The Four Fathoms - Kent Pub of the Year in Canterbury

Under the previous owners from Essex this pub was amazing after the revamp, the food and atmosphere was fantastic and they got better clientele in. I've been back since under new ownership and the place is disgusting and full of drinks and louts that have ruined what was a lovely pub. I wouldn't set foot inside here again as it's full of drug taking lager louts who will ruin the expensive revamped decor. When I visited for a drink there was lads waiting to get in the toilet to have a sniff! Avoid!!

Booked for the Christmas meal, 8 people made very happy. Food was fantastic, hot ,tasty and well prepared. 3 courses served by cheerful staff and we go the impression that nothing would be too much trouble for them. Great value too, not a complaint but the meals were too big, but the staff said they could pack up our left overs if we wanted. Great night out and will be going there again

Loved the food here large portions great value for money and good quality food served by friendly staff this is a lovley chilled pub were you can sit and relax.Loved it will be back.

I was having a great night then I went that pub I ordered food I didn’t like the smell of it I went to waitress I told her she said is brand new and she gave her her back like she doesn’t give a ……. and then someone attacked me Becos I don’t like the food and they were going to attack us and eventually they kicked us out, they could fix it nicely but they choose to kick us out. I definitely don’t recommend it. Zahran is

We really like this pub and hope the new manager is as successful as previous landlords (pre-covid). Had a great Sunday roast. You get a choice of stuffed chicken, beef or lamb. The veggie option was baked celeriac. Plenty of veg and the cauliflower cheese was sooo good. Lovely home made yorkie and the roasties were very nice. Overall, a good value, tasty, plate of food. Definitely worth a visit.

Went for Sunday lunch, first time visiting. The service and food were amazing, would definitely recommend.

So after hearing the Fathoms was under new management we thought we would give it a try, so we booked a table for Sunday lunch On arrival the pub was quite busy as they were having live music from 5pm. Even though the bar area was busy the service was brilliant. Especially from the lovely barmaid called Maxine. Who really new her stuff and worked amazingly well under pressure. We were shown to our table in the restaurant. And served a really delicious Sunday roast. The lamb was cooked to perfection lovely and tender. The roast potatoes were lovely and crispy and fluffy in the middle. And the veg cooked just how I like it. Not over cooked mush. Like some restaurants. The home made Yorkshire pudding was to die for. And all at a reasonable price. All in all for their first day of opening I was really impressed. Especially finishing the day off with a fantastic live band and really friendly people who were all having a ball. Good food good wine great service and a lovely atmosphere. Couldn’t think of a better way to spend a bank holiday Sunday. Cannot wait to return to try their new menu. So all in all a positive dining experience

Friendliest pub in Herne Bay. The landlords, Sara and John are incredibly warm and friendly and seem to know most of their customers personally. Within a few minutes of arriving you feel like an old friend.

I don't know where to start but I have to give a HUGE shout out to THE best Chef there is! The most delicious, fresh and beautifully presented food we've eaten in a long time! Up there with the TOP LONDON restaurants!! Incredible service too! They have a great team at the Four Fathoms and the welcome was just what we needed for our first time in Herne Bay! The warmest hospitality too as soon as we entered the pub! A great bunch of customers who were so welcoming to us and friendly. It was so good we went back there for lunch the next day and had the most delicious freshly caught fish of the day! A great pub if you even just want a quiet pint and to be left alone .....the pub is for everyone and has a lovely relaxing feeling to it, but come Friday evening there was a resident DJ and he played THE best choons = so definitely something for all ages! A great selection of wines and beers too! We will definitely be back again when we come and visit Herne Bay for another long weekend. Well done to the new owners of The Four Fathoms - you truly have a gem of a place due to your hard work and your lovely personalities - keep up the great work!!

This is under new ownership. It IS NOT the same pub that one Kent pub of the year! Communication awful, food awful and the cost… extortionate! Having been here under the previous ownership we were looking forward to returning, only to arrive having booked lunch to a closed pub. I asked about my reservation and they claimed to had called me to tell me… no calls or voice messages on my phone. We rebooked and had the single worst meal at prices that would make your eyes water in central London. The calamari was served on top of a truly uninspired overly salty chopped tomato canned source. The calamari, of which there were 4 pieces (also burnt and from the freezer packet) was soggy from sitting on top of a watery sauce. Not the best start given the £12 cost! It got worse, the cost the drinks, for example the Guineas was £6.50, the mains were inedible and the fish served to my girlfriend was not just bland BUT DAYS OLD! We never complain, or make a fuss, but I felt that we needed to say something because it was so so bad. I went about this sensitively and politely, and with a point. The chef (owner) was a complete disgrace. He stormed out, shouting, asking in a derogatory way what we knew about food. We decided to leave. The landlady apologised profusely as did one of the young servers for his behaviour. They said that he’d regret it in the morning. Frankly the entire experience is the worst that I’ve had, it is a disgrace to the hospitality, food and drinks sector and I would avoid this once great pub at all costs. They will rip you off and you will have the complete opposite experience to the one with the previous ownership.

