We are open and can’t wait to welcome you back.
We recommend you call us to book in advance for food. Walk-ins are welcome for both food and drinks, although you may have to wait for an available table. Please visit our Guidelines page ahead of your visit.
Excellent!!!
TripAdvisorVery friendly and helpful service. Very attentive and nothing too much trouble. Good advice on different beers and lagers and what would go with food order. The food was excellent, well cooked and presented. No need to go to the bar as additional drinks brought to table. Overall a really great experience in a historic city centre venue. The first night impressed that we ate there the following day. The wine bar also very pleasant with great staff. Thursday's live entertainment definitely worth listening too. Next visit to Canterbury we will be back!!
Davidctc
With a name like The Shakespeare, you’d expect nothing less than best-of-British fare - and this Canterbury dining pub doesn’t disappoint.
An elegant establishment with an adjoining wine bar, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy dinner and drinks, with a firm focus on beautiful home-grown ingredients.
Join us for traditional British classics, Kentish gourmet burgers and artisanal sharing boards, or simply pop in for a peaceful pint. Indeed, even the ales and lagers here have a local flavour, brewed just 10 miles away by Shepherd Neame in Faversham.
And if you prefer grape to grain, why not unwind next door in Shakespeare’s wine bar? Home to more than 45 beautiful bottles, it’s the perfect spot to relax after work with an old favourite - or you can embark on a voyage of vintage discovery by booking a superb tasting session.
It’s all to be found right in the heart of Canterbury, just a short stroll from the famous cathedral. A warm welcome awaits.
"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come!"
The Shakespeare Wine Bar
Stroll through the adjoining courtyard at the back of The Shakespeare, and you’ll find a relaxed and elegant wine bar - the perfect place to unwind after work.
Among the best wine bars in Canterbury, there’s a wonderful range of 45 new and old world wines to savour here, available by the glass and by the bottle.
And for those feeling spoilt for choice, how about a ‘wine flight’? A chandelier-style taster tray offering three 50ml samples, it’s the ideal way to find a new favourite…or three.
Formal tastings with a sommelier can also be booked. So whether you want to channel the connoisseur within, or simply fancy a glass of an old faithful, make The Shakespeare’s wine bar your next destination for drinks.
What our customers say
Cozy, stylish, excellent food. Came to England wanting to try bangers & mash and fish n chips and this place gave us both with excellence! Prices are a tad higher than other pubs, but worth it for the atmosphere and quality of food! Enjoyed a cozy corner to watch the rain, write postcards, and eat slowly. Wonderful!
M Prins, Nov 15, 2019
Hidden gem - You'll only have to venture a bit off the main road to reach this place, so it's definitely worth looking for. I was glad our boat guide on the Historic River Tour recommended it when we asked where he would eat if he had the choice. We were seated and waited upon quickly. The beer selection was slightly above average. My husband and I are, admittedly, beer snobs who are always on the lookout for more than cask ales. We ordered the seafood board to share. Amazing. Crayfish, delicious calamari (not at all rubbery as can so often be the case), prawns, smoked salmon, bread, tartar sauce, and capers. We ordered an extra side of bread since we didn't know the seafood board included it. Oh well, I stuffed myself on it nonetheless. No regrets on this restaurant choice!
wyotravels
A nice surprise - On a day out to Canterbury last Thursday we were looking for somewhere for lunch when we came upon The Shakespear, I wasn't sure at first if they did a sandwich. We were greeted by very friendly staff, soon put us right. Really a very tasty open sandwich with plenty of topping. The food of the other customers looked good too. My husband had a good pint and my red wine was very enjoyable
edwinap
superb lunch stop off - Could not fault this place - great selection of wines and beers, menu offered plenty of choice - we had a platter - it was gorgeous - the ambience and layout just works and the staff were great - not too extreme on the pocket either
DianeC
TripAdvisorWhere the locals go for a delicious and reasonably priced meal? - A local merchant recommended the Shakespeare. We were all exhausted from a long day of touring. We were greeted by our waitress, Chloe. She was friendly and helpful. We all ordered different things. We were all very happy with our food. The service was quick. The food was flavorful. We would definitely go back.
MelindaMercer
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