Sugarvine

Wheelers Oyster Bar - Seafood

A Whitstable institution, Wheelers first opened its doors in 1856 and is still under the same family ownership. The distinctive pink shopfront on the High Street opens to a large display counter with a range of seafood for sale. Through the back is a tiny 14-cover restaurant decked out like a Victorian parlour for which it's advisable you book in advance. Wheelers is BYO.

Zizzi - Italian

Another new upmarket chain Italian, this one is part of the group that encompasses both the Ask brand and Zizzi restaurants. It's located in the new cultural hub of Whitstable, the Horsebridge Centre (so named as this was where horses used to pick up the daily catch from the fishing boats). Choose from an extensive selection of antipasti, salads and mains including pizza, pasta, risotto and calzone.

Shapla - Indian

Balti dishes are a speciality at Shapla and there is a wide range available including chicken, meat, prawn, king prawn and vegetarian. They also offer a small selection of English and Persian choices. House specials include Macher Jhol (traditional Bengali fish curry) and Harrey Masala Ka Gosht (cubes of lamb cooked in calamansi juice, rind, lemon leaves and Bengal chillies).

Birdies - European Bistro

Birdies on Harbour Street is a French-styled bistro with wooden floor, checked tablecloths, white brick walls and a bar area. It offers hearty bistro food, the likes of steaks, Dover dole, rack of lamb, roast pork and steak & oyster pie. There's also more than a nod towards France with dishes like bouillabaisse and cassoulet on offer. A good selection of wines too.

Williams & Brown Tapas - Spanish

Named after the owners, this Harbour Street restaurant is styled like a typical Spanish tapas bar. Modern and compact, there's a handful of tables and stool seating at the windows and in front of the open kitchen which serves up a selection of tapas dishes as well as a couple of paellas. Everything is cooked on the premises using fresh local ingredients.

East Quay - Seafood

Once you've negotiated your way past the quarryworks at the harbour, you'll find your way to this unusual self-service seafood restaurant housed in a huge iron shed on the beach. East Quay doesn't stand on ceremony too much either with self-service food and communal bench seating. The menu offers fish & chips, lobster, crab, salads and beer from the Whitstable Brewery bar.

The Pearsons Crab & Oyster House - Seafood/International

Pearsons reopened in May 2007 after a sympathetic refurb of this 18th century listed building. The first floor restaurant here has some of the best sea views in Whitstable and as well as fresh fish and seafood there's plenty of choice if you're not a seafood fan with dishes such as pasta, lamb rump and Moroccan spiced chicken. Downstairs in the cocktail bar there's also mezze and dips available from the bar menu.

Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co - Seafood

Right on the seafront in the once derelict Royal Native Oyster Stores building, this has to be one of Whitstable's most atmospheric dining venues. There's an al fresco area right on the beach but inside the simple wooden floors and chunky wooden furniture are very much in keeping with the building's commercial past. The menu is all on blackboards reflecting what's freshly landed and is well complemented by a decent wine list.

Samphire - Informal Bistro

Samphire on Whitstable High Street is under the same ownership as Pearsons and opened in late 2006. It's an informal, relaxed and slightly boho bistro that's open for breakfast, lunch and supper. The focus is very much on local Kent produce served up with a Med twist. There's a list of blackboard specials that includes dishes such as Roast partridge with greens, black pudding and lentils.

Invicta Tandoori - Indian

Set over two floors in a small building on Harbour Street, this is an old school Indian restaurant with a menu stretching to 250 dishes. This being Whitstable, even the Indian restaurants have fish on the menu and the Invicta is no exception. There's also a private function room that can seat up to 18 people.

Crab & Winkle - Seafood

The AA-rosetted Crab & Winkle is located right in the harbour just above where the daily catch is landed -- so this is pretty much as fresh as it comes. It's open every day from noon til 9.30 with a choice of a la carte, set menu, and daily specials. There's also always at least one meat and one vegetarian dish available. The Crab & Winkle has a dining club with offers for both the restaurant and the fish market below.

Prezzo - Italian

This modern Italian restaurant chain now has more than a hundred outlets across the UK and opened up in Whitstable in July 2007 in a former pub. The venue has been very tastefully remodelled and now there's an open kitchen, classy artwork adorning the walls and a buzzy, convivial artmosphere. The menu choices include pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

Parking:
On street parking isn't really an option in the town centre so the best bet is one of the numerous pay and display car parks which are clearly signed

Cash:
Cashpoints along the High Street

Taxi:
Abacus (01227 277728), Whitstable Taxis (01227 261561)

Pub:
Right on the beach braving the elements, the Old Neptune was used for some of the key scenes in the Oscar-nominated movie Venus, starring Peter O'Toole.

Accommodation:
The 300-year-old Duke Of Cumberland enjoys a commanding position at the bottom of the High Street and as well as eight ensuite rooms has a bar, restaurant and function room

Events:
Whitstable's Oyster Festival is held every July