Tamsin's Guidebook
Food scene
Quite a quirky place - I’d go there for food if it’s raining as a good selection of places. My favourite is Foody Moody’s mega mezz wraps (also do Vegan) and the hot cross buns at the bakery.
48 locals recommend
The Old Kent Market
8 Fort HillQuite a quirky place - I’d go there for food if it’s raining as a good selection of places. My favourite is Foody Moody’s mega mezz wraps (also do Vegan) and the hot cross buns at the bakery.
Beautiful delicious food, mainly fish based. New to Margate and heading for a Michelin star. Worth getting in there now. Check opening hours.
51 locals recommend
SARGASSO
Stone PierBeautiful delicious food, mainly fish based. New to Margate and heading for a Michelin star. Worth getting in there now. Check opening hours.
Exceptional food, recently very well reviewed by Grace Dent and for good reason. Run by our friends Harry and Simona - lovely atmosphere too. Check opening times.
60 locals recommend
Bottega Caruso
2-4 Broad StExceptional food, recently very well reviewed by Grace Dent and for good reason. Run by our friends Harry and Simona - lovely atmosphere too. Check opening times.
Cocktails, amazing vegan food on a double decker bus (win win for kids - also have food which kids will like) and beach right there. A great place to be at the end of the day.
50 locals recommend
The Sun Deck
Royal Crescent PromenadeCocktails, amazing vegan food on a double decker bus (win win for kids - also have food which kids will like) and beach right there. A great place to be at the end of the day.
Need a coffee, record store or yum breakfast - this is the place. Upstairs has a small play area so the kids are occupied.
97 locals recommend
Cliffs
172 Northdown RdNeed a coffee, record store or yum breakfast - this is the place. Upstairs has a small play area so the kids are occupied.
If you over did it the night before or just really want a greasy spoon. This is where you need to go.
38 locals recommend
The Dalby Cafe
4-6 Dalby RdIf you over did it the night before or just really want a greasy spoon. This is where you need to go.
Urchin Wines
Now only online but do delivery! Limited beer and lots of wine.
The Grain Grocer
216 Northdown RdEco store - full of wonderful things.
Looks better than the photos as just changed hands and been done up nicely. If you need a pit stop on the way home this is a good one.
51 locals recommend
The Rose in June
49-50 Trinity SquareLooks better than the photos as just changed hands and been done up nicely. If you need a pit stop on the way home this is a good one.
DIVE - Tacos & Margaritas
Unit 6 Harbour ArmNew to the food scene but good reviews so far!
Now doing deliveries. Order in advance for some excellent food from a brilliant local chef.
Hot Meals Now Canteen
1-3 Hawley SquareNow doing deliveries. Order in advance for some excellent food from a brilliant local chef.
Dorys
24 High StFresh fish, small plates and easy atmosphere. Totally yum.
Hantverk & Found
16-18 King StThe food is so good, fab hospitality and excellent wine.
Barletta
Another new addition to the fab food scene!
Pasha Margate
182 Northdown RdExcellent Lebanese food
Casa Pizzeria & Café
189 Canterbury RdPizza delivered to your door!
Sightseeing
Revolution - Skate park & Climbing Wall
A delight behind a rather austere building. Definitely worth a visit just so you and the kids can wind up the air raid siren, sit on a donkey and look at all the memorabilia.
33 locals recommend
Margate Museum
Market PlaceA delight behind a rather austere building. Definitely worth a visit just so you and the kids can wind up the air raid siren, sit on a donkey and look at all the memorabilia.
An absolute blast in a slightly kitche environment. Book well in advance as it’s always busy.
16 locals recommend
Bugsy's Tenpin Bowling
Ethelbert CrescentAn absolute blast in a slightly kitche environment. Book well in advance as it’s always busy.
A fab day out for everyone. Check what’s on as they have jam packed day and evening events especially during school holidays.
242 locals recommend
Dreamland
Marine TerraceA fab day out for everyone. Check what’s on as they have jam packed day and evening events especially during school holidays.
Our kids live on the beach when it’s warm. Wrap up and take a bbq down there, watch the sunset and if it’s warm enough have an early evening swim in the Lido. It’s bliss. Make sure to check the tides. The lido is usually underwater 2hrs either side of high tide which means there isn’t much beach either. From April 17th 2020 - Nov 2020 you will also find a free community sauna there! See Haeckels community sauna for more info.
