In Fordwich, England’s smallest town and a charmingly quaint spot, The Fordwich Arms has built a loyal following over the years. Its location alongside the River Stour is picture-perfect and the cooking is no less impressive, taking superb ingredients and allowing them to shine in thoughtful combinations with the odd creative touch.

It’s a young gang of people working hard to deliver exceptional food. The incredibly silky whipped cod’s roe with local raw veg is amazing, as are the house-cured meats. They have a lovely light touch with game.

Daniel Smith, his wife Natasha and sommelier Guy Palmer-Brown were all just 26 when they took on this wood-lined pub in Fordwich, England’s smallest town, but given that they came from London’s Michelin-starred Clove Club, they certainly weren’t novices. In less than a year, they’d won a Michelin star of their own, with a memorable combination of elegant, peaceful riverside dining room, superb ingredients and theatrical presentation. Prawns are hand-seared tableside on a block of pink Himalayan salt; glass bell jars full of applewood smoke lift to reveal tiny, tender duck hearts, beneath tendrils scented by Kent orchards.

You’ll have learnt by now that some of our best restaurants are found in the most unexpected places, and this gem is no exception, being located in the smallest town in Britain. With a Michelin Star to its name and positioning in the National Restaurant Awards esteemed top twenty list, the Fordwich Arms is worth adding to your ever-growing list. In winter you can cosy up with your meal and a glass of Simpsons or Gusbourne wine near one of the three open fireplaces, while in summer, the five course tasting menu can be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the River Stour.

It looks like a typical pub from the outside but what a surprise inside” – Daniel & Natasha Smith jointly run the kitchen at this riverside pub that they purchased in 2017, and which nowadays is one of the top-100 most commented-on destinations in our annual diners’ poll. “There’s not a false note in the memorable experience”: “polished and attentive service delivers a succession of superb dishes – cooking of sustained excellence that’s worth every penny”. “In the summer, there are a few tables by the river and it’s delightful watching the passing boats”.

Boasting a lovely 1930s bar and oak panelled dining room with three open fires, Michelin-starred The Fordwich Arms is a lovely setting to relax and enjoy a tasty meal. Chef-patron Daniel Smith was recently awarded Observer's Young Chef of the Year and his seasonal menu focuses on provenance, showcasing the best of local Kentish ingredients, sourced direct from local farms and producers. When summer comes around the riverside location gives rise to a beautiful dining terrace and garden with views over the River Stour.

Daniel Smith, his spouse Natasha, and sommelier Fellow Palmer-Brown were all 26 when they took on this wood-lined bar in Fordwich, England’s littlest town, but given that they came from London’s Michelin-starred Clove Club, they certainly weren’t amateurs. In less than a year, they’d won a Michelin star for their claim, with an important combination of an exquisite, tranquil riverside feasting room, wonderful fixings, and a dramatic introduction.

Kent’s smallest town is one you won’t want to overlook, and The Fordwich Arms is a big reason for this. Known for its seasonal menus carefully crafted with the finest local ingredients, the distinct red brick pub has received consistent national acclaim. Simply bursting with charm and character, The Fordwich Arms is a Michelin-starred pub that offers a five-course menu of British cuisine that changes regularly to "keep things fresh".

When you step into Fordwich Arms for lunch or dinner, you will be greeted by a warm welcome from their professional staff. They have got two private dining rooms that can accommodate up to 20 people each and are suitable for business lunches, special occasions, and private parties. What makes their restaurant so popular is they have an extensive range of wines with exceptional quality which offers fine drinks at affordable prices.

2022 Review: “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”.

Set in England’s smallest town, the Michelin-starred Fordwich Arms near Canterbury pairs elegant Arts and Crafts interiors with exceptional, modern British cuisine. Dine in the oak-panelled room or on the wisteria-draped riverside terrace. Menus highlight seasonal Kentish produce – think house-cured meats, local crab, pheasant dumplings and inventive vegetarian dishes like sweetcorn panisse with duck egg yolk.