Where do I start. Decided to treat ourselves to a Sunday lunch at this lovely establishment. And it did not disappoint. We opted for the roast lamb. Which was cooked to perfection. Served with toast potatoes ( which were to die for) Roasted carrots parsnips. Red cabbage and seasonal veg served with a side of cauliflower cheese. The whole meal was delicious. The service was fantastic and nothing was too much trouble. And a lovely lovely atmosphere as always.

I wish that Joe & Jane would come back so that we could enjoy our favourite pub in Herne Bay once more. We've had many a great day / evening in here but now it's lustreless and vacuous. The once great menu is now overpriced and the place is always empty. What a shame.

Absolutely amazing food and amazing service! Went for Sunday dinner, and it was absolutely gorgeous! Lovely atmosphere and stunning decor! Would highly recommend! Can’t wait to return! I’m not from the area and felt so welcome and the staff were so warm and inviting! Made our visit! Thank you!

To be fair, the welcome we received was excellent however the atmosphere was more or less non-existent except for who appeared to be the landlady/barmaid sitting with her sycophants loudly taking up most of a large table in the main bar. Other than that, the pub was empty. Surprising on a Saturday afternoon. Local radio was playing, making the pub feel more like a local taxi office. The beer was eye-wateringly expensive - £6.50 for a pint of poorly kept lager - no real ales were on (there aren't even real ale pumps on the bar which is odd for a sheps pub). For a pub that won Kent pub of the year a few years ago, it has certainly lost its crown now. I won't be returning and neither does anyone else considering how desolate it was when I visited.

Incorrect pricing!!! Lovely warm welcome quite late on a Thursday evening for the 4 of us & 2 dogs visiting the area but seriously the drink pricing must be wrong !!! I questioned it got the receipt but assured it was correct . £9.15 for a single Brandy, £12.90 for the double up option , this is without a mixer . £38 for 4 drinks - 2 double brandies , 1 double standard Gordon’s g&t & a large Pinot . Even Londoners high end bars don’t charge this amount . No wonder there was only 2 other people in pub , surprised was 2 tbh, unless we got charged a differing price as clearly they knew we not from around area . Shocking

We had a lovely Sunday lunch at the Four Fathoms. The food was delicious and the service excellent all at a reasonable price. We would recommend this pub to any hungry people who like an excellent roast and well priced and delicious wine, 10/10

Booked a table to celebrate our birthdays. The experience was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. We were shown to our table by the lovely Sara who was so welcoming and couldn’t do enough for you. For starters we had mussels. I can honestly say...

Pub closed at 21:00 despite website saying open until 23:00…………… Good news being as a result we discovered a new venue right across the road the “DIVINE” …….….. Fantastic our new go to bar……….. thanks Four Fathoms for being closed.

My partner and I came to Herne bay and booked to have some food at this wonderful pub and we are so glad we did. When we walked in the staff were absolutely amazing, they were so so friendly and attentive. We were early so...

We booked mid morning and secured a table at 2.30pm for Sunday lunch. Well, what a lovely welcome from Sara and her team. We had a great table in the dining room and felt at home straight away. The portions were very generous and very...

So Four Fathoms was so terrible we walked out without even ordering food. Owner took One of the two bottles of wine we had off our bill ! Terrible service, no front of house staff / only one in kitchen … outrageously expensive menu (for...

Had my husbands surprise birthday party here last night!!!! What an amazing place - warmest welcome and service, the food was sublime they really couldn’t do enough for us! Thank you so much for all your hard work and generosity - you made this special...

What a place. We attended a private function and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. Food and drinks were perfect. Would definitely recommend. We will be going back.

Visited today pre booked dinner for 4, we waited 49 mins for drinks to arrive on table after being told that they had no Mojito which was a cocktail offered when we asked what cocktails were available! The waitress was new and inexperienced and asked...

Was placed by the drafty door that customers kept leaving open, not sure why as the dining area appeared empty. The steak didn't taste very nice and it came with nothing other than a garnish of stuff on top. The only choice of potato was...

