Margate My Home From Home

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The Dichotomy of Style, Coolness & Why Iceland Is Closing While Local Food Thrives

Margate has always danced to its own rhythm – part faded seaside charm and nostalgia, part raw creative arty energy. It’s a town where contradictions not only coexist, but define its identity. Nowhere is this more starkly evident than the image of Iceland shutting its doors while independent food ventures flourish just a stone’s throw away.

I’ll admit it: I have a soft spot for Iceland. What? I hear you say – but yes there are a handful of products I return to time and time again. It is a store I rediscovered in lockdown, a nostalgic nod to simpler meals from another time.

At first glance, it’s just a supermarket closure. But look closer, and it signals a broader cultural and economic shift. Margate is changing. Not simply gentrifying, but evolving – redefining cool through community, provenance, and bold reinvention. Where we once valued convenience and affordability above all, today there’s a hunger for authenticity – quality, story-rich, locally sourced experiences. Iceland’s freezer-friendly model is beginning to feel out of sync with a town where sourdough bakeries, vegan brunch spots, and natural wine lists are setting the tone.

This is the heart of the dichotomy: mass-produced vs. considered, chain vs. independent, functional vs. soulful. And Margate? It thrives on that tension. The push and pull between its past and future is exactly what gives it allure. As one chain store fades out, queues form at micro-bakeries and supper clubs, where sharing menus speak of Kentish terroir and culinary ambition. It’s telling that Margate can support a global fashion name like Stüssy, but not Iceland. The town isn’t just cool – it’s curating its identity, one thoughtfully crafted experience at a time.

London’s Longest Standing Michelin-Starred Restaurant

I own and run Restaurant Pied à Terre – you might know that. And strangely enough, I see echoes of Iceland’s dilemma in my own world. Fine dining also wrestles with perception – of being outdated or inaccessible. Reinvention is vital. Evolution isn’t optional. Remaining relevant, staying inspired, being part of the cultural conversation – it’s a constant hustle. The goal? To stay ahead of the curve – not just riding trends, but creating them.

Is being London’s longest standing Michelin-starred restaurant the badge of honour I think it is or are we perceived as outdated and irrelevant? Everyone wants to dine at the newest spot, of course…

But at Pied à Terre, we’re not standing still – we’re constantly reimagining what fine dining can be. We champion plant-based tasting menus that resonate with a younger audience. We curate bespoke celebrations and private events in our elegant dining spaces, and we host intimate wine dinners with exceptional growers. We’re also proud to introduce our library collection – featuring some of the world’s finest wines – to a new generation of enthusiasts. Guests can roll up their sleeves in our immersive cookery classes or step behind the scenes into our Michelin-starred kitchen for a truly hands-on experience. And when it comes to service, we believe in reinventing the fine dining atmosphere: refined yet relaxed, never stuffy, always approachable and genuinely welcoming.

We’re not here to follow trends – we aim to set them. We are continually looking to reinvent, always hoping to be ahead of the curve, creating the bandwagon and not just jumping on one. And at the core of everything we do is an enduring passion for hospitality – timeless, heartfelt, and unwavering.

Margate Recommendations

Our family guide to eating out in Margate – no particular order, all favourites: Sargasso, Colina, Angela’s, Dory’s, Buoy & Oyster, Sète, Bottega Caruso, Lilie’s, Pomus, Darcy’s at 89 (best breakfast), Dive, Thao Thao, Mori Mori, Mannings Seafood stall in front of The Contemporary and my girls’ favourite GB Pizza.

Tip-top.

David Moore, Founder and Owner of Pied à Terre.