Zetland Arms

Featured reviews

• E

  Erik K

  ·2 weeks ago

  “Great little pub set in a fantastic place. the staff are warm and friendly and there is plenty of parking and seating outside. You can sit inside and get a nice view of it being windy and rainy outside while you're enjoying a nice warm meal.”

• R

  Ree

  ·2 months ago

  “We were lucky enough to get a table at The Zetland Arms, right on Kingsdown Beach. Despite showing as fully booked online, I rang and the team were kind enough to find us a table for food. Firstly, the pub is beautiful and the beachfront setting is hard to beat. The team are always lovely and attentive, although it does get very busy and crowded, particularly on a sunny day. We’ve eaten here countless times over the years and have also spent many lovely evenings stopping in for drinks. On this particular visit, unfortunately most of the fish dishes and specials had already sold out - we were gutted! A few of us went for the half pint of prawns from the starter menu instead. They were fresh and tasty, although worth noting they are literally just plain prawns. We also shared a beetroot salad and some chips. A couple of people on the table had the fish and chips, which was delicious and exactly what you want from a pub right by the sea. Overall, another lovely lunch at The Zetland Arms. We visited at a particularly busy time on a beautiful sunny day, so next time we’d arrive earlier to have a better chance of trying some of the fish specials. Definitely worth stopping by for a beer or a bite overlooking Kingsdown Beach or both!”

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• R

  Raye “MissRay” Nicoll

  ·2 months ago

  “We came here as a family of 6 yesterday, luckily we booked a table as it was very busy. We ordered meals, unfortunately there was only 2 sole left and we ordered 3 so we went for something else. The food here is on the higher bracket, approximately £25 per main meal, and £9 for desserts. It took around 45 minutes for the meals to come out, which was fine as we weren’t in a rush. There was a huge queue for the bar so maybe they don’t have enough staff on. But the location is stunning on the beach and the food was good.”

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• J

  Jack Walsh

  ·2 months ago

  “Rocked up for a sunny pint and lunch by the beach. Got overcharged for half pint and a shandy (£12.35!). They refunded with cash when called out. Car got blocked in by a soft top BMW. Carpark was full of huge Mercs and Range Rovers. Turns out far right wing political party Restore Britain were using the pub as a base for canvassing. A real shame as I’m guessing the pub are aware. Wouldn’t return due to tolerance of such racist and divisive clientele.”

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• F

  Frazer

  ·2 months ago

  “The Zetland Arms boasts a really good vibe from the moment you step in! You’ll find fabulous beer and cider on tap, perfectly paired with food that is genuinely well worth the wait. In the sunny summer months, their outdoor barbecue is a total highlight, and its unbeatable location makes it effortless to take a pint of beer right down to the beach.”

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• B

  Bradley Eaton

  ·3 months ago

  “What a fantastic little gem! Took my daughters on a short camping getaway to escape London and did plenty of exploring along the coast…including a few pubs for daddy! Zetland Arms was our favourite! Jon the manager is as authentic as they come and his staff were also friendly and accommodating! Would certainly recommend and look forward to returning again soon! 🙌🏽”

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• B

  Ben James

  ·3 months ago

  “I almost don’t want to write this review because part of me wants to keep this place a secret. The Zetland Arms is one of those rare pubs you don’t just stumble across—you have to know it’s there. Tucked away on the Kent coast, it’s worth every mile. Every time we visit the South East coast, this is our first stop. The atmosphere is exactly what you hope an English seaside pub will be: relaxed, welcoming, and full of character. Whether you’re sitting inside or enjoying the views outside, the ambiance is second to none. The service is consistently friendly and attentive, the drinks are always excellent, and the food never disappoints. It’s one of those places that gets everything right without trying too hard. There are plenty of good pubs in Kent, but for us, the Zetland Arms is simply the best. If you know, you know… and if you don’t, you’re in for a treat”

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• J

  James

  ·5 months ago

  “Lovely setting right on the beach with stunning sea views in both directions — on a clear day you can even see France. It gets very busy at peak times which shows how popular the place is. The staff are always friendly and welcoming, and although the wait at the bar can sometimes be a little long, the team work really hard and do their best even when stretched. A couple more bar staff during busy periods would probably help. Although we didn’t eat here, the food looked and smelt amazing coming out of the kitchen. There are some beautiful walks along the beach whichever direction you head, making it a great stop for walkers and dog owners alike. Nice touch as well with plenty of dog bowls left out during the hot weather. Overall a lovely seaside pub with a great atmosphere and location. .”

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• F

  Fergus Flanagan

  ·5 months ago

  “Absolutely outstanding experience! First and foremost, the food here is exceptional - far beyond typical pub grub. The staff were incredibly patient and accommodating. We arrived very late, and they kindly kept the kitchen open for us. John went above and beyond to look after us and made my dad’s birthday feel truly special. Highly recommended!”

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• C

  Carla Holbrough

  ·1 year ago

  “Visited recently while passing through Deal/Dover to pick up some camper parts for a build in memory of my dad. The gentleman I met recommended Zetland Arms — a quaint old pub right by the beach, with beautiful views and lovely coastal scenery. The location is charming, with outdoor benches both in the garden and right on the stony beach area — perfect spot on a nice day. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Inside, the pub is quite small and seating is a bit tight-knit, but it adds to the rustic charm. However, I was quite let down by the food, especially given the price. I paid £20 each for two fish and chips. The meal was presented like a school dinner: very small portions, frozen-style chips, and a standard piece of fish — nothing you wouldn’t get at your average local chippy for half the price. While it didn’t taste bad, it certainly didn’t justify the cost. All in all, a nice place to visit for the view and atmosphere, but I’d struggle to recommend it based on food quality and value for money. A solid 3 stars.”

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