The Old Post Office in Margate is back open at last with the new owners hoping to hit the right notes with cocktails and light bites

It’s been a while since there’s been any movement at the Old Post Office in Margate’s Cecil Square.

After a swell of hype surrounding the previous restaurant there, a fancy place which opened in 2017 and attracted the likes of critics Marina O’Loughlin and Kathryn Flett, it all went a little bit quiet.

Despite its prominent location and grandiose aesthetics, things started to seem somewhat bleak for the Grade II listed building.

But now, the place has finally come back to life.

With a stunning art deco vibe, including a marble bar and eye-catching furnishings, owner Aimee Kay is ready to make it work with a cocktails and light bites offering, with a few main dishes thrown in for good measure.

“Instead of being a serious, three course, sit down-meal-with table-cloths kind of place, we’re all about platters and sharing boards,” she said.

Aimee, who’s been in hospitality since she was 13, has brought on board a team of bar staff and French chef Jerome Engraver to run the kitchen.

Taken from instagram @oldpostofficemargate

“He is an amazing chef with 20 years background and has been brought up in restaurants all his life. He has true passion for food,” Aimee said.

“You will see that we are starting to introduce some French cuisine and also an amazing roast dinner offering beef, shoulder of lamb, pork belly, chicken and a wonderful vegetarian option of mushroom wellington.”

The menu also has a list of light bites including arancini, crab cakes, roasted pork belly bites and salted cod fritters.

In addition there’s an extensive wine and cocktail list.

Aimee says with a more laid back offering she hopes to be able to hit the right note with the new Old Post Office (@oldpostofficemargate).

The bar and restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 11pm, and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Thursday nights are live music nights and cocktails are two for one every Thursday, too.