Five Kent pubs make the UK's Top 50 Gastropubs
There are even two in the UK’s Top 10.
Five Kent pubs have made it into the UK’s Top 50 Gastropubs in the annual Estrella Damm awards.
The list is created by collecting votes from more than 200 professionals who are key people in the industry, from food critics and writers to chefs and pub operators from across the UK.
The Fordwich Arms in Canterbury took Kent’s top position coming in at No.4 overall.
Having moved up from No.9 in 2023, the Fordwich Arms is a Michelin-starred pub on the River Stour outside the city of Canterbury. In 2017 it was taken on by Dan and Natasha Smith, and Dan was celebrating twice this week as he also took home the Chef of The Year 2024 gong on the night.
At No.5, ever present The Sportsman continues to do everything brilliantly under Stephen Harris, and has been a top 5 mainstay since it won its Michelin star in 2008.
On social Media, they said: “Thanks @top50gastropubs and all who voted for us. This is our 13th year in the top 10 - an honour that wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated and hardworking team so congratulations and cheers to you all.”
A big mover, The Bridge Arms jumped from No.61 to No.15. The sister restaurant to The Fordwich Arms, it is also on the outskirts of Canterbury and bagged a Michelin star just a year after Daniel and Natasha Smith took it on back in 2021.
Closely behind in No.16 is another Canterbury village venue, The Dog at Wingham. Highly-rated for a long time, The Dog also moved up significantly to take its place in the UK’s top 20.
Finally, in at No.27, The Kentish Hare, on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells, is owned by brothers Chris and James Tanner and rightfully take their place amongst the country’s elite gastro pubs.
