I haven’t a clue what the saloon bar fayre here was like in the mid-19th century, but current chef James Pearce, formerly of nearby Rocksalt, sets out to celebrate the best of Kent’s fishy and shell-bound produce. There’s plenty of choice on an à la carte menu that opens with Blackwater Estuary oysters – served natural, dill-pickled or deep-fried with a mackerel panko crumb, XO and yuzu – before moving on to a gamut of “snacks” to go with their natural-leaning wine list, including smoked cod’s roe with seaweed crackers and scallop roe, and cockles and whelks in chilli and garlic oil. Over in the mains, there’s monkfish with white miso or cod in vodka batter.

The Stade is home to the restaurant that first put Folkestone back on the map in 2011 – slick Rocksalt. Though it lost its Michelin-starred chef in 2021, it still draws a regular flow of visiting gourmands with a menu of crab, mussels and fresh fish served up in a very grown-up dining room. Sadly, like much of the rest of town, Rocksalt was closed when I visited.

Situated right next to the English Channel, Rocksalt’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer some of Folkestone’s best dinnertime views. Sit inside or out while enjoying a dish of Folkestone’s freshly caught, seasonal fish or locally sourced meat. Stop by on a Sunday to enjoy a traditional English roast.

Rocksalt | The Best Kebab | Black Bull | Django's Cafe & Petit Bistro | Britannia Inn | The Golden Arrow | Steep Street Coffee House | Lemon Leaf Restaurant & Bar | Basil's Sandwich Bar | the little place next door | Everest Cafe & Bar | The Cafe Collective 43 | Room 213 Restaurant | Beano's Vegetarian Cafe Bar | Oriental Buffet | The Chambers | The Pullman Folkestone | Lucky Chip | Leas Cliff Hall Cafe Bar | Black Bull Cafe & Coffee Shop | The Guildhall | The Captain's Table | The Ship Inn | Curry Garden | Starbucks | KFC - Sandgate Road | Kipps' Alehouse | Pizza Hut Delivery | The Mariner | Kalala Restaurant

Long hyped for serving some of the best seafood outside the capital, Rocksalt is the grande dame of Folkestone’s restaurants; it essentially put the town on the UK’s culinary radar. Head chef Mark Sargeant may have departed along with its Michelin star, but it remains the go-to spot when you want to push the boat out, holding onto two rosettes and serving up a fishermen’s bounty of local produce. The room is curled along the waterfront like a seal on its side, cantilevered above the marina with floor-to-ceiling windows that gulp in panoramic ocean views.

You can also sample Michelin star dining at The West House in Biddenden and the Fordwich Arms in Canterbury, while Gordon Ramsay's former Head Chef at Claridges, Mark Sargent, is casting culinary spells in Folkestone by serving up superb seafood and harbour views at Rocksalt and his classy twist on fish n' chips at The Smokehouse. For timeless French and English classics, sensational steaks and views across the Channel, be sure to check out Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill at the Clifton Hotel - a must-visit for foodies in Folkestone.

Moments away from Rocksalt and central Folkestone is the ideal spot to spend the night on the White Cliffs, under the stars and with nature. Overlooking the English Channel the Folkestone Camping and Caravanning Club Site has a perfect cliff top position and is favoured for its close proximity to both nature and sea. The Club Site is approximately 5 minutes drive from centre of Folkestone town and just over 10 minutes from the Channel Tunnel terminal, so it could also be the ideal stop off on your way into the country or just before you depart.

The heart and soul of Rocksalt are our menus, served in both the stunning restaurant area and the bar on the first floor, both of which are complete with their own sun drenched terraced areas for the summer months. We take time and effort to source our ingredients as locally as possible: from the day boats working along the South Coast to the local farms set in the rolling Kent countryside, our focus is always on provenance & allowing the quality of our produce to shine in every dish.

After the much vaunted arrival of Folkestone’s newest restaurant the wife and I decided to give Rocksalt a try and I must say we were pleasantly surprised. Firstly, a quick word on Rocksalt’s aspect. Most seats in the restaurant will give you a panoramic view of the harbour so, if you’re like me and love to eat while enjoying a sea view then you won’t be disappointed however, having said that you certainly don’t go to a restaurant just to look at boats bobbing up and down.

