Explore our food and drink scene

Sample the freshest locally caught fish from little fishing boats dotted along the beach in Deal, enjoy a pint (or two) at one of the many local micro-breweries that use locally grown hops, forage for seaweed along the shore and cook up a wild feast with Wild Kitchen or create your own ice-cream sundae on the farm where the cows that supply the milk for the ice cream graze.

Click through to our food and drink story map trails which complement the information below and act as itineraries to help you explore the rich and varied food and drink scene in Dover, Deal and Sandwich. 

1. Delicious delis

Follow the Delicious Delis story map

We take eating and drinking very seriously in White Cliffs Country and with a town called Sandwich in the area, perhaps that’s not so surprising! There is a great range of quality delis, all offering top-quality cheeses, charcuterie and other delicious produce for the most discerning foodie. Pop into one of the many deli’s across White Cliffs Country and pack up a hamper full of goodies. 

No Name Shop in Deal From delicious French food, speciality breads, unusual cheeses and charcuterie, the No Name shop in Deal has an amazing array of top-quality produce.

No Name Shop in Sandwich Opposite the 16^th-century Guildhall in Sandwich, this deli offers French produce, olive oils, and freshly made sandwiches to take away. The first floor bistro serves classic French snacks such as tartiflette and croque monsieur.

Filberts Foods Specialising in fantastic British sourced foods of the highest quality, this deli in Deal High Street sells a wide range of specialist breads, cheese, charcuterie, chutneys and other deli items.

Merchant of Relish Another fab food shop on Deal High Street selling fresh seasonal produce, wines and deli items.

Deal Deli Delivering Italian food straight to your door or find them at Deal Market every Saturday. Don’t miss their homemade parmigiana, arancini, meatballs, gnocchi and olive oil, straight from the tap.

Eva's A specialist food shop on The Strand in Walmer selling the usual deli items plus homemade dishes, coffees, cakes, wines and gelato.

2. Great food experiences

Follow the Great Food Experiences story map

Eating out is an event in itself but you can take things one step further and take part in a fabulous practical food experience on the coast. Forage for wild food on our shores and cook outdoors, brush up your skills in a kitchen workshop, try your hand at cocktail making or enjoy a tasting tour at a vineyard or brewery.

Cocktail making at The Lane Tucked away in the heart of Deal, this small restaurant offers fun-packed cocktail masterclasses. Perfect for groups of 5-10 people, mix and muddle your way to way to the perfect cocktail.

Solley’s ice cream Solley’s has been producing delicious real dairy ice cream on the family farm for over three decades, using local milk and cream. Explore the farm before visiting the Ice Cream Parlour to create your own sundae.

The Wild Kitchen Adventure into the local landscape on a foraging experience with renowned forager Lucia Stuart from The Wild Kitchen. Find fresh shellfish, edible seaweed and lots of other delicious food in secret places, learn how to cook them and enjoy a wild gourmet feast outdoors.

The Black Pig The award-winning artisan butcher offers short courses aimed at meat enthusiasts and keen cooks who want to pick up new skills and learn more about where their meat comes from. The courses are run for just two people, giving lots of tuition and hands-on-experience.

Barnsole vineyard A boutique vineyard and winery with the ideal terroir to produce the high-quality grapes need to make their award-winning English wines. One of the oldest vineyards in Kent, they offer tastings and a more formal tour with one of their winemakers and bespoke group tours.

3. Food heroes

Follow the Food Heroes story map

We have a growing food and drink offer and what better way to explore White Cliffs Country than through its rich culinary landscape. On this trail we showcase some of our local ‘food heroes’ all ready to share insights and their products with you.

Kentish Knockers These award-winning pasties are the brainchild of Jill Martin at The Town Kitchen who discovered that despite Kent’s rich coalmining history, it didn’t have a famous pasty! The tongue-in-cheek name harks back to the knockers, mythical men who lived deep in the mines and protected miners by knocking on the tunnel walls to warn of a collapse. Find these pasties at Deal’s bustling Saturday Market.

Kingsdown Water Widely recognised as one of the leading glass bottled waters in the UK, Kingsdown Water is naturally filtered through the chalk aquifer just outside the village of Kingsdown. In addition to spring water, they now also have a wide range of sparkling flavoured drinks and presses. 

Casa Colina Olive Oil Produced at the owner's Spanish finca, enjoy amazing olive oil from their 200 ancient olive trees. Only produced in small batches, this delicious extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed and unfiltered – perfect for drizzling and cooking.

Real Deal Roasters The Roasters offer a wide range of top quality, premium coffees (over 20 different beans) including Fair Trade, certified by the Rainforest Alliance, and delicious organic. Find them at Deal's Saturday Market.

The Rather Tasty Tea People From the more exotic and unusual ‘Mint Choc Indulgence’ and ‘Russian Caravan’ through to the more traditional ‘Assam’ and ‘Darjeeling’, The Rather Tasty Tea People are passionate about the tea they sell. Buy from their online shop.

The Black Pig Butchers Winner of 2022 BBC Radio 4 Food Programme's prestigious Food and Farming 'Food Producer' award, The Black Pig in Deal is where artisan Lizzy Douglas and her team specialise in nose-to-tail eating and artisanal butchery. Their produce is naturally reared, free range and locally sourced meat. 

Crabble Corn Mill A working museum in Dover with six floors of exhibits and milling machinery that demonstrates the process of turning wheat into flour. Their excellent wholemeal flour is available for sale at the mill.

