"A Michelin-starred riverside pub where Daniel Smith cooks Kentish produce with fanatical precision, worth the drive from Canterbury for an anniversary."
About The Fordwich Arms
Daniel and Natasha Smith took over a faded riverside pub in the tiny town of Fordwich in 2017, and within ten months of opening the kitchen held a MICHELIN star, awarded in the 2019 Guide. It sits a short drive from the centre of Canterbury, beside the River Stour, in a 1930s building with an oak-panelled dining room and three open fires.
The format is a relaxed pub setting wrapped around serious cooking: an a-la-carte option alongside a six-course tasting menu, plus pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan tastings and a set lunch. The pull is provenance, with menus built almost entirely from Kentish farms and suppliers.
The Kitchen
Chef Daniel Smith's style is refined modern British without ceremony. The meal opens with home-baked malt sourdough and treacle soda bread, served warm with home-churned butter and an onion dip reduced with local ale. Mains lean seasonal and game-forward, with venison, grilled cep, creamy celeriac and smoked bone marrow among the dishes critics single out.
The tasting menu runs around £110 per person, with a set lunch near £45 for those who want the kitchen at a gentler price. Reviewers from olive to Andy Hayler place it among the best meals in Kent.
The Room
The oak-panelled room and open fires give it the warmth of a country pub rather than the hush of a formal dining room, which is exactly the point. In summer the riverside terrace by the Stour comes into play. Service is precise but unstuffy.
Not for
Not for a quick post-cathedral lunch in central Canterbury, or anyone unwilling to drive out to Fordwich and commit to a multi-course tasting menu.
Frequently Asked
Does The Fordwich Arms have a Michelin star?
Yes. The Fordwich Arms was awarded one MICHELIN star in the 2019 Guide for Great Britain and Ireland, within ten months of Daniel and Natasha Smith reopening it, and has retained it since.
How much is the tasting menu at The Fordwich Arms?
The tasting menu is around £110 per person, with pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan versions available. A set lunch runs near £45, and an a-la-carte option is also offered.
Where is The Fordwich Arms?
It is on King Street in Fordwich, a small town beside the River Stour just outside Canterbury, Kent. It is a short drive from the city centre.
What is the signature dish at The Fordwich Arms?
The kitchen is known for its home-baked malt sourdough and treacle soda bread with home-churned butter, and for game dishes such as venison with grilled cep, celeriac and smoked bone marrow.
Do you need to book The Fordwich Arms?
Yes, booking ahead is strongly advised, especially for weekends and the tasting menu, as the dining room is small and frequently full.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at The Fordwich Arms
Booking via the restaurant. Tasting menu and set lunch released in advance; weekends fill early.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressKing Street, Fordwich, Canterbury CT2 0DB
NeighbourhoodFordwich, by the River Stour
CuisineModern British
PriceTasting menu ~£110pp; set lunch ~£45
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingOak-panelled dining room; riverside terrace
ReservationEssential
