
Kent is the Garden of England which means that the county's best restaurants have access to an abundance of fresh local produce.
Look out for oysters from Whitstable, lamb from the Romney Marshes, Dover Sole and wine from the vineyards of Tenterden.
Although close to the capital, Kent retains much of its rural charm and a visit to this region would not be complete without sampling the food in one of the delightful, age old country dining pubs.
The Marquis at AlkhamFollowing a spectacular transformation, the old Marquis of Granby pub has morphed into the Marquis at Alkham - a striking contemporary restaurant with five luxury bedrooms to boot.
Alkham Valley Road, Alkham, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
The Hoodener's HorseThe curious name (and equally quirky sign outside) is a reference to the old Kentish custom of 'hoodening' - a ritual shindig played out during the winter solstice, May Day and hopping celebrations.
The Street, Ashford, Kent - Cuisine: Mexican
The Tiger InnThe seventeenth-century Tiger Inn is a country-pub success story. lt was saved from extinction by a syndicate of Stowting locals, who clubbed together and bought the place simply because they didn't want to lose their favourite watering hole.
Stowting, Ashford, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
HengistIt might seem rather odd to name a twenty-first century restaurant after a long-dead Saxon chief, but the ancient village of Aylesford is close to where the man himself met his end centuries ago.
7-9 High Street, Aylesford, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Kits Coty Brasserie'I must go in summer and sample the view over Bluebell Hill,' noted one UK Restaurant Guide user who was immediately seduced by the pleasures of Kits Coty Brasserie.
15 Old Chatham Road, Aylesford, Kent - Cuisine: Modern Eclectic
Mae PingNamed after the river which runs through Chiang Mai, this neighbourhood Thai restaurant is well respected and liked for its friendly atmosphere, engaging hospitality and sumptuous décor.
16 High Street, Beckenham, Kent - Cuisine: Thai
MelloSituated in a listed Victorian building not far from the station, Mello brings a touch of fashionable metropolitan class to Beckenham.
2 Southend Road, Beckenham, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
The Three ChimneysEagle-eyed visitors will notice that this renowned 400-year-old pub has only two chimneys: its name is a corruption of the French 'trois chemins' (three roads) – a local junction that marked the limit allowed for French soldiers to walk when imprisoned in Sissinghurst Castle during the Seven Years' War.
Hareplain Road, Biddenden, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
West House'An absolute treasure' is one way of describing this delightfully intimate fifteenth-century weaver's cottage in the heart of the Garden of England.
28 High Street, Biddenden, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
The Mulberry TreeSituated in a genteel Kentish village some 4 miles from Staplehurst, this revamped hostelry (formerly the Red House) now sets out its stall as a 'contemporary country pub and eating house'.
Hermitage Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
Brandshatch PlaceBrandshatch Place, set in 12 acres of beautiful parkland is a sophisticated Georgian mansion built in 1806. This four star hotel boasts an award winning restaurant where Chef Mark Murphy produces some stunning traditional English dishes.
Brands Hatch Road, Brands Hatch, Kent - Cuisine: English
TamashaA genuine Indian restaurant-with-rooms deep in Kent commuter land sounds unlikely, but Tamasha is proving to be a great success.
131 Widmore Road, Bromley, Kent - Cuisine: Indian
Azouma'Azouma' is an invitation in Arabic, and this seductive oasis aims to bring a taste of sumptuous Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean cuisine to Canterbury.
4 Church Street, Canterbury, Kent - Cuisine: Moroccan
Café Mauresque'A touch of the Souk' in English Canterbury is what you can look forward to at this colourful venue. The location is one of the city's medieval streets (there are tables on the pavement for sun-lovers and people-watchers), and inside it's a riot of exotic lamps, ornate mirrors, tiles and Middle Eastern artefacts.
8 Butchery Lane, Canterbury, Kent - Cuisine: Moroccan
Augustine's RestaurantTaking its name from nearby St Augustine's Abbey, founded in 597AD and now part of Canterbury's World Heritage Site, Augustine's is a highly popular neighbourhood restaurant in a Georgian town house.
1-2 Longport, Canterbury, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Café des AmisThe name may suggest a touch of Gallic camaraderie in historic Canterbury, but there's nothing French about the menu in this highly popular venue next to the medieval West Gate of the city.
93-95 St Dunstan's Street, Canterbury, Kent - Cuisine: Mexican
Michael Caines at ABode CanterburyPart of the growing ABode group of classy hotels set up by superstar chef Michael Caines MBE and business partner Andrew Brownsword, this is the result of a heavyweight refurbishment and re-branding of the County Hotel, within Canterbury's city walls and a stroll from the cathedral.
The County Hotel, Canterbury, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Bridgewood ManorSituated close to the ancient Pilgrims Way on the outskirts of Rochester, this modern, purpose-built hotel has some intriguing features including a classical courtyard at the centre of things, a fine stone fireplace and lots of beautiful reclaimed carved wood from nearby churches and fine houses.
Bridgewood Roundabout, Chatham, Kent - Cuisine: European
Choi'sAwaiting full review.