Folkestone's infamous high-end eatery on the harbour side, which is run by a celebrity chef probably doesn't scream 'pub crawl'. But there are not many other places in the town you can sit on a porch with a large glass of red or their latest creative cocktail and feel like you are actually on holiday. The location really is second to none and both the bar and restaurant are exquisitely decorated.

Rocksalt in Folkestone is a fantastic place to enjoy locally sourced food fresh from the fishing boats and local farms. The menu changes regularly depending on what’s in season, and the Sunday menu features a selection of local meats and a roast fish of the day. Enjoy panoramic sea views across the English Channel through the floor to ceiling windows, or relax on the terrace in the warmer months.

It’s back to stormy weather and the floor-to-ceiling windows of the impressive Rocksalt offer panoramic views of waves crashing into the harbour. We order a sharing rack of lamb that couldn’t have been cooked any better – and the platter gets extra points for not being overwhelmingly big, with the perfect amount of roasties, veg and cabbage to share. It’s by far the best food of the weekend.

The big name around here is Rocksalt, with its impressive terrace overhanging the water. It’s spawned a number of siblings in the town, including The Smokehouse, The Radnor Arms, Little Rock and beach bar The Pilot. Other popular choices include Aspendos Turkish restaurant, Marleys, El Cortador tapas, Annapurna Nepalese restaurant, Steep Street Coffee House and Pickup Pintxos.

Be sure to book early at the award-winning Rocksalt restaurant for super-fresh fish and al-fresco dining with superb harbour views, or stay-in with us in the stylish Bay Tree Bar & Grill for modern British casual dining and sumptuous signature cocktails. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle also brings France closer too, with Folkestone just 35 minutes away from Calais.

This is where Head Chef, Akos Mate started his career at just 16, as a Kitchen Assistant. Like Folkestone, his growth has been radical over the ensuing years. He became an integral part of the team that delivered Hide and Fox’s first Michelin star, while working there as a sous chef, before returning to Rocksalt as Head Chef.

Across the harbour is super-chic fish restaurant Rocksalt – another De Haan investment, in partnership with former Claridge’s head chef Mark Sargeant. This was the first sign of regeneration in Folkestone back in 2011 and it’s still going strong. ‘We were the first part of the jigsaw,’ says Sargeant.

It's impossible to miss this imposing restaurant with its terrace jutting out over the harbour. Local food is big on the menu here, whether it's seafood from south coast day boats or produce from nearby Kent farms. So for baked mussels with Kent cider this is the place to go.

If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket then head down to Rocksalt in Folkstone. A gorgeous harbour-front restaurant with views over the English Channel. Their A La Carte menu changes with the seasons to keep up with the freshest fish on offer.

The Rocksalt is an ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover the city. Visitors to Folkestone will find that the Rocksalt is a fantastic accommodation choice. The hotel offers easy access to Folkestone Central Railway Station, just 1km away.

4-5 Fishmarket, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6AA Phone: 01303 884633 Web: www.rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk e-mail: info@rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk No. of rooms: 4, ensuite: 4 Opening hours: 12-3pm; 7-10pm, Closed Monday

For something a little special, Rocksalt provides undisturbed panoramic views across the harbour as a side to their exquisitely cooked fish and seafood. Spendy, but great for a special occasion.

And one of Folkestone's most famous spots is Rocksalt, named one of the best restaurants with a view as well as featuring in TV chef's Andi Oliver's show Fabulous Feasts earlier this year.

Can get chilly on a winter night if sat near the glass doors leading to outdoor decking. Doors will be closed but you still get a draft coming in. Can get quite uncomfortable.

Our reporters have dined at a wide array of eateries - from the foodie favourite Rocksalt in Folkestone harbour to the worst-rated Chinese takeaway.

In that case head over to Rocksalt (under the same ownership) on the far side of the swing bridge, for fine dining with harbour views.

Fish and Chips: I love Sandy’s down by the harbour (next to Rocksalt). Papa’s on Sandgate Road is also pretty good.