Situated in Kent on the Great Stour River, the City of Canterbury is regarded as one the most historically rich places in the United Kingdom. While you're there, why not pop in for a meal at an excellent Canterbury restaurant.
Known to most scholars and historians is the tragic tale of Thomas Beckett. A man of great principle and vision who so impressed Henry II that he was both befriended and later, in 1162, appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. At the time religion was a powerful tool and Henry sought to control both Church and State.
Refusing to betray his beliefs, Beckett was famously murdered in the Cathedral by agents of his one-time friend, the King. A move which cemented Beckett's martyrdom and sainthood. The position of Archbishop remains to this day and the city is still the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in England.
It also has a long literary tradition, most notably Chaucer’s bawdy and beautiful Canterbury Tales, telling the stories of those making a pilgrimage to the holy place. It will also be remembered as the birthplace of Christopher Marlowe, the much studied and respected Elizabethan playwright, often considered in the same breath as his contemporary, William Shakespeare.
Embracing tradition, this remarkable city is home of the Canterbury Festival, Kent’s venerated International Arts Festival, celebrating the best in books, music and other arts. As in Chaucer’s time, worthy of a pilgrimage.
As one might expect from such a culturally and architecturally abundant place, there is a good selection of Canterbury restaurant eateries, as well as a pervasive integrity for the aesthetic. The influx of creatives has forged a culinary standard where the hearty lives seamlessly aside the contemporary. A number of up-market cafés for the enthusiastic pilgrim or a quaint pub for a warming pint at the hearth after a day’s sightseeing.
There's Haute-Cuisine for the finer palate or one of the many ethnic varietys of a Canterbury restaurant for an exotic morsel of the carefully composed kind. Or the oh-so-civilized Champagne cream teas in 16th century style at the The Moat Tea Rooms. Here at Canterbury Restaurant, we feature a selection of some of the bet.