It is a really lovely ambience, comfy seats and very friendly service. The food I thought was amazing, the steak was cooked exactly as I ordered and the upside down apple desert was a great way to end the meal. Also, it was great to...

My son chose this pub on a Sunday. The pub just served roasts on a Sunday which I understand, how ever £24 for a roast beef is very steep. Cheaper at the Ivy. I gave it the benefit of the doubt as my son and...

Hmm… my mistake opened a tab 7x large spiced rum & cokes……£81 .. This pub is living on the reputation of the previous incumbents Joe & Jane who served exceptional food & drink with incomparable hospitality at a fair & reasonable price Now sadly It’s...

Where do I start? From the moment we entered the pub we were greeted with such warmth and impeccable hospitality. They have a great range of cocktails on offer at very fair price. The food was stunning, beautifully cooked and presented. We had a lovely...

We have been wanting to go to the Four Fathoms since moving to the area last year but due to gov restrictions / closures we haven’t managed it until now - we went on Friday night for drinks and the again on Saturday for dinner,...

We where really looking forward to Sunday lunch as had heard great things about this restaurant. On a positive the staff where fabulous and the place look very nicely presented and clean. Alas our shrimp and lobster starter was mostly cucumber and sauce a total...

I dined there last night and was impressed with the very warm welcome from the start, nothing seem too much trouble. I started with crab cakes which were very tasty and cooked perfectly. I following on with the seafood linguine which was one of the very best I have ever had, generous amounts of seafood and the linguine was cooked in lobster bisque which added a wonderful richness. If you go there, you must try the tobacco onions side dish. The wine list was very good, we had a Malbec @ £22.50 and it was excellent, a very welcome surprise these days.Proprietors Sara and John and chef Steve clearly know their stuff and have a passion for what they do, their attention to detail and the little extras, such as a miniature mug of cider served with the cheese board, make it a very pleasant experience. I am so pleased they have come to Herne Bay, they have brought West End quality to the Bay without the West End prices.

Unfortunately were disappointed with our experience with the Four Fathoms. We don’t usually eat out very often, so we were looking forward to dining at the Fathoms having heard good reviews under new management. All was going well with our starters coming out prompt and quickly followed by our mains. My other half had ordered a steak and requested it be “medium rare closer to rare”. However when the steak arrived it was closer to blue, so we asked if it could be cooked a little longer (hoping that it would be cooked to our original preference). But, instead it came out ‘well done’, already feeling embarrassed she had to send it back once my other half didn’t want to send it back a second time. So, instead she left it as and didn’t eat it. When our server came over and noticed she hadn’t eaten it she explained her why. The server simply acknowledged this and nothing else came from it. This is what disappoints me, you could say we should have asked for a manager to get some customer service, however if this isn’t instilled in the lower ranks, then what’s the point. I was at Starbucks the other day and they forgot my order, I was left waiting for an extra couple of minutes. A staff member noticed and quickly served me and for my inconvenience gave me a coupon for a free coffee. Lack of customer service at the Fathoms left us paying for a £20 + steak (that’s on its own) which we couldn’t eat.

I prebooked a couple of places to eat whilst staying local. Having a little dog with us meant our choices were more limited. This was a very good choice.We had a great table and our food was really nice.I would recommend eating here.Our doggy even got spoilt with treats!

We came here for Sunday Lunch, the meat was tough, and the meal massively overpriced, we will not be returning!

This might have been Kent Pub of the Year under previous owners, but beware – it is rather different now. Visiting for dinner in August I got extreme food poisoning from the Chicken Satay starter that totally spoilt the next 2 days of my holiday. John initially offered to refund my food cost (but reasonably not the drink or my partner's meal) but a day later he changed his mind. Not really good customer service from a new owner trying to establish a reputation. To be fair, the food tasted fine and although expensive it seemed like a good experience – that is until 3am later that night! I really did not want to post a bad review here but was left with no alternative after my final correspondence from John bluntly stated: ‘Charlotte. Very simple. You did not get food poisoning from here. This is becoming very Tiresome(sic). I’m very surprised you called us several days later making allegations. This is now ended as far as I’m concerned.’ So, if you visit The Four Fathoms I suggest that you avoid the Chicken Satay and don’t bother complaining to the owners if you are not satisfied with anything.

After recently moving to the area and tracking these guys on Instagram, the whole experience did not disappoint. Sara and John have nailed the welcome/ experience/ service and quality. Great layout and a small yard for the dog or to sit outside when too hot! This is now our local and we could not be happier. Drinks or dinner, we are always eager to come back and never too eager to leave..

