Best restaurants in Canterbury

Canterbury may be well known for its student population, but that doesn’t mean its restaurant scene is all cheap eats and student bars - the city is also home to a thriving scene of smart independent restaurants, ranging from lively Mexican joints to fine-dining establishments.

Updated on 25 September 2024

On the hunt for the best restaurants in Canterbury? We've done the rounds on this historic city to find the best places you can go and eat.

When you think of Canterbury, the first place your mind likely wanders to is Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, or the landmark cathedral, which is among the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. While we would definitely recommend a visit to the Cathedral if that's your bag, it is worth noting that amongst the atmospheric medieval streets, Canterbury is home to an array of fantastic restaurants which feed over 7 million visitors each year. As a result, the title of the best restaurant in Canterbury is a hotly contested one - restaurants are set up to cater to the many visitors that arrive in the city each year, and diners are able to choose from casual and low-key spots, all the way through to special occasion venues for their next indulgent dinner out.

Despite the plentiful high-street chains and student dive bars, this is only a small representation of the culinary scene in the city. Canterbury’s restaurant scene does a good job of representing the global stage, and many of the best places to eat in Canterbury are internationally-inspired restaurants found at a variety of price points. Those seeking something a little more traditional can opt for one of the many British restaurants in Canterbury or one of its many excellent gastropubs, where you’ll find anything from fish and chips to a comforting pie. That said, this city really has a bit of everything, including Korean barbecue, excellent Indian food and a handful of authentic neighbourhood Italian restaurants.

Interested? Read on below to see our pick of the best restaurants in Canterbury and find the perfect fit for your next meal out.

Il Posticino

Il Posticino

61 Dover Street, City Centre, CT1 3HD

On of the best Italian restaurants in Canterbury, Il Posticino (The Little Place) is a cosy little neighbourhood Italian restaurant based just outside the city centre. It's more than worth the short journey though, as the menu is packed with heart-warming Italian classics like bruschetta with baby plum tomatoes, and pappardelle with wild boar ragu.

Under £30
Mediterranean
Italian
The Bridge Arms

The Bridge Arms

53 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5LA

Sister restaurant to the magnificent Fordwich Arms in Fordwich, The Bridge Arms has been given similar treatment by owners Dan and Natasha Smith, who have done a remarkable job of refurbishing this 16th century, Grade-II listed old pub. The menu features tonnes of local Kent produce, all effortlessly turned into elevated, homely gastropub plates. 

£50 - £79
British
Gastropub
One Michelin star
The Pig at Bridge Place

The Pig at Bridge Place

Bourne Park Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5LF

Pig restaurants are dotted all over the UK these days, and generally they’re extremely reliable with tasteful, cosy interiors and hearty cooking. The Pig at Bridge Place boasts a lovely restaurant, but also a gorgeous terrace, which is packed on summer days with punters enjoying cocktails, chilled whites and pizzas out of The Pig’s garden oven.

Over £80
Modern European
British
The Duke William Ickham

The Duke William Ickham

The Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1QP

Canterbury is lucky to have a collection of fantastic gastropubs, and The Duke of William in Ickham is one of our favourites - a down-to-earth local pub with an elegant dining room, and some very thoughtful cooking on the menu. Dishes include Romney Marsh lamb kofte and chicken skewers, pork schnitzel with potato salad and chorizo Scotch egg, and there are rooms too so you don’t have to get yourself home after a big night.

£30 - £49
British
The Falstaff in Canterbury

The Falstaff in Canterbury

8-10 St. Dunstans Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8AF

The Falstaff may be contemporary in look, but this hotel’s afternoon tea is resolutely traditional (and all the better for it). Tuck into homemade finger sandwiches and scones, paired with bubbles if you’re feeling fancy.

£30 - £49
Modern European
British
Cafe des Amis

Cafe des Amis

95 St. Dunstans St, Canterbury , Kent, CT2 8AA

A rumoured favourite of Hollywood star Orlando Bloom, this lively Mexican offers a menu of crowd-pleasing sharing dishes in a colourful dining room. Check out the weekday happy hour for half-price cocktails, beers and wines.

Under £30
Mexican
Citi Terrace

Citi Terrace

1 Longmarket, Canterbury, CT1 2JS

One of Canterbury's trendier restaurants, Citi Terrace is always buzzing. The menu is pretty international, spanning a collection of global hits that includes nachos, doughballs, pizza samosas and lamb kofte. If that sounds scary, don't worry - the food is actually pretty good, and the al fresco terrace is a great place to hang out in the summer. 

