Chris's Guidebook
Entertainment
Cracking little place on the corner. The smallest theatre in Europe with a varied programme. Even if you don't see a show or live music, the bar is cute & you can stumble home this in about 3 mins.
51 locals recommend
Tom Thumb Theatre
2A Eastern EsplanadeCracking little place on the corner. The smallest theatre in Europe with a varied programme. Even if you don't see a show or live music, the bar is cute & you can stumble home this in about 3 mins.
Internationally renowned Gallery & Contemporary Arts space designed by David Chipperfield.
352 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousInternationally renowned Gallery & Contemporary Arts space designed by David Chipperfield.
Firming up the London to Margate trend, Carl Freedman fully relocated his London gallery & fine art print press ‘Counter Editions’ in Summer 2019. Strong curatorial programme in a great new space.
22 locals recommend
Carl Freedman Gallery
28 Union CresFirming up the London to Margate trend, Carl Freedman fully relocated his London gallery & fine art print press ‘Counter Editions’ in Summer 2019. Strong curatorial programme in a great new space.
Historic venue which draws the bigger names to town. Definitely worth keeping an eye on the listings.
40 locals recommend
Winter Gardens station
Historic venue which draws the bigger names to town. Definitely worth keeping an eye on the listings.
Vintage fairground & live music/events complex. Gets some big names in the warmer months. The annual Soundcrash Funk & Soul weekender is a particular highlight!
242 locals recommend
Dreamland
Marine TerraceVintage fairground & live music/events complex. Gets some big names in the warmer months. The annual Soundcrash Funk & Soul weekender is a particular highlight!
Quench Gallery
Small gallery/project run by artists - with a really interesting & eclectic program.
Pubs/Nightspots
Hotel, bar & recording studio owned & run by indie band The Libertines. Quirky decor, cheap drinks & quite often a fun crowd. More lasts than firsts kind of place with the odd bit of live music & poetry.
20 locals recommend
The Albion Rooms
31 Eastern EsplanadeHotel, bar & recording studio owned & run by indie band The Libertines. Quirky decor, cheap drinks & quite often a fun crowd. More lasts than firsts kind of place with the odd bit of live music & poetry.
Cool little nightspot if you fancy more of a vibe - cocktails, dancing etc. LQBTQ+ friendly!
27 locals recommend
Margate Arts Club
276 Northdown RdCool little nightspot if you fancy more of a vibe - cocktails, dancing etc. LQBTQ+ friendly!
Good, solid halfway house to break up the walk between mine & town. Run by a nice chap from London. Can get quite lively at the weekend.
51 locals recommend
The Rose in June
49-50 Trinity SquareGood, solid halfway house to break up the walk between mine & town. Run by a nice chap from London. Can get quite lively at the weekend.
Fez
40 High StQuirky interior, punky spirit & well priced drinks!
Cosy little pub right in the middle of the old town. Has a huge wood burner & often has live jazz on a Sunday afternoon.
46 locals recommend
Lifeboat
1 Market StCosy little pub right in the middle of the old town. Has a huge wood burner & often has live jazz on a Sunday afternoon.
Nice bar near the station with decent pub food & great views of the sea. Perfect for lasts before jumping on the train.
41 locals recommend
Cinque Ports
50 Marine TerraceNice bar near the station with decent pub food & great views of the sea. Perfect for lasts before jumping on the train.
Faith In Strangers
17 Ethelbert CresCool independent record shop, cafe/bar & live music venue. Good alternative live programme.
27 locals recommend
Elsewhere
21-22 The CentreCool independent record shop, cafe/bar & live music venue. Good alternative live programme.
Solid LGBTQ+ friendly pub in the heart of Margate's historic centre. Lovingly restored Grade II listed building which also operates as a boutique hotel. The G&H has a lovely vibe & is the perfect spot for a casual bite or afternoon drinks in the suntrap seating out front.
53 locals recommend
The George & Heart Bar
44 King StSolid LGBTQ+ friendly pub in the heart of Margate's historic centre. Lovingly restored Grade II listed building which also operates as a boutique hotel. The G&H has a lovely vibe & is the perfect spot for a casual bite or afternoon drinks in the suntrap seating out front.
Gorgeous little bar/shop with amazing views of the bay. Great wines & nibbles in both the shop & the bar. My favourite to catch the sunset!
38 locals recommend
Little Swift
7-8 Marine DrGorgeous little bar/shop with amazing views of the bay. Great wines & nibbles in both the shop & the bar. My favourite to catch the sunset!
Food scene
Previously a quality old boozer run & frequented by a bunch of lovely skinheads. Now home to Khmer Kitchen - one of the UK’s very few Cambodian restaurants. Still retained most of the character of Margate’s oldest pub.
