
Old Neptune
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Quick info
About Old Neptune
Right on the beach at Whitstable, Old Neptune is a pub on Marine Terrace that opens daily. Its patio looks out over the Thames Estuary, giving drinkers a place to watch the sun go down. The food menu includes fish and chips served as a fish box, along with dressed crab. At the bar, real ale is on tap, including Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter. The pub also welcomes dogs, so walkers coming off the beach can stop in with their pets. A bell is rung when it is time for last orders.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, beachside beer garden, real ale and dressed crab.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fish and chips, beachside beer garden, real ale and dressed crab.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the pub's spot right on the beach, where the back patio and beer garden give a view of the sunset over the estuary and beachside picnic tables fill quickly. Fish and chips is the dish named most, with some calling the fish fresh from the harbour, hot and delicious, and one praising the dressed crab. Drinkers single out the real ale, including a Sussex best bitter on tap, and the dog friendly welcome. The food draws a split verdict, though. One reviewer found the fish box small, with over burned butter, stale chips and inedible whitebait, and said no one responded afterward. Another called the fish delicious but the chips a tiny handful. Service divides too. Many describe friendly, accommodating staff, yet one reviewer reports two rude women at the bar who rang last orders an hour before closing, and another found the young bartender unfriendly. A few mention limited parking. One late-arriving group says the kitchen stayed open for them.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the pub's spot right on the beach, where the back patio and beer garden give a view of the sunset over the estuary and beachside picnic tables fill quickly. Fish and chips is the dish named most, with some calling the fish fresh from the harbour, hot and delicious, and one praising the dressed crab. Drinkers single out the real ale, including a Sussex best bitter on tap, and the dog friendly welcome. The food draws a split verdict, though. One reviewer found the fish box small, with over burned butter, stale chips and inedible whitebait, and said no one responded afterward. Another called the fish delicious but the chips a tiny handful. Service divides too. Many describe friendly, accommodating staff, yet one reviewer reports two rude women at the bar who rang last orders an hour before closing, and another found the young bartender unfriendly. A few mention limited parking. One late-arriving group says the kitchen stayed open for them.
Featured reviews
- Rachel Smith
“Our happy place. Amazing staff, amazing food/drink and perfect view”
- Louise R-P
“The beer garden on the beach is an location to watch the sunset - will definitely be back for that! But don't bother with the fish and chips unless your appetite is small (£19 for a delicious piece of fish but only a tiny handful of chips)”
- Samuel Farrington
“The two blonde older ladies behind the bar serving on monday night tonight were so god awful rude i could not believe it. They genuinely either need customer service training or the sack! Our group of friends in our early 20s came for an evening swim on whitstable beach this evening and decided we would make a quick stop off at the pub for 1 drink before heading home. We were all conscious that closing was 9:30 on monday so we arrived at the pub at 8:30. We were met with two rude staff, too interested in regulars to give us an ounce of respectful service. before we had even sat down they rung the bell for last orders… an hour before closing 🤣. we suspect considering the way they looked at us it was to get us out. we brushed it off and ordered a round of drinks despite the hostility as i believe in the importance of independent establishments that make places like whitstable so lovely. 25 minutes or so goes by and they sound the bell again for last orders (i imagine the actual one this time, so all of the regulars can get there last drink in) we even went to the extent of taking our empties to the bar as we were leaving and they couldn’t even say thank you. the rude snarky woman telling me couldn’t i have put my empty plastic cup on the tiny mat and not the bar top. she should be grateful i even brought them over considering the state of the service… I am in absolute awe of how these two women can work here without any complaints under their belt. i imagine they must have a fair few between them.”
- Gareth White
“Pub on the beach, amazing location for a beer. Iconic spot. Staff are super friendly and accommodating - and go the extra mile for their customers. Great spot right on the beach and pub has interesting history. Good pub grub and speedy service - must visit when in Whitstable”
- Will Evans
“Beautiful view, amazing food and friendly service! This was the perfect spot for us to stop off during our recent holiday. The dressed crab was amazing and getting to sit outside with the views of the coast made everything even better! First pub on the beach we've ever been too and wish more pubs were like the Old Neptune!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“A charming and historic pub located right on the beach in the heart of Whitstable Bay. Famous for beautiful sunsets, dog friendly with a great selection of food and beverage served daily.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Bars near Old Neptune
- Chestfield Barn4.41,1352 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast lunch, garden with fish feeding, open fire and sofas
- The Hare at Blean4.93604.1 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, sharing roast platter, roast potatoes
- The Heron4.34414.3 mi
sunday roast dinners, two-course lunch deal, party and event catering
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Neptune | 4.43,183 | — | — | fish and chips, beachside beer garden, real ale |
| Chestfield BarnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,135 | 2 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast lunch, garden with fish feeding, open fire and sofas |
| The Hare at BleanReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.9360 | 4.1 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast, sharing roast platter, roast potatoes |
| The Heron | 4.3441 | 4.3 mi | — | sunday roast dinners, two-course lunch deal, party and event catering |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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