East Kent - Carta

The Rock Lodge

➤ 15-17 Oxford Street, CT5 1DB, Canterbury, United Kingdom

Carta • Grill • Vegan • British • Vegetarian

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"Visited on Sunday with friends who had been recommended the restaurant. Waited an hour and a half for the main course after constantly chasing. Food was below average and staff very unaware of their surrounding and customers. When we had finished our mains there was...no one to be seen staff wise. After mins of waiting we gave up on our pre ordered desert and had to go and find someone for the bill. Found all the staff at the bar doing nothing, whilst tables upstairs where being ignored. Have been to some really good places on Whitstable, this is the worst by far. Not even an apologise from the barman who brought us the bill."

Farm Harper

➤ 25 High Street, Canterbury, United Kingdom, CT5 1AP

Carta • Steak • Coffee • British • Sandwiches

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"I used to come here regularly, however on the last visit I noticed something massively with the way it was run both in terms of the food quality and the service levels. We came in as a group of 4 adults and 3 toddlers. Ordered coffees and a few burgers and some prawns on toast. For the most part, the food was good except for 2 of the burgers which were far too overcooked and the guys who ordered ended up only being able to eat a few bites out of them. We informed the waitress who was clearing the table about this. When we went to pay, we said to the waitress at the till that we thought that the 2 burgers should be taken off the bill as they weren’t eaten (the total bill would have still come to over £80) The waitress then went straight to the manager who came over to ask what the problem was. When we told him we were given a response of “well, I’ve had the food here and I can tell you that it’s incredible”. When we said that the burgers were far too overcooked (one beef and one chicken burger) he just said that the chicken has to be cooked through. After arguing that it was just too overcooked and dry, he simply walked away and told the waitress only to remove one of the burgers. I’m not usually one to give poor reviews, but the attitude of the manage alone was completely unacceptable. Having worked in catering and customer service, it is your responsibility to listen to the feedback of your customers, and not to be arrogant or rude. I do hope that no one else is unlucky enough to be faced with this kind of situation, but this was enough for all of us to never return to this place."

Royal Naval Reserve

➤ 28-30 High Street, CT5 1BQ, Canterbury, United Kingdom

Carta • Pub • Fish • Steak • British

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"This is the probably the best bar/restaurant in Whitstable. You can have a drink here before eating elsewhere with recommendations from the great staff or stay for a scrumptious meal in the bar or restaurant. The food and service are second to none. We had a lovely lunch without breaking the bank which isn’t easy in Whitstable. We had drinks another evening in a relaxed bar. Yes it’s only for children over 12 years (replying to the petulant comment below) but as a mother and grandmother it’s nice sometimes just to have a meal or drink without the little ones. I can’t recommend the Royal Naval Reserve enough. Thank you to the lovely staff and owners. We will definitely be back!"

Mucini

➤ 1-3 St Annes Rd, Whitstable, United Kingdom, Thanet Way, Whitstable

Carta • Fish • Wine • Coffee • Italian

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"What a gorgeous experience. We were greeted at the door but a happy lovely attentive young man who took us to our seats. We are a pain and wanted to change some bits on the dishes, which was no problem to them at all. The bruschetta was out of this world and my king prawn linguine was cooked perfection with loads of flavour. I loved being able to see the chef who is also the owner cook the meals and he came and personally wanted to see how our food was. Highly recommend. Can’t wait to try the tapas menu! Kid-friendliness: So good with the kids and a lovely portion and ice cream for pudding, perfect"

Birdies-baudemont Foods

➤ 41 Harbour St, Whitstable CT5 1AH, United Kingdom, Thanet Way, Whitstable

Carta • French • Seafood • Asiatic • Fast Food

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"One of the best meals I've had in recent memory. The moules marinerre had me scraping the bowl for the last of the broth/sauce, both it and the bisque were so warming and comforting with the bread making a perfectly buttery accompaniment for dipping/mopping. Ideal for a cold winters evening. The skate in lobster butter for main was unbelievable, the skate was as moist and delicate as the sauce was decadent (not to mention it being a very generous portion). Even the desserts were delicious, in particular the sorbet which was lovely and refreshing after such a hearty starter and main. These are the meals you dream of when going to a seaside town. Everything was cooked to perfection, lovely staff and ambience. I can't praise this place enough."