The Northern Belle
4 Mansion StPreviously a quality old boozer run & frequented by a bunch of lovely skinheads. Now home to Khmer Kitchen - one of the UK’s very few Cambodian restaurants. Still retained most of the character of Margate’s oldest pub.
Delicious small plates & a fantastic selection of wines... directing overlooking the sea.
71 locals recommend
Dorys
24 High StDelicious small plates & a fantastic selection of wines... directing overlooking the sea.
Big sister restaurant to Dorys, serving stunning seasonal & sustainable seafood dishes.
106 locals recommend
Angela's
21 The ParadeBig sister restaurant to Dorys, serving stunning seasonal & sustainable seafood dishes.
Cheap & cheerful little Thai restaurant very near to the flat. Feels a bit like walking back in time but it’s bring your own booze & the food is great!
16 locals recommend
The Bangkok Thai
1 Prices AveCheap & cheerful little Thai restaurant very near to the flat. Feels a bit like walking back in time but it’s bring your own booze & the food is great!
As the queue would often suggest, hands down best fish & chips in town!
63 locals recommend
Peter's Fish Factory Margate
12 The ParadeAs the queue would often suggest, hands down best fish & chips in town!
Excellent little authentic southern Italian restaurant & deli. Getting rave reviews!
60 locals recommend
Bottega Caruso
2-4 Broad StExcellent little authentic southern Italian restaurant & deli. Getting rave reviews!
The Riz is a divisive Sri Lankan restaurant on North Down road - seemingly run by the Sri Lankan Basil Fawlty. Most people like the food but I couldn’t say the same for the owner although I personally rate both. He’s certainly a character!
20 locals recommend
The Riz Restaurant
49 Northdown RdThe Riz is a divisive Sri Lankan restaurant on North Down road - seemingly run by the Sri Lankan Basil Fawlty. Most people like the food but I couldn’t say the same for the owner although I personally rate both. He’s certainly a character!
From the team behind East London’s Brawn Restaurant - this place is simply stunning & perfectly located for those warm Spring/Summer evenings. You have to try the Parmesan fritters!
51 locals recommend
SARGASSO
Stone PierFrom the team behind East London’s Brawn Restaurant - this place is simply stunning & perfectly located for those warm Spring/Summer evenings. You have to try the Parmesan fritters!
FUN little tacos & margaritas spot with outdoor seating on the harbour arm. They can do no wrong!
28 locals recommend
DIVE - Tacos & Margaritas
Unit 6 Harbour ArmFUN little tacos & margaritas spot with outdoor seating on the harbour arm. They can do no wrong!
Tricky to categorise as a 'Pubs/Nightspots' or 'Food scene' as it does both so well. Either way - beautiful cosy old pub with a small but lovely dining room/courtyard through to the back. For me - it's all about the Sunday roast which I reckon is the best in town so I'm going 'Food scene'!
24 locals recommend
The London Tavern
Addington StreetTricky to categorise as a 'Pubs/Nightspots' or 'Food scene' as it does both so well. Either way - beautiful cosy old pub with a small but lovely dining room/courtyard through to the back. For me - it's all about the Sunday roast which I reckon is the best in town so I'm going 'Food scene'!
From the team behind 'New Street Bistro' - now with a new, grand sea facing location - WH is a fine restaurant serving impeccable, predominantly British/European seasonal dishes & equally delicious wines.
16 locals recommend
Waverley House Margate
46 High StreetFrom the team behind 'New Street Bistro' - now with a new, grand sea facing location - WH is a fine restaurant serving impeccable, predominantly British/European seasonal dishes & equally delicious wines.
Luxury boutique hotel opposite the Turner with a great little restaurant - focusing on seasonal home-cooking, using ingredients sourced from sustainable local farms.
Fort Road Hotel
Luxury boutique hotel opposite the Turner with a great little restaurant - focusing on seasonal home-cooking, using ingredients sourced from sustainable local farms.
Sightseeing
Walpole Bay Hotel Margate
Fifth AvenueShell Grotto
33 Grotto Hill
Margate Caves
1 Northdown RdBotany Bay
Marine DriveBroadstairs
Cafés
Cliffs
172 Northdown RdCasual breakfast/coffee spot that also sells records & cuts hair.
Fort's Cafe
8 Cliff TerraceCracking little coffee spot that does generous/tasty food too!
Shopping
Old Town
Scott's Furniture Mart Margate
Bath PlaceJunk Deluxe
Bath PlaceHaeckels
18 Cliff TerraceParaphernalia Antiques & Vintage
8 King St