A long-awaited rooftop restaurant with “sensational” views across Canterbury is to open this evening for the first time.

Socialite, which sits on the fifth storey above the city’s new Hampton by Hotel, will welcome diners through the doors from 5pm.

The grill-led venue in St Margaret’s Street can cater for about 180 guests, with dishes ranging from large three courses to light lunches.

Its launch - which was set to come last week - has been a long time in the making and finishing touches went down to the wire.

But with the restaurant now open, the team at Socialite are delighted to be serving up the city’s newest menu.

Operations director Anthony Hegney said: “It’s been a full-on final few weeks to get to this point.

“We’re really excited we’ve got something special to bring to Canterbury. The rooftop terrace is just sensational.

“We feel like we’re bringing something to Canterbury that the city has been waiting for.

“I don’t think there’s anything in the area like this.

“The feedback and support we’ve had from residents and businesses has been great - a lot of people are really excited about it.

“Between the inside and outside space, I think we’ll be able to cater for about 180 people. The menu is predominantly steaks, with some different dishes on there like fish and pasta.

“You can sit on the terrace and enjoy a cocktail or champagne while enjoying the view with something to eat.”

Diners enter the reception area next to the hotel in St Margaret’s Street, which opened last year after being built on the former Slatters Hotel site.

They then take a lift up to the fifth floor, which is split into three sections - an indoor restaurant area, lounge and the impressive-looking terrace.

The restaurant - open seven days a week - is the second Socialite in the country, with a smaller venue in Brighton opening in May last year.

Barry Vera, co-founder of the company, said: “There will be something for everyone. We create lifestyle venues and this is a nice, cool place.

“The terrace will be open all year round with heaters and umbrellas. We want it to be somewhere you can come for dinner with family and friends, or a regular place to drop in and have a couple of drinks.”

Zaw Htut, co-director of the development firm behind the hotel and restaurant project, explained: “I think it will be a great success - it’s an impressive place.

“Hotel guests are very excited for it and the restaurant will bring extra footfall to St Margaret’s Street.”