4 - 6 High Street, Chislehurst, Kent - Cuisine: Chinese
The DoveIs it a pub? Is it a restaurant? No, it's The Dove – a splendidly rustic, ivy-clad Kentish hostelry just off the A229 at Dargate, a pretty village between Faversham and Whitstable.
Plum Pudding Lane, Dargate, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
The Bay RestaurantAn exciting new venture from the team behind nearby Wallett's Court, the Bay Restaurant is the 'beating heart' of the White Cliffs Hotel in the centre of delightful St Margaret's at Cliffe.
High Street, Dover, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
The CoastguardBilled as 'the closest English pub to France', the Coastguard is spectacularly situated right by St Margaret's Bay: in summer you can sit outside and gaze across the Straits of Dover towards the French mainland.
The Bay, Dover, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Wallett's CourtWallett's Court holds a special place in the annals of The UK Restaurant Guide. It was the very first establishment to receive a full published review and has continued to prove its worth over the years.
Westcliffe, Dover, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
Faversham BistrotIn a glorious spot overlooking the town's famous creek, Faversham Bistrot occupies a lovingly restored mill that has been cleverly transformed into a passionately run French bistro-style restaurant.
Provender Mill, Faversham, Kent - Cuisine: French
The IndiaA redoubtable fixture of the Folkestone restaurant scene for more than 20 years, the India is a real treasure, yet still one of Kent's best kept secrets.
1 The Old High Street, Folkestone, Kent - Cuisine: Indian
La TavernettaFamous in Folkestone for more than 40 years, La Tavernetta remains a strong favourite with Folkestonians and visitors alike. It stands in a quiet location within easy reach of the sea and is greatly liked for its engaging personal service and good-value Italian food of the old school.
Leaside Court, Folkestone, Kent - Cuisine: Italian
Pauls RestaurantFor more than a quarter of a century, Paul Hagger's eponymous restaurant Paul's, has been a fixture of the Folkestone dining scene and the stylishly renovated premises is still on form – judging by recent comments sent in to the UK Restaurant Guide.
2a Bouverie Road West, Folkestone, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Sandbanks RestaurantPart of Folkestone's renowned East Cliff Pavilion complex, the Sandbanks Restaurant makes the most of stunning views over the town, harbour and Hythe Bay to Dungeness and across to France.
East Cliff, Folkestone, Kent - Cuisine: Modern English
Savour AromaA tastefully decorated, one-time bank building provides the colourful setting for this locally renowned Chinese restaurant, which continues to attract a big loyal following.
352 Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent - Cuisine: Chinese
The Fitzwalter ArmsSituated midway between Canterbury and the coast, the brick-built Fitzwalter Arms has been thriving as a pub since 1702. It was originally the local hostelry for the nearby Goodnestone Estate (famous for its gardens and connections with Jane Austen), although crowds now come from far and wide to sample its no-frills modern food.
The Street, Goodnestone, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Pepper Box InnIt's well worth the trek though the Kent countryside to discover this 400-year-old pub some 2 miles off the A20 near Harrietsham.
Windmill Hill, Harrietsham, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Ringlestone Inn'An absolutely gorgeous pub,' was one UK Restaurant Guide user's verdict on this isolated inn set high above the North Downs beside a stretch of the Pilgrims' Way.
Ringlestone Road, Harrietsham, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Le Petit PoissonSituated between the road and Herne Bay promenade, this is a cracking little seafood restaurant and the real deal for holidaymakers and fish-loving visitors alike.
Pier Approach, Herne Bay, Kent - Cuisine: Seafood
Everest InnOpened in 2004, this isn't a pub but a family-run neighbourhood restaurant specialising in Nepalese cuisine – with a supporting cast of well-known dishes from the traditional Indian curry house repertoire.
32-34 High Street, Hythe, Kent - Cuisine: Nepalese
Lime Tree on The SquareA sympathetically refurbished fourteenth-century hostelry in one of the prettiest villages in Kent, the Lime Tree now serves as a cosy hotel within easy reach of the Channel Tunnel.
8-9 The Square, Lenham, Kent - Cuisine: European
The SouffléOverlooking Bearsted Green and only a few minutes from the M20, The Soufflé is set in a delightful sixteenth-century Grade II-listed building.
31 The Green, Maidstone, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Attica RestaurantAttica Restaurant Orpington, guide entry suspended.
, Orpington, Kent - Cuisine: European
Dering ArmsThe Dering Arms at Pluckley was built in the 1840's originally as the hunting lodge serving the Dering Estate, one of the largest estates in the area at the time.
Station Road, Pluckley, Kent - Cuisine: Seafood
The Barn RestaurantThe Barn Restaurant Rainham, Guide entry suspended.
., Rainham, Kent - Cuisine:
Elizabeth's of EastgateHoused in a historic Tudor building a couple of minutes' walk from the cathedral and Rochester castle, Elizabeth's of Eastgate is moving with the times.
154 High Street, Rochester, Kent - Cuisine: Anglo French
Blue Rays RestaurantBlue Rays is definitely not a 'typical Chinese restaurant,' insisted one UK Restaurant Guide user who was full of praise for the top-notch cooking and sheer style of this unusual venue.
