A polished, family-run Italian restaurant with excellent cooking and warm hospitality, best suited to special occasions and diners comfortable with premium pasta pricing and discretionary service charges.
Basil and Co Ristorante Italiano delivers strong food quality anchored by fresh ingredients and skillfully executed pasta, paired with notably attentive service that guests consistently praise. Occasional inconsistencies in execution and portion sizing keep it just short of the very top tier, though the warm family atmosphere and loyal following affirm its standing as a reliable special-occasion destination in Tankerton.
Basil and Co is the sort of Tankerton restaurant people happily build an evening around: a warm, polished dining room, attentive hosts, and a family-run welcome that makes celebrations feel genuinely personal. Guests describe being looked after from the moment they arrive, while acoustic treatment and comfortable seating help keep the room sociable rather than clamorous. One recurring impression is that the service makes diners feel like the most important table in the room. The cooking is recognisably Italian but more ambitious than a standard high-street trattoria, with handmade pasta, lobster, wild boar, scallops, truffle, and carefully plated Sunday dishes. The strongest praise goes to the pasta, bruschetta, scallops, and roast-style specials, while a handful of diners found some dishes salty, bland, unavailable, or too small for the price. It is a thoughtful, ingredient-led menu for food-focused dinners, with particularly impressive gluten-free and vegan flexibility. Families with adventurous older children can manage, but this is not an easy pick for young or picky eaters. Reviews specifically note the absence of a children's menu and limited willingness to resize adult dishes; the current menu offers sophisticated pasta, seafood, lamb, and aubergine rather than familiar children's staples. Ask ahead about a half portion or modification rather than assuming one will be available.
Area vibe: Quaint coastal town centred on the harbour and high street with a strong maritime and independent-trader character.
Safety: Generally safe and quiet with good lighting on main streets; some quieter residential roads after dark.
What's nearby: Near Tankerton slopes and beach, Whitstable harbour, restaurants, independent shops, and local train links to Canterbury and London.
The handmade pasta and scallops are the safest bets, but one popular ravioli dish may leave very hungry diners wanting more.
It is a warm special-occasion restaurant, but budget carefully and note the missing children’s menu, occasional small portions, and possible service charge.
Basil and Co pairs a comfortable, conversation-friendly dining room with unusually personal family-run hospitality.