There’s something about Margate, that faded seaside charm, the clash of the traditional with the unapologetically modern. It's a town that wears its history on its sleeve but has a heart that beats with new energy. You see it, you feel it, and if you’re lucky, you taste it at Forts Café.

Sunday morning, a morning after, the kind where your head’s pounding, your mouth’s dry, and your body’s screaming for something to pull you back from the brink. We stumble into Forts, where the queue snakes out the door like a beacon of hope for the hungover masses. But no pretentiousness here—just the warm buzz of a place that knows exactly what it’s doing. And they know we need more than just food; we need redemption on a plate.

The Nduja fried eggs on bloomer hit the table first, and damn if it isn’t the resurrection itself. The spicy, spreadable pork sausage melts into the perfectly fried eggs, the yolks just barely contained, threatening to spill over and mingle with the bloomer. It’s a balancing act between heat and comfort, and it’s absolutely necessary when you’ve spent the night losing track of the number of drinks. This dish doesn’t just satisfy; it scours away the remnants of the previous evening and plants you firmly back on your feet.

Then there’s the Korean chicken focaccia, an unexpected player that turns out to be a knockout. The chicken, juicy and slicked with that addictive gochujang mayo, is a flavour bomb that explodes with every bite. The tang of the kimchi slaw cuts through the richness, a sharp slap to the taste buds that wakes you up and keeps you reaching for more. It’s spicy, it’s crunchy, it’s soft, and it’s exactly what you want when you need to sweat out the night before with something that bites back.

The drinks—an invigorating coffee, a glass of orange juice, and a Bloody Mary that packs just enough punch—were the liquid bandages to our frayed nerves. ☕🧃🍹Each sip pulls you further from the edge, and by the time you’re halfway through, you’re already contemplating life again with a little less regret and a lot more gratitude.

The service? Impeccable. Even with that massive queue out the door, the staff moved with a kind of efficient grace, as though they knew exactly what you needed before you did. They find you a seat, deliver your salvation, and do it all with a smile that tells you this isn’t just about the food; it’s about taking care of you.

Forts Café is the kind of place that makes you want to move to Margate, just to have it in your life every weekend. There’s a reason for the queue, and it’s not just the food. It’s the experience, the feeling that someone’s got your back when you’ve had one too many, and they’re going to fix you right up.

So, next time you’re in need of a little salvation, find your way to Forts. Trust me, you’ll be grateful you did.