Which Kent pubs made The Good Food Guide's 100 Best Pubs 2025?

Two Kent pubs were recognised: Radnor Arms in Folkestone (ranked 5th) and the Leicester Arms in Penshurst, which also secured a place in the national Top 100.

How highly did the Radnor Arms in Folkestone rank in 2025?

The Radnor Arms was ranked 5th in The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs 2025.

What style of food does the Radnor Arms serve?

The Radnor Arms offers modern pub dining with a Southeast Asian influence under Filipino head chef Niel Talan. Signature plates include pork and prawn Scotch eggs, a spiced buttermilk chicken burger with Kewpie slaw, Sri Lankan fish curry, and wood-fired seafood, alongside classics like a grass-fed ribeye steak with Café de Paris butter.

What drinks is the Radnor Arms known for?

A rotating selection of guest ales and local beers—often praised for serving the “best Guinness in Folkestone”—plus a well-priced wine list with many bottles in the £20–£40 range and options by the glass.

Who is the head chef at the Radnor Arms?

The kitchen is led by Filipino head chef Niel Talan.

What dishes are recommended at the Radnor Arms?

Highlights include pork and prawn Scotch eggs, spiced buttermilk chicken burger with Kewpie slaw, Sri Lankan fish curry, grass-fed ribeye with Café de Paris butter and fries, and wood-fired whole bream with smoked beurre blanc. The Basque cheesecake and sourdough flatbreads are also frequently praised.

What is special about the Leicester Arms in Penshurst?

The Leicester Arms is a beautifully restored historic village pub with rooms. It pairs a beamed bar and real fires—serving local Larkins ale from nearby Chiddingstone—with an airy, wood-panelled dining room overlooking a terraced garden and countryside.

Where are these award-winning Kent pubs located?

The Radnor Arms is in Folkestone on the Kent coast; the Leicester Arms is in Penshurst, a historic Wealden village near Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

What is The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs list?

It is an annual list curated by The Good Food Guide celebrating the UK’s best pubs for food, drink, and hospitality, spotlighting venues that deliver exceptional cooking, atmosphere, and value.

Do I need to book a table at these pubs?

Advance booking is recommended for peak times and weekends, especially for the dining rooms. Check the pub’s official channels for the latest availability.

Are these pubs suitable for a special occasion?

Yes. Both pubs offer refined cooking and welcoming settings—Radnor Arms with its stylish dining room and open kitchen, and the Leicester Arms with its historic bar and garden outlook—making them popular for celebrations.

Two Kent Pubs Named Among the UK’s 100 Best in The Good Food Guide 2025

PubsNews

29 Oct

Written By The Kent Tourist

Kent continues to cement its reputation as one of the UK’s leading destinations for exceptional pub dining, as two Kent pubs have been recognised in The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs 2025.

Folkestone’s The Radnor Arms achieved an impressive 5th place, while the Leicester Arms in Penshurst also earned a well-deserved spot on the prestigious list. The guide, which celebrates the very best in British food and hospitality, highlights pubs that go above and beyond - from the quality of their ingredients to their atmosphere and creativity in the kitchen.

The Radnor Arms, Folkestone – Ranked 5th in the UK

One of The Kent Tourist’s favourite pubs in the UK, The Radnor Arms in Folkestone has rapidly become one of the most talked-about pubs in Kent, celebrated for its dynamic food offering and inviting atmosphere. The pub’s rotating selection of guest ales and local beers – including what’s been dubbed the best Guinness in Folkestone – ensures regulars and visitors alike always have something new to enjoy.

Head Chef Niel Talan brings a distinctive Southeast Asian influence to the menu, seamlessly blending it with modern British flavours. Dishes such as pork and prawn Scotch eggs, spiced buttermilk chicken burgers with Kewpie slaw, and Sri Lankan fish curry have earned rave reviews. More traditional offerings like grass-fed ribeye steak with Café de Paris butter and a wood-fired whole bream with smoked beurre blanc demonstrate the kitchen’s range and quality.

Guests can also indulge in freshly baked sourdough flatbreads straight from the open-view oven and enjoy indulgent desserts, including a standout Basque cheesecake. The Radnor Arms pairs its menu with an affordable and thoughtfully curated wine list, offering excellent choices in the £20–£40 range and several options by the glass.

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Leicester Arms, Penshurst

Nestled in the picturesque Wealden village of Penshurst, the Leicester Arms combines centuries of heritage with modern hospitality. Lovingly restored, this historic inn has quickly become a favourite with both locals and visitors. Its beamed public bar with open fires offers a quintessentially Kentish welcome, serving local Larkins ale from nearby Chiddingstone, while the wood-panelled dining room overlooks a charming garden and scenic countryside.

The kitchen delivers classic British comfort food with style and precision — from black pudding Scotch eggs with mustard mayo and homemade chicken liver parfait with spiced Cavendish plum compôte, to duck confit and Sunday roasts that draw diners from across the county. One reviewer praised the pub’s “excellent cheeseburger with fantastic chips”, underscoring the consistency and quality that earned it a place in this year’s national rankings.

The incredible bar at the Leicester Arms

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A Growing Culinary Reputation for Kent

The inclusion of two Kent pubs among the Good Food Guide’s Top 100 Pubs reinforces the county’s growing reputation as a destination for food lovers. From coast to countryside, Kent continues to combine heritage charm with contemporary culinary flair — and the Radnor Arms and Leicester Arms are leading the way.

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