By Katie Wilson
Margate is England’s original seaside town. Visitors have flocked here since the 1730s for its sandy beaches, out-of-this-world sunsets and unique tourist attractions, like the Shell Grotto.
Fast forward to the present day and Margate is having a renaissance. The town is full of independent shops – it’s rare to see a chain in the colourful Old Town – and there’s been a boom of new hotel, bar and restaurant openings that have turned it into one of the UK’s newest foodie hotspots.
Even Madonna, who’s friends with local resident and world-famous artist Tracey Emin, is a regular visitor and says: ‘Whenever I go there, I feel like I’ve entered a dream’.
As she spills the beans on her favourite Italian restaurant in Margate – revealed below – here we look at the best places to eat and drink in Margate, from morning coffees to late night tipples.
We may earn a small commission from some of the retailers if you click on links in this article, but we don’t allow this to influence our recommendations.
Best of Margate at a glance
Best breakfast/casual eats in Margate
- Forts
- The Good Egg
- Palms Pizzeria
- Bus Cafe
- Louie on Sea (at Turner Contemporary)
- Cliffs
- The Old Kent Market (indoor food, drinks and stalls)
- Peter’s Fish Factory (best fish and chips in town!)
Best coffee shops in Margate
- Giant Coffee
- Curve Coffee
- Doubloons
- Oast
- Big Shot
- Afterparty (at Walpole Bay Tidal Pool)
Best restaurants in Margate
- Bottega Caruso (Madonna’s favourite Italian)
- Willy’s (NEW)
- Little Havana (NEW)
- The Wellington (NEW)
- Angela’s
- Pearly Cow
- Buoy & Oyster
- Pomus
- Lillies
- Sargasso
- Sète
- High DIVE
- Faith In Strangers
- Colina
Best pubs and bars in Margate
- Fez (+ just opened sister bar Henry’s)
- The Last Light
- George & Heart
- Rose in June
- Fort Road Bar
- Off Licence
- The Tap Room
- CAMP
- The Bull’s Head
- Harbour Arms (seafront)
- Little Swift (seafront)
- Xylo (seafront)
- Rooftop at No.42 (seafront in summer)
- Sun Deck (seafront in summer)
Late night bars in Margate
Where to eat and drink in Margate
Margate is fast becoming a foodie hotspot. Seafood restaurant Angela’s was awarded the town’s first Green Michelin star in 2020 for it’s sustainable approach to food and its plastic-free supply chain. Since then a number of new cafes, bars and restaurants have popped up that are well worth visiting. And I’ve included some old favourites too.
If the sun is shining, head to Margate’s only rooftop bar, The Rooftop at No.42 GuestHouse hotel (pictured at the top of this article). Giving Ibiza vibes as it overlooks Margate Main Sands, they serve cocktails and bar snacks and you get the dreamiest sea view in town, best seen at sunset. Note, this is only open in summer.
Their Pearly Cow restaurant downstairs serves upmarket food and has a pretty terrace open in the warmer months. Buoy & Oyster next door is where to head for seafood platters, posh fish and chips – and oysters with your Bloody Mary.
Sargasso on the Harbour Arm (Margate’s version of a pier) is from the same team behind east London’s Brawn restaurant. While you’re there be sure to pop into family-run micro-pub Harbour Arms for a pint or two. Tiny taco restaurant DIVE next door is also making waves amongst tourists and locals alike. Check out their permanent restaurant, High Dive, on the High Street too. It’s my favourite restaurant in Margate right now.
In Margate Old Town make a beeline for the newly-opened The Wellington, a French-style bistro that’s half restaurant, half pub. Also new is Cafe del Margs, which is soon to be serving bottomless brunches. It has tables outside, like its neighbours The Greedy Cow and gastropub The Bull’s Head, which has a great beer garden at the back.
Other places worth checking out nearby are pizza restaurants Palms Pizzeria and The Pickled Fox. While Pomus is a neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar doing interesting things with local produce via a selection of small plates.
For the best Italian in town book ahead at Bottega Caruso. If you can’t get a table, head to their deli and small plate restaurant next door. It’s Madonna’s favourite!
Up the road in Cliftonville – recently voted one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out – PICNIC on Northdown Parade is a deli, off licence and bar serving craft beer, natural wine and cocktails, which is conveniently next to another favourite, The Tap Room Cliftonville. On this same stretch, you’ll also find the newly opened Cuban bar and tapas joint Little Havana and Cliftonville Dining Room.
