By Katie Wilson
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the seaside town of Margate is having a moment. Madonna recently visited and called it her ‘idea of heaven’, a culinary cluster of independent restaurant openings have firmly put it on the foodie map. And, slightly less exciting for most people, I upped sticks from London to move here.
One such restaurant opening is Willy’s at Margate House Hotel. Not just gaining attention for its tongue-in-cheek name – which is a nod to owner Will Jenkins – as a now local, I can confidently say it’s the buzziest restaurant opening Margate has had in a while.
With an air of exclusivity from the off, you might not find it if the ‘Willys’ sign isn’t outside, as the hotel is hidden behind a smart townhouse on the once oh-so-grand Dalby Square area of Cliftonville.
In its heyday, this part of Margate was one of the poshest and most exclusive seaside resorts in the country. These days, it’s slowly having a return to glory, with property developers like Will spearheading it.
Willy’s Margate restaurant review
Colour-drenched interiors and a candy cane terrace
I remember visiting in the hotel’s early days, when the interiors looked nothing like the colour-drenched fun they are now. At the time, Will talked about putting an extension out the back with plans to open a restaurant there.
Fast forward to 2026 and he’s only gone and done it. Three years after the pink-hued boutique hotel with its famous topless artwork by Henrietta Dubrey hanging above the fireplace in the Drawing Room opened its doors, Willy’s launched as a restaurant in its own right.
And the restaurant interiors are just as fun as the rest of the hotel. There’s pink, pink and more pink, from the tassled chairs (love!) to the chequered floor.
The addition of an outdoor terrace was particularly welcomed during this summer’s sweltering heatwave. Instead of pink, red steals the show here, with scalloped parasols and candy-cane seating alongside atmospheric festoon lights.
While there’s no argument that Willy’s restaurant looks beautiful, does the food live up the hype?
The best Sunday roast in town
I’ve visited three times now, each for different nibbles. The first was for lamb at Easter. The second to try out the rotisserie chicken, their summer take on a Sunday roast. And the third to down cocktails, eat their leak and cheese truffle croquettes for a fiver, and scoff oysters that must be the cheapest in town – at just £1 each.
Every time the food has been on point. After trying out a few Margate roasts recently, in my opinion, it’s the best in town. And it’s reasonably priced for the quality.
The roast beef sirloin will set you back £26. Roast porchetta with confit garlic and burnt apple sauce is £24. Veggies can opt for the cauliflower cheese steak for £19. All come with crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, roast carrots, parsnip puree and greens. I’m northern, so of course I asked for an extra jug of gravy.
In the week, comfort food classics like sausage and mash (£19) and pork cheek with roast autumn veg (£23), the current favourite of Head Chef Lewis Johnson – formerly trained by Michel Roux Jr at legendary restaurant Le Gavroche – are served from the à la carte menu.
Breakfast at Willy’s is newly open to the public, not just hotel guests. The inventive menu, that I’ve yet to try, features dishes like bacon and burrata on sourdough toast (£15), potted trout and poached eggs (£17). The Full English is £18.
Willy’s is open every day for breakfast from 8.30am to 11.30am, lunch is currently served on Fridays and Saturdays between 12 and 2.30pm. Dinner is 5pm to 9pm Thursday to Sunday nights. Sunday roasts are available from 12pm to 4.30pm
Address: Find Willy’s at Margate House Hotel at 6 Dalby Square, Margate, CT9 2ER
Social media: Follow them on Instagram @willysmargate
*The Boutique Handbook’s visit was complimentary, but we always give honest reviews
Read next: The complete foodie guide to Margate
Read next: London’s newest restaurants
5 FAQs on Willy’s restaurant in Margate
1. Is Willy’s one of the best restaurants in Margate?
Willy’s is one of Margate’s buzziest new restaurants, serving modern British comfort food in colourful surroundings at Margate House Hotel in Cliftonville. The menu ranges from Sunday roasts and rotisserie chicken to oysters, croquettes and seasonal dishes, alongside cocktails. It’s a particularly good option if you’re looking for somewhere stylish for lunch, dinner or Sunday lunch in Margate.
2. Where can I get a good Sunday roast in Margate?
Willy’s at Margate House Hotel is one of our favourite places for a Sunday roast in Margate. Sunday lunch options include roast beef sirloin, roast porchetta and a vegetarian cauliflower cheese steak, served with crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, roast carrots, parsnip purée and greens. Sunday roasts are currently served from 12pm until 4.30pm.
3. Where can I eat oysters in Margate?
Willy’s in Cliftonville is a great spot for oysters in Margate, with oysters available for just £1 each when we visited. Pair them with cocktails and a few small plates, such as the leek and cheese truffle croquettes, for an easy pre-dinner drink or casual bite close to Margate seafront.
4. Where is Willy’s restaurant in Margate?
Willy’s restaurant is inside Margate House on Dalby Square in Cliftonville, a short walk from central Margate and the seafront. The restaurant has colourful pink interiors as well as an outdoor terrace with striped seating, scalloped parasols and festoon lights.
5. Does Willy’s, Margate serve breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Yes. Willy’s restaurant in Margate serves breakfast every day from 8.30am to 11.30am, and breakfast is open to non-hotel guests as well as those staying at Margate House. Lunch is currently served on Fridays and Saturdays, while dinner is available Thursday to Sunday. On Sundays, the restaurant also serves its popular Sunday roast menu.
Comments are closed.