The Best Restaurants in Denstroude, Kent, United Kingdom (2025)

El Sol is a fantastic find near the cathedral, offering a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. The paella is a must-try—worth the wait and absolutely delicious. The tapas were also top-notch, showcasing a variety of traditional Spanish flavors. The service was outstanding, with friendly and attentive staff who made the experience even better. Whether you're nearby or just passing through, El Sol is well worth a visit.

The paella was perfectly cooked, bursting with authentic flavours, and the tapas were delicious. The cosy atmosphere made it feel warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family. The service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and made us feel welcome. If you’re looking for delicious Spanish cuisine with top-notch service in a charming setting, this is the place to go.

Went there for dinner tonight and was very happy with my whole order and service. The food was honestly great, found no fault with it whatsoever. The waitress was brilliant and very attentive all night and got us everything we needed being a table of 6 adults and a child. Very happy overall not complaints. Will be back soon.

Great Little restaurant right around the corner from the theatre and the cathedral. We popped in for dinner and had the duck breast and wild mushroom risotto. Both were perfectly prepared and the presentation was top notch as well. The kids had burgers and even those weren't small little burgers - proper portions. The host was very friendly and accommodated us even though we didn't have a reservation. Good service overall. Overall, I was extremely impressed with the Marlowe's. The prices was also very reasonable given the portions and quality of the food. I'll definitely visit again when I'm in Canterbury again.

Nice place to have dinner on St Peter’s Street. Friendly service and good food. We were there at the end of the evening and some dishes and beers were not available anymore. Outside seating, very nice to watch people passing by. Vega options scored most points!

Ate here last night and the food was amazing I had the lamb chops, husband had the duck breast. The staff are so friendly too and very efficient. We will definitely be returning when we are back in Canterbury. 🥰

We just came in for a basic pizza, and it was hands down the best pizza I’ve ever had. We had olives and bread to start, also delicious. Every time a meal was carried past I wanted it! Great Italian beer and cider too. Not especially quick on food, but service was brilliant, and it was absolutely worth the wait.

Intimate Italian Dining We booked a table last minute after we called into another restaurant/pub which didnt serve food on a Monday night....this turned into the best outcome ever!! The food was amazing, the staff friendly and efficient and prices comparible to pub prices, but the quality of food far superior. Seating inside or outside are available in a quiet corner of the Kings mile. Might go again tomorrow 😋

Good food and seems to be a popular spot in Canterbury. I had a table for 1 outside and Everything was going well until my table was cleared and offered to someone else. I came back a mere 2 mins later to no table and no drinks. I have to say this was rectified promptly and the waitress was very apologetic. Overall a really good experience with nice food, wine and service!

Tucked away in a quiet part of Canterbury, this Italian restaurant is an absolute gem. The serene atmosphere is matched by stunning surroundings, setting the perfect stage for an unforgettable meal. The food is simply outstanding, with authentic flavours that truly impress. The sharing platter we had as a starter was to die for - each bite was a delight. I visited with my Italian boyfriend, and he was over the moon with the food. Honestly, I can’t think of a restaurant that compares. Apologies for the lack of photos; the food was too good to wait!

Hi Chapman's! I wanted to let you know about the fantastic dining experience my partner and I had recently at this wonderful restaurant. Last Friday evening, we visited with a reservation, and it was truly delightful! The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, the ambiance was cozy, and the food was absolutely worth it. I would highly recommend giving it a try!

We came for our wedding anniversary on a Friday night. We were the only ones here, but the service and the atmosphere was very nice. We had the tuna tartar and the scallops, followed by roasted hake fillet and monkfish wellington. All of the fish courses were full of flavour and good size portions. The winner for me was the monkfish. The desserts were also really tasty. The chocolate delice tasted like proper real chocolate but the cinnamon bun takes the cake. The portions are generous. I think the main courses are well priced, starter and dessert on the higher end of the spectrum. But the food is worth it. Will definitely come back again!

