Located in Kent, Deal has earned the nickname “Hackney-on-Sea” due to its thriving food and drink scene. Aaron Clark Potter, the head chef and owner of Wild Flowers restaurant, highlighted the town as a top weekend destination for food lovers.
Speaking on the Go To Food podcast, he shared his favorite spot: “Updown Farmhouse, we went there last year, and it was the best meal I had all year. Oli is one of the best chefs in the country, making simple yet clever, authentic dishes.”
Updown Farmhouse was even recognized as one of the nation’s top restaurants in last year’s National Restaurant Awards. Clark Potter also recommended The Rose, a hotel and restaurant led by chef Nuno Mendes, which is home to the nearby Blue Pelican restaurant. “In this small, quirky town, there’s such incredible food,” he said.
Supporting this sentiment, The Pelican’s Head Chef remarked, “It’s impressive for such a small town to have so many great food options.”
Local chef Jakob Grant added, “I do think Deal’s food scene is growing. It’s not quite like Margate yet, with its well-established restaurants and space to expand, but things are moving in that direction.”
Other notable places in Deal include The Frog & Scot, and the exclusive Dining Club, which requires membership. Additionally, the town’s iconic pier is undergoing a £140 million renovation, with parts of the lower deck being rebuilt, although the pier remains open and the popular café at the end remains unaffected.
History enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Deal Castle, built by Henry VIII, which is open to the public. Trains from London to Deal take around 1 hour and 25 minutes, arriving at St Pancras station.
In another part of Kent, Whitstable’s The Sportsman has also been recognized by renowned chefs. The restaurant was named the best in the world by Chef Max Rocha, who runs London’s Cafe Cecila, describing it as his favorite: “It really is the best restaurant and ticks all the boxes,” he told Conde Nast Traveller.
Kent is also known for its “golden triangle” of vineyards, which rival some of the finest French wines—an experience worth exploring.
