EAT IT UP
English seaside town dubbed ‘Hackney-on-Sea’ is the best for foodies, according to top chefs
And The Sun has shared their top tips if you are planning a visit there
A SEASIDE town in the UK has won fans from top chefs, who have said it is a "weird small place" for some of the country's best meals.
Deal, in Kent, is also often dubbed Hackney-on-Sea, partly because of its amazing food and drink scene.
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Aaron Clark Potter, head chef and owner Wild Flowers restaurant raved about it as a weekend break destination for foodies.
Naming his favourite place, he said on the : "Updown Farmhouse, we went there last year and it was the best meal I had all year.
"Oli is one of the best cooks in the country. Real clever but simple food, cooked authentically."
Updown Farmhouse restaurant was even named as one of the best restaurants in country, in last year's National Restaurant Awards.
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He recommended The Rose, a hotel and restaurant run by chef Nuno Mendes, which also owns the nearby The Blue Pelican.
He added: "In this weird small place, there is all this amazing food."
The Pelican's Head Chef backed this up, telling: "It's certainly impressive for such a small town to now have so many good options."
Local chef Chef Jakob Grant added: "I do think the Deal food scene is developing.
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"I mean, it's not Margate yet, which has a good few established restaurants and so much space to work in, but I think some aspects are slowly coming over."
Other Deal highlights include The Frog & Scot, and the exclusive Dining Club where you have to become a member.
I live by one of the UK's best beaches - it has amazing pubs, fewer crowds and even views of France
Elsewhere in Deal, the town's famous pier is undergoing an £140million revamp.
Having first opened in 1838, parts of the lower deck are being rebuilt.
The pier itself remains open, with the popular cafe at the end being unaffected.
And history buffs should head to Deal Castle, built by Henry VII which is open to visitors.
Trains to Deal take around 1hr25 to London, arriving at London St Pancras station.
Elsehwere in Kent, another restaurant was named the best in the world by a famous chef.
Whitstable's The Sportsman's previous awards have included the Good Food Guide's Best Restaurant in 2024.
Chef Max Rocha, who runs London's Cafe Cecila, told Conde Nast Traveller: "This is my favourite restaurant in the world.
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What is it like to visit Deal?
The Sun's Kate Wickers previously visited Deal - here's what she thought.
"Devoid of vast amusement arcades, for kids keen to push pennies into slots the bijoux Deal Arcade is a family-run gem and there’s also a small children’s pool and pitch and putt near Walmer Green, where during summer months concerts are given from the bandstand.
"The retro Deal Parlour evokes 1960s seaside fun with its knickerbocker glories and chocolate sundaes. For dogs, they even serve a canine ’99.
"For foodies, there are acclaimed restaurants such as The Rose, 81, and The Dining Club, with Victuals & Co and Frog and Scot (a favourite for oysters, followed by steak frites) listed in the Michelin guide.
"Deal’s 313 metre-long brutalist concrete pier, built in 1957, has a stark beauty.
"Stroll along it, past fishermen wearily throwing back dogfish, to The Deal Kitchen, perfect for summer evening sunsets and far-reaching views to France."
"It really is the best restaurant and ticks all the boxes."
Kent even has a "golden triangle" of vineyards that beat some French wines - here's how to explore it.
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