Best Places and Services in United Kingdom (2025)

Rating: 5 / 5

Such a cute cafe, with many gluten free options (bread, baked goods)!

Rating: 5 / 5

The staff are all so friendly and polite, the food they offer is amazing especially the homemade cakes. Such a lovely atmosphere in there, highly recommend to anyone in Birchington

Rating: 5 / 5

What a gem of a café!!! We cycle from Whitstable along the coast and live finding a little place for breakfast. We cycled through sleepy Birchington and cane across blend coffee lounge. Nice seating area outside so we could sit with our bikes. 2 x lattes. 1 x serving of crumpets for me. Multi seat toast for Sarah. All bought to our table outside, the very welcoming waitress also gave us a iced water to go with breakfast. We felt welcome and comfortable. We will definitely visit again. Thankyou to the lovely waitress that made us feel special.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have been going to Blend for over three years now, since my wife and I moved to the area. I love their iced lattes and freshly baked goods (I.e. sausage rolls to die for!). My wife and I have ordered Blend's cakes and catering for events such as anniversaries and birthdays because they (especially Jo and Tracey) are so creative and pay special attention to every detail for the specific events and tailor their work to match the event. For example, Jo made us a birthday cake for our 80yo mum, and she hand-made every pedal of the cake's roses and made sure there were exactly 80 of them, to symbolize each year. I would highly recommend Blend for their food, atmosphere and caring attitude!

Rating: 5 / 5

We only had chips but, boy were they good! 2 large portions was well big enough for us 3 and a child with some left over for later in the air fryer too haha 2 cans of drink, portion of delicious curry sauce and 2 large chips, £12 ish Recommend the chips!

Rating: 5 / 5

Fantastic food and staff. Never had a bad meal.

Rating: 5 / 5

We both love this place best fish and chips in year, definitely be making our drive bk .everyone is so friendly and it is so clean and tidy and you definitely leave with one full tummy

Rating: 5 / 5

What a great, honest, down-to-earth place. Solid grub (though could do with more vegan options, please! 🙏🏻), lovely staff, wonderful spot in Birchington that the DFLs tend not to find.

Rating: 5 / 5

Went here today wiv my 2 children a nd it was amazing food and service from the guy playing wiv the children and and very friendly

Rating: 5 / 5

Went last night for Valentines day and as we entered was greeted with a rose and glass of champagne. The service was amazing and the food was the best Turkish meal we have ever had. The flavours were amazing and plenty of it. It was a set menu for £35.00 pp and worth every penny. The friendly service you receive is fab. Definately going again soon! Their casseroles are to die for!!!!!

Rating: 5 / 5

Absolutely amazing restaurant fantastic staff super friendly and delicious food. Can't wait to come back.

Rating: 5 / 5

Very clean welcoming place . Very friendly staff top quality food . My breakfast was delicious highly recommended

Rating: 5 / 5

An amazing atmosphere, fantastic food, great price for what you get. Clean and tidy, polite and friendly staff, well worth a visit

Rating: 5 / 5

Had a light breakfast and drinks with a good friend, food nice and fresh, friendly atmosphere, did not feel rushed. Good selection of vegetarian /vegan options which is always good for me. Will definitely recommend.

Rating: 5 / 5

Enjoyed a caramel latte with oat milk and toppings and a delicious salted caramel brownie to enjoy with it. Very tasty, great service and lovely place to visit. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 / 5

Village Square Cafe is more than just a cafe; it's a warm embrace in the heart of Birchington. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a friendly smile and a sense of belonging. The atmosphere is akin to visiting family, with the staff's genuine care making every visit a pleasure. The food is consistently delicious and incredibly good value for money. Whether it's a hearty breakfast to start your day or a comforting lunch, every dish is cooked with love and attention to detail. The menu offers a great variety, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. But what truly sets [Village Square cafe apart is the sense of community it fosters. It's a place where locals and visitors alike can relax, enjoy great food, and feel part of something special. It's no wonder this cafe has become a beloved institution in Birchington. If you're looking for a place where you can enjoy fantastic food, friendly service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Village Square Cafe

Rating: 5 / 5

Delicious food, excellent service and very clean and great atmosphere. Enjoyed my vegetarian breakfast very much.

