George & Heart House, Kent Hotel

Kent, England

A well-stocked regional larder and pioneering vineyards and breweries make the coastal town of Margate a prime spot for a gourmet getaway. Recent years have seen a surge of openings and George & Heart House is another one for your to-visit list. This Georgian-style coaching inn in the heart of the Old Town is within reach of its independent stores, art galleries and prized sandy beach. Owners Kelly Love and Dan Williams spent three years restoring the Grade II listed building to expose original floorboards, stained glass windows and brickwork, before injecting creative flair in the form of striking wallpapers and rich textures, plus plenty of retro and gold detailing. The six rooms are individually designed – we recommend The Hideaway for a touch of glamour and, for those seeking extra space, the two-bed Heritage Suite is the best in the house.

But ultimately, it’s all about the food, with fresh, simple dishes you’ll want to eat. The Sunday roasts have gained quite a reputation thanks to chicken and lamb from nearby farms, served with towering Yorkshire puddings, glazed carrots and crispy roast potatoes. The midweek menu features Med-inspired sharing plates of padrón peppers, baked camembert with golden Greek honey, and mussels with a pinch of paprika and saffron. Mains are a play on pub classics – homemade pork pie with piccalilli, seared sea bass with fennel marmalade – paired, perhaps, with a pint from Northdown Brewery. Doubles from £95.

Words by Megan Dickson.

This Article was taken from the October 2024 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.