A small village, great cuisine: the Fordwich Arms transforms the simplicity of the English pub into a Michelin-starred experience. Not only that: the midweek set menu is a huge hit at £45, the equivalent of around €50.
The Michelin-starred pub
Small in size but big on surprises, Fordwich, a charming village in Kent and the smallest town in England, boasts a gourmet record: it is home to the only pub in the region to have been awarded a Michelin star. The Fordwich Arms is not the first British pub to receive this accolade, but it remains a rare case. Behind its success are Daniel and Natasha Smith, who have been passionately running this elegant pub overlooking the banks of the River Stour since 2017.
With experience in prestigious restaurants such as The Clove Club in London and Daniel's title of Young Chef of the Year 2016 awarded by The Observer, the two chose this historic location—just an hour from the capital—to express a cuisine that combines technique, creativity, and the promotion of local Kent produce. The atmosphere of the restaurant is an invitation to conviviality: the main dining room, panelled in oak, is warmed by three fireplaces, while the medieval tavern, with over nine hundred years of history, reflects the authentic soul of rural England. In this place of genuine charm, the cuisine combines creativity and elegance, but remains accessible: refined and at the same time without excessive pomp.
Despite the Michelin star, prices are reasonable: the set menu, for example—available from Wednesday to Friday—is offered at £45, the equivalent of around €50. It includes a welcome drink, oysters, bread, a starter, a main course, and dessert: definitely a complete meal, proving the affordability of the format. Those who want the full experience can choose one of four eight-course tasting menus—standard, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan—at a cost of £110. There is also an à la carte menu and the classic Sunday menu for £85, a tribute to British tradition.
Don't miss: smoked brown trout with jalapeño, chicken liver parfait with warm doughnuts and chilled cider jelly, and hake with turnip, mussels, and butter. Each dish reflects the philosophy of the Fordwich Arms, where gastronomic elegance meets Kentish authenticity. In fine weather, meals can be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the river, where the relaxed setting invites you to slow down and savor every dish. For those who want to prolong the experience, Daniel and Natasha have recently opened the Arms Cottage, their first family home converted into guest accommodation: a natural extension of the hospitality that has made the Fordwich Arms an unmissable destination for good food and sincere hospitality.