Rating: 5 / 5

Freshly cooked, nice food, Highly recommended 👍

Rating: 5 / 5

The pancakes were top restaurant quality and the breakfast was amazing, we could order exactly what we wanted and the portion sizes were generous. Milkshakes are as good if not better than five guys too 😋

Rating: 5 / 5

Dining at the Parlour is always a delightful experience, and even after 10 years, it remains as exceptional as ever. Kelly and her daughter manage the front of the house, while Glen, a seasoned chef with a history of working in top Kentish Pubs, including the Old Coach & Horses, The Compasses at Crundale, The Chapter Arms at Chartham Hatch, and the George at Newnham, runs the kitchen. It's a family-run business with a strong family ethos. Glen sources all food locally and prepares it with care. Years ago, he transformed an ice cream parlour into the charming venue it is today, complete with original 1930s artwork on the walls. The menu ranges from ice creams, coffee, and homemade cakes to wholesome dishes reminiscent of childhood favorites, catering to all tastes and budgets. The parlour, situated on the outskirts of Birchington's bustling high street, is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, offering limited roadside parking. After an extensive refurbishment, they've reopened, ready to welcome both new and returning patrons. On my recent visit from Canterbury with a friend, a former patron of the Old Coach & Horses, we hadn't booked, but they graciously accommodated us. I messaged Glen en-route. I savoured the Slow Roasted Belly of Pork with crispy crackling and apple puree, accompanied by roast potatoes and vegetables, all brought together with a rich gravy reduction that was simply divine. My friend opted for the Sausage and Mash with Mustard Gravy, which was also perfectly prepared with a flavourful onion gravy. To finish I had a dark truffle chocolate torte dessert with sprinkles of frozen raspberries, and a raspberry swirl ice-cream, it was delicious. As others have said you got to eat here if you want the best in Birchington in my humble opinion. Well done to Glen and the family for keeping up the best standards.

Rating: 5 / 5

Beautifully cooked Christmas lunch. As usual, the food was lovely, the fresh veg always goes down well, gravy is divine and roast pots, lush. Try the roast pork, it's divine.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely British lunch. Perfect if you are hungry. Dessert was lovely too.

Rating: 5 / 5

Gorgeous family run home cooked food , never been disappointed, prefect servings all freshly cooked

Rating: 5 / 5

Delicious food, excellent service and very clean and great atmosphere. Enjoyed my vegetarian breakfast very much.

Rating: 5 / 5

Fantastic food and the staff were very welcoming and friendly. We will definitely come back one day.

Rating: 5 / 5

Village Square Cafe is more than just a cafe; it's a warm embrace in the heart of Birchington. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a friendly smile and a sense of belonging. The atmosphere is akin to visiting family, with the staff's genuine care making every visit a pleasure. The food is consistently delicious and incredibly good value for money. Whether it's a hearty breakfast to start your day or a comforting lunch, every dish is cooked with love and attention to detail. The menu offers a great variety, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. But what truly sets [Village Square cafe apart is the sense of community it fosters. It's a place where locals and visitors alike can relax, enjoy great food, and feel part of something special. It's no wonder this cafe has become a beloved institution in Birchington. If you're looking for a place where you can enjoy fantastic food, friendly service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Village Square Cafe

Rating: 5 / 5

The pancakes were top restaurant quality and the breakfast was amazing, we could order exactly what we wanted and the portion sizes were generous. Milkshakes are as good if not better than five guys too 😋

Rating: 5 / 5

We visited yesterday and it was a wonderful experience! The ladies are absolutely lovely and was so nice to be able to have a chat and them be happy to engage! The ice cream was delicious! So was the homemade tart! Thank you for a lovely service and we will be back again!