From the warm welcome and excellent service through to the fantastic food this family run Gastro pub is an absolute gem of a place.We can’t thank Sara and John enough for managing to squeeze us in when they were fully booked - more time to savour the fabulous wine which was far superior to your average pub wine and the meal was certainly worth the wait…I had Skate and my husband had steak both of which were cooked to perfection. Forget Whitstable and head straight to Hernebay!

Great to see that Sara, John and their team have made a cracking start of taking the helm. The pub offers a very relaxed and inviting space for a well looked after pint, as well as high quality food, (having tried both the Sunday and weekday menus). I definitely recommend a visit!

We have used the Four Fathoms( pre-covid) on many occasions and the food was always wonderful. When we had visitors over the week-end my first choice was to book Sunday lunch for 8 people.The service and welcome was excellent but the food was a massive disappointment. We had chicken, lamb and pork and each was tough with small hard roast potatoes, soggy cabbage all swimming in salty gravy. The pudding menu was non existent as most of the items had been sold out.Happy to pay for a great meal but felt what we were given was certainly not worth the money.

I would recommend this family run gastro pub to anyone visiting or living in the area. You are guaranteed a warm welcome and really exceptional food. Yes the prices are on the high side. But the quality and the service make it worth every penny. I can honestly say it was the nicest meal I have had for a long time, and we were looked after so well. Thank you. We can't wait to return.

Not knowing the area we took a chance after reading the reviews and booked a table for Saturday night and I am so glad we did! The food was exceptional and as good as any top London restaurant. The staff were so friendly and helpful we just couldn’t fault it. Would highly recommend. Thanks so much!!

Went to the Four Fathoms for a Sunday roast with my family I had the roast lamb. Which was cooked to perfection. Seasonal vegetables. Crispy roast potatoes and a huge Yorkshire pudding. Served with an extra side of cauliflower cheese. Which was the best I’d ever had. The desert was a little bit of chocolate heaven served with fresh fruit. Served by polite and attentive staff. Nothing was too much trouble and the service with a smile throughout was a breath of fresh air. We cannot wait to go back and try the a la carte menu. I would highly recommend this absolute gem of a pub ❤️

This is the second time we have visited the four fathoms in the last two months. So far it has been excellent, the sunday roast are amazing, proper home cooked!The staff are so friendly and cant do enough for you and Sara, the owner, is like a fire cracker, so friendly and bubbly.Prices may be a bit on the high side for herne bay but worth every penny. You get what you pay for?We are yet to try the evening meals but if they are anything to go by the Sunday lunch WOW cant wait. Good luck for the future and hope all goes well for you all xxx

I have always loved the Fathoms and this is the first time I’ve been able to visit since the new owners have taken over. I was not disappointed at all. We walked in and all the girls at the bar were smiling and saying hello instead of like a lot of pubs that just ignore you. This made a nice change.The landlady herself served us and is an absolute gem. What a lovely lady. The food was lovely and the cocktails were perfect. I’m disappointed to read some of the other reviews for these new owners. It’s sad that all throughout all the problems of Covid people are still giving pub owners a hard time and complaining about them not being open even though government guidelines probably stopped them and then to top it off moaning about prices. Give these guys a break! I will be going back and supporting a fantastic pub with great food, service and ambiance. Highly recommended.

The food was excellent and so were the staff. I was brought here for my birthday meal and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, the ambiance was perfect for the occasion and the linguine was delicious. I would certainly come back if I was in Herne Bay again and would highly recommend!

