Tunbridge Wells Restaurant Guide

2019 Review: “In an oasis for food”, this cosy branch of the Kent-based ‘I’ll be Mother’ group is the epitome of a “great local” serving some “genuinely exceptional cooking”. Chef Simon Ulph moved to Jackson Boxer’s new London venture, St Leonards, in June 2018, with Megs Buchanan stepping in at the stoves.

“So much love has gone into the design and décor of this Victorian pub you can’t help feeling like country gentry when dining here!” – this Arts & Crafts house is part of Pete Cornwell’s ‘I’ll Be Mother’ group and fans say that “the food is perfectly good posh pub fayre… but the big deal is the pub itself” (with its wonderful views, it also operates as a wedding venue).

2017 Review: “Recently refurbished at considerable expense, this imposing 15th-century former coaching house has been vastly improved by its new owner, retired jeweller Richard Burrell. There are three dining areas plus room for further diners on the split-level deck”. “New head chef Giles Fulchester is doing great things in the kitchen, retaining traditional pub classics, alongside modern British cuisine with familiar yet unique flavour combinations.”

2019 Review: “An Ivy outpost somewhere between ’‘Ivy Cafe’ Marylebone and the original in style” – this new spin-off from the famous Theatreland icon wins a better rep than some others: “the whole family enjoyed it and ambience was great”.

With its “lovely” yet formal ambience, this well-known Regency villa is the town’s best known culinary destination, but has tended to split opinion in recent years; it “seems to have come back to form” of late, winning consistently high ratings last year. In particular, “set lunch is amazing value and always feels like a treat”.

This small-scale outpost of the local Sankey’s empire is a “good all-rounder in a handy location” – the old Fishmarket venue in The Pantiles – serving a fair range of oysters, fruits de mer and shellfish, plus Kent sparkling wines, Champagnes and beers. It’s “no-nonsense” but “excellent”.

2018 Review: Launched a decade ago to inject some London gastropub style into the local market, this laidback joint – a nice bar at the front, and dining rooms to the rear – continues to please with its “generally good” Kent- and Sussex-sourced grub.

“For a thoroughly enjoyable traditional afternoon tea (HdV certainly make an occasion of this British tradition)”, or “a very good full English”, this fine-looking mansion still wins praise. However, more serious dining from its French bistro menu, as supported by its trademark wine list, attracted too little commentary for a rating last year.