The Sportsman

Featured reviews

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  Patrick Phillips

  ·1 month ago

  “Plus what a marvellous lunchtime menu was conjured up last Thursday on our daughter’s 36 birthday. It was a last-minute booking but they managed to squeeze us in and the delightful and effervescent Lucy made us all feel totally at home. It goes without saying of course, but the food quality quantity and presentation were outstanding. Can’t wait to come back!”

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  Martin Chappell

  ·1 month ago

  “Very Disappointed. it was my wifes 70th birthday. we were so looking forward to lunch as we have been here many times and allways had good a experience. i really don't know what has happened since our last visit but everything has changed we had the tasting menu and it was definitely not michelin star . the meat course was a tasteless grilled chicken leg with a sauce that also didn't taste of anything and one mushroom. absolutely no service at all we had to keep asking for our own drinks we were never asked if everything was ok. when the bill came up i asked what the discretionary 10% service charge was for as we hadn't ANY service only to be told "we dont ask anymore" i asked if they could put a candle or somthing on my wifes desert. well, our deserts came up. it must have been an afterthought as a waitress rushed over and plonked a small cup cake with a candle in it and rushed off. we were all taken by surprise we didn't even sing happy birthday. overhaul not a nice experience. we have no plans to return .they must be living on their reputation . so it will be the fordwich arms in future”

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  Stephen Mcilmoyle

  ·2 months ago

  “An exceptional dining experience at The Sportsman. Again! The food was absolutely superb, with an abundance of flavours in every dish. One of the many unique things about this restaurant is its setting. It is by the beach in the Seasalter nature reserve. Our table looked onto a wild garden filled with Fennel and Cardoons. The service was excellent - warm and attentive. A truly memorable experience and one I would highly recommend.”

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  Jamie Feaver

  ·2 months ago

  “Went recently for an anniversary on a Friday evening. The food was sensational in a nice informal setting where you could relax and just enjoy the evening. The tasting menu and everything that comes with it, was varied and we literally didn't leave a crumb! Will look forward to booking again!”

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  Eric Nash

  ·2 months ago

  “This was our first visit to the Sportsman this year, thanks to health problems! (We usually try to eat there a couple of times a year.) The whole experience was well worth the wait. The service was friendly and unhurried, so much so that our lunch lasted for four hours. The menu was largely familiar, no bad thing at all, but the elements looked and tasted even better than before - or was it just absence making the heart and taste buds grow fonder? For the taste and quality of the food this is outstanding value for money. All of our party wholeheartedly recommend the Sportsman and look forward with eager anticipation to our next visit to the north Kent coast.”

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  davidrw

  ·2 months ago

  “I chose to visit this restaurant because the Good Food Guide ranks it as “World Class”—a distinction I associate with truly exceptional dining experiences and one that has led me to many outstanding restaurants over the years. Having now dined here, I simply cannot understand how this restaurant merits that ranking. It is a perfectly good restaurant, and if it were my local neighbourhood restaurant I would happily return. But “World Class”? Not even close. The problem isn’t that the restaurant is bad—it isn’t. The problem is that the Good Food Guide has set expectations that this restaurant comes close to the very best in the country, or even the world. In my opinion, it does not belong in the same conversation as the restaurants with which it is grouped. I travelled a considerable distance specifically because I trusted the Good Food Guide’s recommendation. I left feeling disappointed and, frankly, misled. The gap between the published ranking and the actual experience was so wide that it has damaged my confidence in the Guide’s ratings. I hope the Good Food Guide reviews this listing. The “World Class” category should be reserved for restaurants that genuinely deliver an extraordinary, destination-worthy experience. This restaurant, while good, falls well short of that standard.”

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  Arturas

  ·2 months ago

  “We visited for a birthday dinner and all three of us had the 3-course menu. The food was superb throughout, but the pork main was the highlight - which was just delicious. The bread was fantastic. The service was excellent and a lovely touch was bringing out a candle for the birthday. There's plently of parking. Highly recommend!”

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  Mark Causer

  ·3 months ago

  “Absolutely loved visiting. My wife and visited as were staying in Whitstable. Food was exquisite. All through the meal the staff would bring you "snacks" as they called them. So salmon tartare (lovely) , pre dessert dessert of a panacota and then macarons with the bill!! The food itself was just perfect. My wife is a bit of a fussy eater and was a bit worried but she admitted it was probably the best meal she has eaten. The pork belly was just so tasty with perfectly cooked veg. The service was attentive and good humoured. Can not fault anything.”

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  Phil Lake

  ·4 months ago

  “Not pre possessing from the outside, and the dining room is a comfortable pub feel without being anything special. But the food and the service are just amazing. Genuinely inventive dishes with real flavour depth. Worth every penny and more. Astonishing that every new canapé and course looked and tasted better and better.... wow”

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  Barry Lynn

  ·5 months ago

  “Had lunch there recently. A bleak day weatherwise - wind & drizzle skipping off the sea. Inside The Sportsman? A faultless restaurant Service, great - professional serving. Food - best of any, anywhere. Price- reasonable for such high quality..”