Reviews of Stark

It's not easy to get a table here, but well worth trying. A quirky, intimate, stylish place, with friendly and knowledgeable service. Chef Ben (who you can't help but see working at close quarters) does his talking through his work: you don't get a say in what you have for dinner at Stark, and nor should you. This guy knows what he's doing. Divine!

The food was wonderful, let's get that addressed immediately. The wine pairings were not. I read a review from a local critic saying that it was more like corner shop than fine dining... I agree completely. The wine let the meal down. The service was fine, as to be expected from only having one staff member outside the kitchen. Odd to have to keep your cutlery through the courses, but sustainable I suppose. You'll likely be aware there are only 5 tables, 4x 2 and 1x 4. However, what isn't clear is that one of the tables for two is up against the bar/kitchen so you're sat side by side instead of opposite. Having sat at the bar table, I had a reasonable view of the kitchen area, amazing that chef cooks all of the amazing food from such a small space and only a couple of electric induction hobs etc. However, it was also easy to see that it wasn't all that clean... The cupboard above the shelves was smeary and needed cleaning/polishing. I'm not saying it was dirty, but it definitely needed a spring clean. The music played was varied, from Eminem to Rihanna to Joan and the Jets etc. I certainly haven't been sworn at in a restaurant before, not a complaint! Just a quirk adding to the experience. I'm glad we visited and we had an enjoyable evening but I don't think I would hurry back, it's not the easiest place to reach and I'm on the fence as to whether it was worth the 2 hour journey each way.

Reached even greater heights! Last visited in its earlier days of December 2018. On that occasion the food was superb, Ben had an extraordinary skill in creating the most fascinating dishes. Its inability to cater to fussy picky diners was constrained by Ben’s apparently magical ability to create brilliant food from a micro kitchen. This visit they have now moved to a marginally larger venue. Sophie works the front of house superbly. It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that on this visit the food has indeed improved! Not only has refined the presentation but the flavours and textures are even better. It’s not easy to think of new superlatives to describe this experience. Ben creates a fascinating selection of tastes/flavours and textures to excite the palate. Both my dining companion and I were amazed by the amuse bouche and were very clear that each course following was an improvement, if that’s possible until the second dessert matched the best we recently had at 3* Sketch, with its famous multi dessert. I would strongly recommend people come to experience this quite exceptional place. Thank you Ben and Sophie, we loved the experience and everything about it was so memorable.

Really great Michelin star restaurant in Broadstairs. We'll worth a visit. Comic book character art, gorillaz album covers on the wall make a really cool casual atmosphere with really really great and interesting food combinations and wine pairings. Tame impala, Kings of Leon, sweet disposition music was also just what we like and set it apart from some of the other Michelin star places we have visited. Probably one of our favourites will definitely go again. If I get organised ahead of time to make a reservation in summer.

Exceptional from start to finish. We ate in Dos, Stark’s sister restaurant and enjoyed the set sharing menu that was on offer. It was an unbelievable combination of excellent service, atmosphere, value and most importantly food. We had ten courses of sharing plates ranging from octopus and pork, lamb tacos and wagyu beef. It was truly a once in a lifetime meal. I’m amazed it’s not as fully booked as the main Stark restaurant, the young chef was out of this world. Am already booked to go back and can’t wait.

Had the most amazing meal and experience at Stark, Broadstairs, every course beautiful, stunning. Cleo looked after us, attentive welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable, whilst Ben cooked each course to perfection to a great playlist. We went for the wine pairings to match which worked with each course. The attention to detail in every area, the food, wine, decor, the serving plates, everything, fantastic! Please keep doing what you are doing the concept is unique and well worth the wait in booking. Thank you.

We had such an amazing evening at Stark. The food was to die for, and the service delightful. We had the chance to chat with Ben and Sophie the hard working owners at the end of the night, and they were lovely. One of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had. Quite how they manage to provide food of this standard for ten people per sitting, with just the two of them is beyond me!