Kent


<p>Winter is all about crisp cold days and the kind of expertly prepared triple-cooked chips that only a really good gastropub can do (or pan-fried trout if you’re in a virtuous mood). Wash it down with a fabulous local ale or perfectly matched pinot and, hey presto, you’re in gastropub heaven.</p>



<p>And so, with the timing perfection of an expertly cooked fillet steak, along comes&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/list/1-50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estrella Damm&nbsp;Top 100 Gastropubs list</a>&nbsp;of the country’s finest gastropubs, with 4 Kent gastros in the top 50!</p>



<p>So here they are, the Kent fab five. We’ll race you to the table.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dog-wingham-no-12"><a href="https://thedog.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Dog</a>, Wingham (No.12)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham.jpg" alt="the dog at wingham" class="wp-image-121041" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/the-dog-at-wingham-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<p>Make way for The Dog at Wingham as it soars up to number 12 this year. Boasting&nbsp;eight beautifully designed bedrooms,&nbsp;swish interiors, spectacular seasonal dishes, a well-stocked bar, and a small, but stylish, sun terrace for al fresco eating. This rural gem has it all. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fordwich-arms-canterbury-no-19"><a href="https://www.fordwicharms.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fordwich Arms</a>, Canterbury (No.19)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/fordwich-arms-1.jpeg" alt="the fordwich arms" class="wp-image-96919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/fordwich-arms-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/fordwich-arms-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/fordwich-arms-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/fordwich-arms-1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/fordwich-arms-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The Fordwich Arms sits pretty at number 19. Located in England’s smallest town of Fordwich, this Michelin-starred pub is situated next to the pretty River Stour, and boasts a lovely low-key atmosphere and panelled dining room with three open fires. It&#8217;s now firmly established as one of the country’s best restaurants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kentish-hare-tunbridge-wells-no-21"><a href="https://www.thekentishhare.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Kentish Hare</a>, Tunbridge Wells (No.21)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-kentish-hare.jpg" alt="the kentish hare" class="wp-image-96926" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-kentish-hare.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-kentish-hare-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-kentish-hare-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-kentish-hare-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-kentish-hare-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Rising high is The Kentish Hare, a family-friendly pub nestled in suburban Bidborough. Owned by brothers Chris and James Tanner, you can enjoy watching the chefs prepare your dishes through a glass window in the main dining area. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents &#8211; everyone will enjoy the food and feel at home. The interiors here are stylish but the food is the real star.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sportsman-seasalter-no-26"><a href="http://thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sportsman</a>, Seasalter (No.26)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-sportsman-seasalter.jpg" alt="the sportsman" class="wp-image-96916" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-sportsman-seasalter.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-sportsman-seasalter-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-sportsman-seasalter-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-sportsman-seasalter-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/the-sportsman-seasalter-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This&nbsp;Michelin-starred pub has long sat at the top of the chart &#8211; rightly so! On the surface it&#8217;s very low key – even describing itself on X as the ‘grotty rundown pub by the sea’. All a bit tongue-in-cheek obviously &#8211; more that they just don’t buy into pretentiousness and there’s a really laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. Fish features highly on the menu (it’s right by the sea just outside Whitstable).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bucks-head-sevenoaks-no-90"><a href="https://www.bucksheadsevenoaks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bucks Head</a>, Sevenoaks (No.90)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/bucks-head-sevenoaks.jpg" alt="the bucks head" class="wp-image-114315" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/bucks-head-sevenoaks.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/bucks-head-sevenoaks-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/bucks-head-sevenoaks-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/bucks-head-sevenoaks-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/bucks-head-sevenoaks-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A newcomer to this list, but no stranger to us. The Bucks Head was crowned <em>Best Destination Pub in Kent</em> in our Muddy Awards 2025, as voted by you. This traditional, family-run country pub in Godden Green serves a weekly changing menu and is famously dog-friendly. If you haven’t visited yet, now’s the time. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungry-for-more">HUNGRY FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/cosy-pubs-with-walks-kent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The best cosy pubs with walks in Kent</a></li>



<li><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/the-dog-at-wingham-review/">Review: The Dog, at Wingham</a></li>



<li><a href="https://kent.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/best-sunday-roasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yorkies ahoy!&nbsp;Best Sunday roasts in Kent</a></li>
</ul>


Tuck in! The top 100 gastropubs 2026 revealed

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