Harden's survey result
Summary
“With its unmissable, pink exterior, the original Wheelers” (est. 1856, and for a time the base of a now-defunct mini-chain) – this “tiny”, “snug” and “eccentric” oddity feels “a little like eating in the back room of a small house, decorated in a ‘domestic style’, with ornaments on the mantelpiece and patterned tablecloths, and with tables a little packed-close”. “But, it has a brilliant professional kitchen out back” and serves “exceptional” fish and “truly excellent seafood” (“so local oysters are a must-have”), while the ability to “BYO makes it very good value”. “You need to book well in advance”, although it’s “easier to get a table now the extension has been built” with the capacity recently doubled to about 30.
Summary
“With its unmissable, pink exterior, the original Wheelers” (est. 1856, and for a time the base of a now-defunct mini-chain) – this “tiny”, “snug” and “eccentric” oddity feels “a little like eating in the back room of a small house, decorated in a ‘domestic style’, with ornaments on the mantelpiece and patterned tablecloths, and with tables a little packed-close”. “But, it has a brilliant professional kitchen out back” and serves “exceptional” fish and “truly excellent seafood” (“so local oysters are a must-have”), while the ability to “BYO makes it very good value”. “You need to book well in advance”, although it’s “easier to get a table now the extension has been built” with the capacity recently doubled to about 30.
Summary
“You could be forgiven if you thought you were eating in someone’s living room” at this “quirky”, “casual and basic” institution (est. 1856), where you eat “in a tiny back parlour that maybe seats 14-16 people”; and which “serves superbly fresh seafood” with “oysters a speciality”. “It’s not licensed, but there’s a good selection of wines offered in the off-licence opposite”.
Summary
“Revamped but still maintaining the original eating parlour” – this “quirky, mildly eccentric, and very English” institution (est. 1856) has survived enlargement largely unscathed, and still provides “a bizarre environment – like eating in someone’s front room” – that’s “as cosy as a teapot”. But “the modest frontage belies the superb cuisine inside”, where “sublime” yet “unfussy” seafood dishes are served at “fair prices”, and “BYO makes it a very good value experience” indeed. “I have had so much fun sitting in the ‘shop’ and falling into the most entertaining conversations with all types of people from a celebrated yet humble sax player, to a local plasterer, to a TV actor…”
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
8 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1BQ
Opening hours
| Monday | 10:30 am‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:30 am‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 10:30 am‑9 pm |
| Friday | 10:30 am‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑9 pm |
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