Restaurant Review: The London & Paris in Folkestone

Folkestone is emerging as a charming seaside dining destination, with the London & Paris restaurant standing out for its unique blend of history and modernity. The establishment features a quirky dining room adorned with bold wallpaper, original tiled floors, and mismatched chairs, creating an inviting atmosphere that reflects the building's recent restoration. Chef James Pearce, previously of Rocksalt, focuses on showcasing the best of Kent's seafood, offering dishes like monkfish with white miso and cod in vodka batter, alongside a rotating selection of meat specials. Despite the enticing menu, the restaurant was notably quiet during a Friday lunchtime in mid-August, with only a few guests present. This lack of foot traffic seems to mirror a broader trend in Folkestone, where many reimagined coastal towns struggle to attract weekday visitors. The menu, however, is impressive, featuring a variety of seafood options on a daily specials board, including fresh whitebait and coal-roasted lobster, which could entice more diners if they were aware of the offerings. Diners enjoyed a selection of dishes, including kombu-crumbed calamari and beetroot-cured salmon, culminating in a perfectly roasted bream. While Folkestone may not yet rival more popular seaside towns like Whitstable and Hove, the London & Paris restaurant continues to serve as a beloved stop for those passing through, offering a delightful culinary experience against the backdrop of the town's picturesque harbor.