The Mermaid Inn in Canterbury

My husband, son and I had a superb festive pie and sticky toffee pudding when we popped in this evening. Great atmosphere and a lovely open fire. So lucky to have this gem close by.

Absolute little hidden gem. The Food is always delicious. Generous portions too and always consistent with quality. ROAST DINNERS ARE A MUST HAVE. There's nothing better than a pub with a brilliant work force behind it. Emma and her great team are amazing.

Out for a country walk with friends last Sunday, we hadn't booked anywhere for lunch. Tried the Black Robin which was empty but they said flatly they couldn't even give us a bar snack standing at the bar. Walked on to the Mermaid which was heaving but the super friendly lady said they'll squeeze us in somehow. Had a superb, and I mean as good as I get in London superb, beautifully cooked roast pork with all the trimmings. Incredibly generous portions too. I eat out a lot and I just wish every place could be like this: unpretentious, friendly, well prepared reasonably priced food in a convivial atmosphere. This is how all pubs should be.

If you want a friendly country pub for a good quality meal you will struggle to beat the Mermaid. The warm cosy setting inside is enhanced by the lovely friendly welcome from staff and the other customers. We only called in for a drink, but stayed for food because of the atmosphere inside. The food choice is limited, but that means what is offered is great quality food. We had the fish and chips and the pie and mash, which was all beautifully cooked and presented. We had our dog with us and she also enjoyed the fuss from customers and the other four legged visitors in the pub. This is a proper country pub, like many villages used to have. We hope it never changes and will be back again soon. Thank you to the staff and customers for making this such a splendid pub.

Fabulous pub! We went with friends on Sunday and had the delicious Sunday Roast. It was really great. We particularly loved the Cheesy Leeks and the Yorkshire Pud. The beef was perfectly cooked. Can't wait to go back!

Such an amazing friendly pub. The staff and landlady were really friendly and gave us warm smiles throughout the evening. Food was amazing definitely recommend this pub. Just need a few more dishes to add on the menu. But food is definitely homemade.

Just had a wonderful Sunday roast. Even tho we didn't book, they found us a teeny table! The pub was heaving, the atmosphere great, the food amazing... fantastic roast beef with loads of veggies, deliscious Yorkshire puddings, gravy, cheesy leeks, carrots, parsnips, roast tatties... very good indeed!! Thank you very much!

We returned here recently while on a day out. Just as we remembered it, with a friendly pub atmosphere 'just like the old days'. It was warm and comfortable, which was perfect for a dull chilly day. Our lunch consisted of good quality food, well cooked and presented. Thoroughly enjoyable. We asked for coffee and the carafe which arrived provided us with enough for welcome refills too. It's in a quiet village with good walking country around it. Wish we lived nearer!

Cracking country pub. Very friendly. Recommended.

Had an amazing roast dinner with my family it was unreal all of us enjoyed it so much meat and vegetables and all of us enjoyed it so much will definitely be back

Great pub ! Why is there a brick on a string by the fireplace ?

Lovely new landlady but still a proper old-man's local :) Small entirely home made menu - the scotch egg is awesome!

great food and beer in a lovely location

We had the most lovely roast dinner with seasonal veg. Everything from presentation, portion size, originality of vegetable choice to taste was superb. The Pork Belly was great. We’d most definitely come back and highly recommend it. It was so good we forgot to take photos - sorry!

One of the best Caesar Salads I've had. Great food, really well kept cellar, friendly staff and proper country pub atmosphere.

Simply - fabulous - delicious Sunday lunch local ingredients wonderfully cooked - with so many homogenised pubs in area this is the real deal A very special place served with style and a smile Will be back again and again - don’t ever hesitate to go

Absolutely delicious Sunday lunch. Beef with chimichuri and amazing veg to share. Brilliant simple menu and topped with a blackberry frangipan. Best place I have been in the area for ages and lovely authentic setting with great staff. Will be back to book in regularly. Sasha

Lovely quiet village pub ready for a nice drink on the walk through from Canterbury. Food and open fire available but not sampled this time. Staff are friendly and helpful. Wednesday is fish and chips day.

