Hide and Fox

Hide and Fox, modern British cuisine in Saltwood (Kent)

Hide and Fox is a neighbourhood restaurant located in the heart of Saltwood, near Hythe, in Kent. It opened its doors in June 2019 on the initiative of chef Allister Barsby and manager Alice Bussi, and occupies a charming space that was once the village shop. The offering focuses on modern British cuisine, served in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, with attention to seasonal ingredients from selected suppliers and a carefully chosen wine list.

Tasting menus and seasonal cuisine

The restaurant offers two creative tasting menus, available at both lunch and dinner. The menus are prepared according to the season and product availability, and change frequently, sometimes daily. The published menu includes examples such as Cornish bluefin tuna with apple ponzu, English wasabi and lovage; Noire de Crimée tomato consommé with smoked eel and basil; Longland Farm chicken dumpling with master stock, shiitake and black truffle; native blue lobster risotto with yuzu kosho and fine herbs; wild turbot with crown prince squash, brown shrimp and jalapeño; East Kent lamb with nasu aubergine, watercress, grelot onion and black garlic; and desserts such as buttermilk and fig leaf panna cotta with lime, or Peach Melba with raspberry, vanilla and yuzu.

The pricing structure shown on the website includes a five-course menu for £110, with the option of wine pairing for £85 or English wine pairing for £95; an eight-course menu for £145, with pairing for £105 or English wine pairing for £125; and a vegetarian five- or eight-course menu at the same prices. There is also a three-course menu for £65, available only with advance booking and only at lunch and dinner on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Some dishes, such as the lobster risotto or Bath Soft cheese, carry a supplement indicated on the menu.

Wine cellar and bar

The wine selection combines references from Kent with emerging regions such as Georgia, Croatia and Macedonia. The restaurant also maintains an elaborate bar list. The Michelin Guide 2025 highlighted the skill of the kitchen, with dishes such as an exceptional raviolo or a glistening turbot, the use of the best products from Kent's larder and a wine list that looks towards emerging regions, as well as attentive and professional service.

Awards

The restaurant holds two Michelin stars in 2026 and three AA rosettes in 2026. In 2026 it received the Independent Restaurantaurs of the Year award at the Cateys, which recognise the hospitality sector as a whole. Alice Bussi was named Food and Beverage Manager of the Year at the Hotel Cateys in 2018.

Background of the owners

Allister Barsby and Alice Bussi have developed their careers in prestigious establishments in Italy, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Barsby spent fifteen years in kitchens in England and Wales until reaching executive chef, and returned to the south-east of England to embark on his first own venture. Bussi accumulated experience in relevant European properties and in the United Kingdom worked with Michelin-starred chefs and at award-winning establishments.

Service, house rules and reservations

The restaurant applies a cancellation policy that charges £75 per person for bookings not honoured in whole or in part, including reductions in the number of diners, or cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice; the charge is applied to the card provided and is not discretionary. Guests are asked to silence their phones and avoid calls or sounds in the dining room. The dress code is smart casual, with no sportswear or swimwear. Parking is on the street. Dogs are not allowed. Children under 12 may only attend at lunch, with a three-course menu from the tasting menu for £55; there is no children's menu or highchairs. From 12 years old, the regular menus apply. A discretionary 12.5% service charge is added to the bill. Access has one step at the entrance, with an accessible flat floor inside.

The restaurant organises events, such as an annual wine dinner in collaboration with Simpson's Wine, and offers gift vouchers. The company is listed as Hide and Fox Limited, with company number 11768245 and VAT 323956195.

Location and contact

The Green, Saltwood, Hythe, Kent, United Kingdom, CT21 4PS · Phone: 01303260915 · Email: restaurant@hideandfox.co.uk · Hours: Lunch: Wednesday to Saturday. Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.