The Lazy Shack — Restaurant in Folkestone and Hythe District

Another great experience visiting the Lazy Shack. Some time ago I wrote a review based on my casual experience with this little gem of an eatery right on the edge of the sea. For anyone not familiar with the area, those of us that are will know what a wonderful spot this can be literally all year round. Originally I felt I could only comment based on the friendly kind staff, along with the nice atmosphere, very busy at peak times but always enjoyable even with the slight and inevitable chaos that this can bring, but whether you like it busy or not you can choose to turn up at peak times or visit when they're less busy and you'll be made very welcome as the staff will have that extra bit of time to chat, ideal if you want to know a little more about this wonderful family run business. Having now sampled quite a lot of the menu/ingredients (a lot of which are available to purchase in their equally appealing shop - reassuringly expensive, but who said quality comes cheap and all top notch, definitely will be back for more pies/sausages) the restaurant food is quite excellent, always hard to give an absolute score as tastes vary, we don't all like the way things are cooked even at home, so subjectivity comes into play. Objectively the ingredients are top notch, eggs, fish, bacon, bread a step well above your average fair and very reasonably priced considering the attention to detail and the fab location, it would be a shame to have this establishment turned into a sudo Michelin star restaurant and lose that cross between a fun eclectic seaside cafe and and well thought out restaurant experience. Talking about experience, as a child many many decades ago, I was dragged around by parents to many seaside cafes along the coast and whilst people like to pay homage to the past as I still do, almost always those eateries left me dreading every visit! Seemingly those that we visited all had one aim and that was set at a very low standard. In all honesty these days that dread at finding a nice place to eat still exists, perhaps I am not alone in this, however the Lazy Shack is quite different as that dread when my wife suggests that we pop here for breakfast sees me up and out with a new found alacracity, because I know I'm going to enjoy it! Has everything I've eaten been perfect straight out the gate? Well no, but the speed and willingness that something is changed or re done to your absolute liking is quite remarkable, if you find your steak is not quite right no if's no but's you'll get another, if you want runny eggs ask for them, but during busy times just ask yourself if you were cooking for literally hundreds of people a day could you deliver a Michelin star egg every time? I don't frequent those high grade restaurants, only on a rare occasion, but for the type of food served at the Lazy Shack they would give them a damn good run for their money. In short, and sorry for taking so long to get to the point, you cannot go wrong visiting here. Wonderfully kind people doing something with heart and pride, adjust your expectations according to the fare that they offer at the modest prices charged and I challenge you to find better anywhere along the Kent coast or beyond. Give it a try and see if I'm right. Love, peace and good...

I really wasn’t expecting much - fish by the seaside… However, we went there on a hot day yesterday (Saturday) and we were extremely surprised - it was wonderful food and very good value.

Greeted by a helpful smiling young lady, who explained the gluten free options available.

We sat outside on clean bench tables and it wasn’t a long wait until our lobster and crab and chips arrived in a box. Brilliant idea. There was a carefully made salad too accompanying the meal which was delicious. They’d taken the time and trouble to de seed the tomatoes and the cucumber - nice touch. I had wanted samphire but I was told the chef was very apologetic but he’d run out. My lobster was so delicious- I hadn’t had it for many years and the GF chips (which I stole off my husband) were absolutely delicious- very crisp and golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I had ordered trying to be good, tasty new potatoes instead. My husband’s crab was very good too. The menu is perfect and incredibly they have gluten free bread and rolls.

They have a shop too where we bought some large prawns and scallops to take home. There’s a fantastic array of fish there along with meat and other produce. Sam was fabulous explaining everything and said his sister was the one who served us - she was lovely too.

They sell their own kiln smoked salmon amongst other fish from the wonderful smoker.

This family run business is well worth going to regularly if you want to eat extremely fresh fish by the azure sea with crunchy pebbles underfoot or to buy top produce from their shop. It was a lovely way to spend our leisurely time. They’re open every day too. We will...

We were taking a circular walk using the Hythe Canal, golf course and sea front. At the seaward end, by the fisherman's black huts, we noticed people carrying paper cups of coffee. Scanning the immediate area I noticed the sign for the Lazy Shack. Our minds were quickly made up, so inside I ordered two coffees, and a slice of apple and cinnamon pie to share with my wife. Due to the COVID 19 restrictions relevant at the time, we sat at bench tables on the beach. As the weather was sunny with a slight breeze, it was the place to sit. The coffee and pie was very good, and for a moment felt we were on holiday as there were fishermen on the beach, a fishing boat being beached, and people strolling. A great spot. Update: Dec. 24th 2022. Plenty of people walking up and down the promenade with dogs, and children on bicycles having a relaxing time. After our hour long walk we decided it was too mild to return home, so once again called at the Lazy Shack for a bacon banquette and coffee. The indoor seating was full, so we sat at one of the many bench seat tables outside on the pebble beach. The staff are friendly and efficient. Due to the large number of customers we had to wait about fifteen minutes for the baguettes, but were given an alarm monitor to alert us to when the food was ready to be collected. However, whilst the alarm sounded, the food was bought to our table. The Lazy Shack has become our favourite source of refreshment, as it appears to be for many others. Being Christmas Eve it was busy, but most of the time food and drink is served quite soon...