Hannah’s Margate guidebook
Margz' best breakfasts
Best breakfast spots
This is an old-fashioned routemaster bus turned award-winning cafe. Friendly staff, delicious hash-brown breakfasts, fun atmosphere and seaview to boot. A novel but quality place to spend brekkie. Get there early, though... gets packed in the summer.
78 locals recommend
The Bus Café
Royal Crescent PromenadeThis is an old-fashioned routemaster bus turned award-winning cafe. Friendly staff, delicious hash-brown breakfasts, fun atmosphere and seaview to boot. A novel but quality place to spend brekkie. Get there early, though... gets packed in the summer.
Delicious toasties, a cool atmosphere and super-friendly staff. Great location - right in the middle of the Old Town.
45 locals recommend
The Greedy Cow Cafe
3 Market PlDelicious toasties, a cool atmosphere and super-friendly staff. Great location - right in the middle of the Old Town.
This is a lovely little cafe set a little way back from the clifftops. The surrounds look a bit run down, but the cafe itself is extremely cool, friendly and does delicious toasties. I love to grab a bacon toastie and sit by the sea in the morning.
65 locals recommend
Fort's Cafe
8 Cliff TerraceThis is a lovely little cafe set a little way back from the clifftops. The surrounds look a bit run down, but the cafe itself is extremely cool, friendly and does delicious toasties. I love to grab a bacon toastie and sit by the sea in the morning.
Best local restaurants
Best local places for great seafood and fresh ingredients
This is my favourite restaurant in Margate, and serves up delicious seafood in a tiny, intimate restaurant in the old town. It’s very quirky, friendly and has a gallery in the basement. Gets busy, so worth booking in advance.
56 locals recommend
Hantverk & Found
16-18 King StThis is my favourite restaurant in Margate, and serves up delicious seafood in a tiny, intimate restaurant in the old town. It’s very quirky, friendly and has a gallery in the basement. Gets busy, so worth booking in advance.
Angela’s is on the other end of the seafront, and is another tiny restaurant serving fresh seafood. There’s a limited menu depending on the catch that day, making every visit different. This is another friendly place that makes you feel very welcome.
106 locals recommend
Angela's
21 The ParadeAngela’s is on the other end of the seafront, and is another tiny restaurant serving fresh seafood. There’s a limited menu depending on the catch that day, making every visit different. This is another friendly place that makes you feel very welcome.
The Buoy and Oyster offers a lovely sea view and delicious seafood platters as well as standard fish and chips. It also has a balcony to sit out and tasty cocktails. Atmosphere not as good as the restaurants above, but great for special occasions.
73 locals recommend
The Dug Out
4 Fort HillThe Buoy and Oyster offers a lovely sea view and delicious seafood platters as well as standard fish and chips. It also has a balcony to sit out and tasty cocktails. Atmosphere not as good as the restaurants above, but great for special occasions.
This place is a bit on the generic side and a bit costly (for Margate), but it’s nicely decorated inside and serves up a mean roast on a Sunday. It’s also very close to the flat if you’re not in the mood to go too far.
41 locals recommend
Cinque Ports
50 Marine TerraceThis place is a bit on the generic side and a bit costly (for Margate), but it’s nicely decorated inside and serves up a mean roast on a Sunday. It’s also very close to the flat if you’re not in the mood to go too far.
Don’t judge this restaurant by its website, or by its location above a pub. This is a reasonably-priced, good quality Thai restaurant with a bring your own drink policy.
18 locals recommend
Bow's Kitchen
10 Market PlDon’t judge this restaurant by its website, or by its location above a pub. This is a reasonably-priced, good quality Thai restaurant with a bring your own drink policy.
If you’re looking for something easy and cheap and cheerful, this reasonably-priced pizza place on the seafront is for you.
94 locals recommend
GB Pizza Co
14a Marine DrIf you’re looking for something easy and cheap and cheerful, this reasonably-priced pizza place on the seafront is for you.
Just around the corner from my flat, this lovely little atmospheric restaurant bakes up some delicious pizzas including pizza of the day. Owner is incredibly friendly and welcoming without going overboard. This is a becoming a real regular for me.
17 locals recommend
Casa Pizzeria & Café
189 Canterbury RdJust around the corner from my flat, this lovely little atmospheric restaurant bakes up some delicious pizzas including pizza of the day. Owner is incredibly friendly and welcoming without going overboard. This is a becoming a real regular for me.
