Forts Café — Restaurant in Thanet

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...

After frequenting the Forts in Broadstairs every time we visit Kent, we thought we'd have a great experience here too. Upon arriving there was confusion as we were told to sit anywhere, but after going towards the window seat (set for 4 people and there were 2 of us, although still fairly small) there was an awkward moment of "well I suppose you can but if we get busy you'll be asked to move." There was only one 2 seater table, and multiple 4/6 seaters left. The 2 seat tables are so close together it would have mean rubbing elbows with strangers, so sitting elsewhere was definitely a preference. It's not something I've come across before that you could potentially be moved mid-meal if they want to seat others at your table. It should be a "yes or no" situation as to allowing us to sit there to save confusion or awkwardness. We didn't feel very welcome.

Food was amazing, really delicious and fresh. Great portions and came out quickly. Coffee was nice too, and we shared a super thick stodgy brownie after which was a lovely treat.

Unfortunately as we came to pay there was a 12.5% service charge, and after we were made to feel awkward at the start about seating, and very average service, we didn't think it was necessary (or justified) to charge that without even stating it on a menu. Seems sneaky and if people are on a budget it can bump up the price. I'm happy to tip if service is above average, but it definitely wasn't here.

Broadstairs Forts has no service charge, so why is there one here? Sad to say even with the delicious food, we won't...

This place deserves its high rating. This morning I was at home making myself some breakfast when it crossed my mind that nothing I make will be able to reach the standard that Forts Café set.

I ordered a flight of coffee, one espresso, one filter and one piccolo, and they came served on a bed of green coffee beans which my brother-in-law mistook for peanuts and instantly regretted his decision. The coffees were delicious and it was a really nice way to try some different coffees.

They adapted for my 5-year-old who insisted he just wanted scrambled egg on toast, though he later changed his mind when he was the french toast my sister-in-law ordered.

I had the veggie scrambled egg option, and it was a delight. The sourdough was soft, springy and full of flavour, the scrambled eggs were creamy and seasoned well, and the watercress salsa was just perfect.

I tried the french toast and it was a delight: the bread was brioche-like and soaked up the fruity flavours from the berries and the lemon mascarpone, plus you also got a small salty crunch surprise from the little bits of pretzel in the dish.

The three-cheese toastie my wife ordered was also lovely. One bite and your mouth was filled with just one big oozy delight, and the caramelised onions added to the flavour.

The servers were all very pleasant and helpful, and it was such a lovely experience. We had to wait 25 minutes for a table, but it was worth it. 10/10...