Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Canterbury

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Canterbury? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Red Lion

4.8

4.8 (67)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Leaveland

About the restaurant

Free house. Open every day. Gluten free kitchen (Coeliac UK accredited). Large patio and garden. Open fires in the winter. Dog friendly . Families welcome

Top review

Ellen

Dined 2 days ago

Food, service and overall experience were fantastic!

The Duke William Ickham

4.7

4.7 (1800)

£25 and under

Pub

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Quintessential Kentish Pub set in the heart of the Garden of England serving beautiful, classic dishes created using the best local and seasonal produce the South of England has to offer. With Real Ales, Craft Beers, beautiful wines, a roaring fire and a beautiful garden in the summer, this is the perfect destination for traditional pub dining.
To get in touch with us by email, please contact us at info@thedukewilliamickham.com or you can contact our Central Reservations Team at reservations@therocksaltgroup.com

Top review

Dee

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service, food always good, and great variety to choose from, dog friendly. Lovely atmosphere

The Korean Cowgirl at Canterbury Riverside with Cheeky Ramen

4.7

4.7 (681)

£26 to £40

Barbecue

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Our Korean Cowgirl comes back to Canterbury bigger and better than ever...

The Korean Cowgirl Riverside Canterbury Restaurant provides a unique blend of Texas and Asian culture and cuisine. Here at the Cowgirl we mean true low and slow smoked BBQ, cooked for hours over only real wood, no short cuts. Our Amazing wings and boneless bites are double fried for that crisp sensation. Come and experience western dining for yourself.

Top review

Adrian

Dined 2 days ago

Really welcoming great atmosphere and even better food , just mentioned in passing it was our sons birthday and they came out at the end with a little bit of cake and a candle and sung happy birthday how nice is that

The Ivy, Canterbury

4.5

4.5 (282)

£25 and under

British

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Located at the corner of The Parade & Rose Lane, just a stone's throw from the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral in the heart of the historic city centre, The Ivy Canterbury will feature a stylish bar, an inviting outdoor terrace, and an elegant private dining room. Discover menus featuring modern British cuisine to brasserie classics and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes, with something for everyone to love. From breakfast through to dinner seven days a week, the restaurant offers a luxurious haven in a stunning and elegant setting.

Top review

William

Dined 4 days ago

Very pleasant nice atmosphere lovely food great service

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Experience

British Icons Set Menu

Experience

Class of 2025 Graduation Menu

Experience

The Ivy Aperitif Affair

The Bridge Arms

4.8

4.8 (83)

£41 and over

Modern European

Canterbury

About the restaurant

The Bridge Arms is nestled within the beautiful rural village of Bridge situated within the Nailbourne Valley 2.5km South of the cathedral city of Canterbury. Originally a coaching inn, The Bridge Arms dates back to the 16th century, once a baiting house the grade II listed pub boasts large original fireplaces for the winter months and sparse outside garden with outside bar for the warmer summer months.

This iconic pub has undergone a transformation under the new ownership of Daniel and Natasha Smith (owners of The Michelin Starred Fordwich Arms) in 2021, restoring the pub to its former glory.

The menu concept created by Daniel & Natasha uses seasonal produce to support our local suppliers and to accommodate guests looking for a family friendly pub while highlighting the best British produce.

Within 9 months of opening The Bridge Arms was also awarded a Michelin Star as well as being listed in the top 100 restaurant awards.

Top review

Michela

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Excellent food, great service and a nice touch from the team with a Happy Anniversary card on the table when we arrived. The taste of the scallop starter was amazing. Really great quality.

Sekkoya

4.6

4.6 (179)

£25 and under

Indian

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Welcome to Sekkoya! We are a casual Indian restaurant and bar located on Canterbury High Street serving dishes that tell a story of our heritage, cities and family.

From street dishes like Keema Pau and Samosa Chaat found all over Indian cities to curries made from recipes that have been in our family for generations which we have enjoyed around our Mums dinner table growing up like her amazing Butter Chicken and Dum Biryani.

John, our in-house bar guru, has created a cocktail menu that takes you back to the hotel bars of colonial India, perfectly complimenting our food.

For bookings of groups larger than 8, please call the restaurant on 01227 286221 to make your booking.

Parking available close by

Top review

Sureshkumar

Dined 3 days ago

Enjoyed the food, ambience was exceptional and service was excellent. Best Indian restaurant in Canterbury

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The Fordwich Arms Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (134)

£41 and over

Gastro Pub

Canterbury

About the restaurant

The Michelin Starred, Fordwich Arms, located in the smallest town in England, dates as far back as 1828. Draped in ivory and wisteria in the most picturesque location over looking the Great River Stour, the perfect setting for an idyllic summers lunch. Boasting open fireplaces for the colder winter months, creating a cosy and welcoming ambiance.
Daniel and Natasha Smith took over The Fordwich Arms in 2017 and were awarded a Michelin Star within the first year, as well as being in the top 100 gastro pubs in the UK, multiple culinary awards, notable wine awards and various other accredits, a testament to their hair work and talent.
The seasonal menus focus on provenance, showcasing the best of local Kentish ingredients, sourced directly from local farms and producers. Dan's cooking is accomplished yet approachable, served in a relaxed pub environment with a choice of a la carte or tasting menus.

Top review

Emma

Dined 4 days ago

Delightful staff, delightful setting and incredible food from start to finish. Everything was delicious. Absolutely faultless. Thank you!

Côte Brasserie - Canterbury

4.4

4.4 (91)

£25 and under

French

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on May 10, 2025

We had the set 3 course meal which was value for money and the food was really yummy and tasty and the manager very helpful

The Corner House - Canterbury

4.8

4.8 (23)

£26 to £40

British

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Dining in our Restaurant
The Corner House Canterbury is an independently owned restaurant situated on the outskirts of Canterbury city walls, serving British produce, locally sourced.
The restaurant opened in July 2016 and is a one of Canterbury’s most popular venues to visit. The 16th Century former coach house, overlooks the city walls and its beautiful refurbishment retains lots of its original character.

Our main restaurant seats up to 40 guests where you can watch our chefs at work in our open kitchen. We have recently opened our second dining room which looks out onto our beautiful garden, ideal for large gathering and available for private dining which seats up to 26 guests.

With 5 beautiful and characterful en suite guest rooms, it is the perfect place to stay when visiting Canterbury. Just a minute’s walk from Holman’s Meadow car park and a short walk from Canterbury East train station and the city’s the main bus station, it is so easily accessible for your visit.

Top review

Chris

Dined 4 days ago

Been several times and always had great service and fantastic food, highly recommend.

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The Duck - Canterbury

4.5

4.5 (98)

£26 to £40

Gastro Pub

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Set in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside, The Duck offers a menu that brings together modern and traditional pub fare.

Our dishes are expertly prepared focussing on the finest locally sourced, seasonal ingredients ensuring a memorable dining experience for all.

With local ales and wines - the most local coming from a bijou vineyard a stones throw away from our front door - plus a Gastro pub menu focussed on the best of the season and using local ingredients - did i mention our beef comes from the cows in the field over the road? Head Chef Kyle and his formidable Kitchen team are dedicated to providing you with an unforgettable dining experience.

We'll be offering a relaxed dining experience focussed on good food and drink. Come and join us - we cant wait to welcome you!

Top review

Janet

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Just delightful, they've refurbished the pub & its quite serene & light, a lovely job, but the service, food , and total overall ambience was just amazing, the Sunday roast was plentiful & amazing, definitely a follow up visit needed.

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