Samphire

Came in for dinner on a busy Friday evening (highly recommend booking) and just squeezed in as we were a bit early for the dinner rush. Service was prompt and attentive without being too attentive.
The menu changes based on seasonality of local produce and includes both exciting seafood options and lovely non-​seafood meals. My partner had the hake and mussels with tandoori butter and basmati — he said it was very good, but possibly a bit too subtle on the tandoori seasoning.
I had the gnocchi with beetroot, goats cheese, walnuts, spinach, and rocket. The gnocchi was excellent, and the flavours worked well together, but there was a bit too much beetroot. It overpowered the other flavours somewhat.
Desserts were incredible, though. Cardamom crème brûlée was perfectly spiced and delicious. And the sticky toffee pudding was to die for.
If you opt for a local oyster joint for dinner, definitely swing by Samphire for dessert. You won’t regret it.

Situated right next door to the local legend that is Wheelers I’m sure that Samphire does quite well from the disappointed punters who have not had the foresight to book ahead and are forced to look elsewhere for their sustenance. However, beware because Samphire is a pretty decent place in its own right and on our visit for a late Saturday brunch many folks were being turned away.
We had a nice table near the front of the light and airy room which is simply furnished with lots of wood and a rustic, slightly bohemian feel. It’s certainly quite different to the competition in Whitstable and, along with Pearson’s, is probably a little more «trendy» than some of the more «tired» establishments in town. The young, friendly staff fit in well with the vibe of the place and are helpful and efficient.
After a walk along the front from Herne Bay to Whitstable we were peckish but wary of over eating with a fish feast on the horizon for our supper; just what the Samphire’s brunch menu was made for!
After a bit of internal debate, one of those menu’s where everything appeals, I plumped for the omelette Arnold Bennett which came perfectly cooked with just the right oozing texture and full of fishy, herby loveliness. B had the gypsy duck eggs with spinach and chorizo which looked very fetching when brought to the table bubbling in a clay dish. B declared herself to be very satisfied with her choice and she was soon wiping the dish out with the last of the bread.
We washed this down with a glass of the house Sauvignon Blanc which was fresh, dry and well chilled. A jug of tap water with plenty of ice and slice or two of lemon was a nice touch.
The evening menu was chalked up on a blackboard and looked very appealing. A selection of perhaps 5 or 6 mains always looks good to me and the prices seemed pretty reasonable for this quality of food in Whitstable.
Although I was not really bowled over by Whitstable itself I would definitely return to Samphire if I find myself in town again.

A nice place for breakfast (black pudding is lovely as is the Bircher muesli) however the evening menu is unpredictable, sometimes it’s just right and other times bizarre. Friendly service.

Went here just for a coffee and a quick snack with my mother and have been vowing to go back. The service and food were good and the chalk board of seasonal, homemade evening meals looked very tempting.

Very pleasant coffee shop/​restaurant.
Menu changes during the day.
I went at 11am and had breakfast, very good scrambled eggs on toast and good latte.
Very popular, the full English looked very tempting.
Good service, but not too speedy.