Must-Try Foods In St Augustine's Abbey (Canterbury) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, United Kingdom

The food history of St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury is deeply entwined with the monastic life that flourished there since the abbey's founding by St. Augustine in 598 AD. As a monastic community, the Benedictine monks who lived in the abbey would have followed a diet dictated by the monastic rule, which typically included bread, vegetables, and fruits, with fish and eggs being permitted on certain days. Meat was largely abstained from due to the vows of simplicity and piety the monks took. Food was not just a form of sustenance but also a part of their spiritual discipline.

During medieval times, the abbey would have been a center for hospitality, serving food to travelers and the poor. The Abbey’s gardens and farmlands would have been used to grow various herbs and vegetables, while orchards would provide fruits. Beekeeping for honey and wax was also a common monastic activity. The English cuisine has evolved over the years, but the historical significance of dishes prioritizing grains, vegetables, and dairy can be rooted back to such monastic practices.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes at St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury

1. Fish and Chips - A British classic, featuring battered and fried fish served with chips (french fries). This is a non-veg staple in British cuisine.
2. Cream Tea - Enjoy a pot of tea accompanied by scones, clotted cream, and strawberry jam, a perfect vegetarian treat for the afternoon.
3. Ploughman’s Lunch - A traditional vegetarian dish with cheese, bread, pickles, and often apples, perfect for a light and hearty meal.
4. Vegetable Pasty - Encased in flaky pastry, the veggie pasty is stuffed with a variety of vegetables and is a delicious vegetarian option.
5. Mushy Peas - A simple yet essential British side dish of peas mashed with butter and seasoning, it is a vegetarian side that complements many British main courses.
6. Eton Mess - A delectable vegetarian dessert made from strawberries, broken meringue, and whipped cream.
7. Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie - A meat-free version of the classic, using lentils or soy instead of meat, making it a hearty vegetarian option.
8. Bubble and Squeak - Made from cooked potatoes and cabbage, this vegetarian dish is a favorite British comfort food often served for breakfast.
9. Raspberry Trifle - A luscious vegetarian dessert layered with sponge cake, jelly, fruit, custard, and cream.
10. Vegetarian Full English Breakfast - A fry-up that substitutes meat with vegetarian sausages and extra portions of beans, mushrooms, and tomatoes to keep it vegetarian.

Top Famous Restaurants in St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury

Deeson's British Restaurant

25-26 Sun St, Canterbury CT1 2HX - A cozy restaurant known for traditional British cuisine. Famous for their homemade Vegetarian Pies and seasonal non-veg game dishes.

The Goods Shed

Station Road West, Canterbury CT2 8AN - This daily farmers' market and food hall offers a range of locally sourced produce. Their in-house restaurant serves top-notch non-veg roasts and fresh vegetarian options.

Vegetarian Café

43 Palace Street, Canterbury CT1 2DZ - As the name suggests, this café specializes in vegetarian and vegan dishes, with menu highlights including their Vegetarian Breakfast and Vegetarian Lasagna.

The Ambrette

14-15 Beer Cart Ln, Canterbury CT1 2NY - An Indian-inspired restaurant with an emphasis on local produce. They serve both non-veg and vegetarian options, with dishes like their aromatic Vegetable Biryani.

Yorke's Folly Coffee House

Yorke's Folly, North Holmes Road, Canterbury CT1 1QJ - This delightful spot is great for a light lunch or a sweet treat, with their afternoon tea and vegetarian scones being particularly popular.