The Marlowe Theatre

You don't need tickets to appreciate what's happening at this theatre café – the kitchen actually knows what it's doing. Tucked inside Canterbury's flagship theatre on The Friars, this isn't your typical interval-refreshment spot serving sad sandwiches and overpriced wine. The menu changes regularly and shows genuine ambition, with dishes that wouldn't look out of place in a proper restaurant. Whether you're grabbing lunch before wandering the Cathedral Quarter or need somewhere civilised for dinner that won't break the bank, it delivers on both fronts. The space feels surprisingly spacious and light, a world away from cramped theatre bars, and the staff seem genuinely pleased to see you rather than counting down to curtain call. Open Tuesday through Sunday with proper hours, so you can actually plan around it.