Cozy pub. Operated by Kentish Shepherd Neame Brewery.

A tiny village pub popular with the locals. Limited facilities dictated a refreshingly brief Sunday lunch menu which was cooked and presented with flair. We chose the roast chicken and the porchetta: each was imaginatively served and perfectly cooked in the modern style, though some might find some of the vegetables a little too al dente. We found the portions a little too generous for us, leaving no room for a sweet. The lunch was very good value at £67.90 including wine but they may need to reconsider their portion sizes for long term profitability. We will return.

What a great find after a good walk around a very quaint village. Staff friendly and chatty, service quick and efficient and garden, where we sat, was so pretty.

Had the most delicious summer roast lunch on Sunday - welcoming and dog friendly a lovely cosy pub run by Emma. Food amazing, I had the beef chimichurri followed by strawberry and almond parfait and friends had porchetta with seasonal veg and salads - all delicious. A hidden gem - an old fashioned village pub.

Always a warm welcome and the beer is top rate.

Fantastic country pub hidden away on the Downs. The service was great and the garden was lovely. A very peaceful spot. Had a nice chat to the landlady Emma and Ellie the manager. Food is very good and will be back again.

Incredible Sunday summer roasts packed with flavour and excellent wine list and seasonal cocktails. Highly recommended and far better value than the Pig!

Nice pub out in the stick's good beers, and nice staff

Called in to catch up with friends, haven’t been since Emma took over. We had a couple of drinks and fish and chips. The atmosphere is cozy, comfortable and welcoming. The food was well cooked, plentiful and very tasty! Home made mushy peas and tartar sauce. Really was very nice would highly recommend!

A hidden treasure in the Kent countryside. Lovely staff, friendly atmosphere, welcome dogs, food delicious. Nothing not to love.

Recommended to me so thought I would pop by for a Sunday roast. I received a nice warm welcome on arrival followed by prompt service to take my food order. The food was delicious, with a decent sized portion, served piping hot. I went for the pork which was served with proper crackling, various vegetables,yorkie and gravy. Choice of three home made puddings to finish. Highly recommended.

Stunning!! We popped to the mermaid for a last minute roast on the back of a recommendation. It exceeded all expectations. Every element of the roast was cooked to perfection. Generous portions of really cheesy leeks, crispy roasties, greens, perfectly pink beef and a freshly made nut roast. The staff were warm friendly and efficient and the pub has a lovely countryside atmosphere. Best roast I’ve had in Kent. Thank you!!

Fantastic Sunday lunch at The Mermaid Inn, Bishopsbourne. Deliciously cooked roast pork with all the trimmings including proper crackling! Well presented, great service and atmosphere in a real village local. We will be coming back!! Thank you, Emma and staff.

Lovely food, great hospitality. The landlady is amazing, friendly and happy to help accommodate

Such a lovely place. Absolutely banging food. Highly recommend

Landlady Emma was very warm and welcoming. Great hospitality, food was amazing ( definitely recommend the scotch eggs) will definitely be back, 5*

Amazing hospitality. Thank you xx

Absolutely wonderful atmosphere... always a warm welcome from all the staff and the locals. Food is fabulous... try any of the roasts! Rosemary fries and butter milk chicken bites delicious! Dog treats and meals available at the bar... lovely garden and area... worth a visit all year round😊.

Had a drink during a beautiful walk of 17 kilometers, the owner spontaneously came to distribute what was left over to the guests. Very tasty, nice atmosphere. Thanks.

Just enjoy all the company, staff and have to say have used this pub for many years and now I truly feel this is my Local. It hasn’t been so good for money a year.

Quite possibly the best little country pub in the world. Whilst a Shepherd Neame pub, they are limited by the beer they can sell, you will not find a better kept pint of Masterbrew in the country - in fact winning the best beer offer by Sheps in 2023. Not my favourite pint but good beer is good beer. The Landlady and her team of amazing girls proving the naysayers wrong by running a beautifully kept, tight ship, knocking out food beyond expectation with an ever improving suntrap of a garden. One not to miss when walking in the area (very dog friendly!) or just looking for a typical countryside pub to pass a few hours. Exceptional beer, service and ambience, a must when in the area. Not able to cater for vegans as they believe that if they can’t offer the best possible product for the client they won’t try and so don’t disappoint. Unashamedly Bishopsbourne through and through.

