Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Canterbury

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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 Corner House - Canterbury

4.8

4.8 (29)

£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

Carol

Dined 6 days ago

A lovely meal. The food was delicious and original. On one of the hottest days of the year we were seated in a cool well -ventilated room opening onto the garden, so it was very comfortable. Service was excellent, and the birthday card was a nice touch.

Discover more

Experience

Pre-Theatre

Experience

Graduation Celebration

Experience

Balfour Night

The Fordwich Arms Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (139)

£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

Cath

Dined 4 days ago

Really lovely evening. Service and food was super special!

The Duke William Ickham

4.7

4.7 (1799)

£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 on Jun 15, 2025

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 (683)

£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

Connor

Dined 4 days ago

Nothing, absolutely nothing. No faults in the slightest

Firepit Restaurant at The Cave

4.5

4.5 (1174)

£41 and over

Pan-Asian

Canterbury

About the restaurant

The Firepit has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes for culinary excellence in 2024 and The Cave Hotel & Golf Resort has been honored with the esteemed AA Breakfast Award for 2024.

The Firepit is a contemporary, fine dining, sharing-plate experience. All the flavours of world cuisine meet and fuse in our indulgent, re-imagined menu. The smokey, barbecue aromas of the American west combine with the delicately spiced tastes of the far east to create ambitious dishes that excite the tastebuds and showcase the finest in global cooking. Our bold and indulgent sharing menu delivers experimental dishes which do not disappoint. Our inspiration is vibrant and relaxed with an edgy and sophisticated spirit.

Top review

Mason

Dined 2 days ago

Service was outstanding , visited for my partners birthday and they did not disappoint. Amazing food , bit of a pricy standpoint re the meal . Following on from this you are recommended 6 dishes or more . Overall an amazing stay at the hotel so far and an amazing meal ! Would really recommend!

Discover more

Experience

Firepit Tasting Menu with Wine Flight

4.5

4.5 (302)

£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

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

We stopped for lunch and the service was very welcoming. Service and food were both excellent

Discover more

Experience

British Icons Set Menu

Experience

Class of 2025 Graduation Menu

Experience

The Ivy Aperitif Affair

The Duck - Canterbury

4.5

4.5 (101)

£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

dianaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Limited choice on lunchtime menu but there was something for everyone. Food was excellent and served in a timely manner. Good wines available.

Pho Canterbury

4.4

4.4 (275)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Healthy Vietnamese Street Food, serving phở noodle soup, heart-warming curries, delicious chicken wings, sharing spring rolls, and much more...

Top review

Susan

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic food in a lovely place with lovely staff

The Korean Cowgirl at Cave Hotel

4.3

4.3 (1154)

£26 to £40

Fusion / Eclectic

Canterbury

About the restaurant

The Korean Cowgirl Restaurant provides a unique blend of Texas and Asian culture and cuisine. Here at the KCG 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.

Please note you are welcome to bring a celebration cake for your party, however we do not have any refrigerated storage for this. We do not provide any table decorations or balloons. You are most welcome to bring your own.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Beautiful place lovely vibe would definitely recommend and go back staff were lovely as well food delicious 😋

Brasserie ABode - Canterbury

3.9

3.9 (318)

£26 to £40

British

Canterbury

About the restaurant

Discover a culinary journey like no other in the heart of Canterbury City Centre.

Introducing the brand-new Brasserie Abode Restaurant; offering a sophisticated small plates menu designed to ignite your palate and add an element of fun to your dining experience. Indulge in a curated selection of petite pleasures, meticulously crafted by our talented chefs to deliver eclectic flavours with every bite. From savoury delights to sweet temptations, our small plates offer an array of options to suit every taste.

Whether you're enjoying a leisurely lunch, a romantic dinner, or a casual gathering, our small plates are perfect for sharing and savouring, with a cocktail or two.

In the city centre, Brasserie Abode at ABode Canterbury is near the majestic Canterbury Cathedral. Canterbury Rail Station is just a 9-minute walk away.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined on May 18, 2025

Excellent quality food and teas served in a warm friendly environment. Initial welcome and serving of food and teas served promptly. Sadly, the service quality then waned and we had to ask each time we needed something e.g. fresh plates and a second pot of tea which then came as requested. After the initial welcome we didn’t really feel that well looked after!

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Canterbury