£30 - £49
Mediterranean
The Granville

The Granville

Street End, Lower Hardres, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 7AL

A more casual sibling to the Michelin-starred Sportsman in Seasalter, this casual gastropub is among the best of its kind. Expect a short but sweet menu of pub grub, plus a few more modern propositions.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Gastropub
The Dog at Wingham

The Dog at Wingham

Canterbury Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1BB

A gastropub that offers fantastic food paired with countryside charm, The Dog at Wingham is home to a talented team who cook with local produce wherever possible. Bread is from the local bakery and meat is sourced from the local butcher. An ever-changing premium selection of beers, wines and spirits also means you won't go thirsty.

£50 - £79
Modern European
British
Gastropub
The Drapers Arms

The Drapers Arms

The Drapers Arms 1-2 Sun Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HX

Mere steps from the famous Canterbury Cathedral, this modern boozer is the place to come for quirky dishes and local craft beers - think the likes of Korean fried chicken wings and white Kinder Bueno waffles.

£30 - £49
British
Chapter

Chapter

Chapter 11-12 Burgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HG

Sourdough pizzas, cocktails and a lovely bright dining room are the three simple ingredients that have made Chapter a rousing success in the middle of Canterbury. Chapter is open all day, seven days a week and also hosts a popular bottomless brunch on the weekends, as well as Fizzy Fridays when the bubbly comes out. 

£30 - £49
Pizza
British
The Corner House Canterbury

The Corner House Canterbury

1 Dover Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3HD

Sourcing produce from local farms, The Corner House boasts the sort of menu where you want to try a bit of everything. Indulge with confit pork belly, before finishing up with sticky date sponge pudding.

£30 - £49
British
Fordwich Arms

Fordwich Arms

King Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0DB

Upscale food in unfussy surroundings is the best way to describe The Fordwich Arms, a gastropub just a short drive from Canterbury. Hyper-local produce informs the menu, while the three-course Sunday lunch is a cracker.

Over £80
British
Gastropub
Marlowe

Marlowe's Restaurant

55 St Peter's St, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BE

Offering a reliably good menu of crowd-pleasers, Marlowe’s is a popular spot for casual catch ups. Top orders include the sea bass fillet and the house burger with chips, while little ones are welcomed with an excellent kids menu. The building has plenty of local history too - it dates way back to the 16th century, when it used to assist pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral. 

£30 - £49
British
The Parrot Canterbury

The Parrot Canterbury

1-9 Church Lane, St Radigunds, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2AG

The Parrot claims to be the oldest pub in Canterbury, and that's saying something in this historic medieval city as the old boozer dates way back to 1370. It's in pretty good nick all things considering, and offers some very good, easy-going pub food into the bargain, including roast ham and eggs with spiced apple chutney, and local haddock and chips.

Under £30
British
Gastropub
The Korean Cowgirl at Canterbury

The Korean Cowgirl at Canterbury

13 Palace Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2DZ

Like the Korean Cowgirl at the Cave Hotel in nearby Faversham, you can expect big, bold Asian flavours here, mixed with the spirit of America’s deep south barbecue. Korean Cowgirl does proper Texas-style slow-and-low smoking here in a huge drum barbecue, but there’s loads more on the menu too, including burgers and Korean rice bowls.

£30 - £49
Korean
The Goods Shed

The Goods Shed

Station Road West, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 8AN

A farmers market, food hall and restaurant, The Goods Shed is a must visit for any Canterbury foodie. The all-day menu often changes multiple times a day and is driven by the market’s own available produce. The diverse drinks list is another big plus, as is the on-site bakery which produces fantastic slow-proofed sourdough loaves and much more. 

£30 - £49
British
Socialite

Socialite

8 St Margaret's Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2TP

This popular rooftop spot in Canterbury town centre does it all - brunch, Sunday roasts, drinks in the sun and an a la carte that runs throughout the day. The cooking is easy-going, international fare that anyone can get stuck into - think braised lamb shoulder flatbreads with hummus, Korean fried cauliflower and roast chicken with ratatouille, as well as steaks off the grill. 

£30 - £49
British
The Cook

The Cook's Tale Restaurant

14-15 Beer Cart Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NY

Previously known as The Ambrette, The Cook's Tale Restaurant is run by Dev Biswal and offers a delicious curry-free menu which seeks to widen English people’s knowledge of Indian cuisine. A fixture of Canterbury’s dining scene, The Cook's Tale also benefits from being close to several major tourist attractions.

£30 - £49
Indian

If you'll be in the area for a while, why not check out our full listings for restaurants in Canterbury and make a note of some of your favourites? Or, venture out to the coast for a night and enjoy a seaside meal at one of our picks of the best restaurants in Whitstable, or peruse the best restaurants in Margate - both these traditional British seaside towns have exciting restaurants, some of which feature in our Top 100 UK Restaurants list.

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