A weekend in Folkestone: where to eat, drink and stay

Plenty of people come to Folkestone for the day. They get off the train, walk the Harbour Arm, have lunch and head home before dark. It’s a nice day out, but you miss the best of it.

Stay the weekend and the town opens up. There are old streets at the top of the hill, a busy harbour at the bottom, and Sandgate is a walk along the shingle from there.

The green dining room at The London & Paris on Harbour Street

Where to stay

Stay in town if you can. The London & Paris is our hotel on Harbour Street: eleven rooms, adults only, every one looking over the harbour. Dinner is never far away, because The Harbour Inn is right on the doorstep.

Friday: keep it easy

Start on Rendezvous Street. Luben has been doing wood-fired pizza and cold draught beer since 2016, and it’s the kind of place where you sit down and stay a while. Or go to The Cat & Fiddle for a pint with the locals on the same street.

The Pullman on Church Street is just round the corner. It was our first pub (Ben and Lucy took it over in 2014), and on a cold night the fire is hard to beat. Pick one and settle in. Friday isn’t the night for a tour.

Saturday: head for the sea

Wander down to Harbour Street for lunch at The Harbour Inn, with fish from the local boats and a view of the harbour. Our seafood guide has more on what to order. Before or after, take a walk out along the Harbour Arm. Then, if the weather’s kind, walk west along the beach to Sandgate.

Beer taps on the bar at The Ship Inn in Sandgate, with bottles on the back bar

The Ship Inn at 65 Sandgate High Street has been an alehouse since 1798, and it joined us in 2023. It’s worth the walk for a pint with the sea on one side and the village on the other.

In the evening, head back into town. The Pullman for food, The Cat & Fiddle for a drink, or Luben again if Friday’s pizza is still on your mind.

Sunday: roast

The Pullman, The Harbour Inn and The Ship Inn all do a Sunday roast. Book on Saturday so you’re not left waiting. Our Sunday roast guide explains how they differ, including the vegetarian option. If roast isn’t your thing, Luben is a good lunch before the train.

A few honest notes

Union isn’t open yet, so don’t plan around it. The Harbour Arm is at its best in sunshine and less fun in the rain. And for a smart dinner that isn’t a pub, Rocksalt on the harbour is worth booking.

Coming in December? Our Christmas menus are at The Pullman, The Ship Inn, The Harbour Inn and Luben. For more on where to drink, read our guide to Folkestone’s pubs.

You can book a table at any of our venues, and you collect L&B Rewards points at all of them.