We used to absolutely love the Four Fathoms pre-lockdown, so we were very excited to visit it after the reopening. The one thing I would have changed previously was that they didn't serve Guinness, so, personally, I was very excited about our return to the Fathoms. The décor looks pretty similar (which is no bad thing) and so was the quality of the drinks available. We went for drinks, with the intention of coming back for a meal later down the line. Two of our party arrived earlier, were sat in the snug, and ordered a double Grey Goose and soda, and a double Gin and Tonic. Service was a little slow; it took almost 15 minutes for their drinks to arrive, but otherwise all good. After the other two of the party arrived, we ordered a pint of Guinness, a pint of Five Hops, and another round of doubles. My pint of Guinness arrived and it was disappointing, to say the least. It tasted fair to ok, nothing special (the Guinness drinkers will know what I mean) and the head was (and I'm not exaggerating) an inch and a half tall. I'm not sure how the bar staff allowed that to go off the bar, and how the waiting staff were happy to serve that to a customer. Quality control? We then wanted to order two more pints but were unable to due to the lack of staff wandering around. A shame, because there were four or five members stood at the bar. We did, however, receive drinks for another table sat in the snug. When we informed the staff of the mistake we also asked them if we could order some more drinks. The waiter proceeded to give the drinks to the other table and then headed back to the bar. No opportunity for us to order. Unfortunately, we then received the only other table in the snug's drinks a few minutes later. We repeated the process, and again, drinks were served and no one came back to take our order. The other table were just as surprised as they had not ordered any new drinks. Anyway, we asked for the bill, total came to £58, which when said out loud I thought my wife was joking. She was not. I understand and accept that premium spirits are expensive, but I figured nearly £60 for 2 pints and 4 doubles seemed a bit much, especially for Herne Bay! The shock continued; the pint of Five Hops cost £5.50 (arguably the most expensive pint in Herne Bay) but the kicker; my long awaited pint of Guinness cost £6.50!!!!! It wasn't even in my top 10 pints of Guinness consumed in Herne Bay! I now officially retract my previous statement about price of pints in Herne Bay.Everything that we wrong during our visit is excusable and I would normally put it down to an unfortunate situation. The price, however, changed all of those "unfortunate incidents" into a terrible experience. I would really like to return to the Four Fathoms, especially for a meal, however I am not sure how willing I am to pay London prices, for something I can find better in other local pubs ie the Guinness, in Herne Bay.

We never got to eat there, as the previous owners had taking our booking/failed to shut the booking system down. When we got there we met the new owner who said they would not be opening until June at the earliest. So please don't think everything will be the same as "Kent Pub of the Year"! We will just have to wait and see.

The best pub in Herne Bay has reopened after the long lockdown with new landlords. We have visited several times now and the new landlords are a treasure. They really know how to treat their customers. The staff as always are amazing. Standards are very high and we look forward to many happy times at this great venue with our friends and dog Luna

Visiting Herne Bay for the weekend and found this gem. Wonderful lunch for 6 with exemplary service. The whole vibe feels luxurious with all sorts of little extras to make your visit special. Highly recommended 👌

I booked this a few weeks ago so unfortunately hadn’t read the reviews to say it’s closed!! I even rang them this afternoon To see if we could make the booking earlier and even the answer phone sounds like business as usual - might have been nice to put a message on there saying they are closed!! Luckily we’d gone to check it out 2 hours before our booking so managed to get in somewhere else - piss take though!!!

We turned up with the family for a lunch on Saturday only to find that the pub is permanently closed. They still took the booking though. Shocking.

I had a reservation for Sunday 23 rd May for birthday lunch booked through the website. I received a confirmation email three weeks ago advising me that the table would be held for 15 minutes. We arrived in good time today to find the Four Fathoms closed down. Very disappointing .

What a brilliant and fun concept!! We thoroughly enjoyed our delicious 3 course dinner made by Francois that even included an amuse bouche. I closed my eyes when I tried the cod cakes and genuinely welled up as it felt for a moment I was actually in the Four Fathoms They were light and crispy with just the right amount of saffron and lemon mayonnaise. The main course of venison pie was generous and comforting and the baby vegetables so well seasoned I could of eaten a barrel of them.Pudding was apple tart ta tan with lashings of delicious caramel and Chantilly cream. Easy to cook and plate up with simple instructions we will definitely be ordering this again. Bravo to The Four Fathoms!!

The most superb meal I've had in along time. Utterly delicious and creative French food served with love and smiles. Couldn't recommend more highly.

Very nice pub food was fantastic, the staff are very friendly and welcoming would definitely recommend best looking gin i had all weekend

We have eaten here many times and it never disappoints. Jo and Jane have the whole pub and restaurant so well organised, making you feel totally safe in these uncertain times.

What a find! Really welcoming gastropub. Food was fabulous! Service was great. Would highly recommend.

We went to the FFs for a birthday meal - dinner. It was my birthday and my wife treated me. It's been a while since we last ate there and Covid-19 meant it wasn't as busy as usual, but we were given the usual friendly welcome and Joe treated us to a glass of fizz - Thanks Joe!The menu has been updated since our last visit with an emphasis on fish, so I had the "3 lives of a sardine" as a starter and the loin of cod for my main course, my wife had the spring rolls and the vongole as a main. We had a delicious bottle of Italian white wine from the carefully curated wine list, I've drunk a few of them and know that they are all worth drinking - good value too.The meal was so filling that neither of us could manage a pudding, maybe next time. As usual service was attentive without being obtrusive.All a super meal, a lovely occasion and the bank wasn't broken.Thank Joe, Jane and Francois.

