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

My family had a lovely lunch here when visiting Canterbury over the bank holiday. We weren't sure where to eat but after quickly searching online we settled for this place as it seemed to have good reviews and now we can see why! We enjoyed every dish that we ordered and the flavours were on point!! The meat was not dry, it was very juicy and well seasoned. The staff was super friendly and the dishes were decently priced as well. The portion sizes were good and was also presented beautifully. We ordered the bread and hummus, lamb ribs, mixed meat, and chicken wings which also came with some cous cous and salad with a lovely dressing. Would definitely come back if we're ever back in Canterbury which is likely as my family is still talking about this place after the one visit. Thank you so much! :D

Great food quality. Nice staff. Whatever you order, do NOT forget to try their Hummus 😋

LOVE this place! 10 of us came for my husband's birthday. The staff were absolutely spot on, very friendly, great service, making sure we had everything we needed, drinks were always topped up very quickly. The food was amazing, 6 of us wanted the "Meat Lover" and they brought it out on a huge board, honestly makes me drool just thinking about how good it was! Very reasonably priced too. Haven't got one bad word to say about it. We'll be back again for sure 😁

A friendly welcome awaits from attentive staff. We had the Mixed Grill and Hot Mezze to share. Cooked over charcoal the kofta, lamb chop, lamb shish and chicken shish was tender and beautifully seasoned. We had baklava for dessert and I had a cocktail (White Russian) which finished the meal perfectly. We will definitely return to this beautiful restaurant.

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 !!

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!

We had a wonderful lunch at The Cook's Tale Restaurant in Canterbury! As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by Asher, our host, who was friendly, welcoming, and very knowledgeable about the menu. He made sure our dietary requirements were carefully addressed and guided us through the options. We opted for the Meat and Vegetarian Thali, and both were absolutely delicious — full of vibrant flavors and beautifully presented. What truly stood out was the exceptional service. During our meal, Chef Alfie came over to check on us, asking if we were enjoying our food and if we had any feedback. It was a lovely personal touch that made the experience even more memorable. The restaurant itself had a cosy, festive atmosphere, with Christmas decorations adding a warm touch to the environment. Overall, a fantastic dining experience, with excellent food, great service, and a welcoming ambience. Highly recommended!

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.

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.

Warm welcome and service, well cooked food and decent portion size. The scotch egg is a must!

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!

Some of the best dishes I have ever tasted. A beautiful setting, attentive staff. Great wine list with plenty of affordable options by the glass, designed for experimentation. But the food is by far the brightest star. The savoury blue cheese cheesecake with beetroot jam is the most stunning dish I have tasted this year; and the flavour will be something I remember for years to come. Everything was excellent, but also deserving of special mention was the dark chocolate torte with hazelnuts blackberry sorbet. A stunning mixture of flavours, executed perfectly.

Went for lunch with my Mum, excellent service and very good value set menu. I had the flat iron steak with a side of delicious chips. Unfortunately my steak was overdone, I asked for medium but it was well done-I didn't mention it at the time-i'm sure they would have made me another if I made a fuss, but it was still OK. Mum had fish pie which she enjoyed. Treacle tart for desert was very good.

We had a lovely dinner with the family. Very child friendly restaurant. The ambiance and food are fantastic! We highly recommend the Beef Wellington. Their home made ice-cream is delicious too. Definitely recommend!!!

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.

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 🤗😊

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! A real italien restaurant with so much flavours.The staff is lovely and the food is really tasty. A nice choice of dishes - much enough to hesitate. We really enjoyed our venue (and we are french so imagine haha) We really recommend the wine as they it is served in a lovely glass and start with the focaccia it brings you directly in Italy Price is aligned with the quality of the food

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!

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.

Went to Canterbury and found this lovely restaurant by the river. Sat outside and all I can say is wow. Special set menu Monday - Friday in the day, very reasonable for the quality. Had one of the best beef carpaccio’s I’ve eaten (best was in Paris) and then a cracking nduja/salami wood fired pizza that I only just finished… shame to waste amazing food. One of the nicest menu’s I’ve seen in a while… fancied everything. The service also gets a special mention (lady with the smile and braces) couldn’t have done more for us and you can tell they had been trained well. Highly recommend if you come to Canterbury… inside good vibes and good music. Best to book especially at weekends. Happy Eating :)

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.

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!

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.

Small and pretty farmers market just a minute walking from Canterbury Station. Good selection of fruit, vegs, meant and fish, bread and pastries, drinks and organic products. Very tiny, 10 minutes is enough to visit

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.

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.

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!

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!

Enjoyed a lovely meal here. The pizzas and fresh pasta was delicious. Lovely atmosphere and excellent service. Excellent value for money. Would highly recommend

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.