The Forge in Canterbury - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Cute little outdoor fish restaurant right on the beach. It’s all outdoors with picnic tables, with food and drink served out of a hatch. The offer is fairly simple with Whitstable oysters and fish and chips to take away with a good range of beers. Best thing is the location, fish and chips were ok. Freshly cooked but batter was not the best and they loose a star for using frozen chips, not freshly cut.

Stopped here for lunch and we were looking forward to what we assumed would be fresh fish and chips ‘cooked to order’ as the restaurant states. Far from it. We ordered one scampi and chips and one cod and chips. It’s frozen fish, which was tasteless and not much flavour at all. It’s not cod either, just some cheap white fish. Scampi seemed dry too. And then there’s the chips, not even fish and chip shop chips. They then provide you with awful sachets of ketchup and vinegar. Not what I expect from a fish and chip shop. Then there’s the price, around £30 for this! Unacceptable. The person who also took my order was miserable and quite clearly didn’t want to be there. It really is a shame as the location of the restaurant is stunning, however seems to be a profit business as opposed to providing decent food.

Lousy, overrated and a rip-off. Avoid at all costs. The lobster shack is way better!

We all had fish and chips which were excellent apart from my daughter who had scampi which is best avoided . It looks like it's not made on site and she was disappointed with the portion size. Can't fault the fish and chips. Also good to be able to bring our dog to sit outside with us. We also tried a couple of oysters which were much better than the oysters we had had the day before at the harbour

Fresh Whitstable oysters, shucked at order. Nice place to stop by along the beach.

Absolutely disgusting. Not cod it was some white wet fish in sopping wet oil went in the bin.Frozen chip's very dry went in the bin. Sausage in batter batter was so hard couldn't eat it the dog's had the sausages. Scampi Frozen out of bag. Went in bin. Extortionatly expensive for very very poor food that ended up in the bin. Very disappointed. Go to high Street for your fish and chip's. Inedible.

Came today with family. Two had cod and chips. Frozen chips inedible and that definitely was not cod that was served. Wet soggy and probably pollock. Also had two lots of sausage in batter....disgusting. All thrown in the bin. Would not not recommend. NO STARS. £60+ down the drain!

Fresh and crispy battered cod with chips for us and our friends right by the seaside. Also selling fresh oysters for a good price. Fish and chips quite pricey though.

Great Whitstable oysters and hot doughnuts. Worth a visit on the beach front if you are passing by. Will visit again soon!

We had some oysters and fish and chips. All very good and oyster were some of the cheapest between the shop in the area. Really nice

We only stopped for an ice cream which was delicious

Quite expensive but makes sense as it’s by the sea - the fish and chips could probably be worth a pass £15 and not really anything that’s mind blowing. But the rock oysters defo a hit! Come by September - may I believe and they have native ones which are more creamier !

Oven chips, not fresh proper ‘fish and chip shop’ chips, soggy, not hot one little packet if vinegar and salt. Scampi was frozen, out of a bag covered in oil. Really, really disappointing left most of it and cost £15!!!

We stopped for oysters. We also had cod with chips. Very kind staff.

Awful!!! Do not waste your money. Waited a good 15 minutes for our order. Not ‘proper’ chip shop chips, they’re frozen ones that you’d get in the shops tasted like normal oven chips. Fish and scampi were thick in oil and my scampi wasn’t fresh it was just out of a packet. Really disappointing especially as it cost us £30. Will go to a normal fish and chip shop on the high street next time and walk it up to the sea front. Don’t waste your money!!!

Overpriced, small quantity, very average to poor food quality.

First stop after a long drive for us. My wife treated us to the scampi and chips which were very tasty (well cooked). Lots of sachets to grab before leaving - unfortunately the mayo was off, but apart from that, good service,, good food and priced appropriately. Couldn't really say there was any 'atmosphere' as we grabbed food to go.

Excellent, fresh whole tail Scampi absolutely delicious. Only very small suggestion is the sachets of condiments ate very inconvenient.

Great place to eat and drink, fresh doughnuts to with your cappuccino.