30 locals recommend
Walpole Bay
Our kids live on the beach when it’s warm. Wrap up and take a bbq down there, watch the sunset and if it’s warm enough have an early evening swim in the Lido. It’s bliss. Make sure to check the tides. The lido is usually underwater 2hrs either side of high tide which means there isn’t much beach either. From April 17th 2020 - Nov 2020 you will also find a free community sauna there! See Haeckels community sauna for more info.
Always worth a visit as free (although please do donate a bit) and beautifully curated shows. On Saturdays and sundays they also tend to have kid craft activities. Note it will be closed for refurb from September 2020 - December 2020.
352 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousAlways worth a visit as free (although please do donate a bit) and beautifully curated shows. On Saturdays and sundays they also tend to have kid craft activities. Note it will be closed for refurb from September 2020 - December 2020.
Absolute treasure trove. Well worth a wander through the many rooms looking for things you never knew you wanted. It’s like the IKEA of historical objects. Hang on to your kids!
41 locals recommend
Scott's Furniture Mart Margate
Bath PlaceAbsolute treasure trove. Well worth a wander through the many rooms looking for things you never knew you wanted. It’s like the IKEA of historical objects. Hang on to your kids!
Wonderful open beach. Go to the Botany Bay Hotel for early dinner. Lovely doable cycle ride from here to there as well. Actually you could walk it as well but check distances on google maps to make sure your comfortable with it.
131 locals recommend
Botany Bay
Marine DriveWonderful open beach. Go to the Botany Bay Hotel for early dinner. Lovely doable cycle ride from here to there as well. Actually you could walk it as well but check distances on google maps to make sure your comfortable with it.
An absolute treat. Massive old school screen, cheap tickets and beautiful setting. Highly recommended if you are at a loss and the weather is pants.
31 locals recommend
Carlton Cinema
29 St. Mildreds RdAn absolute treat. Massive old school screen, cheap tickets and beautiful setting. Highly recommended if you are at a loss and the weather is pants.
Wonderful little theatre which has comedy nights, blues nights and gigs. Check listings - often have kid focused events during the holidays. Also open generally for fabulous cocktails in relaxed bar upstairs.
51 locals recommend
Tom Thumb Theatre
2A Eastern EsplanadeWonderful little theatre which has comedy nights, blues nights and gigs. Check listings - often have kid focused events during the holidays. Also open generally for fabulous cocktails in relaxed bar upstairs.
Check their opening hours and call in advance to find out when it’s quietest!
13 locals recommend
Revolution Skatepark
Dane Valley RoadCheck their opening hours and call in advance to find out when it’s quietest!
A real surprise - loads of amazing old vehicles, scenes and activities - a really fun trip out for the family.
11 locals recommend
Dover Transport Museum
Willingdon RoadA real surprise - loads of amazing old vehicles, scenes and activities - a really fun trip out for the family.
Strokes Adventure Golf
Sea View TerraceAlways good fun with the family.
City advice
Travelling with kids
Childcare
If you need childcare please get in touch (well in advance) with Katia on 07733181174 @cocooninmargate very experienced nanny and can look after very young children and big groups. She is an absolute dream and means you can go out to dinner and relax. If she is booked up let me know and I will give you some other options.
Getting around
Parking, cycle or by foot
You can drive around but parking is a bit limited. There is free parking along the seafront between Winter Gardens and Turner Contemporary which you can access by driving down Fort Lower Promenade and at the bottom of the. Hill turning sharply to the left along the sea front. Otherwise take it slow and walk or cycle along the cliff top promenade or down Northdown Road.
Getting around
Taxis and buses
Taxis are another option as they are pretty cheap here (£5 for ride to the station) use Central Cars tel:01843 888 888 or use The Loop bus service which has stood right at the end of our road on Northdown Rd. Next to vets will take you to Broadstairs and then Ramsgate or opposite this will take you into Margate and then onto Westwood x shopping complex.
Don't miss
All the festivals
Check online for the dates but here is a list of the festivals which take place over the year. Well worth timing a visit to coincide with these. Margate Arts Festival, Broadstairs food festival, Broadstairs Folk festival, Margate Pride (this is exceptional and absolutely a great family event - our kids love it. Full of colour and love and costume), Margate Soul Weekender, Dreamland music events, POW - Power of Women festival.
Don't miss
Be in the know
If you go online and find Margate Mercury paper they have an online free edition. This paper has all the new openings, up and coming events and interesting local articles. A great way to get ahead of the crowd and find out what the locals are doing.