Canterbury Restaurant Guide

“A restaurant to lift the spirits” – this “very lively” and “very popular” Westgate Mexican has been turning out “enjoyable” and “fresh-tasting” fajitas etc for three decades now and happily there’s “lots of choice for non meat-eaters too”.

Dev Biswal’s roomy converted pub continues to do a swift trade in “Indian cuisine with a twist” (including trademark pyramid-shaped dosa). As of October 2019, Biswal has mooted closing his Sussex branch, The Devil in Rye, to focus on a new Margate spin-off, opened in 2018, as well as here in Canterbury, where he is reportedly seeking out a second venue for more casual dining.

“Located in Canterbury’s permanent farmers’ market, so it’s really buzzing at lunchtimes”, this informal spot has had a strong local following across two decades. “It’s not elaborate food – the ingredients are sourced from the market and left to speak for themselves” – but it’s backed up by a “good-value wine list”. A word of warning for winter: “the food’s good, but you’re sitting in a converted goods shed and boy it’s cold. We kept our coats on for the whole meal”.

“Quirky – but does it for us”, this atmospheric cellar close to the cathedral has long been popular for its “good quality, authentic Moroccan food” and Moorish décor, complemented by Andalusian tapas (classified as ‘light’, ‘medium’ or ‘rich’) and paella.