Riparo Lounge — Restaurant in Thanet

Visited this location a few weeks ago with a group of friends, as we were really eager to enjoy a meal at this new place. I had been told the choice for allergens or vegans was vast (I have coeliac disease and one of my friends is gluten intolerant), wonderful and on arrival, I was glad to find that this was true!

I ordered the tapas main (bang bang cauliflower, whipped feta, and sweetcorn fritters with a side of the cheesy fries. The cauliflower could have had much more spice or flavour, but it was really good to try. The feta was a tiny bit sweet for my taste but I really did enjoy it, I just wish there was a bit more bread provided. And the fritters... Wow. Just WOW. The chilli jam really compliments the cheddar flavouring and I certainly loved the cheese fries. But that's coming from a person who loves cheese regardless!

Two of my companions ordered the tapas also, one ordered the cauliflower as I did and shared my views on the flavour. She also had spicy prawns and beef brisket chilli and said they were gorgeous, and thoroughly enjoyed the flavours both dishes had. My other friend who'd had tapas ordered the prawns and delighted in those, and had patatas bravas... We four shared the view that the seasoning could have been mixed in with the potato before presented to her as the sight of plain potato cubes with globules of seasoning was a bit disheartening. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the flavours of her meal.

The last of our quarter had the cowboy smash burger. I myself am vegetarian but even I'd have eaten that! It was AMAZING. He said the flavours mashed together really well and it was beautifully constructed. The bacon, the egg... The cheese and the patties just looked amazing. I tried a bit of the coleslaw and the flavours were lush.

Overall, it was absolutely brilliant to spend time eating at the Riparo Lounge. The staff were just as wonderful as the food was, and I'm really...

Visited today with our three children (6, 3 and 3 months) and it was a great experience. The quality of the food and drink was superb and the children even ate their food (a rarity at lunchtime!).

A really varied and broad range of food and portion sizes which was great, I really think you’d struggle to find someone who wouldn’t enjoy something on the menu.

Plenty of space around the table for a pushchair, cutlery, cups and colouring activities for the children. The staff were great, very attentive checking in on us regularly and very patient with typically demanding children-related requests (didn’t like lemon in the water and wanted plain water, both argued over the blue fork so we got another one, etc.).

Yes, it was more expensive than somewhere like Nando’s, but the food and service were in another league. I had the buttermilk chicken which was incredible, my wife had the chicken and avocado burger, and we had chicken strips and a pizza meals for the children which each came with a small pot of hummus and a couple of carrot and bread sticks and a drink. We also got a milkshake and two non alcoholic cocktails and those were very tasty and reasonable portion sizes. We were all satisfied and full! A really great find that has newly opened and we’ll definitely be back again.

Thanks again to all the wonderful staff who were so patient and attentive. Thoroughly...

From the moment I walked into Riparo Lounge on a rainy afternoon, Jess and her team made me feel welcome. Despite the steady drizzle outside, the atmosphere inside was warm and inviting.

Jess greeted me with a friendly smile and helped me settle into a comfortable seat by the window. I ordered a crisp lager and a plate of lightly seasoned calamari, and both arrived promptly—beer cold and refreshing, calamari tender with a perfect golden crunch.

Throughout my visit, the team checked in thoughtfully without interrupting my quiet time. They refilled my water glass when needed, offered helpful recommendations when asked, and shared cheerful conversation that brightened the dreary weather.

What stood out was the genuine attention to detail: seafood sourced fresh, a well-curated playlist, and a neat, comfortable space to relax. The service was attentive without feeling overdone, creating an easygoing, familiar vibe.

By the time I left, the rain had eased, and I felt genuinely refreshed. If you’re looking for a cozy spot to wait out a wet day—or simply enjoy well-prepared calamari and a cold beer—Riparo Lounge and Jess’s team are well...