Wonderful fresh oysters, lobster and other food. Lovely location along whitstable harbour. Outdoor seating. Worth a visit.

Stopped for breakfast. We had 1 bacon and egg (£6.50) and 1 sausage and egg (£7.50) bups. I didn't think they were particularly good value as they literally had 2 rushes of bacon and 1 sausage, but they tasted good. That might be the going rate by the sea? Attaching the price listing

Coffee n donut heaven. 2 years later still great. Had 1/2 dozen oysters and pale ale. Excellent quality and nice staff

Great location and great oysters! Very nice staff.

£15 pound for fish and chips.but i suppose you pay through the nose for freshness and location, not using the seating should be a lesser price though as was full and has to sit somewhere else

Oysters are good here, but their freshly cooked doughnuts are just phenomenal! I am glad that I live too far from the Forge to come here every day 😋

Chips were dry and cold, service was slow.

Baked cod was delicious, but no fresh sauce available. The place to sit is a bit edgy. Relaxed atmosphere though.

Delicious! Every time, it is delicious! I didn’t even like oysters before visiting the Forge, nor did I know the history of the Whitstable oyster company. Now, I make it a point to visit once a month (or anytime I have an international visitor). These oysters are so incredibly fresh and tasty. The fish and chips are unbelievably good—the batter is light and crispy, the fish is tender and moist, and the chips add the perfect salt and carb complement. Amazing in any season, I love that waterside shack is tucked alongside the fisherman’s cottages and has a prime view of the bay. Staff are friendly to customers. Overall, this is a fabulous place to visit for high quality food in a low-key atmosphere.

Very nice place to try oysters! Second time here - still great!

Food was nice but there is no indoor seating and it was raining and 😃

Fantastic fish and chips with great seaside atmosphere

Nice little outside oyster and snack bar!

Fabulous bacon sandwich! Friendly attentive staff. Very popular place and I can understand why.

While staying in a fisherman's hut for a week. Watched a group of young people work their socks off from 8am until 10pm. Cleaning tidying and serving. Food excellent. Hope these young people venture on to better things.

Very, very good fish and chips. 3rd best in England, in my opinion

Ate here yesterday and the food was ok but it's just another lazy business refusing to accept the currency of our country!

Beautifully cooked cod and chips in the sunshine. What could be better.

Distinctly average and tasteless cod and chips for a kingly sum of £15

Really subpar, the chips are not ‘fish and chip shop’ style, rather ones you’d get out of a packet. The cod is ok, but the batter has a bland old oil taste to it (which also leached into the chips) Overall a massive let down considering it’s £15 for fish and chips!

Good food excellent service , well worth a visit

Amazing oysters and best fresh doughnuts. Just be careful with the birds 😂

We shared a portion of fish & chips and washed it down with a hoppy IPA from the whitstable brewery.

Best oysters in the uk, captured 200 yards away

Worse bit of fish I've eaten In years. Insanely oily, flat as a pancake and dry Reconstituted scampy and multiple plastic condiment packets which is crazy bad for the environment Avoid

Nice seating area if you find space. Best donuts I've ever had!!

Fish & chips on the sea front, always a must whenever I visit the uk, always fresh fish & crispy batter, see you next time.

Very fresh oysters and fish and chips, delicious, but it is on a pricey side to eat outside on the bench

Amazing fish and chips! Great place to sit in the sun and enjoy food

easy and good! my tip: take wine in a tea cup and you can go to eat and drink on a seaside or beach! (it is not allowed to drink alcohol outside cafe) 😎

Deliciously fresh and crisp battered cod and chips, right by the sea what more can you ask for. They also sell Whitstable native oysters (though the natives are a bit cheaper at Wheelers), shucked to order. Overall, banging. Price is decent as well.

Nice place, but never again - had some oysters on a hot day and got food poisoning. I did lose a couple of kilos whilst I couldn't eat so if you're into radical diets it might be worth a shot.

