... The best quality ingredients cooked as simply as possible
Rocksalt's ethos hasn't changed since the doors first opened in 2011.
A Beautiful Space
With stunning views over the harbour and out into the English Channel, we have created an informal yet smart dining space as well as a stylish bar to while away the afternoon, or party in the evening. When designing the building we had a very clear vision of what we wanted Rocksalt to become, and that was an environment to suit everyone's needs.
Quality & Provenance...
Rocksalt serves the freshest fish possible caught from local day boats throughout the year, as well as the best quality meat bred in the surrounding countryside and marshlands. We want to become an integral part of our environment, so we do our very best to source everything as locally as we can. We are a proud Kentish restaurant and we are surrounded with an abundance of amazing produce well worth celebrating. Quality, locality, sustainability and provenance are words which really mean something to us at Rocksalt and we do our very best to uphold these values. Our aim is to build an outstanding reputation, become a great local restaurant for local people and carve out a place within Folkestone's heritage.
Meet our suppliers
Discover Folkestone
Change is in the air in Folkestone, especially around the harbour which is currently undergoing a regeneration project like nothing else on the South Coast of Kent. Huge strides have been made over the last 2 years with the restoration and opening of The Harbour Arm, a completely unique promenade stretching from the old railway station, which used to serve the working port, out to Folkestone Lighthouse. The walkway is lined with interesting restaurants, bars and pop up street food stalls to keep you fed and watered whilst taking in the 360 degree views back along the White Cliffs and out to sea.
Heading back inland you'll find The Old High Street and Creative Quarter leading up to the main town centre. A hub for all things creative, visitors can meander up the cobbled street, pop in and out of the various art galleries, workshops, cafes and creative spaces, with something to interest everyone.
... And Further Afield
Folkestone also possesses fabulous links across Kent and up to London with the High Speed train taking only 55 minutes between Folkestone Central and London St Pancras International station, perfect for a day trip up to the big smoke—or, if you are coming the other way, a sunny day down by the sea.
An Award-Winning Experience
"The chefs at Rocksalt take infinite joy in the bounty of local produce at their disposal, plundering both the ocean and the Garden of England, as Kent is often called. The kitchen’s use of virtually exclusively local produce means diners are introduced to new treasures…"
"Rocksalt is the restaurant overlooking Folkestone Harbour and was the vision of local philanthropist Sir Roger De Haan and his son Josh. It features in The Times and The Sunday Times Best Hotel in Kent list. Folkelife talks to Josh about how the restaurant came about."
"Over in Kent, you’ll find a modern foodie seaside haven in Folkestone, Rocksalt Rooms… The restaurant is the highlight of any stay here, but the rooms do their best compete – two have views of the harbour, with design details such as wrought-iron antique beds and exposed brickwork."
"The four rooms, located above the restaurant’s smokehouse, are compact and decorated in rustic industrial style… The star of the show is the catch-of-the-day seafood and locally sourced ingredients…"
"For a near perfect lunch by the sea, consider Rocksalt. Cantilevered above Folkestone’s walled harbour, this architectural feat stands in contrast to the 19th-century fishermen’s cottages that line the quay. Much of the seafood on the menu is landed by the boats spied through the curved, floor-to-ceiling glass wall that spans the length of the room. Bag a terrace table when the sun shines. "
"Afterwards, head to the beach: … to the west, Folkestone, where the Rocksalt Restaurant has seafood suppers and, if you’re not staying at the castle’s cottages, four rooms, including one for families."
"With vibes of Manhattan speakeasy by the sea, the space echos the bright and modern views of its downstairs restaurant counterpart by day, yet when the sun goes down, the rich green velvet bar stools, shining metallic bar and banquettes framed with textured cushions and intimate lamps bring a new air of sleek sophistication."
Fine and Focused... Rocksalt Wine Bar
InsideKENT
"With panoramic sea views overlooking the working harbour and English Channel, original antique beds and of course, fresh, seasonal, local dishes, Rocksalt boasts an eclectic wine list jam-packed with their love of classic and new world producers."
