a little R+R – Refuel and refresh in Folkestone Harbour

Folkestone is full of fantastic places to refuel and refresh during your visit. Year after year Folkestone tops lists saying it’s the best place to live in the UK.  Time Out’s 2025 list is here. The Times voted us top in 2024, and there are many winners of awards for best restaurant or venue around town.   Whether you’ve been shopping at our Harbour Marketplace, or supporting the wealth of local independent retailers, or need somewhere to meet up with friends to celebrate, Folkestone has the right spot for you.  Folkelife has curated a list of venues for a little tipple, or meal for the family.

the goods yard

The Goods Yard at Folkestone Harbour is a venue that always makes you feel like you’re on holiday.  Set back with stunning views of Folkestone and the English Channel, plus over to France on a good day, you can relax with so many different types of food on offer. Greek Street food is irresistible; Mexican, Pizza, Grill and Fish and Chips, all washed down with some Floc beer.  There’s something for everyone.  There’s a selection of free Family Films showing every weekend from March to September along with live music and community activities. Live sport is shown every weekend of the year.  The Marketplace runs from March to October and will open up again mid November for the Festive Marketplace until Christmas Eve.  It has local artisans selling their wares and these make great presents.

Lighthouse Champagne Bar

Stroll along Folkestone’s Harbour Arm passing Cavells – Mediterranean feasts, and Shesells SeaShells – sharing platters of the freshest fish – to the end of Folkestone’s Harbour Arm to the most magical location for a bar in the UK.  It’s an award winning bar with not just Champagne on offer.  If you need warming up there’s hot chocolate laced with liqueur or specialty beers and wine too.  Look out for their evenings of food where your cosy party will certainly have a fabulously memorable time.  During the summer, it’s the best location to sit back and enjoy the porpoises running the Channel whilst you sip your drinks.

Sailbox and Harbour COffee

The Harbour’s own Harbour Coffee roast and brew their own delicious blends which are also available to buy.  Arguably these guys have the best hot chocolate in town too.  Once you’ve tried an almond croissant you’ll find them calling to you so you need to visit.  Its sister restaurant, Sailbox, is bright yellow next-door, you can’t miss it.  Here there’s brunch and beyond with bargain fish and chip lunches on a Monday and stonking roasts on a Sunday.  Try the fish bites, again, they’ll help you plan your next visit.

harbourside

Alongside Sailbox and Harbour Coffee there’s Minutas which serves authentic Argentine street food.  Chimichurri herby sauce covers the succulent seared beef, and churros for pudding is a must.  You can be guaranteed of a decent hotdog from Jamie at The Meat Shack.

rocksalt with friends

Rocksalt is Folkestone’s finest restaurant with the best views over the harbour.  Whether it’s low tide or high tide, the view changes daily.  This is a fantastic place to treat the family for a special meal and a great place to go for pre-dinner drinks at the upstairs bar.  You might want a different sea view at their sister restaurant Little Rock, on the beachside of Folkestone Harbour. The Pilot Bar is also open for coffee, tea and hot chocolate during the day, and a warm place to sit for cocktails of an evening. The Rocksalt Group also owns a number of pubs, one being The Radnor Arms at the western end of town.  This is a wonderfully cosy place for festive drinks and the food is as you’d expect – delicious.

beachside

To the west of Folkestone Harbour Station there’s an oasis of fun and relaxation with the adventure golf course.  There are golf clubs to fit the tallest to the shortest, and during the winter you can enjoy this by night as it’s lit up, with glow in the dark golf balls to boot!  Next door, with views of the sunset, is Brewing Brothers.  This is one of the largest venues on the Harbour site and has an authentic Italian pizza oven producing the best pizzas in town.  There’s also the most exquisite prawns you’ve tasted in a long time plus corn on the cob that will excite the taste buds.

the harbour inn

Staying in the harbour area there is the seaside pub belonging to The Pullman Family.  The Harbour Inn has a menu full of fresh fish and fantastic pub favourites.  Venturing up The Old High Street you could visit one of the other restaurants in the family at Lubens – for freshly baked pizza; Market Square – newly refurbished, bistro-style food during the day and their deli next door called Panataria, and the original Pullman pub on Church Street with its wood fire and relaxed tone.

coffee, breakfast and cake

If you have time to stop for a coffee whilst perusing the local independent shops on The Old High Street in Folkestone then we highly recommend Steep Street Coffee House – for their own blend of coffee and delicious cakes.  Marley’s has grown into its new venue at the base of The Old High Street where you can breakfast like a King or Queen; it’s not to be missed. Mocka Bistro is another stop for breakfast, lunch or supper. If you are just needing a tasty treat then Rachel Leigh Bakes has your cake and scone needs covered.  Folklore nearby is a cocktail bar of epic proportions.  There’s something exciting happening 7 nights a week with Drag Bingo, the weekly table-top games night, quizzes and films.

tapas, tacos and tarts

Moving up The Old High Street you will meet El Cortador which serves delicious tapas and pintxos.  Kipps Alehouse leads you to Rendezvous Street where you will also find Space – a great place for pop up food kings and queens, as well as a very good wine list.  Along here you will also discover The Beer Shop, TPS – Bodega and Cabrón – where John will cook some authentic Mexican snacks to go with your mezcal cocktails.

Walking up the hill again you will find Church Street which has some gems on it too.  Lucky Chip meets your burger needs this end of town.  The Folkestone Wine Company has delicious mains but leave room for pudding which will be the best you’ve ever tasted.

tontine street

If you don’t fancy walking up hill, then take a stroll down Tontine Street away from The Harbour.  Here you will discover Burrito Buoy – easily the best tasting, and best value burritos you will ever have.  Over the road is Blackmarket – strap yourselves in for burger and blues.  The Blind Pig offers craft beer, quizzes and lots of live music.

Photo credits: Steep Street – Madaline Negrila