
The Parrot
Advertisements
Quick info
About The Parrot
The Parrot is a gastropub in Canterbury, on Church Ln, set in a medieval building with an original timber frame, exposed hand-hewn timbers and oak beams. The bar pours up to six real ales, including beers from Shepherd Neame. The kitchen makes its food to order from local produce, and the menu includes beef and ale pie, fish and chips with a herb tartar sauce, and a Sunday roast of beef and turkey with a nut roast option. A private dining room gives groups a space of their own, and there is an upstairs floor as well. The pub also has a real fire and live music.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention historic medieval timber building, beef and ale pie, outdoor garden seating and fish and chips.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention historic medieval timber building, beef and ale pie, outdoor garden seating and fish and chips.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the building itself, describing the oldest pub in Canterbury with original timbers, oak beams and medieval windows, plus an outdoor seating area and a first floor space that a couple of them single out. Food comes close behind, with the beef and ale pie, crispy fish and chips, spicy wings with very good fries, rarebit and a nut roast all praised, and the Sunday roast's crisp potatoes and rich gravy getting particular mention. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and attentive, and several describe the food as reasonably priced. The complaints concern the kitchen. One diner waited a long time for a freshly made pie, and another's roast arrived without the horseradish and cranberry sauces, with overcooked vegetables and fatty, chewy beef. The squid ink spaghetti with crab was called short on flavour, and the pickled radishes with the rarebit were less liked. One asks for clearer allergen marking, though another found the food allergen safe. One drinker enjoyed a local red ale the bar staff recommended.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the building itself, describing the oldest pub in Canterbury with original timbers, oak beams and medieval windows, plus an outdoor seating area and a first floor space that a couple of them single out. Food comes close behind, with the beef and ale pie, crispy fish and chips, spicy wings with very good fries, rarebit and a nut roast all praised, and the Sunday roast's crisp potatoes and rich gravy getting particular mention. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and attentive, and several describe the food as reasonably priced. The complaints concern the kitchen. One diner waited a long time for a freshly made pie, and another's roast arrived without the horseradish and cranberry sauces, with overcooked vegetables and fatty, chewy beef. The squid ink spaghetti with crab was called short on flavour, and the pickled radishes with the rarebit were less liked. One asks for clearer allergen marking, though another found the food allergen safe. One drinker enjoyed a local red ale the bar staff recommended.
Featured reviews
- Adrian Mercieca (amerci)
“Lovely, stunning place. Building is medieval. Wonderful. Besides the very good, reasonably priced food coupled with good service.”
- Bryce Schieving
“It’s been a while since I left a review because I don’t often go places that I think are above and beyond, but this place topped the list for me. We came here on the recommendation of a local and we were not disappointed! The service was amazing, the food was also amazing and the pudding was amazing as well!! All in it was such a great lunch on a Saturday afternoon in Canterbury. Sitting next to a wall where you could see the timbers and also the hand hewn timbers that are exposed was really cool. Makes me really appreciate the humans who built this place hundreds of years ago. To think this place is more than twice as old as my country is humbling. And the staff were all so incredibly lovely!! Thank you all of you at THE PARROT for making our trip to Canterbury completely memorable and delicious!!”
- Monica Renaud
“Are you wondering how a pub can have such a long history? The food is delicious, allergen safe and the staff is patient and friendly. Truly recommend everyone to enjoy a pint in their lovely outdoor space.”
- Pawel S
“Great pub with an amazing historic interior. We had a couple of pints and some desert. It was comfortably full with customers, the music was not too loud and it was easy to chat. The bar stuff was fabulous - very caring and polite adding another star to the fantastic atmosphere. Check out the first floor space - it is spectacular”
- Shelby Tucker
“If you're in Canterbury scouting historical locations definitely come here to take a break with a pint and some chips. The main wooden frame of the structure is still the original from the 15th century, and many parts are even older. Sitting on top of Roman ruins. The food and bar are excellent prices too boot! They also have a gorgeous outdoor seating area.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Parrot sits in the heart of Canterbury, a historic pub with up to six real ales on the bar, including Shepherd Neame's own beers. The kitchen makes everything from sandwiches to a full evening meal, all made to order from local produce. A function room and a real fire back up the dining side, and it's within easy walking distance of Canterbury's main sights, with live music adding to the atmosphere.”
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Kids' menu
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Food
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Private dining room
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
- Highlights· 7
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 4
- Casual
- Historic
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Parking· 1
- Paid street parking
- Planning· 2
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Bars near The Parrot
- The Dolphin4.41,3320 mi£20–30Reservations
pigs in blankets, large beer garden, gammon steak
- The Old Buttermarket4.31,4060.2 mi
fish and chips, mac and cheese, savoury pies
- 0.4 mi
cathedral rooftop views, happy hour cocktails, truffle fries
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The ParrotReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.51,322 | — | £20–30 | historic medieval timber building, beef and ale pie, outdoor garden seating |
| The DolphinReservations | 4.41,332 | 0 mi | £20–30 | pigs in blankets, large beer garden, gammon steak |
| The Old Buttermarket | 4.31,406 | 0.2 mi | — | fish and chips, mac and cheese, savoury pies |
| Socialite Rooftop Bar & Terrace | 3.9628 | 0.4 mi | — | cathedral rooftop views, happy hour cocktails, truffle fries |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
More to explore in Canterbury

8 places
Bars in Canterbury
Photo: The Foundry Brewpub · 4.5 · 1,407 Google reviews
See all 8 bars in Canterbury








