Forts Cafe

Just off the beaten track, Forts serves up arguably the best coffee in Margate (well we think so at least). As well as really good coffee, Forts also offer unique and innovative brekkie options (particularly grand vegan options). Plus its outstanding repertoire expanded to include evening openings complete with cocktails (Bloody Mary, Gorse Flower, Sour-Cherry Old-Fashioned and Vetiver Espresso Martini)

Forts Cafe | 8 Cliff Terrace, Margate

Dory's 

If you’re a lover of seafood, Dory’s is a must especially for fresh sharing style food. Little sister to fish restaurant Angela’s, the seafood bar overlooks Margate Main Sands beach. It also has a wine shop selling English and European organic, biodynamic and low-intervention wines that respect both soil and grape

Dory's | 24 High St, Margate CT9 1DS

Walpole Bay and Tidal Pool

Dogs must be kept on leads at Walpole Bay May-Sept 10am - 6pm. But come early evenings your dog and yourself can head to the iconic tidal pool for a quiet swim to cool off after exploring Margate's Old Town. Palm Bay and along to Foreness Bay are also dog friendly and all these lovely sandy beaches are really quiet bar dog walkers and the odd family building sandcastles.

The Old Town

The Old Town is an excellent place to start your adventure in Margate and is located adjacent to the harbour. Vintage and bric-a-brac stores line the cobbled lanes around Market Place, it's often buzzing with daily activities of locals and tourists alike. There's a variety of cafes, pubs, specialty food shops, art galleries, boutiques and other small shops along the streets, including Peony Vintage where you can discover original vintage pieces perfect for sustainable style. We’re also fans of AARVEN and Ramsay & Williams who sell interior gems and Kentish ice cream (including ice cream made for dogs).

Haeckles

Haeckels of Margate use only local botanicals that are not found anywhere else in the world. This includes bladderwrack. A seaweed that has amazing health benefits. And creates luxurious, wonderfully natural seaweed skincare that is literally bursting with organic goodness.
Each of the natural skincare products that Haeckels manufacturers are then distilled and hand crafted in their wonderful clifftop lab in Margate. Plus, Haeckels are dedicated to being entirely cruelty-free with their marine based skincare; never testing on animals.

Haeckels | 18 Cliff Terrace, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 1RU

Barletta

Established in 2019 as a pop up in Dreamland, Barletta has since held residencies at Urchin Wines and the Rose in June pub before taking over the roof in summer 2020 and the Turner in 2021. Run by partners Jackson Berg & Natalia Ribbe, Barletta is a true celebration of the couple’s travels and favourite places to eat, taking inspiration from Sicily to LA, Berlin and Marseille. Their food celebrates the seasons in a fun and exciting way, all served alongside personable hospitality.

Barletta | Turner Contemporary, Margate CT9 1HG

Wildes

This character filled bistro and cocktail bar is located in the heart of the old town. Serving coffee and food during the day and unmissable cocktails in the evening. This is a great spot to head to with friends. Plus dogs are always welcomes with biscuits and a fresh bowl of Margate aqua!

Wildes | 4-5 Market Pl, Margate CT9 1ER

Shell Grotto

Discovered in 1835, Margate's Shell Grotto is an astonishing find; 70ft (21 metres) of winding passages decorated with 4.6 million shells. The walls are covered in images of gods and goddesses, trees of life and patterns made from the shells of whelks, mussels and oysters.
Some think it is an ancient Pagan grotto, others that it is simply an ornate Regency folly; but with no definitive explanation or history, the Shell Grotto is Kent's greatest mystery. Small dogs are allowed to walk around if carried. However if there is more than one of you, the cafe and shop is dog friendly so you can take it in turns while the other enjoys a coffee in the cafe.

Shell Grotto | Grotto Hill, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2BU

ILLUSTRATION DRAWN BY THE TALENTED PAPER AND JEN