Best Drunk Food in Canterbury this Freshers!

Alex Charilaou 21 September 2021

Images courtesy of Unsplash (Alexander Mils)

If you’re a new fresher descending on Canterbury this week, there’s every possibility you’re going to be stumbling out of Spoons, Venue or Chem, and are going to be looking for some amazingly inexpensive drunk food. Although it’s sometimes hard to beat a Maccies or a KFC, throughout this issue we’re highlighting some fantastic independent food joints in Canterbury that we highly recommend. Whether you’re craving a greasy burger and chips, or something more exotic - meaty veggie or vegan, we’ve got everything covered!

Kebabs: Efes

Hands down the best kebab shop in Canterbury – and a convenient two minute walk away from big Sainsbury’s, as well as a few doors down from the wonderful Penny Theatre – I cannot overstate the pleasures of a massive doner kebab from Efes, drenched in their legendary burger sauce and garlic mayo, getting stuffed down after a few Aperols. It’s transformative. An especially honourable mention also for the cheesy chips, my partner’s favourite: the soporific aftereffects are best enjoyed at home, slumped in bed, Netflix-scrolling.

Other good kebab places in Canterbury: Ocakbasi of Kent, Munchies, Jasper’s.

Photos courtesy of Unsplash (Suad Kamardeen)

Burger: Rad Burger

Self-defined ‘slap up street food for the masses’, Rad Burger are, indeed, rad. You might well see their stall outside Venue when you’re out this week, and if you do, why not treat yourself? Their namesake radical burger, which I am faultlessly loyal to when I drunk-takeout, is simply delicious: a succulent steak patty, halloumi, bacon, and salad, all on a homemade toasted brioche bun. Tout simplement délicieux. For vegetarian burger enjoyers (I salute you), I’d suggest looking no further than the falafel and halloumi burger, no less a challenge than the meat options and no less a reward. On the other hand, if you have greater self-restraint than I, opt for the halloumi or rosemary fries, both of which make for a wonderful, light drunk snack.

Other good burger joints: Notorious BRG, Chuck and Blade Burgers.

Photos courtesy of Unsplash (Amirali Mirhashemian)

Indian: Masala Gate

Who among us has not longed for a post-night out curry? Having wondered out of Glitterbomb, or one of the many pubs in town, who has not fantasised of being guided home by the piquant aroma of a bhuna, rogan or daal? Masala Gate is one of the best Indian takeaways in the city, and I can think of nowhere better to get an after-booze spice fix. Wonderfully, you can choose a range of fillings for a wide selection of curries: aside from a range of meat options, you can opt for vegetables, paneer or prawn. While I always go for a paneer jalfrezi (with pilau rice and a garlic naan), I must also vouch unorthodoxly for the chingri safrani, a richly aromatic sweet and sour king prawn dish which always, bafflingly, sits well after a heavy night.

Other good Indian places: Cinnamon, Kashmir Tandoori.

Whether you’ve ventured out to a club or pub this week, however tempting a Maccies or a Spoons dinner is, spare a thought for the tasty, affordable, independent restaurants and takeaways in Canterbury – they never miss!