The Fordwich Arms image

The Fordwich Arms

Restaurant Bar Pub Gastropub

One of the Top rated Gastropubs in Canterbury


Address

King St, Fordwich, Canterbury CT2 0DB, United Kingdom

Website

fordwicharms.co.uk

Contact

+44 1227 286690

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (732 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 12 to 2:30 PM, 6 to 9:30 PM
  • Sunday: 12 to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 12 to 2:30 PM, 6 to 9:30 PM
  • Thursday: 12 to 2:30 PM, 6 to 9:30 PM
  • Friday: 12 to 2:30 PM, 6 to 9:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (18) menu (17) amazing (10) experience (10) great (10) Fordwich (8) tasting (8) meal (7) recommend (7) table (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Leo G. 2 years ago on Google
    We visited as a joint birthday treat and have to say that it absolutely lived up to the expectations that we both had, not cheap by any stretch of but absolutely fantastic. The meal was stunning, we had the a la carte menu which was complemented beautifully by the extras that were provided. The bread that was bought out was amazing - you could have done with that on every course to mop up all the fantastic sauces. The only good that we felt was not up to the level of the rest was the mince pie beignet served at the end of the meal. We both felt that this was a little doughy, with the mincemeat providing a grainy experience in the mouth, which wasn't the most pleasant. You also could not taste the fact that it was supposed to be a mince pie filling. That aside, the food was absolutely amazing and the surroundings intimate with attentive staff. Heartily recommend
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christine K. 6 months ago on Google • 299 reviews
    We had an amazing lunch at this beautiful Michelin starred pub. The food, atmosphere and service were great. We did the al a carte which is 3 courses with snacks and bread for £75. Between the three of us, we got a different starter, main and dessert each to share which was a great decision to try different dishes. My favourites were the lobster (supplement), scallop, hake and venison. Sam looked after us and was super friendly and knowledgeable.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John C. 3 months ago on Google • 167 reviews New
    What an experience. 1st Michelin star restaurant we have been to and it did not disappoint. My daughter and son-in-law visit high end, Michelin restaurants a lot more than us and they said it was the best they have had. Well done to the team at The Fordwich Arms. Of course we had the taster menu. It was delicious. My wife wouldn't choose fish on any menu but she loved those dishes the best especially the oyster. We visited the Fordwich Arms about 20 years ago with my in-laws and it was great then. Pub hasn't changed much which is great. It has kept its old world charm. Service was lovely. Thank you. The Cooper's
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jasmine D. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a wonderful experience, from the beautifully presented and delicious food, to the stunning atmosphere and perfect service. We loved the added touch of a handwritten letter on the table for my partners birthday. We’re returning in April! Can’t wait.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cathy C. 2 years ago on Google
    Fabulous NYE at the Fordwich Arms. The food as always was exquisite. The sommelier was amazing, and the flight choice was a delight. Just wonderful!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris F. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent food in a comfortable setting. Unlike other Michelin taster menus I’ve had, with this one I didn’t feel out of place. Some restaurants go over the top with the protocols and service level, that make the whole thing feel fake, but at The Fordwich, you’re in a pub…with people having a beer at the bar, so it all feels a bit more normal. The food is outstanding and the service is the right level of attentive and professional, without making you feel like you’re somewhere you shouldn’t be. The sommelier led us through the wine pairings, educating us, but (again) not feeling like he was patronising us. It’s expensive, for sure, but for a special occasion and when we don’t go out spending £100 a time on average food all the time, spending a bit more on a whole afternoon activity seems value for money to me.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 john w. 4 months ago on Google • 677 reviews
    An amazing meal. Well worth the trek out from Canterbury. Spectacular presentation, inventive dishes, super friendly service. Tasteful dried flower arrangements everywhere, including a table sized piece hanging down from the ceiling. Outstanding wine pairings. Not cheap but a wonderful special occasion place.

  • 5/5 Arfon D. 4 months ago on Google • 142 reviews
    Exceptional experience for our anniversary. We both had the 7 course tasting menu and enjoyed every element of it. The food, service and setting are all of the highest quality. Very highly recommended.

  • 4/5 Pesh 7 months ago on Google • 90 reviews
    Tonight we popped into the other Michelin star pub near to our base, The Fordwich Arms, I. England’s smallest town of Fordwich. This pub offers a seasonal menu focus on provenance, showcasing the best of local Kentish ingredients, sourced directly from local farms and producers. We opted for the a la carte tonight. I went for the BBQ lobster, grape & spiced butter sauce , not worth the £25 extra cost. However, the raw Orkney scallop was a hit around the table. Shame only one of us ordered it. Only negative was the slow service and plates left on table for too long. Having to wait 30 mins between mains and deserts with plates still on the table was unacceptable. Due to the time of our pickup by taxi we had to rush the last course.

  • 5/5 Kirsty K. 4 months ago on Google • 27 reviews
    Lovely old gastro pub, really lovely outstanding foodie experience highly recommend

  • 5/5 Ben C. 3 months ago on Google • 24 reviews New
    Wonderful in every way. Warm greeting. Excellent service. Truly delicious food. Exceptional.