The smallest town in Britain, more like a village than a town, people travel from all over to eat here. With a hot food blackboard that includes yummy favorites like steak and kidney pie and stuffed chicken it's forever changing depending on what's in season and everything is cooked freshly. A snack menu is also available, 4 traditional hand pumped ales and an extensive selection of other larger and bitters.

From the same people behind The Fordwich Arms (see below), Bridge is actually the home of Fordwich chefs and owners Daniel and Natasha Smith and saw them taking over the local pub. Although it's more laid back than Fordwich, it still managed to win a Michelin star in an ultra-quick 10 months. This has a changing menu focusing on British produce and Marina O'Loughlin in The Times called it "sheer buzzy bliss.

Michelin-stared expertise and faultless service from chef-patrons, Daniel and Natasha Smith (who are also behind the more casual bridgearms.co.uk - well worth checking out, too), with dishes including duck liver parfait with warm doughnuts and a ‘Snickers’ dessert. In the summer, reserve a table on the terrace and watch the boats and paddle boarders enjoying the Stour. Main courses from £30.

The Fordwich Arms is a restaurant and bar located in Canterbury, England. They offer a diverse range of cuisine options including Argentinian, Asian Fusion, Australian, Baden, Canadian, Czech, Dutch, Eastern European, and more. In addition to their extensive menu, they also offer a variety of drink options including cocktail bars, beer halls, and piano bars.

1st time at the Fordwich Arms, went after recommendation from a friend and it didn't disappoint. Celebrating a friend's big Birthday and definitely felt like a special occasion, lovely food with great presentation and friendly staff that made for a great relaxing meal and nice to speak to the chef's on the way out passing on our praise for their food.

A country pub serving traditional pub meals with a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. The Fordwich Arms is a very short drive from the city centre and a great spot for larger parties. There is also a pleasant riverside garden to chill with your pooch and The Stour Valley Walk is nearby, if you feel like an an afternoon stroll.

The Fordwich Arms has a seasonal menu with ingredients sourced directly from local farms and producers. The restaurant serves dishes like duck liver parfait, Rye Bay brill and caramel apple pie in a stylish 1930s bar and oak panelled dining room. During the summer, dining is available on the terrace and gardens by the riverside.

Having visited The Fordwich Arms a few times in the summer months, I rated it as a decent country pub. I was really pleased to hear that it had seriously raised it’s game on the food front especially after reading a glowing review in the Guardian. So we happily booked a table for lunch with high expectations.

A spokesperson for the Michelin Guide said: "We are pleased to be able to recognise such great cooking in these two country pubs. Both The Dog and Gun Inn and The Bridge Arms provide all the character you’d expect of a great British pub. Inspectors enjoyed their charm, hospitality and some great beer.

From the seashore to the riverside, head to The Fordwich Arms for more Michelin-starred mastery in the UK's smallest town, Fordwich. This oak-panelled restaurant is a foodie paradise, with an incredible seasonal menu and superb wine list, and beautiful riverside terrace.

Enclosed within a red brick 1930s building, The Fordwich Arms serves the smallest town in Britain with some truly fabulous food. More restaurant than pub, its seasonal menus focus on provenance and showcasing the best of Kent's bounty.

The Fordwich Arms, a gem in historic Fordwich, boasts Michelin Star dining in Kent. It’s in Britain’s smallest town, right by the River Stour. Its mix of old-world hospitality and modern cooking makes it unforgettable.

The third of Kent’s Michelin Star GatsroPubs is The Fordwich Arms. With a seasonal menus focusing on provenance and showcasing the best of local Kentish ingredients, sourced directly from local farms and producers.

The Fordwich Arms restaurant in Canterbury, Kent, has been rated the best pub in the UK. Here, owners Dan and Natasha Smith talk to KentOnline about the secrets behind their success...

The fire place was on and it added to overall atmosphere.We went for a longer menu. It was one of the best meals of our lives. Especially the lobster was just amazing.