Amazing local pub! Great atmosphere, service & staff! A must visit!

Helpful, friendly staff. Great atmosphere. Emma, the landlady has really brightened the place up! Well done!

Friendly and a very pleasant landlady. The Sunday roast is exceptional.

Had a lovely lunch! Delicious food and lovely service!

Best pint of masterbrew in Kent! Great food! If you’re lucky you’ll get served by the one barman they have!

Love this place. Proper English pub. Great beer , great service, great atmosphere

Excellent local pub, really friendly and great atmosphere. Delicious food, would definitely recommend.

Excellent service, great atmosphere, land lady Emma has done a fantastic job.

Great beer and ales, old fashioned hospitality and great food. Surprisingly large beer garden. Would recommend.

thank you for your warm welcome

We found a home from home proper village pub when we came to stay in the village on holiday. Great village, brilliant beer and young enthusiastic staff made 2 old fogies from Yorkshire very happy. Beer garden is great but the entire pub is child and dog friendly. Go there.

This is an absolute must visit pub if you’re visiting. The pub is quaint and cosy with very friendly service. The food however was a standout. “Best Fish and Chips I’ve ever had” was mentioned by one member of our party, whilst others loved the Pie of the day. Highly recommend. The price was also very affordable.

Absolutely amazing pie, recommended.

Sunday lunch was delicious and like mum makes it and we all loved it! Small proper village pub, great service, log fire burning, lovely bustling feel to the place even though it’s small. Was dog friendly although we didn’t take ours that day. Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. Recommended if you like a proper old style village pub with atmosphere instead of a posh gastropub.

Really lovely countryside pub, great food, service and a great atmosphere, there's a reason why it's so popular!

Team of 7 went this evening for the quiz night,had a great night will definitely go to next one. Staff friendly and attentive land lady lovely couldn't be more helpful,and man reading quiz questions was great fun and very friendly too. We will be back to try the Sunday roast too.

If you are in town visiting make sure to stop by and support this excellent local establishment

Roast Dinner on New year's day was delicious.

Very friendly atmosphere, the landlady (or person in charge the evening we visited) was very welcoming and helpful. Food excellent.

Stayed 50 yards from this lovely country pub ,staff couldnt have been more friendly and welcoming and they love a dog too lol great selection of drinks and even have Hurlimans on tap!! Will be back for certain ,maybe in the summer on my motorbike 👍🏻

Very respectable Sunday roast. Good beer . Good food Great service. A country pub that must be visited

It's a small pub, but the food is better than you'd expect. We've been a couple of times now - had a nice Sunday roast the first time and a really nice pie today. Definitely recommend popping in for a meal if you're in the area.

What a lovely pub run by a fantastic landlady! I had the homemade chicken pie and have to say it’s one of the best I’ve had and I’ve had many! I highly recommend visiting this cosy pub and be ready to have a happy belly!

We visited mid week without booking and the staff were very helpful. Fresh flowers on every table and a seasonal display of squashes and pumpkins looked great. We had a chicken pie each and everything was well cooked and hot. The landlady, Emma, was very helpful and smiley. The menu choice was limited but there are also specials at the weekend.

Had Sunday lunch yesterday and it was honestly one of the best we have had in a long time. All cooked and served by the new landlady Emma, great pub. Good luck Emma

We went to The Mermaid today. They have a wonderful new landlady. We had an excellent Sunday roast , the best we have had in a long time. The desserts were delicious.

Lovely setting, great atmosphere, staff polite and friendly, haven't eaten there yet, (but will be shortly) 😋.

Absolutely fantastic pub. Stopped for a Sunday roast which was perfect. The staff here are perfect - courteous, helpful and professional. Telling them I was from Australia, they made a special effort to get me some Scampi Fries (which you can't get in Australia) - seriously - how many places would go to that trouble? Cannot speak highly enough of the pub, the people or the place. So enjoyable. Thank you!

