Best restaurants in Rochester
Rochester is a city steeped in history and culture – with the stunning Norman cathedral and imposing Castle competing for the starring role of the show.
On your day trip from Kent Coast, you won’t be short of things to do and see, but most importantly you’ll also be treated to a fine array of eateries to stock up and relax in afterwards. Below you’ll find our top recommendations for the best foodie experiences in this attractive and appetising town that’s just a nine-mile drive from our Kent park.
Peggotty’s Parlour
A trip to Rochester is all about history and tradition, so the first on our list is this terrific and traditional English tearoom serving brunch, cakes, lunch and afternoon teas. Open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm and serving a fine array of sandwiches and cakes, this is a brilliant British way to while away an afternoon – indulging in sumptuous scones and cream and putting the world to rights over a cup of tea. With friendly staff on hand to make sure you make the right choices from the rarebit to the quiche, this is a guaranteed good time for all the family.
Chuck and Blade Burgers
Winners of the Rochester Food and Drink awards 2021, these indulgent handcrafted burgers make for an unforgettable all-American evening of food and family fun. Located in an industrial style outlet, this burger joint will have you imagining you’ve landed right in the Bronx as you devour your ‘Cluck Norris’ burger and slurp your Lotus Biscoff shake. Open daily and serving late into the evening, this is an unmissable number on the bill of the top Rochester restaurants.
The Garden House Italian Pizza Bar and Grill
This small family run Italian is a hidden gem in the middle of Rochester – serving lovingly homemade Italian classics at astoundingly affordable prices. In summer the outdoor seating is the perfect spot to sit out on the pavement and imagine yourself relaxing in the Mediterranean with your choice of wine or fresh lemonade. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunchtime panini or settling in for a larger pizza or pasta dish in the evening, you won’t be disappointed at this queen of Rochester restaurants.
The Cheese Room Botanicals
Exactly as the name suggests, this restaurant is all about cheese! The Cheese Room is situated within the grounds of the Cathedral and is housed in a trendy venue for the ultimate dining atmosphere. With a menu that boasts the largest and most varied choice of cheese boards you’re ever likely to come across, this is a great one for a date night or special occasion. There’s even a variety of vegan cheeses and dishes to choose from here – so all dietary requirements are covered and welcomed. Just a few doors down the High Street is the Cheese Room Deli where you can purchase all your favourites from your meal and take a tasty slice of Rochester back to Kent Coast with you!
The Quills
A true piece of history, this restaurant is set inside a Tudor Yeoman’s house right on Rochester High Street. The doors that you enter through are the old oak doors that were once part of the cathedral until 2014. The Quills prides itself on producing handmade rustic dishes using fresh locally sourced ingredients for the finest of flavours and that quintessential Quills’ quality. The menu offers all manner of choices from burgers, wraps, and fajitas to cauliflower curry, veggie tagine and grilled halloumi salad. There’s also the opportunity for afternoon tea if you’re feeling fancy and in a group of 7 or more – just be sure to call ahead to book this to ensure your sandwiches await you!
The George Vaults
Kent is well-known for its good soil, and good soil produces good fresh ingredients. The George Vaults pays homage to the top-quality produce grown in the Kent soil to create mouth-watering dishes for all tastes and desires. Whether you opt for the buffet menu or something from the a la carte, you won’t be disappointed by this lovingly and skilfully cooked seasonal food. The Vaults is a true mixture of old and new – set in an atmospheric 14th-century crypt and serving fresh new contemporary plates, this is an absolute one off that’s not to be missed!
The Waters Edge Restaurant
This Hungry Horse restaurant is open every day of the week 10am-8pm, serving a menu that spans the whole globe – choose from British classics such as fish and chips or branch out with a katsu curry or a chicken tikka. There’s a children’s menu for smaller appetites and also an indoor play area to keep the kids entertained between times, making this one of the best restaurants in Rochester for the whole family. There’s even a gluten free menu and plenty of veggie options, so all diets and needs are catered for. Curry night is every Wednesday so be sure to take advantage if you’re there mid-week!
Thai Four Two
Consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Rochester, this Thai palace is a treat for all the senses. Choose from the selection of traditional options such as Tom Yum soup or Pad Thai noodles or ask the staff for recommendations if you fancy branching out – whatever you pick here, your taste buds are guaranteed to be transported to the very finest of Thailand’s kitchens. Thai Four Two is open every day except Mondays and serves food at lunch and dinner times so be sure to time your visit when the kitchens are open.
The Coopers Arms
If you’ve come to Rochester for the historic experience, this has got to be your pub meal of choice. The building of the Coopers Arms has stood since the 12th-century and opened as an inn in 1543 serving cask ales to locals. These days it serves food Thursday-Sunday from 12pm and the menu offers everything from mini sausages and light bites to hearty plates like the Farmhouse platter or chilli beef. Roasts are served with all the trimmings at Sunday lunchtime but make sure to book to avoid disappointment!
How to get to Rochester from Kent Coast
Just a 20-minute drive from our Kent Coast Holiday Park, getting to Rochester shouldn’t be too difficult. We recommend the following route:
Heading west out of Kent Coast, take 2 right turns to get onto the Radcliffe Highway
Drive along Ratcliffe Highway for 3.8 miles
Follow the A228, A289 and A228 again for a further 5.5 miles
When you reach Station Road, turn left onto the B2002
Turn left onto the A2 soon after and cross the bridge into Rochester
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
Best restaurants in Maidstone
Best restaurants in Faversham
Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.