Low prices and high quality. Delicious

I have never eaten such great oysters in my life. You sit outside, it's very basic, wonderfully authentic. cool atmosphere, nice people

Nice chips and lovely scampi but was a bit shocked at the price £25 for scampi and chips and sausage and chips, but as with everything prices are only going up the food was lovely

💫💫💫💫💫Oysters are great! Also the Cod! it's fresh 🐬 U are welcome!

Enjoyed a lovely lunchtime meal here on a day out with my son and dog over the Easter holidays. Scampi and chips plus chicken goujons £21, little pricy, but my son commented the scampi was best he had eaten and our dog enjoyed sharing the goujons with me, so worth it.

Lovely fish and chips. Kiddo had battered sausage. Fresh and hot. Outdoor benches for seating. Queues weren't visibly long but took 50mins from queue to eating.

Basic no frills oysters. I don't have a lot of experience with oysters but they tasted fresh from what I could tell.

It gets really busy, especially in high season. The oyster prices went up.

Fish was nice. Chips clearly from the freezer, not freshly made. Were just about cooked. In any case clearly not proper chip shop chips. No mushy peas or curry sauce either. Avoid.

Amazing casual dining on picnic tables by the waterfront

I’ve got food poisoning from the oysters. Please make sure you serve clean oysters

Great place have food by the sea.love there chips. Outdoor seating view sea.

Worst fish and chips I’ve had, especially the chips.

Unfortunately like a few other people have said in the reviews, I had two oysters on Sunday afternoon and by Monday early morning I was vomiting and on the toilet all night. I know it was the oysters as my girlfriend didn’t have any and we ate the same food for weekend and Monday Obviously something not right about the oysters. Should be a sign at least pointing out the risks of eating oysters that aren’t right !

Can't go to Whitstable and not try the local native oysters.

I was there last Saturday with some friends. Those of us who ate oysters got really sick (vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and so on) for the following 2 days, with clear signs of food poisoning. And we only ate 1 or 2 oysters each. I think this place should improve their health and safety policy, as this can be very dangerous.

Big portions and lovely fresh oysters reasonable prices.

Ate 2 Oysters. From here the 3 days ago and got bad food poisoning this was the only thing I ate that would have made me as violently sick this place should be shut down ,selling food that can kill people !!!!!!!!!

Amazing local seafood right on the seafront. We got the cod and chips and local rock oysters. All beautifully fresh and delicious. There is also an excellent local beer selection available on tap including an oyster stout.

Best fish and chips in Whitstable

Good fresh oysters, the service boy is good. I only had two oysters, I liked to have a large fish, but I did not as he told me that is frozen fish not fresh one, so I gave up. I appreciated his honesty! Well done!

Nowhere better to have an oyster and a beer. The best oyster I've ever had, served by friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Delicious crispy cod and chips. Good cuppa. Fast efficient service. I spent a lovely half an hour yesterday in the sunshine. Loved it

Great place for fish and chips in Whitstable. Not overpriced and good quality

Fantastic fish & chips cooked to order right on the beach. The food is always top notch and there's a good menu that offers breakfast items until 11 as well as fish & chips, oysters and other lunch options. Simple, good food in a fabulous location.

Nice place to eat on beach. Not posh but simple.

The Forge Whitstable is a hidden gem that's a must-visit for anyone seeking the quintessential fish and chips experience. As a firm believer that the best fish and chips often come from vans and shacks, I can confidently say that this shack is truly impressive. Tucked away from the main high street and just a stone's throw from the sea, The Forge offers a delightful array of options. In addition to the classic fish and chips, they also serve oysters and have a license to serve alcohol, making it a versatile choice for all tastes. One of the standout features of this place is its fast service. Despite the high quality of their offerings, you won't be waiting long to satisfy your cravings. The selection is also fantastic, and the outside seating area is a lovely touch, allowing you to enjoy your meal while taking in the sea breeze. What sets The Forge apart is its commitment to freshness. Everything is freshly caught and cooked, which is a testament to their dedication to quality. While it may be a bit more expensive than your average fish and chip shop, it's a price worth paying. The Forge Whitstable operates on a no-bookings-required basis, which is great for those who prefer a spontaneous stop on their coastal walk. The Forge is also dog friendly as it is all outside seating. This is not a place for fine dining, but rather a classic takeaway experience where you can sit on a provided bench or a nearby beach to savor your meal. However, it's important to note that parking is limited, and they only accept card payments. So, be prepared for a bit of a parking challenge, but the culinary delights you'll find at The Forge will make it all worthwhile. It's a fantastic spot to refuel during your coastal journey, offering a genuine taste of the British seaside.