  • 5/5 Vanessa S. 1 year ago on Google
    Was staying close by in Canterbury and decided to book this restaurant for their tasting menu. It was outstanding! Honestly would recommend this restaurant to anyone. My partner always talks about this place ever since we visited.

  • 5/5 John F. 4 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Absolutely beautiful place, food is fantastic and the service is exemplary. A really perfect place for a special occasion.

  • 5/5 Julian K. 10 months ago on Google
    What an amazing dining experience. Exquisite food, knowledgeable and friendly staff, beautiful location alongside a river in the smallest town in England. I would highly recommend.

  • 5/5 Stephen M. 1 year ago on Google
    We celebrated a late Valentines with a bunch of tricky dietary requirements. Our waitress was amazing. Really helpful , keeping us well informed about different dishes, she made us feel very comfortable with some diamond chat. Tasting menu was delicious! Wonderful seasonal produce with perfect little bursts of flavour, from different elements to create the most balanced dishes. They were all explained clearly. The decor was really nice, the atmosphere was so relaxed and enjoyable. The whole service was very slick. Well worth it. Looking forward to a return visit.

  • 5/5 Kelston T. 1 year ago on Google
    Great food and service as usual. Enjoyed the tasting menu this time.

  • 5/5 Steve H. 10 months ago on Google
    Absolutely fantastic afternoon had. From pre's on the terrace overlooking the river, to exquisite food had from there al a carte menu. We had intended to only have the set menu, but seeing the food on the al a carte, we thought we should bump for that, and we are so glad we did. The courses were excellently prepared and thoroughly enjoyed. We loved the little amuse-bouche that accompanied our meal. The staff were really professional and polite and made us feel very welcome. The best meal out we have had in many, many years.

  • 5/5 lindsay w. 2 years ago on Google
    All round one of the best meals I’ve had in a very long time; at least 4 of the tasting menu courses were truly exceptional but the raw Orkney scallop was the stand out dish for us and one that I’ll remember for a very long time. Also highly recommend the wine pairing which was of a very high quality with generous pours.

  • 5/5 Claire W. 1 year ago on Google
    Birthday treat… exceptional! Im not usually a Michelin star fan but I would eat here again and again. The setting is beautiful, ambience is relaxed and welcoming and the service brilliant. The food… 6/5 !

  • 5/5 Alex H. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely delightful. A lunchtime visit for a birthday, we were greeted by friendly staff and promptly shown to our table. The dining area is cosy, had a log fire on the go and beautiful Christmas tree in the corner. We chose the vegetarian tasting menu, which was exquisite, as were the drinks (raspberry and peach Bellini, and amaretto sour). Cost-wise, it might be on the pricey side, but the quality of the food, drink, and the service made it all worthwhile.

  • 5/5 Stephanie K. 2 years ago on Google
    Food is of course amazing, but the bread and butter here is the best thing ever!

  • 5/5 David M. 2 years ago on Google
    Had an amazing lunch at The Fordwich Arms and am so glad to have tried it. Its a lovely little place that provides impeccable service, outstanding food and a distinctly charming experience. I have to say the food here is simply divine (I chose the 6 course taster menu) with every single morsel well conceived, immaculately presented and simply delicious. The chefs could be seen working hard in the kitchen and although busy, there was clearly a great buzz in the kitchen and an enjoyment for what they were doing. Whilst the food is presented beautifully and tasted amazing, the service adds another outstanding level to the experience. Thanks to Monique, who provided absolutely first class service. She was engaging and friendly (but not intrusive) and had a great energy too. The Fordwich Arms also has a great wine and drinks menu, with some lovely wines and a great selection of drinks both with or without alcohol. If you get a chance drinks in the bar are a must.! It was an indulgent, unhurried lunch, and a great experience. Yes the food was rich, and Yes, it cost a bit, but Yes, it was memorable, Yes I would recommend it and Yes, I wod certainly go again. Well done to the whole team for a great afternoon.

  • 5/5 Matt C. 2 years ago on Google
    Without doubt, one of the very best restaurants, with bar attached, around... magnificent menu, tasting or otherwise, superb friendly service and a tantalising wine list... cheap it ain't, but if you want the best, look no further...

  • 5/5 Gdrew1983 2 years ago on Google
    This is not so much a meal but more an experience. The service and food are on par with some of the best I've tasted. I know it's good when they're able to make a vegetarian dish appealing!

  • 5/5 Lizy S. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent tasting menu with helpful and knowledgeable staff, the only downside was that we were the only table in the middle surrounded by all the others so it was a little loud. It is ofcourse expensive so not an every day meal but worth it if you feel like splashing out.

  • 5/5 Rob M. 2 years ago on Google
    Glad we came to this fine establishment. We had the 4 course tasting menu and it didn’t disappoint. We would definitely come here again and highly recommend, even if it is on the pricey side.


Call +44 1227 286690 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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