This place is in Broadstairs just along the seafront from Margate (about a 2 hour walk). This is quite a traditional restaurant, slightly on the stuffy side, but the seafood is incredible. There's also a wonderful view of the Broadstairs beach.
38 locals recommend
The Tartar Frigate Bar
Harbour StreetThis place is in Broadstairs just along the seafront from Margate (about a 2 hour walk). This is quite a traditional restaurant, slightly on the stuffy side, but the seafood is incredible. There's also a wonderful view of the Broadstairs beach.
This is a family pub in an old castle with a fun atmosphere (and ball pool). I don't have kids, so I enjoy the reasonable food and stunning sea view. It also breaks up a beautiful walk between Margate and Broadstairs.
17 locals recommend
Captain Digby
Whiteness RoadThis is a family pub in an old castle with a fun atmosphere (and ball pool). I don't have kids, so I enjoy the reasonable food and stunning sea view. It also breaks up a beautiful walk between Margate and Broadstairs.
If you stumbled upon this place, you probably wouldn't go in... it's an incredibly odd looking industrial shipping building at the end of a harbour arm. But walk inside, and you get a cool atmosphere, a real mix of customers and beautiful seafood reflecting the catch of the day. You can also park right outside if you can navigate around the fisherman.
61 locals recommend
Royal Harbour Brasserie
East PierIf you stumbled upon this place, you probably wouldn't go in... it's an incredibly odd looking industrial shipping building at the end of a harbour arm. But walk inside, and you get a cool atmosphere, a real mix of customers and beautiful seafood reflecting the catch of the day. You can also park right outside if you can navigate around the fisherman.
Very friendly and laid back atmosphere, and a varied menu. Goat curry is fantastic.
29 locals recommend
Mullins Brasserie
6 Market PlVery friendly and laid back atmosphere, and a varied menu. Goat curry is fantastic.
A really welcoming and atmospheric little restaurant, with a fantastic seasonal menu. I always feel welcomed with open arms when I step inside, and dinner always feels really special.
The Kentish Pantry
1 Duke StA really welcoming and atmospheric little restaurant, with a fantastic seasonal menu. I always feel welcomed with open arms when I step inside, and dinner always feels really special.
Best pubs and bars
My favourite places to hang about in Margz of an evening
This place really is unexpected, as it's just off a fairly nondescript road (near my apartment). But it brews a large range of beers, has an open fire in the winter and a really quirky and warm atmosphere.
6 locals recommend
Ales Of The Unexpected
105 Canterbury RdThis place really is unexpected, as it's just off a fairly nondescript road (near my apartment). But it brews a large range of beers, has an open fire in the winter and a really quirky and warm atmosphere.
*I think this may now be closed* As well as great cocktails, this bar hosts an actual real-life internet radio station and performing arts space on Cliff Terrace in Cliftonville
8 locals recommend
Radio Margate
17 Cliff Terrace*I think this may now be closed* As well as great cocktails, this bar hosts an actual real-life internet radio station and performing arts space on Cliff Terrace in Cliftonville
*This is now called Barletta and serves delicious cocktails and Italian food*
Ziggy’s is only open in the warmer months, and is located on the seafront next to Dreamland – on the top of a neighbouring building. Great views and fun atmosphere, but a few stairs to climb.
19 locals recommend
Ziggy's Rooftop Bar
49 Marine Terrace*This is now called Barletta and serves delicious cocktails and Italian food*
Ziggy’s is only open in the warmer months, and is located on the seafront next to Dreamland – on the top of a neighbouring building. Great views and fun atmosphere, but a few stairs to climb.
Lovely little brewery in the centre of the Old Town. I dare you to try walking past without walking in!
46 locals recommend
Lifeboat
1 Market StLovely little brewery in the centre of the Old Town. I dare you to try walking past without walking in!
This teeny tiny pub is more of a novelty than a place to spend the evening, but it's a fun idea – a mini pub nestled in the middle of Market Place (the big red building near the turner gallery).
The Little Prince
8 Fort HillThis teeny tiny pub is more of a novelty than a place to spend the evening, but it's a fun idea – a mini pub nestled in the middle of Market Place (the big red building near the turner gallery).
