I moved to Deal in Kent five years ago during lockdown. The plan was to escape the empty streets and extortionate rent in London and return once everything had returned to normal. Suffice to say, that didn’t happen, and I’m still here five years later. While I do have my gripes with the town, I am not ashamed to admit I have fallen in love with the place. There’s nothing better than meandering down a bustling high street packed with independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs on a Saturday morning.

In fact, one of my favourite pastimes is going for a slice of cake on a Saturday afternoon after spending hours hunting for Christmas and birthday presents for my friends and family. While the summer months are indeed warmer and the town is more lively, Deal comes into its own in the autumn. Christmas lights start to appear, lighting up the pretty high street on damp, overcast afternoons. The shop windows come alive with festive displays, and the smell of freshly baked pastries and pub dinners fills the air.

It’s also a calmer experience overall. I often find myself avoiding Deal High Street and the seafront during the summer, when they’re packed with tourists queueing for ice cream, precariously carrying pints of beer in plastic cups, or fishing off Deal Pier.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad it’s busy. Without these visitors in the summer, many of the local businesses would struggle the rest of the year.

Deal’s brilliant independent shops and cafes are part of its appeal. You’ll find a few essential chains at one end of the high street—Superdrug, Boots, Costa and Starbucks—but most of the shops in town are independent businesses.

Barkened, a small independent shop at the North end of the high street, is one of my favourites. It’s filled with hand-picked pieces that make wonderful gifts for dog-lovers and homeware enthusiasts.

If you’re looking for unique gifts and eclectic clothing, Urban Chic is the place to go. You’ll be greeted by an array of colourful womenswear, sunglasses, gifts, cards, bags and homeware. Urban Chic is one of my go-to shops for Christmas gifts because I’m always guaranteed to find something different that I can’t get anywhere else.

The Little Purple Wardrobe, located down St George’s Passage just off the high street, is a real hidden gem filled with pre-loved designer and high street women’s clothes, shoes, hats and accessories.

It’s always my first port of call when I’m looking for something to wear for a special occasion or I’m simply after some good quality clothing.

Just off the high street on the corner of Stanhope Road, visitors will find a truly unique shop—Pop! Vintage and Retro.

Filled to the brim with vintage and retro items, vinyl, enamel signs, collectables, furniture and more, it’s the perfect stop if you’re looking for a gift for that zany uncle or that friend who has everything.

A weekly market is held on Saturday mornings from 9am until 2pm in the Union Road car park at the north end of the high street.

During this time, the end of the high street is closed to cars and pedestrianised, allowing the high street to come alive with visitors and locals buying everything from fresh bread and pastries to bouquets of flowers and local eggs, fruit, and vegetables.

There are a plethora of stalls selling items such as fresh flowers, china, vintage clothes, books, furniture, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts, and delicious cakes.

Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s lovely to wander around on a Saturday morning with a coffee from Real Deal Roasters. I often buy freshly cut flowers and eggs from there as they tend to be cheaper and better than supermarket alternatives.

Recently, I’ve made it my mission to try all of Deal’s eating spots—a task that I may not manage to complete due to the sheer number of them.

A few weeks ago, I visited Little Harriettes of Deal Tea Rooms on a whim for some warm scones and a pot of tea. The experience was delightful, and the whole lunch cost less than £20. It included a portion of homemade soup with bread, two pots of tea, and two large warm scones with jam and clotted cream.

The staff were wonderfully attentive and friendly, which automatically put me at ease. The interior was exactly how you’d imagine a traditional Victorian tea room: complete with a small chandelier, an old-fashioned till, vintage furniture, a cake counter, and tea served in floral bone china.

If you’re not keen on tea and cakes, there are plenty of savoury options on the menu, including vegetable tarts, sandwiches and soup.

Last week, I visited Miretti, located on the North end of the high street. I must admit I’ve been walking past the cafe for the last few years, making a promise to myself to visit at some point.

On a cool autumn afternoon, I made good on that promise and went along for a slice of cake and a decaffeinated coffee.

The small cafe is run by a friendly couple with a small selection of homemade cakes, chocolates and Italian biscuits on offer alongside illy coffee and hot chocolate.

While the selection is small, the coffee and food items I tried were sublime. I had a small dark chocolate praline truffle that was rich, nutty and decadent, and a set vanilla custard cake that was creamy and perfectly sweet.

Sitting at a table on the pavement, it was lovely sipping coffee and taking the occasional bite of cake while watching the world go by.

Miretti is now firmly on my list of must-visit spots on Deal High Street.

Brimming with trendy eateries and foodie hotspots, it’s hard to pinpoint the best pubs and restaurants in Deal.

Last year, renowned food critic Grace Dent named the Japanese-inspired restaurant Blue Pelican, located on Beach Street, one of her restaurants of the year. Meanwhile, Jay Rayner praised The Rose on Deal High Street a few years ago for its “impressive cooking”.

I have yet to visit either for food, but I’ve heard nothing but great things from both visitors and locals.

For a delicious supper opposite the beach, I personally love 81 Beach Street, a bistro which serves great steak and seafood dishes at reasonable prices.

I’d also recommend The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, which is part of The Royal Hotel on the seafront. During the warmer months, you can grab a table out front and watch the waves lap at the shingles on the beach below.

In the autumn, you’ll probably want to sit inside to avoid the cold winds, but you still get a lovely view of the ocean.

For breakfast, I always recommend Goose on the Green and The Corner Cafe in Walmer and The Lane in South Court, just off Deal High Street.

All three have slightly different offerings, but they all have friendly, attentive staff and good-quality produce at reasonable prices.

After a leisurely walk along the pier and back on a Sunday, I’d highly recommend making your way to The Ship Inn on Middle Street.

It’s an old school pub with rickety wooden chairs, candles on tables and friendly staff who’ll happily stop to have a chat with you. During the winter months, they have a roaring fire that gives the whole establishment an inviting warm glow, filling the air with a pleasant smoky scent that always reminds me of autumn.

It’s also one of the few places you can still get a pint for less than £4.

Overall, I love living in Deal. There’s always something going on, and there is never enough choice when it comes to good food spots.