I have visited The Four Fathoms for dinner 3 times now, and enjoyed drinks on multiple occasions.The food has always been delicious and well priced.The pub is dog friendly, they usually have water bowls and a treat container that you can help yourself to. The owners go above and beyond, during my last visit they surprised my dog with a little 3 course tasting platter. During lockdown my dog would whine at the front door as he was desperate to go in...its a 5 star from both of us!

Super friendly staff, great service and amazing food. AND they love dogs! We love coming here for drinks but this is the first time we’ve eaten. Beautiful steak, great portions and worth the extra few quid compared to other gastro pubs!

The service is always impeccable but we ate here for the first time today. The food is expensive but so worth it. Every mouthful was delicious. Don’t come here expecting cheap and fast food. This is an experience. Well done the Fathoms!

We visited for a family lunch. So impressed by the staff and delicious food. We were treated like royalty despite our baby needing feeding. No problem with breast feeding. Recommend for all.

We were made to feel completely welcome by lovely owners and staff. Our dog was spoiled rotten with treats and his own small platter. Our food was delicious and service second to none. Really hope the pub survives these difficult times.

Fantastic meal at the Four Fathoms once again. 6 of us booked for Saturday 22nd August. We were welcomed by Jane and her team and given a socially distanced table in the bar whilst we waited for our table in the restaurant.The Aperol Spritz, Black Bear IPA and rose wine went down well. As always Joe's food was fantastic, the starters of summer terrine, sardines 3 ways, duck rolls and camembert tarts were all great. The mains of cod, steak, burger, were absolutely fantastic with one of our party declaring it the best cooked steak he'd ever had.We even managed to fit in deserts and the huge gorgonzola cooked with honey and served with oat biscuits, frozen grapes and chutney was a massive hit and highly recommended by all 6 of us. The Monks Afargato, lemon surprise and speciality ice creams were also all pronounced a hit.All the above was washed down with a couple of bottles of white Rioja and a cracking Italian Primitivo. Overall we had a fantastic evening of food, wine and laughter made possible by the brilliant Four Fathoms team.If you've never had a drink or eaten here, you need to put it on your list.

Had a meal Friday evening. Fabulous food. As usual they also provided our dog Luna with special treats. This pub is truly a gem in Herne Bay. The staff are truly amazing. Landlords Joe & Jane are brilliant, so organised. This place has a real warmth and friendliness about it. Try it out you won't be disappointed.

Fabulous food, owners,staff service was spot on can’t fault it food was 10/10 wish I lived a lot closer x

You can immediately see why this pub is so highly recommended. In fact, it was like a self reminder to oneself!The jolly atmosphere in a relaxed setting is the perfect tonic for current times. Joe and Jane always impress with the ideas that they bring to the table,as illustrated by the bell provided to ring upon your needs for further hydration. The service is speedy and smiley but coincides with hard work to maintain the impeccable hygiene levels set.Thank you for making such an effort in difficult circumstances for the industry - Impressive.

Went for a couple of drinks last Saturday and the landlord was diligent in his cleaning of tables etc as soon as people vacated the table. We were given a bell to ring, as it was table service only, when we wanted a drink, which was served by a very pleasant young lady. Our contact details were taken and a list of do’s and dont’s. They couldn’t have done more during these times, unlike some of the pubs in Herne Bay. Staff very pleasant, and lovely little courtyard garden. Very pleasant atmosphere. Will definitely go back again for a meal next time.

Went to the four fathoms 2 nights in a row while on a weekend break. Welcomed in and asked if we wanted to sit outside or in, first night outside in a lovely courtyard. Our drinks order taken and given a form to fill in for contact details and a bell to ring for further service. Felt a bit strange ringing a bell for service. tables were cleaned thoroughly as soon as they were left. This pub has got it right, wish I’d booked to eat there too. 10 out of 10

This was our first pub meal since March. It's a really lovely pub. The roasts were incredible and they brought treats from the kitchen for our little dog too. We sat in the courtyard garden. It was a shady haven away from the busy streets in a very hot day. Wish we lived nearer and we'd definitely go regularly if we could!