Looking to try some seafood in Canterbury, our group of 4 decided to make a booking for this restaurant and were incredibly pleasantly surprised upon visiting it. The dishes at this restaurant were very creative and we could all tell that the chef put a lot of effort into them. Some highlights of our meal were the fried oysters and the fish and chips, which had batter that was light and crispy. The runny yolk from the deep fried egg was a perfect fit with the sauce used for the asparagus. The ice cream that came with our dessert was not too sweet and tasted strongly of white chocolate, fitting nicely with the warm cinnamon buns under it. The service was wonderful too. The waitress was incredibly kind and talkative, telling us about life in Canterbury and recommending sightseeing spots for us in the local area. Upon complimenting the chef after we finished our mains, he even increased the portion sizes of our desserts for us! Overall, this was a delightful dining experience and if we ever come back to Canterbury, we'll be sure to return.

We ate here as part of a friend's special birthday celebrations. We'd booked for lunch and all fancied the Tasting menu, which was terrific value even before we realised it was half price that day. The food was incredible. Ross is a talented chef. Alysha looked after us perfectly. Nothing was too much trouble. They easily swapped out a starter one of our party with a crab allergy for equally delicious prawns. Presentation and flavours were amazing. If only I lived nearer.

Really pretty dining room and nice and friendly environment. Classy but also comfortable. Very nice meal but we were waiting for almost 1 hour to get our food and had to order a couple of things twice because one of the waiters seemed a bit new and kept forgetting it. I highly recommend ordering desert, they are a true work of art and delicious as well.

Canterbury's hidden gem! ...Perhaps that's why its still quiet... Lovely little restaurant. We’ll be going again (and again!). All the food was lovely, and the best pancetta ever!

Went as a couple. Didn't realize they open at 18:30 so we were just a little early. So if you do want an early dinner do consider this. The sitting area is upstairs. I couldn't tell if they have a lift so something to consider if you have mobility issues. We got to pick the table as we were the first to arrive.Waiters were attentive throughout our meal. The meal itself was lovely and beautifully presented, but I would say portion wise you probably need a starter, main sides or deserts to fill you up. This does mean the bill adds up. So would recommend it but be prepared to dig a little deeper into your pockets if you want to go away satisfied

Absolutely amazing. From the moment we walked in the atmosphere was warm, friendly and welcoming. We were served by two fabulous, friendly people! The food! Wow. From the bread and olives to the ravioli, red mullet and sea food stew, not to mention to delicious panacota with mascapone and the fantastic cheese board. We cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. We will be back 🤗😊

Steak was an absolute winner my partner said! I really enjoyed the sea bass, extremely generous! You cannot miss out on the homemade Kent Gypsy Tart! Wonderful friendly atmosphere, the team could not do enough to help you enjoy the experience. Definitely will be back when I’m in Kent again!

This is a long awaited review! I visited here a long while ago with my boyfriend and family and I just haven’t stopped thinking about it. We travelled up here from strood as a special visit as we saw the place on google come up as one of the best restaurants near me. So we made the trip and it was more than worth it. The food was incredible, it was so hot and tasty I would honestly say it was one of the best meals I have ever had! The restaurant is also so beautiful and has a lovely feel to it, and the staff make this even better they are so kind and welcoming and provide great service, I definitely will make a point if coming back here when I can as it lived up to beyond my expectations. I have to add in, the scotch egg was unbelievable, although I didn’t take a second to photograph it, it wad the best scotch egg I have ever tasted, I 100% recommend it!

Great food and service. Steak was perfectly cooked. Kids burger and milkshake were amazing too.

We had a wonderful experience here. The staff were all helpful and extremely friendly. Although the menu is not extensive, you won't be disappointed. We went for the pork Belly, and Boy was it good & Cooked to perfection. We highly recommend a visit and would definitely go again if in the area. Thank you to All at The Dairy.

We sat outside under the heaters and beside the stream. In spite of being the only ones outside the servers were responsive and attentive. The food was nice but did not blow us away. For the price we were very happy with our lunch.