186a High Street, Rochester, Kent - Cuisine: Chinese
Samphire at HamTaking its name from the now fashionable 'sea vegetable', Samphire at Ham is situated adjacent to the family-run Blazing Donkey Hotel.
The Blazing Donkey Hotel, Sandwich, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
The SportsmanTo find The Sportsman, you need to trek out of Whitstable, a couple of miles across the bleak mudflats to Seasalter.
Faversham Road, Seasalter, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Greggs RestaurantGavin and Lucinda Gregg's chic modern restaurant occupies a seventeenth-century Grade II-listed building at the top of Sevenoaks High Street near St Nicholas' Church.
28-30 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Nic's BarOpening 11th October on the site of Brasserie St. Nicholas, Nic's Bar is a new and exciting Gastro Bar serving throughout the day, good wines, beers, fabulous cocktails and great food.
61 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent - Cuisine:
Rankins RestaurantHugh and Leonora Rankin's classic Kentish weatherboarded restaurant stands right in the centre of Sissinghurst – a village synonymous with its world-famous Gardens.
The Street, Sissinghurst, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
Hempstead House HotelBuilt in 1850 for a certain Robert Lake and his family, Hempstead House has been run as a private country hotel since the 1990s.
London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent - Cuisine: Anglo French
Le Restaurant FabriceWe are pleased to introduce Le Restaurant Fabrice as a new addition to The UK Restaurant Guide for 2008. A full review will be published shortly.
London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent - Cuisine: Classic French
George & DragonJulian Leefe-Griffiths has done a marvellous job rescuing and rejuvenating this splendid medieval Kentish pub (one of the oldest in southern England).
Speldhurst Hill, Speldhurst, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Kathton House RestaurantA Grade-II listed building in a village just outside Canterbury is the amenable setting for Neil and Gina Evans' intimate restaurant.
6 High Street, Sturry, Kent - Cuisine:
Richard Phillips at Chapel DownCelebrity chef Richard Phillips has joined forces with Chapel Down to open a stunning new restaurant at the Chapel Down vineyard in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside (just five minutes from the ancient Wealden town of Tenterden).
Tenterden Vineyard, Tenterden, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
The PoacherSituated in a pretty Surrey village off the A26, a few miles south of Tonbridge, the bustling Poacher is currently reaping the benefits of a major refurbishment and change of image.
Hartlake Road, Tonbridge, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Thackeray'sA plaque acknowledges the fact that this listed Georgian house on the Common was once home to novelist William Makepeace Thackeray.
85 London Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Cuisine: Modern French
Sankey's'Bars, brasserie and garden' is the three-pronged attraction at Guy Sankey's veteran eating-and-drinking house in a row of shops by the common.
39 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Cuisine: Seafood
The Beacon Bar & RestaurantOccupying a Victorian country house built as the rural retreat for a certain Sir Walter Harris, Lord Lieutenant of London, the Beacon Bar & Restaurant looks out over some of the finest scenery in south-east England - and it's only a short drive from genteel Tunbridge Wells.
Tea Garden Lane, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
Brasserie BlancThis link in the chain of Raymond Blanc brasseries (originally Le Petit Blanc) is situated right in the centre of Tunbridge Wells overlooking the Victoria Shopping Centre.
Five Ways, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Cuisine: Modern French
Hotel du Vin & BistroLike many of the sites chosen by the Hotel du Vin group, the Tunbridge Wells outlet occupies a landmark building - in this case an eighteenth-century, Grade II-listed sandstone mansion that once played host to the young Queen Victoria.
Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Cuisine: Modern European
The SwanFollow the signs to West Malling from J4 of the M20 to find The Swan, a radical conversion of a fifteenth-century coaching inn.
35 Swan Street, West Malling, Kent - Cuisine: Modern British
TulsiOut of the same stable as Tamasha in Bromley, this stylishly refurbished, long-serving Indian takes its name from India's 'queen of herbs' (aka.
20 London Road, Westerham, Kent - Cuisine: Indian
Crab and Winkle RestaurantWhitstable is rapidly becoming one of the top foodie hot-spots in the south-east and this recent arrival on the scene is already making quite a splash.
South Quay, Whitstable, Kent - Cuisine: Seafood
Williams & Brown TapasChristopher Williams started out by opening a classy deli on Harbour Street (which is still going strong). The next step was to open a tapas bar a few doors away, where he could put many of his rigorously sourced native Spanish ingredients to good use in the kitchen and on the plate.
48 Harbour Street, Whitstable, Kent - Cuisine: Spanish/Tapas
The Dog Inn at WinghamSince taking over the Dog Inn during 2004, owners Richard and Sherry Martin have done a grand job in raising the pub's profile and have put much of the emphasis on providing modern gastropub food.
Canterbury Road, Wingham, Kent - Cuisine: Gastro pub
Froggies at the Timber BattsKeep following the signs to Bodsham along the narrow country lanes of Kent and you will eventually find Froggies at the Timber Batts.
School Lane, Wye, Kent - Cuisine: French