We went for a Sunday lunch. What a wonderful establishment, conscientious, polite and attentive staff, amazing food which reflects the creative menu and at affordable prices. We all had the roast beef and roast pork which was served with fabulous roast potatoes, veg and Yorkshire puddings all homemade and the sauce/gravy was to die for. Followed by the chocolate tart with pistachio ice cream and limoncellos pudding. Everything was excellent and beautifully presented, we all can’t wait to come again to sample the rest of the interesting menu. We just Hope it doesn’t get too popular!

It feels like you've come home. The friendliest staff, the most interesting menu and very special food. We come here for any family occasion and because we can't walk past and not pop in. Especially for being taken very special care of at Christmas.Can't wait to come back.

Amazing food and atmosphere. Can't wait to return. I would definately recommend the coq au vin and the burgers.

Went to the four fathom for my mother-in-law 70th birthday.It was a Sunday and there were twelve of us.We booked but had to cancel due to storm ciara.It wasn't a problem to the pub rebooked for the next week.The good was great ,no complaints at all.Would highly recommend it.

Good food in the restaurant definitely a Gastro Pub not just a pub with food and good bar area. Can be loud on Saturdays if they have a band. You can grab a pre meal drink in the Firkin Frog across the road if it’s really busy.

I didn’t know this was Kent Pub of the Year when I went today, but I can see why now! The decor was smart, classy, but still comfy. The service was friendly and attentive. The food was outstanding. We all had roast dinners and every element was flavourful and cooked to perfection. It was honestly one of the best roasts I’ve ever had. What a fantastic addition to Herne Bay! This will be the first of many visits.

We were house hunting and stopped here for lunch.Fantastic Whitstable Pale Ale followed by the best Vongole I have had since I cooked my own.The Mussels and chips also top notch along with a great environment perfect service and a little bit of humour.This place deserves it’s award.

I love this place! Worth a trip from Ramsgate. I had decided what I wanted from menu online before I went, however it had changed as they do so seasonally. The duck spring rolls to start were fantastic. I think it was a pork dish I had next with risotto. It lookedNice when it arrived, but it was absolutely divine. So much tastier than I would have thought. My partner had a beef dish which was just as lovely. I’m a bit vague as to the exact dishes as I knew previous menu inside out! I read it regular! The service is wonderful and the staff are friendly and helpful. Probably my favourite place to eat. I highly recommend

Having been voted Pub of the year maybe my expectations were too highFirstly the plus... Very friendly welcome and atmosphere. Some of the best staff in the Eating area ( description deliberately chosen) I've had for a long long time really helpful and attentive could not have done more !!Now the minus ... Maybe a busy evening There was a continuous stream of people with drinks walking through the eating area with beers to the outside terrace not good when your eating food. Lack of choice on the menu although to be fair what we did eat was very good Now a personnal observation the eating area was rather lacking in atmosphere and really thought the 2 foot long plastic red chilli rather strange.Conclusion ... Probably would go again if only for the service and quality of food available

Visited Four Fathoms for my wife's birthday. Staff were all friendly, welcoming and efficient. The food was beautifully presented and prices very reasonable. Will definately be going again. I had the steak burger which was excellent and very filling.

The 2 stars are for the sticky toffee pudding and the lovely waitresses. I’m afraid the Sunday lunch itself was not good at all, the chicken was a tasteless breast, the veg were overcooked and shrivelled up and the gravy was the consistency of water. We were so excited to try here after we saw the award but we had another reservation for later in the year and have cancelled it after that experience.

A group of us visited to celebrate a birthday. We have been a few times before so were looking forward to a lovely meal. Unfortunately, when presented with the menu, we all struggled to find something we wanted to eat. If the menu had been available on the website we would have gone elsewhere. The jackfruit burger was strange and the beetroot roll it was in stodgy. The spaghetti vongole was gritty as if the shellfish had not been cleaned properly. Three of the desserts contained alcohol and at least two contained nuts, making choosing very difficult. This is not a cheap place to eat and we were all looking forward to a lovely celebration meal. It was not to be.

This place is fully deserving of its awards and high ratings. That someone could conceive creating a really great pub with an even better kitchen in a small town like this is amazing.

Really lovely and caring service. Great quality food with good vegetarian options. Very comfy with a distinct section for the dining and an area which is more like a bar. Great location with plenty of free parking nearby. Only negative is that I felt a few of the dishes were a little pricey for what they were but certainly didn't spoil the occasion.

Recommended by a friend in Whitstable and it was well worth the visit. Great food and lovey service too, highly recommended!

