Fish and chips by the sea, gourmet cuisine, international dishes or a cosy pub meal; this district caters for all tastes.

And if your appetite is for alfresco dining, then Folkestone, Hythe, Romney Marsh and the Kent Downs offer plenty of perfect picnic spots including beautiful beaches, rolling hills and unspoiled landscapes.

Folkestone boasts a multitude of eateries, bars and pubs at the beach areas of Sunny Sands and Mermaid Beach. The Harbour area and Harbour Arm have a range of options, from award-winning restaurants such as Rocksalt, which regularly attracts celebrity diners, to smaller cafés or bars.

The town has its fair share of celebrity chefs too, with Gordon Ramsay alumnus Mark Sargeant behind the success of Smokehouse Fish and Chips as well as Rocksalt. Marco Pierre White has lent his name to the Steakhouse Bar and Grill at the Clifton Hotel, serving English and French classics.

The Creative Quarter is a foodies' paradise, with hidden gems such as Steep Street, where you can enjoy a coffee surrounded by vintage books. Veggie or vegan visitors are well catered for, with Beanos Vegetarian Café a local favourite.

And if you're looking for an evening haunt, for live music or a speciality ale, cider or wine, you'll find yourself spoilt for choice with a mouthwatering array of venues.

In Hythe, you can travel the world through your tastebuds, with everything from Asian to Turkish available. Fish fresh from the coastline is available at Hythe Bay, or take a short walk inland and over the Military Canal to the main high street with many cafés, restaurants and traditional pubs.

Romney Marsh has many pubs, from old village inns to modern wine bars, with rich histories and stories of smuggling and more. You will also find many restaurants, takeaways and tea rooms in the towns and villages, from the traditional with lace-embroidered tablecloths and fine china to more modern with vegan and organic fare. Or why not enjoy food with a view at one of the stations along the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway?

Local producers showcase their wares at the Sandgate Farmers' Market, on the first and third Saturday of every month, and Hythe boasts not one but two annual food festivals, in July and August.