Birdies

One of Whitstable's longest-serving establishments, Birdies has been run by Philip, Sue and family since 1993. With a location so near the harbour, it's unsurprising to discover that fish from local waters forms a significant part of the menu. Crab, lobster, skate, sole and bass all regularly feature, as do oysters from reputable shellfish merchants, West Whelks. You'll also find other classics on the chalkboard, such as bouillabaisse, and meat dishes like beef Wellington.

Birdies' self-sufficiency in the kitchen is impressive, with the large majority of fare made on site by the team. This means diners can expect only the finest, freshest food at Birdies. Superb cheeseboards offer the likes of blue cheese hand-picked from Cheeseworks in Cranbrook. Birdies also stocks some excellent New World wines alongside French red and white classics, as well as several excellent local ciders and bottle-conditioned ales from the Shepherd Neame brewery. With a real emphasis on family, Birdies is a fantastic place to take children and grandparents - and well behaved pooches are more than welcome too