Sorry but I wanted to like it..But we left very disappointed. I booked 3 weeks in advance as saw it was popular. We turned up on time and strangely it was pretty dead. We were given a awful table where there was a constant stream of people passing, yet there were lots of empty tables. We placed our order, we were not given an Amuse Bouché like every other table got, My roast pork was so fatty I would say it was 50% fat, very embarrassing spitting it out in front of my partner. The roast potatoes were hard and undercooked. Our dessert was good. The service was ok but generally unbelievably disappointing.

Awesome night here , great entertainment and staff very attentitve. Real chilled out vibe and great selection of ales. Special thanks to the wonderful Hannah who was amazing all night ;)

Tried this restaurant on the recommendations on trip advisor and am so glad we did. Food was amazing, def one to try if you are in the area. Staff were lovely, can see why it's won its awards. Not the largest restaurant so booking a table is advisable. Next time we are in Herne Bay this place will be top of our list to revisit.

Came here last night to celebrate my Dads birthday with family and friends. Service was amazing, all the staff are so lovely and welcoming and very attentive. The food is beautiful - I had the rump steak which I would never of guessed was rump as it was so beautifully tender tasted just like fillet. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves from start to finish, the DJ was playing great music too and we staid until past midnight dancing! Would recommend this place to anyone. Thank you to all the staff for such a great evening.

Such a wonderful treat - to find London gastropub quality service and absolutely superb food, hidden away in Herne Bay. The atmosphere is vibrant and happy and from the minute you arrive, you are treated as a welcome friend. Our waitress, the ever smiling and knowledgeable Hannah, guided us expertly through the menu and didn't bat an eyelid when confronted by three generations of fussy eaters within our group of five, including one who is highly intolerant to all dairy and eggs and one vegetarian. The food - all freshly cooked to order - was a sheer delight. The menu was a glorious reflection of the skillful mind of the chef, and each course proved to be as fabulous as the last, from whole sea bream stuffed with delightful vegetables and parmesan to Jackfruit (vegan option) served in a bright pink, beetroot infused bun. The desserts too were fascinating and delicious (and far too interesting to resist). We left with tight waistbands and smiling faces (even the bill was a pleasant surprise, considering the quality of the food), grateful to have found such a glorious dining experience. Thank you Four Fathoms, you deserve all of the praise you receive.

We were almost blown through the entrance to The Four Fathoms on a grey day in January hoping we might secure a table for lunch without prior booking. Alarm bells started ringing when the barmaid/receptionist looked long and hard at her wristwatch at precisely 1.30pm. Thinking we must be late and service was finished, but no she asked if we would like to go through and choose a table...choose a table!

Staff is wonderful and it is an excellent venue with several rooms for every taste. Owners are kind and lovely people.

Been to the Four Fathoms a couple of times and on each occasion has been excellent. The range of menu changes fairly frequently but is not too big, so everything is fresh. One little comment, when we had venison there last it wasn’t really pink, just a little over-cooked, great dish though.

Wanted to do lunch somewhere local and different. So did a quick Google and came across Kent 2018 pub of the year, on our very doorstep.

I have visited the four fathoms twice now and each time the food has been wonderful. The menu changes and so there is always something new to try. On my most recent visit I had the venison and it was delicious. I would highly recommend this place as somewhere to eat. We had drinks in the bar afterwards and their gin and tonics are really pretty!

During a week long visit to Herne Bay this is our third visit to The Four Fathoms. The food is superb. Great selection of real ales, plus cava by the glass (perfect for us). Good music at a respectful volume, nice little nooks to choose your dining, or drinking, comfort experience. Friendly staff who recognised us on our second visit (very impressive and showing excellent customer experience care) and a chef who brings mouth watering cuisine into a manageable pub food menu. Certainly a place to make an effort to visit. We can easily see why it’s a Kent pub of the year.

Welcoming staff, cosy atmosphere and really, really tasty food. Highly recommend. We had the parsnip soup, winter vegetable croquettes, regular burger and jackfruit burger.

I was going to write "Another amazing meal" but that would imply that an amazing meal is a rarity, which it isn't, amazing meals are the norm here. What I can't understand is how the Four Fathoms is only rated as the 8th best restaurant in Herne Bay? The food here is not only the best in Herne bay but the best for a good distance around, that's not only my opinion but the opinion of friends who've eaten here. It's also a terrific pub with a great atmosphere, friendly staff and a well-kept cellar.

Amazingly delicious surprise! We booked last minute for a business dinner with AMERICAN guest. Very proud to have such a great restaurant in Herne bay. Everyone locally should go here and visitors from far and wide should try it! Delicious London standard food.