Food and Drink in Kent

Our Local Picks for the Best Food and Drink across Kent

Beer, seafood, pastry - all have become synonymous with Kent over the years and at Original Cottages, we know that our guests want to sample the best that every region has to offer. Hence why we’ve created this handy Food and Drink guide to help you decide where to go and what to eat during your visit to this delicious county. We’ve tried to pick from across Kent, so that you should never be too far from one of these lovely recommendations while staying in one of our Kent Holiday Cottages.

afternoon tea

Waterloo House Tearooms and Antiques, Cranbrook

With a great portfolio of Kent Holiday Cottages in Cranbrook and surrounding areas, a visit to Waterloo House may well be on the cards and we can’t recommend them enough. One for history lovers and trinket collectors, as well as those who enjoy a bit of tea and cake, this cafe is also home to two floors of antiques. Their menu has everything you’d hope for, from sandwiches and salads, to jacket potatoes and paninis, not forgetting their range of tasty baked treats as well! Brunch lovers will be happy to hear that Waterloo House is also open for breakfast. 

people cheersing their pints

The Charles Dickens, Broadstairs

Named after the author who spent many years in Broadstairs, the Charles Dickens is a gastropub with an added bonus: seafront views. Great for a post-beach pint or a family meal, the Charles Dickens has a range of menus to suit all tastes. With gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan menus also on offer, no one is left out by this pub. If you’re staying in one of our Broadstairs cottages, then don’t delay your visit to the Charles Dickens - who knows, it may even become your holiday local!

Wine cellar at Fifis

Fifis Brasserie, Maidstone

With decadent Parisian interiors, Fifis transports you to another world and has the cuisine to match. With an extensive A la Carte menu, including a very tempting wine list, and afternoon tea and lunch options on offer, Fifis is perfect for celebrating a special occasion. If you’re staying in one of our cottages near Maidstone, be sure to add this to your list if you’re looking for something a little fancier than usual to enjoy on your holiday. 

fish market sign on a wall

Whitstable Oyster Festival

Typically held on a weekend in July or August, the Whitstable Oyster Festival is a carnival of seafood festivities designed to celebrate the Oyster and bring the community together. With a range of events on offer, including the infamous Oyster eating competition, the festival is lots of fun for locals and visitors alike. If you happen to travel to the North Kent coast during August, be sure to squeeze in a visit to the festival. Or, if you’re really keen on seafood, why not check out our holiday cottages in Whitstable especially for this event?

Wheeler’s Fish and Chips, Dover

As part of the Marco Pierre White Restaurants family, Wheeler’s prides itself on quality, fresh seafood, as well as classic Fish and Chips and chef specials. Open for takeaway as well as dining in, you can grab some delicious Wheeler’s grub to enjoy on the Dover seafront, or to take back to your cosy holiday cottage. 

Rocksalt, Folkestone

If you’re visiting us for a special occasion, staying in one of our cottages near Folkestone, or simply fancy a celebration, reserve a table at Rocksalt. You can enjoy seafood so good it has been featured in the Michelin Guide, while enjoying the sweeping vistas of the waves. As the sky’s colours start to change at sunset and lights twinkle across the harbour, it’s a truly magical place to be.