How to spend your time in Ramsgate

Ramsgate is a rapidly changing town, with new venues popping up frequently over the last year making now the perfect time to visit. 

There are lots of bars and restaurants to try out, as you wander along the harbour and into town. If you’re around at the right time, you can also catch one of its great festivals, including Ramsgate Festival of Sound and Ramsgate Winter Festival. 

It’s a great place for music and comedy, thanks to places like Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate Arts Club and The Alley Bar. And we shouldn’t forget to mention that it’s home to the largest Wetherspoon’s in the world. 

Sometimes overlooked in favour of nearby Margate and Broadstairs, Ramsgate has a lot to offer, whether you’re coming for a weekend or longer. Take your pick from the ideas for things to do below, and don't forget to talk a walk around to see some of Thanet's best architecture too.

Things to do in Ramsgate

Ramsgate Main Sands

Ramsgate’s harbour and port dominate the view from the town’s seafront, but tucked away just out of sight is a lovely 250 metre stretch of sandy beach. In easy reach of the bars, cafes and restaurants along Harbour Parade and the train station, it’s a great spot for building sand castles, as well as the ideal beginning or end of a long walk along the coastline. 

Ramsgate Music Hall

This highly respected (and award-winning) grassroots music venue is known for putting on an eclectic mix of artists, both new and established. Despite only having room for 150 people in its main room, it’s attracted some big names over the years, including Neneh Cherry, Stereoland, Squarepusher, Kristen Hersh, Idles and Jarvis Cocker. The separate bar upstairs is great for a hang out before or after a show too.
3 Turner Street, CT11 8NJ. ramsgatemusichall.com

This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete

If you like pressing buttons, twiddling knobs and making noise, this is the place for you. Owned by musician and UK Eurovision entrant Sam Battle (aka Look Mum No Computer), it’s packed full of all manner of old tech that can be used to make music - whether than was the original intention or not. Usually not. Vintage synths, 80s computers, a church organ sired for sound, and even a telephone exchange. You’ll find it all here.
5-7 Church Walk, CT11 8RA. this-museum-is-not-obsolete.com 

Interview: UK Eurovision star Look Mum No Computer’s music and sound tech museum

Ever had the urge to push a mystery button? Strange Tourist visits This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete, where visitors are invited to do just that. Visitors are encouraged to make music and sound with old tech (whether it was designed to or not) and in the process learn about how it works

Strange TouristAndy Malt

Restaurants in Ramsgate

Seabird

Any trip to Ramsgate should include a visit to Seabird, a snug restaurant the prides itself on its hi-fi. The food is great too, with a carefully crafted menu that’ll have you planning your next booking so that you can eat your way through more of it. It also has an excellent wine list and a cosy bar area so that you can continue to hang out after you’ve finished your meal.
2-3 The Broadway, Addington Street, CT11 9JN. seabirdramsgate.com 

Royal Harbour Brasserie

Sitting on Ramsgate’s East Pier, the Royal Harbour Brasserie is a relaxed seafood restaurant with spectacular views out to see and back towards the town. Run by head chef Adrian Mowl, who trained at the Dorchester Hotel in London and has cooked for Queen Elizabeth II and King Gustav of Sweden. Enjoy a cocktail on the sun terrace in the summer and a mean roast in the winter.
East Pier Ramsgate Seafront, Royal Harbour Parade, CT11 8LS. royalharbourbrasserie.co.uk 

Noa Rooftop

Also offering great views, Noa Rooftop sits on top of the Granville Theatre allowing you to look down across the harbour from outside the main strip. Open Thursday to Sunday, it serves up cocktails and sourdough pizzas, with roasts on Sunday. If you’re still working up an appetite, you can also drop in for a drink too.
Victoria Parade, CT11 8DG. noarooftop.co.uk 

Bars and pubs in Ramsgate

Ramsgate Arts Club

Opened last year, this intimate basement bar with a decadent feel is a great spot for a cosy drink. They also put on regular comedy, music and club nights, if you’re looking for entertainment. There’s a great selection of drinks and you can also order cheese and charcuterie.
Old Wine Warehouse, Charlotte Court, CT11 8HE. ramsgatearts.club 

The Bedford Inn

This friendly, comfortable pub is a great one to drop into, whether you’re looking for a quick pint or planning to bed in. For the warmer months it has a good sized beer garden. There’s a nicely varied food menu, including roasts on Sundays. There are also rooms upstairs, if you need somewhere to stay, and look out for what’s on their newly opened venue downstairs in the basement.
29 West Cliff Road, CT11 9JP. thebedfordinn.co.uk 

The Fermentorium

This friendly bar has a good range of craft beers (and other beverages) as well as all the fermented foods you can think of. A great place for a chat over a board game, the venue also puts on regular events and talks.
38 King Street. CT11 8NT. fermentorium.uk 

Cafes in Ramsgate

Staple Stores

One of four Staple Stores across Thanet, the recently relocated Ramsgate branch now sits in a lovely, bright double fronted building on York Street. As well as your usual coffees and teas, it has a great range of sweet and savoury food to try. We’re big fans of the sandwiches. Take a left out of the cafe and walk a few doors down and you’ll find the cafe’s former home, which it’s now operating as an artisan ice cream parlour, Scoop.18-20 York Street, CT11 9DS. staplestores.co.uk 

Union

Occupying the front of this yoga studio is a good-sized, family-run vegetarian cafe, serving up a delicious menu of homemade food. Great food a coffee before or after a yoga session, or without the yoga session at all. The seats out front get lots of sun in the summer too. 
25-27 Queen Street, CT11 9DZ. instagram.com/hellounioncafe 

Coco Latino

If it’s chocolate you want, look no further than Coco Latino. Sure, it does drinks, food and cocktails, which is great. But it also has an in-house chocolatier. We can never resist popping in for some of their beautiful, handmade chocolate. The only difficulty is resisting asking for one of everything. 19 Military Road, CT11 9LG. instagram.com/cocolatino19/ 

Hotels in Ramsgate

The House

The House (formerly Albion House) is a lovely, hilltop boutique hotel with lovely rooms situated in a restored four story Georgian townhouse. It’s also great for a night out, with a spacious bar at the back and intimate restaurant at the front. Once you’re ready, you can stroll down into tow, enjoying the view across the harbour as you go. Albion Place, CT11 8HQ. albionhouseramsgate.co.uk

Royal Harbour Hotel

Located within easy reach of everything Ramsgate has to offer, this well done out hotel offers great seaviews (or lovely garden views, if you want to save a bit of money). It also prides itself on its art collection, which you can pursue on the walls. 10 Nelson Crescent, CT11 9JF​. royalharbourhotel.co.uk

The Book Hotel

Opening in May, the Book Hotel is the new iteration of the Falstaff. Taken over by author and owner of the Tales on Moon Lane bookshop Tamara Macfarlane. Each room is stocked with books from a different publisher, and the first floor function room puts on regular events. On the ground floor you’ll also find a carefully curated bookshop.16-18 Addington Street, CT11 9JJ. thebookhotel.uk