Join the rewards club for food lovers and unlock rewards

Best restaurants in Margate

Explore the coastal town of Margate through a range of independent cafes, Michelin-starred spots and fresh seafood delights

Updated on 25 September 2024

With trains running from London to Margate in under an hour and a half, there's no excuse not to pop to the seaside for a day trip full of sun, sea, ice cream, and delicious food. Margate's sandy beaches are perfect for gorgeous seaside walks, sandcastle building and splashing around in the sea on a hot day. Head to the famous amusement park, full of vintage rides, or rifle about in Margate's Old Town and explore the town's history, as well as more contemporary additions like the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery. 

Whether you’re a local or tourist, there’s always something to do in Margate, but more importantly there’s always something good to eat when bellies start rumbling. Forget picnic sandwiches filled with gritty sand – we've found you the best beach side dining experiences. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a seaside town without some great seafood, and Margate certainly reels in a selection that catches our eyes. Local fishermen supply fresh fish to restaurants on a daily basis, so you may find that many of these restaurants have a frequently changing menu as well as limited stock – still, fresh fish is surely worth the uncertainty. Plus, its location just along the coast from Whitstable means it is within touching distance of outstanding oysters.  

If seafood isn’t your thing, Margate has plenty of other cuisines that are sure to tickle your taste buds. From small, independently run British cafés to cracking Italian restaurants, a trip to Margate is certainly a treat. 

Have a scroll through this list of all the best places to eat in Margate and pick one that suit’s your tastes; but trust us, every one of these is worth the train journey.

Angela

Angela's Seafood Restaurant

21 The Parade, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EX

Ethically sourced, daily-changing seafood dishes are sure to be a mouthwatering treat at Angela's. Feast on famous rock oysters or delicate lobster in a monochrome, contemporary dining spot.

£30 - £49
Fish
SARGASSO

SARGASSO

Margate Harbour Arm, Margate, Kent, CT9 1AP

Run by the team behind London's Brawn restaurant, Sargasso serves up a modern European offering of seafood dishes. The restaurant delivers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for dining, drinking and enjoying the occasional live music guest.

£30 - £49
Modern European
Fish
SquareMeal UK Top 100
Buoy and Oyster

Buoy and Oyster

44 High Street , Margate, Kent, CT9 1DS

Serving up fish that has been freshly caught that day, Buoy and Oyster is a popular choice for fresh seafood. With ocean-inspired interiors and a coastal view, there is no better place to enjoy platters of shellfish.

£30 - £49
Fish
GB Pizza Co Margate

GB Pizza Co Margate

14a Marine Drive, Margate, Margate, Kent, CT9 1DH

Look no further for some great pizza in Margate. This restaurant includes a centrepiece wood-fired oven that produces thin, crispy pizzas, all generously topped with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Try the pear, blue cheese and ricotta-base pizza for something different!

Under £30
Pizza
Sète

Sète

238 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2QD

This joyful, Paris-inspired wine bar is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon, sipping your way through excellent wine recommendations whilst ordering specials from the blackboards. Jackson Berg and Natalia Ribbe understand the alchemy of a good restaurant, and Sète has that in spades, as well as a cracking menu and monthly wine tastings.

£30 - £49
French
Wine Bars
Giorgios

Giorgios

19 Marine Gardens, Margate, Kent, CT9 1UH

Giorgios is a spacious, modern bar and restaurant serving contemporary Italian delights such as bruschetta, pizza, pasta, and main courses, all served with a unique twist that sets them apart from the norm. 

£30 - £49
Italian
Peter

Peter's Fish Factory

12 Royal York Mansions, The Parade, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EZ

One of the most popular places for fish and chips in Margate is this little, family run, traditional chippy. Open since 1984, you can expect all the usual offerings as well as fresh catches from the local fishermen.

British
Fish and Chips
Fish
The Dalby Cafe

The Dalby Cafe

4-6 Dalby Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2EX

Serving in Margate since the end of WWII, The Dalby Cafe has had decades of experience in delivering classic English fry ups and comforting homemade meals including pies, fish and chips and a traditional Sunday roast.

Under £30
Burgers
British
Mullins Brasserie

Mullins Brasserie

6 Market Place, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EN

This spot offers something a little different thanks to its Caribbean influence on modern European cuisine. Innovative and elegantly presented, these dishes are packed full of flavour and are served in a fine, rustic restaurant.

Under £30
Modern European
Caribbean
Dory

Dory's

24 High Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1DS

Dory's is the little sister to Angela's Seafood Restaurant and is a seafood bar serving raw, pickled, cured and baked seafood as well as vegetable dishes. The bar also has a wine shop selling organic British and European wines.

£30 - £49
Fish
The Greedy Cow

The Greedy Cow

3 Market Place, Old Town, Margate, Kent, CT9 1ER

You'll find this family-run, welcoming and quaint cafe in the heart of Margate's historic old town. The Greedy Cow elevates British cuisine with its offering of sausage and red onion brioche rolls and the special grilled cheese toastie.

Under £30
Burgers
British
Bottega Caruso

Bottega Caruso

2-4 Broad Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1EW

Fresh, handmade pasta anyone? Bottega Caruso brings an authentic taste of fine Italian dining thanks to its selection of small plates and larger pasta dishes. Remember to check out the extensive Italian wine offering too.

£30 - £49
Italian
Cliffs

Cliffs

172 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2QN

Cliffs brings a chic, quirky vibe to the historic town of Margate. Combining a record shop, a hairdressers, and a cafe all in one place, it's certainly an impressive spot. Feast on the likes of all-day breakfasts and artistic coffees.

Under £30
British

If that search has you craving more food on the seafront, why not set your sights on Brighton? This seaside, forward-thinking, foodie city is teeming with great dining spots – check out our list of the best vegan restaurants Brighton has to offer and set a date! Or set your sights a little closer to home and check out our collection of the best restaurants in Canterbury, which is home to a number of Kent's very best gastropubs. 

Join SquareMeal Rewards

Collect points, worth at least £1, every time you book online and dine at a participating restaurant.

Start Collecting Points

Already a member? Sign in