience.
Align Studio, Lolé Wellness & Malu Beauty will officially open this month.
The Wellington, Margate
A fantastic new pub and dining room opened in December on a historic site in Margate’s Old Town. Owned and run by Billy Stock and Ellie Topham, a well-known couple on Kent’s restaurant scene who met while working together at The Rose in Wickhambreaux, The Wellington will serve quality dishes with a strong focus on supporting local farmers and producers. The pub will serve draught beers, local ciders and tap wines and in the dining room, and the menu will offer an alluring selection of pub and brasserie classics alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list.
“We’re over the moon to be giving The Wellington a new lease of life as a proper pub and dining room,” say Ellie and Billy. “Margate is home; we love the town and the community, so it’s an honour to be the new custodians of this historic site, taking it back to its roots as a public house. Whether you’re stopping by for a pint or a glass of wine with a Scotch egg or joining us for a full meal, we want it to be a good time!”
The Wellington is now open Wednesday – Sunday from 4pm – 10pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12pm – 10pm; and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm – 8pm.
Aster, Broadstairs
Aster, a new eight-cover restaurant on Oscar Road in Broadstairs, opened in November 2025 and offers one of the most intimate dining experiences in the county. Run solely by talented chef Luke Crittenden, Aster serves a fully vegan, gluten-free set menu built around wild ingredients, hyper seasonal produce and the best from local growers.
The opening of Aster marks Luke’s return to Kent after running his first fully vegan restaurant, Foxglove in North Wales. The small Aster site previously housed Stark, the first solo venture from Luke’s brother and well-known chef, Ben Crittenden. When the site became available after Ben relocated, he offered Luke the opportunity to take it on.
Holding over 16 years of cooking experience, before Foxglove Luke also opened Arya in Ramsgate with sister Jess, which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand just one year after opening. A keen forager, Luke draws on French and Italian influences with touches of Japanese ingredients, changing Aster’s menu almost weekly to reflect what’s most seasonal and exceptional.
Aster is now open Wednesday to Saturday at 6pm and 8pm.
The Mad Dog Brewery Co Tap Room, Tunbridge Wells
A beautifully historic venue has re-opened as the town’s newest tap room from the Welsh-founded Mad Dog Brewery Co.
Situated on the Lower Pantiles, the pub is located in the beer cellar of what was once The Gloster Tavern and offers an array of craft beer, wine and cocktails in a lively yet relaxed setting. The brewery prides itself on catering for all drinking preferences while offering their own beers made of all natural ingredients, as well as a range of freshly-prepared pizzas and bar snacks. All of Mad Dog’s 14 beers are vegan and preservative-free, with five gluten-free beers part of the permanent range.
“Our range of drinks is designed to appeal to everyone, making beer more accessible while also ensuring those who prefer wine or spirits are well catered for,” says Tim Waters, the founder of Mad Dog Brewery Co. “It was great meeting people during our official opening and we look forward to becoming a part of the Tunbridge Wells community!”
The Mad Dog Brewery Co Tap Room is now open daily from 3pm – 11pm.
Cova Medway, Rochester
Set in a bright barn in Rochester’s Cliffe Woods, Cova takes its name from the Catalan word for small cove – a calm little escape from everyday life. Which is exactly what husband and wife team Lisa and Joe Sewell wanted to create: a modern, bohemian salon with a laid-back, Ibiza-inspired feel offering a full range of hair and beauty services, as well as advanced treatments such as permanent makeup, skincare, teeth whitening and a Japanese head spa, all led by dedicated specialists.
Opened in November, inside, the space opens into soft interiors and the gentle scent of Cova’s bespoke candles and reed diffusers. Guests can take a moment at the counter to enjoy complimentary drinks, including matcha and herbal teas while a curated Balearic soundtrack plays from the in-house DJ booth.
Lisa and Joe built Cova with a purpose: “We didn’t want to be just another beauty salon. Our vision was to create a space where expertise, atmosphere and care all matter equally. Every detail at Cova is intentional – the scents, the soundtrack, the specialists. It’s a space designed to make people feel looked after.”
Cova is now open from 9.30am – 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; 9.30am – 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 9am – 6pm on Saturdays.
Image by: Stevie Ma
Buddha of Westerham, Westerham
Buddha of Westerham has reignited the town’s love for great Chinese food, bringing a fresh, contemporary approach to classic flavours. Led by chef Arthur – whose career spans acclaimed restaurants in Hong Kong and Singapore – the new Market Square restaurant which opened in October presents a refined interpretation of the UK’s most-beloved Chinese dishes, all centered around quality, freshness and carefully sourced ingredients.
Diners can expect a menu featuring flavoursome soups, classic appetisers, vibrant wok-fried dishes and a selection of noodles and rice plates, complemented by a considered wine list, luxury spirits and a curated cocktail menu.
Designed by Sherliker Biggs, the 54-cover restaurant features a striking cocktail bar complete with resident peacock ‘Iris’, and is built around the story of a fictitious wandering monk who traversed various passages and passes along the Silk Road, discovering communities and cultures and exchanging hospitality as he explores its diverse regions.
Buddha of Westerham is now open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm – 11pm and for Sunday lunch between 12pm and 6pm.
Rivals Social, Canterbury
From the revolutionary team behind Escape Kent and Prison Island, Timescape Adventures LTD is gearing up for the highly-anticipated launch of Rivals Social, a pioneering multi-activity centre just steps from Escape Kent’s Canterbury base and set to redefine the local entertainment scene.
Combining cutting-edge technology with immersive play, the shiny new social hub will feature a wide selection of activities including adventure golf, AR bowling, darts, shuffleboard and next-gen arcade sport, Battleball. A standout feature is The Arena – a high energy glass arena with LED floors, interactive walls and immersive games. Equally exciting is The Grid, where visitors can race high-speed RC cars from a cockpit-style seat using pedals and a steering wheel.
Alongside the action, guests can enjoy a premium dining experience with gourmet burgers, vibrant cocktails and plenty of space to unwind after competing for ultimate bragging rights!
Rivals Social is set to be open for this January 2026.
For more BEST OF KENT® inspiration, click here to read our latest issue.
