Mexican restaurant brand the latest of nine new eateries that have opened in Canterbury in 2022

TORTILLA - OPENS NOVEMBER 30th 2022

Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, will open the doors of its 58th restaurant, located in Canterbury, at 38 High Street, Canterbury (CT1 2RY), on Wednesday 30th November.

Seating up to 30 people, the new restaurant will create 20 new jobs for locals across front-of-house, kitchen, and management roles.

The brand is known for its customisable California-style menu, with options to order in-store, click-and-collect to takeaway, or for delivery. Customers can build their own meal with a choice of fillings such as Mexican rice, black beans, grilled seasonal veggies and fresh mild, medium and hot salsas, including their fresh, hand-smashed guacamole.

Its choice of protein—served in tacos, burritos, bowls, quesadillas and atop nachos queso —includes slow-cooked Barbacoa with grass-fed British Isle brisket, grilled chicken or succulent pulled carnitas pork. Approved by the Vegetarian & Vegan Society, Tortilla also serves an organic tempeh Chilli No Carne or a choice of grilled seasonal veggies. All toppings are prepared fresh on-site each morning and every dish is made to order.

CURZON - OPENED AUGUST 2022

With five spacious screens inspired by Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, a cocktail bar and a pizzeria, the brand new Curzon Canterbury (@curzoncinemas) Riverside has opened to offer a holistic cinema experience that you can’t get at home.

Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull said: “Canterbury Riverside is a sophisticated, contemporary cinema that will showcase our cutting-edge technology, always consistent customer service, and excellent food and drink offering.”

With its striking exterior, modern decor and deep-orange colour palette, Canterbury Riverside is a luxurious place to spend an evening, whether watching a film, sipping on a cocktail, wine or craft beer or tucking into some Italian goodness from a menu of stone-baked sourdough pizzas and small plates.

LAS IGUANAS - OPENED SEPTEMBER 2022

Known for its Latin American vibes and boldly spiced flavours, Las Iguanas is bringing its own brand of carnival fun to Canterbury (@lasiguanascanterbury) this September.

Taking up residence on the corner of High Street and Longmarket, in the former Cafe Rouge site, from 26th September, Las Iguanasis introducing their lively Latin American cooking and tropical cocktails to Kent for the first time.

The new 200-cover restaurant and cocktail bar will feature Las Iguanas’ signature tropical green plant walls, vibrant flashes of neon, lustrous Mexican tiling and standout murals by artist @elnoart, part of the southeast-based WOM Collective (www.womcollective.org), inspired by the land and cityscapes of Brazil, Cuba and beyond.

CHOPSTIX - OPENED OCTOBER 2022

Asian quick service restaurant Chopstix opened its new site in Canterbury.

The new Pan-Asian restaurant, located on St George’s Street in the city centre, has created 20 jobs in the local community, including five management positions, with opportunity for development.

Established in 2002 by entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, Chopstix is the UK’s leading Asian QSR brand with locations across the UK. The Canterbury site will include striking design elements the brand has become renowned for such as its iconic ‘living wall’, natural wood finishes and its winking anime character that features across all Chopstix locations.

Now in its 20th year, after its humble beginnings at Camden Market, the business comprises over 80 locations through a mix of company owned and operated locations and franchise sites.

THE COSY CLUB - OPENED AUGUST 2022

All-day dining and cocktails venue the Cosy Club (@the_cosyclub) opened in Canterbury this August.

Set in the four-storey former Waterstones book store on St Margaret’s Street, Cosy Club Canterbury will serve British, European and Asian dishes with a nod to North America at Brunch.

“We can’t wait to bring a touch of glamour and our fresh, modern menu to the food scene,” says a spokesperson for the business. “Join us for relaxed dining and drinking in a really special setting with a touch of timeless glamour.”

Known for its eye-catching interiors at its sites across the UK, the brand is owned by Loungers, which was founded in 2002 by a trio of long-standing friends, Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop.

SOCIALITE - OPENED JULY 2022

One of the most talked about new dining spots in Canterbury for a while, Socialite finally opened its doors in July

Socialite (@socialitecanterbury), the new luxury rooftop bar and restaurant on St Margaret’s Street, (above the 129-bed Hampton by Hilton) is operated by Paragon Hospitality and is the second site under the brand name with one already open in Brighton.

FRANCO MANCA - OPENED MAY 2022

Trendy sourdough pizza chain Franco Manca opened its first Kent restaurant in May.

It converted the former Costa Coffee cafe building on the corner of the high street and Guildhall Street into the newest branch of the popular pizzeria.

Franco Manca was founded in 2008 in Brixton Market by Giuseppe Mascoli and artisan baker Bridget Hugo, who were asked by friend Franco to take over his pizzeria Francos, which had been open since 1986.

herd. - OPENED JUNE 2022

herd. opened in the former Gourmet Burger Kitchen unit back in June, adding something unique to Canterbury’s city centre. Independently run, the brasserie focuses on the quality and local sourcing of its ingredients (@herd.canterbury).

It’s menu highlights include a selection of premium steaks including the diamond grade Prussian Black steak, which is the World Steak Challenge Winner for 2021, coming in three different cuts - sirloin, ribeye and fillet. But there is plenty more to find on it’s seasonally-changing menu.

The spectacularly decked out venue is also a great location for some stunning cocktails and totally worth a visit.

PO’BOYS - OPENED JUNE 2022

A New Orleans-style sandwich shop Po’boys (@poboyscanterbury) opened in the former West Cornwall Pasty Company site.

With a focus on traditional Louisiana sandwich (and creole fries) - from ‘The Texan’ with its beef brisket marinated in chimichuri, melted cheese and spicy mayo to the ‘The Original’ with breaded shrimps, lettuce, tomato and Remoulade sauce - there are some funky flavours and themes keeping the menu fresh!