Harden's survey result
Summary
“On top form since chef-owner Dev Biswal closed his Margate and Rye outposts to focus on this establishment” in 2022 – and gave it a Chaucerian rebrand, focusing on “fine Indian dining using mostly locally sourced and seasonal produce”. Those who loved it in its Ambrette days say it “never fails to deliver interesting and delicious food at reasonable prices”, be it “savoury toasted sandwiches of spicy potato, chicken tikka finger sandwiches, and fried sweet potato” or “spice-enriched scones with jam and cream” (all with Biswal “present to explain” the dishes’ origins).
Summary
“Back to its very best since chef-owner Dev Biswas closed his other venues in Rye and Margate” (and “changed the name of this venue from Ambrette to The Cook’s Tale”, in homage to Chaucer). The “busy” and well commented-on fine diner offers an “alternative take on Indian cuisine” (albeit now also featuring that popular staple, curry, for the first time) and the results are “exceptional” and “good value”, whether you opt for the tasting menu or “adventurous” sets, both of which boast hyper-local sourcing and “Kentish touches”.
Summary
Well-known Kent restaurateur, Dev Biswal has refocused his local business empire on this converted backstreet pub which he renamed from ‘The Ambrette’ in mid 2022. All ingredients are now sourced within 30 minutes of the restaurant and he has put curry on the menu (always previously excluded). The move continues a direction of travel begun under his business’s former brand, and we have rated it as for the Ambrette, and assumed a continuing of his “delicious cuisine that isn’t from your run-of-the-mill Indian menu” – a “fantastic combination of English and Indian food”.
Summary
“The younger sister of Ambrette in Margate” is “not your average Indian”, but rather an “airy converted pub” tucked away in the backstreets of town, and delivering “innovative dishes, well spiced, with good portions and fair prices” (and a particularly “excellent-value seasonal tasting menu”). Despite reports that owner Dev Biswal was to close his Sussex branch, The Devil in Rye, it was still in business as we went to press – further joined by a delivery service covering Ashford.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Cook's Tale (fka The Ambrette Canterbury)?
14 - 15 Beer Cart Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2NY
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.95 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies |
|---|---|---|
| £15.90 | £29.50 | £0.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
14 - 15 Beer Cart Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2NY
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
Best Indian, Southern restaurants nearby
Indian restaurant in City
Indian restaurant in Peckham
Indian, Southern restaurant in Stoke Newington
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Ickham
British, Modern restaurant in Whitstable
Fish & seafood restaurant in Folkestone