Excellent food, great garden, super dog friendly and amazing staff. 10/10 steak and chips, highly recommend if you find yourself passing nearby.

Was looking so much to eating ham with egg and chips but so disappointing! Flavourless cold ham with warm eggs on top and a huge portion of frozen chips- not home made for £13. Then couldn’t believe a charge of £3 for a small bottle of coke!! I presume all the minerals are priced accordingly. Hugely over priced. First and last visit. Such a shame!

Lovely little pub The garden though was a mess with cigarette ends all over the place and broken furniture

Great pub. Food was fantastic. I had a ploughmans and it probably ranks as one of the best I have ever had nice garden as well.

Cute little Hidden Gem! Well worth the ways out!

A great find in beautiful countryside

Floweres on the table were all dead. Ploughman's came with standard white sliced bread, tasteless pate and gritty unwashed salad with honey poured on it!!! All for the price of £15 - save your money and go to another pub.

Always awesome 👏, staff amazing .

Had an afternoon drink here on 3 occasions in February. Nice well kept pub with a good selection of well kept beers and friendly bar staff. Can't comment on the food but the menu looked good.

My 1st visit for Mother’s Day lunch was greeted with a glass of bubbles very smiley happy staff very busy but was taken to our table and staff very friendly and professional local people very nice and the food absolutely delicious best roast dinner I have had I honestly can’t recommend this place enough

Great find on a drive out. Pleasant bar service and bar snacks. They also serve lunches.

Our favorite pub, try to get there twice a week, always made to feel welcome, lovely staff, Emma, Emily, Becky. Great wine, great cider. Very friendly fellow customers.

Lovely pub, so friendly and welcoming. Chef and other staff were so accommodating xx

Excellent bar staff. I wanted a duck for Xmas and I got one from there.👍

10 of us just had christmas lunch. Delicicious, plentiful food after a chilly dog walk( dogs welcomed with a biscuit!) we were welcomed with a scrumptious mulled wine!🍷😋 Great fun great service. British pub life at its best. Brilliant value. Well done lovely ladies and chef! 👍🏼

Very nice country pub with a great atmosphere.

Fabulous atmosphere and the food is delicious!

Popped in on a dog walk and it was so busy inside we decided to sit outside..... But sadly the outside heaters weren't working so we didn't stay long! But we had a nice drink!

Made a reservation as I know this is a small pub but has a growing reputation. Group of 4 adults. Lovely welcome from Emily who looked after us all night. Menu is on a chalk board and has a decent selection for all, there were also ‘specials’ available. Emily was very knowledgeable about the menu and her service throughout was very good. A varied selection of wines available to choose. All of our food choices were very good. Hot, tasty and well presented. Overall we had a very good meal in a pub that has obviously undergone some change, has had investment and is really making a mark in the area.

We kind of expected pub food but it was more 'home cooking' and all that comes with it. Hearty food. The atmosphere in the pub was great, buzzy and convivial. There has to be special mention for the two ladies front of house, an unbeatable double act. Will go again.

Sunday lunch. Cosy little pub in a very pretty village. Outstanding roasts (meat and veggie), lovely staff, good beer. Highly recommended.

Looks like a great little pub only stopped for a quick drink but will definitely go back

As always a delight to visit, and the ale was good

Nice little country pub, good food and a good selection of beers and spirits, worth a visit.

Cracking pub, Fantastic staff. Friendly. Everything you want in a pub. Good Guinness too.

I used to visit this place with my grandfather 40 years ago! Still a special place.

Lovely quiet garden, and nice light summer beer

Lovely village pub. Lovely walks nearby.

Fantastic welcome, very attentive and helpful. Beer was excellent food was awesome. A small country pub with everything perfectly proportioned.

Just had the best meal I’ve eaten for some time! Really delicious with great wine and beer too! Lovely atmosphere too!

Saturday night we were invited to a private party ……well what a fab evening …….fantastic pub ….lovely staff and the food ……such a lovely place in the heart of real English county side …..what a special place to visit …….thank you Xx

Good food, good selection of drinks, fair prices, friendly staff. Will return.

A rare old type village pub almost stuck in the past .