Harden's says
Ex-Clove Club chef Dan Smith and sommelier Guy Palmer-Brown have teamed up (with Smith's partner Tash Norton) to re-open this large Kent pub, with a great beer garden, in December 2017. Expect the foodies to descend - it's already been rated very highly in the national press.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Each time we come we are impressed by the attention to detail and outstanding quality of the food at this well-regarded gastropub” – Daniel & Natasha Smith purchased this “beautiful old pub on the River Stour” in 2017 and has become one of the most commented-on venues outside the capital in our annual diners’ poll. “The style of cuisine is that of fine dining with locally sourced produce and the flavours bring out the best in the ingredients”. “Tables are well-spaced and the staff certainly know their stuff” – “incredible value”. Top Tip – “Lovely wisteria-covered terrace by the river on a sunny day”.
Summary
“Lovely old pub, serving brilliant modern cooking” from chef-patron Dan Smith (ex-Clove Club) and his pastry chef wife, Tash, that “gets better with each visit”, and the “imaginatively presented and delicious” dishes now make it “one of the best restaurant experiences in the Southeast” – “worth travelling to enjoy”. The highest accolade of all? – “enjoyed it even more than the Sportsman!” (just up the road in Whitstable).
Summary
“This former public house is nowadays a fine-dining restaurant” under Dan Smith (ex-Clove Club), Tash Norton and Guy Palmer – and the “beautiful” old riverside venture, with “lovely wisteria-covered terrace”, delivers a “stunningly good” experience… “the best gastronomic meal I have had in a long time. It has restored my faith a little in these high-end restaurants being able to deliver the quality they promise”.
Summary
“Not the easiest place to find in what is apparently Britain’s smallest town” – Dan Smith (ex Clove Club), Tash Norton and Guy Palmer’s venture is barely two years old and “has really hit its stride” as one of the UK’s best dining destinations: “high end, but not poncy”. Picturesquely located on the river, “when you enter it feels initially more like a pub with food, but my goodness you are soon disavowed of that!”. “Every dish is beautifully crafted and presented” – “superbly intelligent combinations, prepared with skill and ambition” – and with “flavours that just hit you”. What’s more “staff are so attentive and polite and seem genuinely to care!”
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 Fordwich Arms?
King Street, Fordwich, CT2 0DB
Restaurant details
The Fordwich Arms Restaurant Diner Reviews
"All round loveliness - cosy surroundings, warm staff and excellence on the plate. A nibble at the pre-starters immediately assured that we were in good hands. Trout and quail starters, pork and venison main courses. "
"Fantastic food. Beautiful old pub on the river. Nice to dine on the lovely wisteria covered terrace by the river on a sunny day. Unobtrusive but attentive service unfortunately in one instance the plates weren't cleared before the next course was delivered to the table"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £75.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 110.00 | Always available |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £36.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
King Street, Fordwich, CT2 0DB
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Canterbury
Indian, Southern restaurant in Canterbury
British, Modern restaurant in Ickham
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Seasalter
British, Modern restaurant in Saltwood
British, Modern restaurant in Biddenden