Jenkins & Son Fishmongers A fourth-generation fishmonger and game supplier, specialising in fresh, local and sustainable produce. Based in Deal High Street, they buy daily from local inshore dayboats who fish off the Kent coast and the South East and have built up relationships with these suppliers over generations.

4. Fresh from the farm and boat

Follow the Fresh from the Farm and Boat story map

Pick your own fruit at a local farm, buy freshly caught fish from the fishmongers, enjoy the buzz of a bustling street market or visit one of the many farmers’ markets. You’ll even find a couple of country pubs selling locally sourced produce!

Little Farthingloe Farm (Dover) has a traditional farm shop with a focus on offering a complete range of fresh food, including a butcher and bakery. Much of the produce is sourced from local farms across Kent. Be sure to try their Kentish gypsy tarts for a sweet taste of the area.

Algar Farm Shop (Deal) has a wide range of locally sourced food and drinks. Their deli is packed with delicious handmade goodies, all made by their in-house chef.

Juliet’s Farm Shop and café (Ash) stocks a large selection of locally sourced fruit and vegetables and Juliet’s Café serves breakfasts and home-cooked lunches using the freshest ingredients and eggs from their own hens.

Delf Farm Shop (Sandwich) is a traditional English, family-run farm shop and nursery selling fresh and seasonal produce, homemade food and other produce.

White Mill Farm Shop (Sandwich) stocks produce sourced around White Cliffs Country, including cheeses, honey and apples.

Little Stour Farm Shop (Wingham) sells everything from plants and fresh bread to a good range of game and food goodies for a hamper.

Wingham Country Market is a family-run farm shop and garden centre selling local produce with a wide range of organic and special diet foods, as well as local free-range Chandler and Dunn Meat. They also run a veg box scheme.

Whitfield Farmers' Market is held on Thursday mornings in the Village Hall and sells locally grown veg, free-range eggs, freshly baked bread and cakes, quiches and pies, plus a range of hand-crafted gifts.

Capel le Ferne Farmers' Market Previously voted one of the best farmers' markets in Kent, this weekly market is on Tuesday mornings sells local produce, including meat, fish, deli items, Kentish ale and fruit liqueurs.

Gibson's Farm Shop (Wingham) is a family-run business established in 1970 providing the best foods Kent has to offer. There's a bakery, butcher and delicatessen alongside the fresh fruit and veg and store-cupboard essentials. There is also a popular café using produce from their own farms and the local area to create their menu.

Walmer Court Farm Shop offers an wide range of locally sourced and produced goods, including frozen homemade curries, hand-baked cakes and pasta, through to bird seed, biscuits, coal and beer!

Felderland Farm Shop (Sandwich) is one of the largest PYO farms in Kent and grows a wide range of seasonal produce including strawberries, cherries, plums and pumpkins.

Jenkins and Son Fishmongers (Deal) is fourth-generation fishmonger and game supplier specialising in fresh, local and sustainable produce. Based in Deal High Street, they buy daily from local inshore dayboats. Sample fresh seafood street food at their in-house street food bar. 

The Black Pig Butchers (Deal) won the 2022 BBC Radio 4 Food Programme's prestigious Food and Farming 'Food Producer' award. Lizzy Douglas and her team specialise in nose-to-tail eating and artisanal butcher and sell naturally reared, free range and locally sourced meat.

Deal Markets - a small market on Wednesdays in the Undercroft of Deal Town Hall and a large, popular lively market held in the car park at the north end of the High Street in the heart of the Georgian Conservation Area on Saturdays.

Sandwich Market - weekly markets on Thursday and Saturday mornings next to the Guildhall in the heart of the medieval town.

5. Vines and hops tour

Follow the Vine and Hops Tour story map

Kent’s hop fields have made our local beer famous for hundreds of years and Kentish apples make an excellent cider. Enjoy a pint or two in our lovely pubs and micro-breweries. If you prefer wine, head to Barnsole Vineyard for a tasting tour.

Breakwater Brewery Located in the heart of Dover, Breakwater Brewery uses chalk-filtered spring water to make their award-winning beers and ciders. Their knowledgeable staff enjoy discussing the brewing methods and characters of the brews. Homemade pizzas also available. 

Time and Tide Brewery Founded in 2013 and driven by their desire for good beer and sense of fun, the team at Time and Tide set about developing beers that reflect their passion for modern and progressive approaches to brewing. They collaborate with Deal Hop Farm who grow hops on a patchwork farm in and around Deal.

Tir Dha Ghlas Pronounced ‘Terry Glass’, the brewery is situated next to the owner’s restaurant, Cullins Yard. A stone’s throw from the brand-new Dover Marina, the brewery brews several ales, including their popular ‘Jimmy's Riddle’ and ‘Pigs Ear’.

Barnsole Vineyard A boutique vineyard and winery, with the ideal terroir to produce the high-quality grapes need to make award-winning English wines. One of the oldest vineyards in Kent, they offer tastings and a more formal tour with one of their winemakers and bespoke group tours.

Micropubs, pubs and wine bars  From award-winning, traditional pubs built in the 14^th century and small, intimate wine bars to stylish new watering holes, there is something for everyone’s taste in White Cliffs Country. The continued popularity of micropubs offers something new and interesting for those wanting a relaxed environment without TV’s, juke boxes and fruit machines (some won’t even allow mobile phones).