Places to eat in Ramsgate

Ramsgate is famous for its Royal Harbour, so let’s begin there. The Empire Room is an old-fashioned, club-style restaurant on Nelson Crescent. Get a window seat, and you can soak up the views of the Royal Harbour. The charming decor is full of authentic trinkets, books and artwork celebrating Ramsgate’s maritime history. The food is delicious and plated to perfection; it’s some of the best in town. We highly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially as it’s only a small restaurant with around 40 covers.

Il Tricolore is an authentic Italian restaurant serving up some sublime cuisine using only the freshest and finest ingredients. The contemporary restaurant is a delight and enjoys a fantastic location in the heart of the action on Harbour Street. Again, it may be wise to book in advance as Il Tricolore is among the most popular restaurants in town and, again, it doesn’t have a huge amount of seating. Top tip: Make sure you save room for the tiramisu.

If you find yourself craving a curry on the Thanet coast, Flavours by Kumar is the top Indian restaurant in Ramsgate. It’s a proper hidden gem, tucked away on Effingham Street. It’s well worth hunting down; we can’t remember Indian food ever being so beautifully presented or tasting so delicious. The food’s fresh and full of flavour. The restaurant is unpretentious. And the prices are more than reasonable. No wonder we keep coming back!

For a taste of the Orient, try Thai Orchid. It’s a small family-run restaurant with a fantastic location in the Westcliff Arcade, which overlooks the marina. The flavours are absolutely out of this world. If you’re unfamiliar with Thai food, and you don’t fancy taking a punt, simply ask a member of the staff, and they’ll point you in the direction of something delicious that’s sure to suit your tastes.

Saving, perhaps, the best until last: The Corner House Minster has twice been named Kent Restaurant of the Year. It’s a rustic and stylish restaurant with a menu of modern takes on English classics using only the finest produce in the county. It ticks every box; it’s absolutely sublime. Best of all? It’s just a short stroll down the road from our Ramsgate hotel.

Archive is among the best daytime eating options in Ramsgate. You’ll find it in the arches on Military Road. It’s arguably the most stylish brunch spot in all of Ramsgate, which says a lot. It also happens to be a home store, which goes some way to explaining why the decor is so on point. However, it’s not a case of style over substance; Archive serves some of the best coffee in town and great food, too.

You can’t go to the seaside without gorging on a gargantuan portion of fish and chips. When the mood strikes, make your way to Shakey Shakey Fish Bar on High Street. It’s the best fish-and-chip shop in Ramsgate with the friendliest staff, incredible value, huge portions and it even caters to vegans! How many chippies can say that? It’s nothing fancy, just a local favourite.

If you fancy a brew, Corby’s Tea Rooms is a delightful, vintage-looking tea room on York Street. It’s the perfect place for a ploughman’s lunch or a cream tea and watching the world go by. It’s a family-run establishment and very friendly. The cakes are all homemade and an absolute treat. Yes, it’s antiquated but in the most charming of ways.

We’ll finish off with a couple of honourable mentions. The Daily Grind Cafe is at the heart of the action on Harbour Street. It’s a fab cafe offering incredible value and some of the best breakfasts in Ramsgate as well as a great pie and mash with liquor. Vinyl Head is a hidden gem on West Cliff Road. It’s primarily a record shop with indoor and outdoor seating areas and a simple-but-stellar cafe menu. The retro decor is a delight as well; it’s easy to see why it’s a popular hangout for local artists.