The Goods Shed
Canterbury, Kent
Since opening in 2000, this rustic but comfortable restaurant tucked within a farmers' market in a large, characterful converted railway shed next to Canterbury West station has made a big impression. Even after all these years, locals seem well aware of what a gem they have on their doorstep: ‘It has been our "go to" restaurant for the last 20 years and, hand on heart, I have never been disappointed,' noted one regular. Huge arched windows and mismatched wooden furniture help to create a relaxed, cosy and rustic atmosphere, and ‘when the lights are dimmed and the candles come out in the evening, it makes for a very intimate dining experience’. Jackson Berg (ex Barletta, Margate) has taken over the kitchen and delivers a short menu that’s an exciting mix of good, seasonal ingredients (many sourced from the market stalls) overlaid with flashes of Mediterranean vibrancy. Start with pork rillettes, cornichons and toast or cured sea bass with citrus, shallots and capers, ahead of lemon sole with fried potatoes and hollandaise or roasted pork loin with celeriac parmentier, anchovy and peppercorns. Readers have also praised the ‘little touches... delicious breads, proper linen napkins’, the ‘charming’ staff, and ‘the excellent value for money’. In addition, there’s a brief, efficient list of European (and English) wines.
