A Foodie’s Guide to Staying at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
For travellers who believe great holidays should come with great food, a stay at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve offers a culinary experience as memorable as the wildlife encounters.
Nestled within 600 acres of Kent countryside, this extraordinary reserve combines luxury accommodation, immersive safari experiences and exceptional dining. From elegant dinners in a historic mansion to wood-fired pizza beneath olive trees, Port Lympne has something for every kind of foodie.
Even better, many of the reserve’s most iconic accommodations are perfectly paired with its restaurants, making it easy to plan a food-focused staycation in Kent.
Luxury Stays with Fine Dining at The Garden Room
Guests staying in Lion Lodge, Tiger Lodge and Port Lympne Mansion Hotel, are perfectly positioned to enjoy one of the reserve’s most refined dining experiences: The Garden Room Restaurant & Bar.
Set within the former stable yard of the historic Sassoon estate, The Garden Room blends Mediterranean-inspired interiors with classic British cooking. Chandeliers glow overhead while botanical cocktails are mixed behind the elegant brass-topped bar, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Only the finest quality local ingredients
Executive Chef Lee Edney’s menus celebrate the best of Kent’s produce, with ingredients sourced from local growers and artisanal suppliers. Expect dishes that showcase seasonal vegetables, locally sourced meats and fresh fish, all thoughtfully prepared with bold flavours.
The Garden Room Restaurant Menus
Food lovers can enjoy dishes such as:
- Slow cooked porchetta with cassoulet and gremolata
- Braised beef ragu with fresh pappardelle
- Classic fish pie with salmon, haddock, cod and prawn
- Indulgent desserts like sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel
Pair your meal with a glass of Kentish wine or locally brewed ale, then step outside to a starry sky over the reserve - perhaps even hearing the distant calls of the animals.
Breakfast Sample Menu Lunch Sample Menu Dinner Sample Menu Children's sample menu Children's Sample Breakfast Menu Sunday roast Sample Menu Children's Sunday Roast Sample Menu
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It’s fine dining, but with a wonderfully wild twist.
Pizza, Pasta and Relaxed Dining at Babydoll’s
For guests staying in Leopard Creek or Hog Deer Creek, dinner plans often involve a fun and delicious evening at Babydoll’s Wood-Fired Pizza, just a short drive away in your personal golf buggy - included in your stay.
This vibrant Italian-inspired restaurant serves up authentic sourdough pizzas, fresh pasta and antipasti, all prepared in an open kitchen where guests can watch the chefs at work.
The atmosphere is relaxed and lively - perfect after a day exploring the reserve with family or friends.
A Conservation Legacy
Babydoll
The restaurant takes its name from Babydoll, a beloved gorilla from the our sister park Howletts Wild Animal Park, adding a charming conservation connection to the dining experience. Babydoll sadly passed away in 2018 at the grand old age of 55. She was adored by the Aspinall family and all who looked after her.
Highlights from the menu include:
- Wood-fired sourdough pizzas topped with buffalo mozzarella
- Rigatoni with fennel sausage and parmesan
- Tagliatelle ragu with slow cooked beef
- Classic Italian desserts like tiramisu and affogato
Enjoy a glass of prosecco, share a pizza on the veranda or beneath the olive trees on a summer's eve and soak up the relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Sample Lunch Menu Sample Dinner Menu Sample Children's Menu Sample Takeaway Menu
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An authentic taste of Italy with a dash of conservation.
Family Feasting at Bear Lodge Restaurant
Families staying at Bear Lodge have their own dining destination right on the doorstep.
The Bear Lodge Restaurant offers informal, family-friendly dining overlooking the spectacled bear habitat. With panoramic views across the reserve and the Kent coastline beyond, it’s one of the most scenic places to enjoy a relaxed meal.
The menu focuses on home-cooked classics and comforting favourites, perfect after a day of adventure.
Guests can enjoy dishes such as:
- Breaded scampi with chips
- Slow cooked lamb shoulder
- Butter chicken masala with pilaf rice
- Hearty burgers and vegetarian options
Sunday roasts are particularly popular, featuring roast sirloin of beef or roast chicken with all the traditional trimmings.
Dinner Sample Menu Breakfast Sample Menu Children's Sample Menu Takeaway Dinner Sample Menu Takeaway Breakfast
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With its cosy veranda bar serving Kent ales, wines and spirits, Bear Lodge is the ideal place for families to unwind together.
Afternoon Tea at the Historic Mansion
No foodie stay at Port Lympne would be complete without indulging in afternoon tea at the historic mansion.
Served at Port Lympne Mansion Hotel, this quintessentially British experience takes place in the same elegant surroundings once enjoyed by famous guests such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin.
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Traditional tiered stands arrive filled with:
- Freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam
- Delicate finger sandwiches
- Beautiful pastries and cakes
Guests can pair their decadent treats with Birchall loose leaf blends or upgrade to a sparkling afternoon tea with a glass of award-winning Gusbourne English sparkling wine.
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It’s a wonderfully indulgent way to pause during a day exploring the reserve.
Local Ingredients, Kentish Flavours
Across all of Port Lympne’s restaurants, one thing remains constant: a commitment to locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Being located in the heart of English wine country, the kitchens have access to exceptional produce from nearby farms, dairies and fisheries. From garden vegetables to artisan cheeses and Kentish brews, every dish celebrates the flavours of the region.
A Culinary Safari in the Kent Countryside
Whether you’re enjoying fine dining beneath chandeliers, wood-fired pizza with friends or a classic afternoon tea in a historic mansion, a stay at Port Lympne offers something rare: a holiday where wildlife adventure and exceptional food come together.
For food lovers seeking something truly different, it may just be one of the most delicious staycations in Kent.
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