Whitstable best restaurants: where to eat and drink

Best restaurants in Whitstable

Samphire

For Kentish produce

The best Kentish produce is on offer at chef and owner George Begg’s cosy all-day dining high street bistro. Opened in 2006 a pebble’s throw from Whitstable beach, Samphire has been consistently popular with locals and visitors, including Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, for seasonal dishes such as asparagus, ricotta and potato pithivier and brunch dishes such as sugar pit bacon loin with fried eggs and hash brown. samphirewhitstable.co.uk

Harbour Street Tapas

For tapas

You’ll find this intimate tapas restaurant set among the boutique shops of Harbour Street. The simple decor of white-washed walls and wooden tables and chairs puts the spotlight squarely on the menu of classic Spanish dishes and more modern creations made with local produce. Choose from a plate of Jamón Ibérico, patatas bravas or tortilla or try pork belly with red cabbage and PX sauce, all paired with a glass of something from the short list of mainly Spanish wines. harbourstreettapas.com

Grain & Hearth

Best bakery in Whitstable

Baker Adam Pagor relocated what was a micro-bakery in London to this bakery and cafe in Whitstable in 2019 and now has an outlet in nearby Faversham. Specialising in sourdough, this family-run neighbourhood spot on the edge of the town centre is renowned for its friendly welcoming atmosphere as well as its breakfast shakshuka and lunchtime sourdough sandwiches. In good weather enjoy a coffee and pastry in the charming courtyard garden. grainandhearth.co.uk

Pearsons Arms

Best pub for food in Whitstable

Stroll along Whitstable’s pebble beach, then head to this whitewashed clapboard pub just yards from the sea for a cask ale and some seriously good Kentish food in the rustic first-floor dining room. Start with oysters with a compressed rhubarb and gin mignonette dressing or deep-fried with harissa mayonnaise, followed by locally caught lobster with garlic butter. pearsonsarmswhitstable.co.uk

The Sportsman

For Michelin-starred dining

Probably the most well-known restaurant in the area, The Sportsman is a Michelin-starred gastropub in Seasalter but isn’t half as pretentious as that sounds. Take a taxi out to it for lunch then enjoy a leisurely walk back along the coast to walk off any excess. Bookings need to be made quite far in advance but it's worth it.

The menu changes frequently but there are always local meat and fish dishes (think Monkshill lamb, Thornback ray or Whitstable native oysters - at their best in July). Puddings are outstanding; we liked the apple soufflé with salted caramel ice cream. thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk

Wheelers

Best oysters in Whitstable

Oysters are must-try whilst you're in Whitstable. Candyfloss-pink-fronted Wheelers has been dishing up oysters in its parlour-sized dining room since 1856. wheelersoysterbar.com

VC Jones

Best fish and chips in Whitstable

The best fish and chips in Whitstable? VC Jones, hands down in our book. The reason? They cook their chips in beef fat. True, the flavour isn't for everyone but the smell wafting out onto Harbour Street is enough to lure us in every time.

It's a family owned and run chippie and has been for three generations, and one of the family will likely be serving you your supper. There’s almost always a queue of people outside, either waiting for a takeaway to eat on the beach, or waiting to eat in the restaurant. vcjones.co.uk

The Cheese Box

Best cheese shop in Whitstable

Head to The Cheese Box on Harbour Street for all manner of local cheeses from Dark Horse Ancient Ashmore to Kentish Blue. It also sells cheeses from further afield. Order a cheeseboard to eat in, with a glass of wine. Or, if you’re after something more substantial, stock up here then head next door to its new sister restaurant headed up by local chef Michelle Booth. Wednesday nights are all about pies. thecheesebox.co.uk

The Twelve Taps

Best bar in Whitstable

The vibe at this Whitstable bar is chilled and dogs are welcome. Try artisan gins such as Silent Pool, from Surrey, or Blackwoods, from the Shetlands (there are around 13 gins on the drinks menu), or order a Blueprint coffee or one of a regularly changing line-up of craft beers. thetwelvetaps.co.uk

Jojo’s

Best café in Whitstable

It’s not strictly in Whitstable (happily if you want to escape the crowds it’s in neighbouring Tankerton, where the beach is quieter) but Jojo’s is a local institution. Renowned for its casual vibe and vibrant tapas-style menu (firm favourites include excellent cured meats, lamb cannon and calamari but there are always a few daily specials) bookings need to be made in advance, especially for dinner at weekends.

The café at the front is a good spot for a coffee or a freshly squeezed juice. If the weather is nice, sit out at the front and watch kite-surfers riding past. jojosrestaurant.co.uk

The Oyster and Chop House

Best bistro in Herne Bay, Whitstable

Not many people venture to Herne Bay for lunch or dinner. They do so mainly to go to the pier and the arcades, or for fish and chips. But our tip is to venture there specifically to eat at The Oyster and Chop House. Produce is sourced from the surrounding areas, including game from local hunter, John Caddick, and it’s great value. The seared scallops with apple and homemade cured ham are delicious, as is the steak bavette. oysterandchophouse.co.uk