Canterbury Restaurant Guide

2018 Review: A family-run establishment, stumbling distance from cathedral and theatre, that “does what it does very well” – in particular straightforward British cooking.

“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”.

2017 Review: A brick-walled riverside venue in a former 18th-century wool store; its “fantastic pizzas (courtesy of a proper wood-burning pizza oven)” continue to be the main event, and come “generously topped with tasty and quality produce”.

2019 Review: “The only place in Canterbury where you can eat an approximation of fine dining” – i.e. “delicate and flavoursome” dishes (“classics with a modern twist”) and set lunches, all “at an affordable price”.

“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.