Rating: 5 / 5

Gorgeous family run home cooked food , never been disappointed, prefect servings all freshly cooked

Rating: 5 / 5

Dining at the Parlour is always a delightful experience, and even after 10 years, it remains as exceptional as ever. Kelly and her daughter manage the front of the house, while Glen, a seasoned chef with a history of working in top Kentish Pubs, including the Old Coach & Horses, The Compasses at Crundale, The Chapter Arms at Chartham Hatch, and the George at Newnham, runs the kitchen. It's a family-run business with a strong family ethos. Glen sources all food locally and prepares it with care. Years ago, he transformed an ice cream parlour into the charming venue it is today, complete with original 1930s artwork on the walls. The menu ranges from ice creams, coffee, and homemade cakes to wholesome dishes reminiscent of childhood favorites, catering to all tastes and budgets. The parlour, situated on the outskirts of Birchington's bustling high street, is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, offering limited roadside parking. After an extensive refurbishment, they've reopened, ready to welcome both new and returning patrons. On my recent visit from Canterbury with a friend, a former patron of the Old Coach & Horses, we hadn't booked, but they graciously accommodated us. I messaged Glen en-route. I savoured the Slow Roasted Belly of Pork with crispy crackling and apple puree, accompanied by roast potatoes and vegetables, all brought together with a rich gravy reduction that was simply divine. My friend opted for the Sausage and Mash with Mustard Gravy, which was also perfectly prepared with a flavourful onion gravy. To finish I had a dark truffle chocolate torte dessert with sprinkles of frozen raspberries, and a raspberry swirl ice-cream, it was delicious. As others have said you got to eat here if you want the best in Birchington in my humble opinion. Well done to Glen and the family for keeping up the best standards.

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely British lunch. Perfect if you are hungry. Dessert was lovely too.

Rating: 4 / 5

Have been here a few times. Sometimes have had to wait a long time for food, and only one toilet (I think!), but the Sunday roasts are absolutely fantastic. Today's no exception. Vegetables a lovely medley of curly kale, leeks, and then roasted parsnip and carrot. Tasty meat, and roast potatoes, and Yorkshires excellent. Slightly smaller portion than last time, but that meant you actually had a chance of eating it all! Friendly staff. A good visit.

Rating: 5 / 5

Well....the Cow Shed smashed it!!! You always know a place is good for a roast when their potatoes and veg are cooked well. The amount of places I've been to where we've been served dried up undercooked veg. We had Christmas dinner here, the meat was tender and not overcooked in the slightest, the potatoes were crunchy on the outside and fluffy in the middle and the veg was cooked just right for me. The portions were very generous. We also had amazing sausage meat stuffing, big pigs in blankets and delicious cauliflower cheese. Just to top it off the Yorkshire pudding was lovely. We also had a starter and pudding which were tasty. We actually took food home as we were so full. The staff were lovely and friendly. Couldnt do enough for us. My 2 year old niece wasn't happy as she didn't get brought her own plate of food (she doesn't eat loads so shared a bit of everyones). Well the lady realised this and brought her over her own little plate of food and my niece was thrilled. Overall it was a lovely time, brilliant atmosphere and a great Christmas!

Rating: 5 / 5

Came here for the Bottomless brunch offer at £40 for food and cocktails/beer (90mins). The food is divine! I don’t even like ribs but they were heavenly 😋 They were really forthcoming with the drinks and you didn’t feel limited. We wizzed our way through all the Xmas themed cocktails. Grinch a firm favourite. The staff really friendly and served us drinks continually. No waiting around. Place has a lovely setup. Lots of other themed nights and events. Highly recommend.

Rating: 5 / 5

We had our Christmas dinner here and would highly recommend. Service was incredible, food was next level and just overall experience was top notch. We've never had Christmas dinner out and this didn't disappoint! 100% would recommend

Rating: 5 / 5

A lovely little restaurant in a great setting. All of the food was reasonably priced and the portions/quality of the food was amazing. Really impressed with every aspect of the experience and can’t wait to come back!

Rating: 5 / 5

If you are looking for a bargain - this isn't the place. If you are looking for quality, variety, exceptional customer service - this IS the place to come! Not only has the place got a fish monger, butcher, deli & cheese counter, it has a pizza parlour and a lovely café as well as a wide range of homemade frozen food and a little pet corner outside. The staff here are exceptional and very helpful. The food on sale, especially on the fresh side of things is expensive, for example a scotch egg is £2.75, however, it isn't a supermarket scotch egg! The products we purchased were of the highest quality and they are well worth the extra £! The staff were brilliant, certainly worth shouting about especially the young lady on the deli / cheese counter today who was so nice. Certainly revisiting - Thank You