This is a great place for live music, with a dance floor downstairs. Regularly frequented by celebs but has a really chilled and friendly atmosphere.
25 locals recommend
Olby's Soul Cafe & Music Rooms
3-5 King StThis is a great place for live music, with a dance floor downstairs. Regularly frequented by celebs but has a really chilled and friendly atmosphere.
Shhh, there's a super secret roof terrace bar on the top floor, with the best views over Margate! There's also a less adventurous, but equally as pleasant, bar on the ground floor with a lovely balcony overlooking the sea.
21 locals recommend
Sands Hotel Margate
16 Marine DrShhh, there's a super secret roof terrace bar on the top floor, with the best views over Margate! There's also a less adventurous, but equally as pleasant, bar on the ground floor with a lovely balcony overlooking the sea.
Little Swift is a very hipster, very cute little cocktail bar on the seafront. Go upstairs for a lovely seaview, too.
38 locals recommend
Little Swift
7-8 Marine DrLittle Swift is a very hipster, very cute little cocktail bar on the seafront. Go upstairs for a lovely seaview, too.
Things to do
Where to have fun in Margate
This is the centre of Margate – the icing on the cake. I love this theme park. Set back from an art deco entrance, there's rides for the kiddies and live music and festivals for the adults. This theme park was renovated a few years back. Has the oldest rollercoaster in the UK and it's free to walk in. There's usually a tribute act or DJ performing on the green in the middle, so always worth strolling in to see what's on.
242 locals recommend
Dreamland
Marine TerraceThis is the centre of Margate – the icing on the cake. I love this theme park. Set back from an art deco entrance, there's rides for the kiddies and live music and festivals for the adults. This theme park was renovated a few years back. Has the oldest rollercoaster in the UK and it's free to walk in. There's usually a tribute act or DJ performing on the green in the middle, so always worth strolling in to see what's on.
No one knows how or why it's here, but it's one of the strangest and most curious attractions in Margate. It's just a cave of shells. And it has a great cafe at the end.
171 locals recommend
Shell Grotto
33 Grotto HillNo one knows how or why it's here, but it's one of the strangest and most curious attractions in Margate. It's just a cave of shells. And it has a great cafe at the end.
You can't go to Margz without visiting this beautiful gallery. As well as hosting top artists, the view from the gallery across the sea is breathtaking. And the gift shop isn't bad either.
352 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousYou can't go to Margz without visiting this beautiful gallery. As well as hosting top artists, the view from the gallery across the sea is breathtaking. And the gift shop isn't bad either.
I love Margate beach. It's right on your doorstep, wide, very sandy, and has a buzzing atmosphere.
78 locals recommend
Margate Beach Front
I love Margate beach. It's right on your doorstep, wide, very sandy, and has a buzzing atmosphere.
Beautiful art deco cinema just along the seafront from Margate (5 minute drive). Also has a lovely cafe.
31 locals recommend
Carlton Cinema
29 St. Mildreds RdBeautiful art deco cinema just along the seafront from Margate (5 minute drive). Also has a lovely cafe.
Botany Bay is on the walk between Margate and Broadstairs and is a stunning beach with natural caves.
131 locals recommend
Botany Bay
Marine DriveBotany Bay is on the walk between Margate and Broadstairs and is a stunning beach with natural caves.
This place is always a shock to come across. The Tudor house in Margate, thought to be one of the oldest of its kind in Kent, was built around 1525 and is typical of many houses of that period.
15 locals recommend
Tudor House
60 King StThis place is always a shock to come across. The Tudor house in Margate, thought to be one of the oldest of its kind in Kent, was built around 1525 and is typical of many houses of that period.
From the outside this looks like an odd pub, but walk inside and you'll find an array of tiny independent shops, yet another bus cafe (if one wasn't enough) and a teeny tiny pub.
48 locals recommend
The Old Kent Market
8 Fort HillFrom the outside this looks like an odd pub, but walk inside and you'll find an array of tiny independent shops, yet another bus cafe (if one wasn't enough) and a teeny tiny pub.
Canterbury is just a 20-min drive or short train ride away, and is beautiful and very old. I recently went punting along the – the city is truly stunning.
369 locals recommend
Canterbury
Canterbury is just a 20-min drive or short train ride away, and is beautiful and very old. I recently went punting along the – the city is truly stunning.