Looking at pictures of Viking Bay you could easily believe you were in the Southern Italy. The picturesque location is one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches and visitors can’t stop raving about it.
And if you get hungry after a day of sunbathing, swimming or walking along the shore, the bay offers a plethora of dining options.
One such spot is the Viking Bay Cafe, where you can relax under vibrant parasols and enjoy ice-cold drinks. The cafe is renowned for its freshly cooked food, including mouthwatering burgers and their beloved “skin-on fries.” Visitors can also indulge in a variety of ice creams, lollies, and other treats.
Matthew, a visitor to the cafe said: “Absolutely wonderful beach cafe and bar situated on stunning Viking Bay and close to the lift.
“They serve amazing freshly cooked food and have a great selection of bar drinks including ice cold Birra Moretti, Beaverton Neck Oil, and Fosters – all on draught. The burgers here are probably the best I’ve ever had, and they even do ‘skin-on fries’ here which are always a favourite.
“There’s also really nice whippy ice cream and loads of other ices and lollies and treats. Staff are really helpful and go above and beyond with their customer service. It was quite a sunny day, and I’d forgotten my sunglasses, but they’ve even got a beach goods hut beside the cafe that sells a whole range of seaside stuff – so I managed to pick up some glasses from there. I am a bit of a fan of beach bars/cafes, and this is definitely one of the best. Would highly recommend a visit.”
Another beachfront establishment worth exploring is The Pavilion bar and restaurant, which offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Stephen, a satisfied customer, praised the location, saying: “A lovely location. The staff were very friendly, and the food was excellent. Service was very good. Highly recommended.”
Convenient parking options are available near the bay. Albion Street car park, with five disabled bays, charges £4.40 for up to four hours. Alternatively, Broadstairs Harbour parking offers a four-hour stay for £11.20. To reach the beach, you can take a lift from the street above, providing a breathtaking view of the bay as the doors open. This lift was recently repaired and upgraded by Thanet District Council, costing £17,000.
While the beach itself is a major attraction, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the charming town of Broadstairs, located just half a mile away. Time Out describes Broadstairs as having a “backdrop of chalk cliffs, many pubs with sea views and a great food scene” which makes it a “a winner for day trippers and weekend city escapees alike”.
Broadstairs is also home to seven stunning sandy bays, allowing you to hop from one beach to another. One must-visit spot is Kingsgate Bay, known for its majestic former castle perched on the headlands, picturesque chalk “window,” inviting rock pools, and safe bathing.
For those seeking an extraordinary dining experience, Stark in Oscar Road is a Michelin-starred restaurant that promises to impress. With a perfect five-star rating on TripAdvisor and recognition as a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice in 2022, Stark offers a unique no-choice six-course menu that caters to everyone’s palate.
Michelin describes Chef Ben Crittenden’s dishes as delicate in appearance but bursting with flavour and texture contrasts, such as salmon with kohlrabi or cod with almonds.
Visitors advise arriving early on hot days during the holiday season, as the beach can become quite busy by noon. However, the overwhelming majority of reviews are glowing, with visitors like the one from Bexley expressing their love for Viking Bay, saying: “This is hands down my favorite part of the Kent coast. The beach is large, sandy, and clean. People just seem happy. After playing crazy golf at Lillyputt’s, we walked all along the beach eating ice cream and enjoying the sea air. Be aware though that it can get very busy, so plan to get there as early as you can as finding a parking space can get tricky. But it’s worth the effort and is surrounded by lovely places to eat and shops to peruse. Or just eat ice cream and watch the world go by!”
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
