COFFEE & BREKKIE
Our top pick for coffee! Forts is a must-visit for coffee lovers. They also have some great chefs in the kitchen with unique and interesting brunch options.
65 locals recommend
Fort's Cafe
8 Cliff TerraceOur top pick for coffee! Forts is a must-visit for coffee lovers. They also have some great chefs in the kitchen with unique and interesting brunch options.
Summertime pop-up (April-October) featuring the wonderful Bus Cafe (@thebuscafe), Po’Boy Fish & Chips (@poboycreole), Garage Coffee (@garageroasted) Pork & Co (@porkandco) and Sun Deck Cocktail Bar (@thesundeckmargate). A great outdoor option with live music, a variety of eating/drinking options and spectacular sunset views.
50 locals recommend
The Sun Deck
Royal Crescent PromenadeSummertime pop-up (April-October) featuring the wonderful Bus Cafe (@thebuscafe), Po’Boy Fish & Chips (@poboycreole), Garage Coffee (@garageroasted) Pork & Co (@porkandco) and Sun Deck Cocktail Bar (@thesundeckmargate). A great outdoor option with live music, a variety of eating/drinking options and spectacular sunset views.
A coffee shop, record store and more! Grab a bite to eat here. There’s a great menu for kids.
96 locals recommend
Cliffs
172 Northdown RdA coffee shop, record store and more! Grab a bite to eat here. There’s a great menu for kids.
Big Shot
3 Marine DriveNew addition to Margate's seafront and the cheese toasties are top notch!
Fairtrade coffee and some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in town, plus vegan options.
18 locals recommend
Skinny Dip Coffee
235 Northdown RdFairtrade coffee and some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in town, plus vegan options.
A lovely spot in Margate’s Old Town with outdoor seating. Good for kids!
43 locals recommend
The Greedy Cow Cafe
3 Market PlA lovely spot in Margate’s Old Town with outdoor seating. Good for kids!
A place to grab a full English breakfast with no frills. Delicious and affordable, a Club Jupiter icon.
37 locals recommend
The Dalby Cafe
4-6 Dalby RdA place to grab a full English breakfast with no frills. Delicious and affordable, a Club Jupiter icon.
Another coffee shop for coffee lovers. Lots of interesting brews with the beans roasted locally in Margate.
35 locals recommend
Curve Roasters Storeroom
12 Union RowAnother coffee shop for coffee lovers. Lots of interesting brews with the beans roasted locally in Margate.
Natural food store and cafe in the middle of Margate’s Northdown Road with great coffee and smoothies. Perfect for picking up a veggie picnic for the beach.
46 locals recommend
The Grain Grocer
216 Northdown RdNatural food store and cafe in the middle of Margate’s Northdown Road with great coffee and smoothies. Perfect for picking up a veggie picnic for the beach.
PLACES TO EXPLORE
The Shell Grotto is an ornate subterranean passageway with, you guessed it, shells. Almost all the surface area of the walls and roof is covered in mosaics created entirely of seashells, totalling about 2,000 square feet of mosaic, or 4.6 million shells. Looking like a film set from an Indiana Jones movie, it truly is a sight to behold. It was discovered in 1835, but its age and purpose remain unknown.
170 locals recommend
Shell Grotto
33 Grotto HillThe Shell Grotto is an ornate subterranean passageway with, you guessed it, shells. Almost all the surface area of the walls and roof is covered in mosaics created entirely of seashells, totalling about 2,000 square feet of mosaic, or 4.6 million shells. Looking like a film set from an Indiana Jones movie, it truly is a sight to behold. It was discovered in 1835, but its age and purpose remain unknown.
Originally dug as a chalk mine in the 18th century, the Margate Caves went largely forgotten for over 100 years before being rediscovered and restored for personal recreation and then eventually as a tourist attraction. It reopened again last year and has a café, shop and exhibition spaces.
72 locals recommend
Margate Caves
1 Northdown RdOriginally dug as a chalk mine in the 18th century, the Margate Caves went largely forgotten for over 100 years before being rediscovered and restored for personal recreation and then eventually as a tourist attraction. It reopened again last year and has a café, shop and exhibition spaces.
The Turner Contemporary commands the same expansive sea views that JMW Turner immortalised in his works, with the artist insisting that Margate offers “the loveliest skies in all of Europe”. Catch a rolling programme of exhibitions and events at this wonderful gallery.
351 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousThe Turner Contemporary commands the same expansive sea views that JMW Turner immortalised in his works, with the artist insisting that Margate offers “the loveliest skies in all of Europe”. Catch a rolling programme of exhibitions and events at this wonderful gallery.
Another wonderful new addition to Margate’s blossoming art scene.
22 locals recommend
Carl Freedman Gallery
28 Union CresAnother wonderful new addition to Margate’s blossoming art scene.
Quench
Cliftonville AvenueAnother wonderful new addition to Margate’s blossoming art scene.
Crab Museum
9 Broad StEver been to a crab museum? Well now is your chance!!
LUNCH & DINNER
This family run restaurant specialises in Italian recipes that have been passed down through the generations. No wonder food critic Grace Dent gave them top marks and caused a six week waiting list in the process.
60 locals recommend
Bottega Caruso
2-4 Broad StThis family run restaurant specialises in Italian recipes that have been passed down through the generations. No wonder food critic Grace Dent gave them top marks and caused a six week waiting list in the process.
Delicious menu of small plates with a focus on seafood and fabulous cocktails, in the Turner Contemporary.
29 locals recommend
Barletta
Delicious menu of small plates with a focus on seafood and fabulous cocktails, in the Turner Contemporary.
One of our favourites in Margate. New Street Bistro is run by a cracking father and son team who specialise in seasonal dishes. The focus is very much on quality over quantity here, but they can adapt ingredients for kids etc.
26 locals recommend
New Street Bistro
23 New StOne of our favourites in Margate. New Street Bistro is run by a cracking father and son team who specialise in seasonal dishes. The focus is very much on quality over quantity here, but they can adapt ingredients for kids etc.
The place to satisfy your traditional seaside supper needs, best eaten on the Spanish Steps across the road. Expect a queue at peak times.
62 locals recommend
Peter's Fish Factory Margate
12 The ParadeThe place to satisfy your traditional seaside supper needs, best eaten on the Spanish Steps across the road. Expect a queue at peak times.
Much-loved sourdough pizza joint, particularly great for larger groups and families
92 locals recommend
GB Pizza Co
14a Marine DrMuch-loved sourdough pizza joint, particularly great for larger groups and families
Much-loved sourdough pizza joint, particularly great for larger groups.
27 locals recommend
Slab Margate
15 The ParadeMuch-loved sourdough pizza joint, particularly great for larger groups.
Creative tacos and wonderful margaritas, with outside seating on the harbour arm.
28 locals recommend
DIVE - Tacos & Margaritas
Unit 6 Harbour ArmCreative tacos and wonderful margaritas, with outside seating on the harbour arm.
Recently taken over by the team behind Brawn Restaurant in London, this is a perfect spot with both indoor and outdoor seating.
51 locals recommend
SARGASSO
Stone PierRecently taken over by the team behind Brawn Restaurant in London, this is a perfect spot with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Family-run South African inspired cafe with delicious lunch options. The Bunny Chow nights on a Monday are GREAT!
9 locals recommend
Ouma's Kitchen
189 Northdown RdFamily-run South African inspired cafe with delicious lunch options. The Bunny Chow nights on a Monday are GREAT!