Got the Mushroom Fettuccine, a Gin Cocktail with elderflower and shared a sticky toffee pudding. The food was so good, with good portions that were not too large. The sticky toffee pudding was heavenly! The service and ambience were also excellent, our servers were quick to give us recommendations and were warm and friendly. Would definitely come back when we are in Canterbury again!

We had a lovely time here. The lamb dish was our absolute favourite but the others were all very good as well. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to come back!

Amazing dinner, 100/10 experience, the food was original and tasty and not oily, the service was empecable, the interior design was very cured and elegant and the owner was lovely and welcoming, I 100% recommend this restaurant for all meals and celebrations 🥳💐 cheers from Italy and Morocco

Good things come to those who wait and that is true of the flavoursome curries at The Ancient Raj. No corners are cut in the selection, mix and development of spices to create delectable curry dishes. Fish was tender, biryani fluffy, madras properly spiced and service impeccable.

This is the best Indian restaurant in Canterbury, Kent! I now understand why it is so hard to book a table at this place. Everything here was amazing including service, food and the atmosphere. The location is very close to town centre and within walking distance to the train station. I cannot recommend this place enough. Two thumbs up!

The Google Maps entry is a bit misleading... I went to the Goods Shed building, to Gill's Cafe & Delicatessen - but this listing seems to be for the main restaurant, which I didn't go to... Anyway - Gill's was great, and I had a lovely bowl of soup for £7, with very friendly service. It's very convenient for the station, and I'd definitely return.

Amazing restaurant and beautiful local produce market! The food at the restaurant was really fancy and absolutely delicious! Every meal was a real experience! They use local and seasonal ingredients sourced directly from the market. We ordered a 3-course meal which was definitely pricey but perfect for a celebration or special occasion. The staff a very attentive and very well organised. Booking a table is best as it gets very busy. The market is also very charming with fresh local veg, fish, meat, juice, cheese and other wonderful finds. Highly recommend and can't wait to be back!

Lovely spot for a chill lunch! Great atmosphere and packed with people. Had to queue for and hour but not too bad. Great food and nice staff!

Lovely place to dine or shop from local businesses - all in close proximity to the train station. We seemed to have visited on a particularly busy day, as they only had one table available for walk-ins (us). The kitchen seemed a bit overwhelmed as our food took forever to arrive, and we ended up dining there for 2.5 hours. Something to keep in mind if you're on a tight schedule. The food was great! We really enjoyed the confit pork belly, and we thought the mint butter paired really well with the pink fir potatoes. Didn't realise the 'roast chicken' was a salad when we ordered, but it was still pretty good.

Lovely meal, service and atmosphere. All the food was full of flavor and the service was spectacular. Beyond what we ordered, they served little bites, which were all fantastic. There was a pianist playing as well.

My husband and I booked for the Indian high tea. It was on an offer and we love high tea, so we figured we would try it. It was all so amazing. There was a tone of variety of both sweet and savoury and the masala chai tea we got was very nice. The service was quick and attentive. Such a fun and unique twist- our favourite was the spiced chocolate cake and the potato sandwich. We cleaned our plates!

I have been visiting The Cook’s Tale for at least eight years now and I always have a wonderful experience. The food is simply delicious! It's fine dining quality at a mid-range price. If you are able to take advantage of one of their monthly deals, it's insanely good value for money. The service has always been very attentive. As a vegetarian I love the quantity and variety of vegetarian dishes - it's clear they aren't some afterthought. Something else that I really appreciate about The Cook’s Tale is that unlike many other restaurants in a similar price range they don't automatically add gratuity to the bill, it's left to you to decide how much you want to tip. If you are considering visiting The Cook’s Tale, stop thinking and go now! You won't regret it.

Wonderful cuisine with amazing flavours and loads of tasty surprises. If you want a 5 star experience don't forget to book well in advance. Knowledgeable and friendly staff complete the experience. Not your average spice house. One of the best I have ever tasted. Enjoy !!