Busy little hut, tucked away from the main street. The wild native oyster was delicious. 10/10 would eat again. Must visit if you go to Whitstable.

Great fresh oysters, fantastic chips. Really affordable, recommend to pay them a visit!

Lovely fish and chips freshly cooked

We wanted to take some oysters home to enjoy later, so we didn't sit and eat. The staff were really nice, when I said we were taking the oysters away unshucked they threw in a few extra for free in case any died in transit. The oysters themselves were lovely, clearly very fresh and so much flavour.

Visited during the Oyster Festival, even at such busy times the food was delicious, had such a lovely time! Also looked like the largest Oysters around on Saturday!

This is a simple restaurant on the beach where you can eat fresh seafood. The fried fish and chips are delicious and the fresh seokhwa that is peeled upon ordering is great. There are two types of oysters: British oysters and regular farmed oysters, but British oysters have a richer taste. You should use the outdoor tables, but you may have to wait due to the small number of guests.

Simply BEAUTIFUL OYSTERS. The BEST I've ever had, and I'm a fan. Go for the Rocks, better priced and such a delicate taste. Will come back!

I'm told the oysters are amazing. The chips aren't. Fish and chips both frozen.

After a walk by the sea, you can refresh yourself here and fortify yourself with delicious food in an uncomplicated atmosphere. Always beautiful.

Great place to stop off for sea food and fish n chips Staff are polite and the food is great and we'll worth the money 👍👍

This venue was highly recommended by a local. The location is excellent. Great view of the water. This spot is good if you want a quick bite or to order take away. Not a good dining experience as just simple outdoor benches for seating. Which is fine if that's the vibe you are looking for. I didn't particularly like the battered fish, not the best I've ever had. Very bland. Chips were good. And the staff and service was very fast.

The food was really tasty and high quality but the wait was a bit too long for what I ordered. I ordered sausage and chips and ended up waiting nearly 20 minutes. I get there's cooking times but surely it doesn't take that long

Great food great service and good value

Best fish & chips we’ve ever had. Excellent service. Location is perfect for the sea views. Worth the price. Didn’t get a photo of the food as was too busy devouring it!

We had a wonderful stay in Whistable, what a beautiful place, everything about it was brilliant, until we went to bed and had to listen to the ignorant, discriminatory, silver spooned opinions of the wonderful staff of this establishment until 22:25pm though the window. Might be worth noting that the tourists pay your wages, whatever their culture or sexual orientation. Wake up boys, it’s 2023.

Stopped by for some hot donuts, £3 for 5. Friendly staff, quick service, delicious donuts

THE most delicious, fresh doughnuts I’ve ever eaten and in such a beautiful location! Even the hot chocolate was proper chocolatey, not the weak and pathetic sugar laden vending machine junk, just lovely! Great little place, will definitely be back! 👍

Pro is good portion size and fish was delicious but really let down by the chips,not tasty at all, was expecting chip shop style chips but these were generic and bland. Scampi not much to write home about either.Nice setting near the water.

Doughnuts not the best, but freshly made. Oysters were amazing

Fresh oysters and flaky cod, tasty beer too!

We can hear everything the guys in the kitchen are saying, including comments on patrons appearance, and annoying repetitive shouting. Really ruined the vibe!

Mine & my partner's first time in Whitstable, and was going to visit Wheeler's, yet it was closed. This was my second choice, but these are, without doubt, the best oysters I've ever had! The cashier's demeanour was cold and unwelcoming however, and would be the reason I wouldn't come back if the oysters weren't so good; weather was a bit all over the place, and being an outside place didn't help much. Overall though I'd come here just for the oysters - just don't expect a friendly service