While The Last Light is a newly opened proper boozer up that way on Northdown Road. Dare you to try the dill pickle G&T!
Sète, a wine bar from the same people behind former Margate pop up Barletta, is worth checking out. They recently added a restaurant and garden seating and do a great set menu if you’re in town Monday to Thursday.
For the best brunch in town, book a table at The Good Egg in Cliftonville. I’m also a big fan of the cheese toasties at Curve Coffee and you can pretty much order anything at Forts near the lido sign. It’s so good, there’s often a queue outside at weekends.
Faith In Strangers (check out their DJ nights and new restaurant) and Little Swift serve the most delicious cocktails and both enjoy sea views. For sunset raving head to The Sun Deck on Royal Crescent Promenade. This place can get very vibey, but note it’s only open in summer until 9pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Carry on the party at Bar Nothing on Cliff Terrace. It’s hipster AF and you can rave until 2am at weekends. CAMP is a queer bar and community space on Northdown Road. Here you’ll find everything, from drag shows and comedy shows to pub quizzes and book clubs. Other late night venues include event space Margate Arts Club, dive bar Justine’s that hosts DJ and indie nights, and the newly opened Margate Beach Club.
Unique to Margate is The Little Prince in The Old Kent Market, that claims to be the UK’s smallest pub. Other pubs worth a visit include the Rose in June, hidden up a secret alley near the Winter Gardens. And popping in for a drink at Margate institution The Fez on the High Street is a must. The same team have just opened another bar up the road called Henry’s that will eventually serve Indian tapas, as well as drinks, with a sunset backdrop.
Forts and The Bus Cafe are where to head for breakfast, but get there early to avoid the queues. Get New York-style bagels at Sub Rosa (note, it closes at 3pm). And join the queue at Peter’s Fish Factory for the best fish and chips in town. You might have seen their recent collaboration with Fortnum & Mason.
When it comes to coffee, our favourites are Giant Coffee in the Old Town that has a great selection of cakes and savouries that are all vegan. We’re also fans of Big Shot on the seafront, Curve Coffee up the High Street and Doubloons, Oast and Cliffs in Clilftonville. The latter is an independent cafe and record shop on Northdown Road. Don’t forget to look upstairs!
If you’re having a morning beach walk, grab a drink and cinnamon bun from Afterparty, a newly opened coffee shack that’s taken up residence in front of Walpole Bay Tidal Pool. Want ice cream? Head to the oh-so-pretty Lulu’s Gelato parlour and old school ice cream bar Ramsey & Williams that has a pop up shop space.
*Be aware some places in Margate are only open Thursday-Sunday/Monday, so check before visiting
Read next: A weekend in Lyme Regis
Read next: A weekend in Hove
5 FAQs on best Margate food and drink
1. Where are the best places to eat in Margate?
Margate has a brilliant food scene for a seaside town, with everything from relaxed brunch cafés and artisan bakeries to seafood restaurants and stylish bistros. Many of the best places to eat are dotted around the Old Town and along the seafront, making it easy to plan a full weekend of standout meals. Our personal favourites are Forts, The Good Egg, High Dive, Willy’s, Pomus and Pearly Cow.
2. What are the best restaurants in Margate for dinner?
For dinner in Margate, you’ll find a mix of seasonal British menus, fresh seafood, small plates and cosy candlelit spots perfect for a weekend break. Booking ahead is recommended, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, as Margate’s most popular restaurants fill up quickly. Bottega Caruso is Madonna’s favourite restaurant here.
3. Where can I go for brunch or coffee in Margate?
Margate is well known for its brunch culture, with plenty of independent cafés serving great coffee, pastries and creative breakfast dishes. The Old Town in particular is packed with laid-back spots ideal for slow mornings before heading to the beach or exploring the galleries. Our favourites are Big Shot, Giant Coffee, Forts and The Good Egg.
4. What are the best bars in Margate for cocktails or drinks?
Margate’s bar scene ranges from relaxed pubs and wine bars to stylish cocktail spots near the seafront. Whether you’re after sunset drinks overlooking the sea or cosy late-night cocktails in town, there are plenty of options for a weekend of eating and drinking in Margate. Our top picks are No.42 Rooftop and Sun Deck in the summer and The Last Light, Henry’s, Xylo and the George & Heart for year-round tipples.
5. Do I need to book restaurants in Margate in advance?
Yes — if you’re visiting Margate for a weekend, especially in spring or summer, it’s wise to book popular restaurants and bars in advance. The town has become a foodie destination, and the best places to eat and drink can get fully booked quickly.
Comments are closed.