Restaurants With Rooms
InsideKENT
"For a weekend away from London by the sea, head to Folkestone in Kent and reward yourself with a meal at Rocksalt… right by the harbour, so you can enjoy views of the Channel while you dine…"
"Rocksalt’s ethos is built around seasonality, locality, and simplicity. Serving the best produce available from the south coast of Kent with a menu crafted to offer affordable fine dining…"
Rooms With a View
Coast Magazine
"Last summer we were delighted to welcome British chef Andi Oliver to Rocksalt for the day as she filmed for her new BBC Two series, Andi’s Fabulous Feasts, which is a celebration of food, different cultures and music as she travels the length and breadth of Britain. We had a fabulous time cooking two dishes together in Rocksalt kitchen and celebrating the best local and seasonal produce available to us in Kent…"
"Where to sip great wine and perfect places to stay near England’s finest vineyards
… Where better to match a trip to Gusbourne Estate than a stay at the Rocksalt Rooms in Folkstone? This seaside bolthole is known for its fresh cuisine expertly paired with excellent wines. Try the daily catch – maybe mackerel or whelks - plucked straight from the water into the kitchens."
"This is one of our favourite gourmet escapes. Sitting on the sun-bleached timber terrace of Rocksalt on a sunny day, overlooking brightly-coloured fishing boats bobbing on the water, it’s easy to forget you’re in England. The contemporary restaurant offers seasonal menus dedicated to local produce, a sophisticated bar serves food and cocktails virtually all-day and, with four lovely bedrooms in the adjacent harbourside Smokehouse, Rocksalt is the perfect little seaside bolthole."
"There’s a bounty of local produce on offer, both from the ‘Garden of England’ and from the sea. Sit back on the sun-drenched terrace and order the baked mussels, smoked bacon and Kentish gala cider followed by the Kentish gypsy tart – your belly will delight in the flavours…"
"This is the place to enjoy top-notch local food, and with four boutique bedrooms there’s somewhere to lay your head after dinner. The rooms are luxurious and romantic, decorated in a rustic style. Breakfast is delivered to your door in a hamper. Enjoy views of Folkestone’s harbour through the floor-to-ceiling French windows…"
"This is a print-it-on-a-postcard picture-perfect restaurant. You could easily spend an afternoon here, picking over seafood, toasting the weekend and daydreaming of life on the water…"
"When the sun’s midsummer illuminations dance on the ceaseless motion of the English Channel, Rocksalt’s restaurant terrace on Folkestone harbour becomes Shoreditch-on-sea. Served up are killer cocktails (the Metropole a sublimely seasonal mix of blood orange liqueur, Cinzano and Prosecco) and signature seafood delights…"
"Contrasting beautifully as worlds away from the traditional shops next door, this is a structure with floor to ceiling glass walls that give every table a view of the harbour, and on a clear day, France…"
"… Seriously good ingredients, and a kitchen confident enough to let them sing their own praises. Marvellous."
Tom Parker Bowles
The Daily Mail
Plan Your Visit
Check our opening hours below. We keep a number of tables available for walk-ins, alternatively you can book a table online or by calling 01303 212070.
Rocksalt also boasts a wide range of private dining options and menus, please visit the private hire section for more information.
BOOK A TABLE
For bookings of parties greater than 6 please call us on 01303 212070, otherwise, use the form below to book a restaurant table online. We accept parties of up to 10 people on weekdays and up to 8 on weekends.
We cater for all dietary requirements, please let us know when you book.
Other Rocksalt Booking Options
The Good Food Guide
The Good Food Guide was founded by Raymond Postgate in 1951 and today it remains the longest-standing and best selling guide to dining out in Great Britain. The Good Food Guide receives reports from members of the public throughout the year, and it's your list of recommendations that creates the long-list for possible inclusion.
We'd be delighted for diners at Rocksalt to take a few minutes to review us and share their dining experience with the Good Food Guide. It's free to do so and only takes a couple of minutes.
Leave a reviewFind Us
4–5 Fishmarket, Folkestone, Kent CT19 6AA
Nearest Train Station: Folkestone Central
Nearest Train Station: Folkestone Central
Get in Touch
General Enquiries
Call 01303 212070 or email info@rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk
To Make a Reservation
Call 01303 212070 or email reservations@therocksaltgroup.com
Press & Media Enquiries