The Best Cafes in Barming, Kent, United Kingdom (2025)

Brilliant service and great food

The place is huge with indoor and outdoor tables and service. The food was amazing and the staff was so kind and friendly. There is plenty of garden area, it's really large. There's a playground so that you can take your kids and have a meal, a beer, and let them play while you enjoy the place. There's also some events there such as bingo and karaoke. The only negative point is the toilets, they're a bit neglected (old). The area where this place is located is so peaceful too. Worth the visit!

It’s surprising how good pub food can be. The RedStart exemplifies this. Walk inside and it looks like a standard looking sociable drinking space. Sit down, look at the specials board, you begin to realise there is something special about this place. Yes it does prepare the traditional British dishes. The RedStart goes one step further and throws in European dishes into the mix. When these dishes arrive they ooze quality. Presentation, piquant and professional. These were some of the best tasting dishes I have sampled at a pub in Kent. For 3 courses I had change from £30, unbelievable given the standard of food. European pub food at it’s best.

This place is great for lunch the food is always cooked well and there is a good variety on the menu and well priced. We had the burger and the chicken sizzler with noodles. Really tasty, will be going back again. We did book as it does get busy especially at the weekends, during the summer they have a big garden that you can sit out in. Lovely place worth a visit.

Update 2024 December Had a roast lunch which was promptly ordered and served by polite very hard working staff. It was plentiful in size but could have been heated a little more evenly, this was £12 there was an OAP option for £10 which was smaller apparently. I though the cheese cake a bit expensive for its size £3.95. Update 2023 Staff were friendly and patient. We had a roast lunch each which was served very hot, portion size were just adequate. They were amazingly quick at delivering our meal after order.

We really enjoyed our experience today at Leah’s bistro. There’s a lot of choice on the menu, something for everyone, and everything is freshly made and cooked. We really enjoyed the food, it was delicious! Prices are really reasonable too - 2 adults, 2 kids - lunch (sandwich and panini, 2 x kids meals), drink and cake each, worked out at about £40. Definitely will come back. Staff are lovely as well, really friendly.

Had a fantastic experience here. The food was great and of good quality. Portions were more than generous and especially for a kids roast. The atmosphere was very unexpected with someone playing the piano by the entrance. People working there were all very fun and bubbly to be around and engaged with the kids too.

A few years ago (different owners I believe), this place was not much to shout about. But now it's a regular breakfast venue for me and business colleagues. The service is always excellent, swift and welcoming. The coffee is very good and the food... well, we wouldn't go back if it wasn't great every time! Pictured is my beans on toast, which isn't actually on the menu but is never any trouble. My friend has the vege breakfast which he assures my is top notch.

We all had a lovely afternoon tea at Baskervilles Coffee House. The traditional tea had a good selection of savoury and sweet treats. The child's tea also had a good selection, having changed the sandwich fillings to known favourites. Our dog certainly enjoyed her afternoon tea too and it was great to be able to give her something designed for her instead of snuffling our sausage rolls. The staff were really happy, polite and chatty. This is a wonderful little coffee shop and a great place to visit if you want to sit with your dog.

A far cry from a truckers café, this local coffee house offers a cosy seating area with a modest menu. The interior is well decorated. There is a standard selection of hot items with a range of cakes that also cater to vegan requirements. Parking is easily found on the road, or it's a walk away for local residents who tend to come here and socialise in small groups. Prices are what you would expect.

Came here with my two dogs on the second day of the opening under the new owner. Love the decor. Dog bowls on the floor, free dog treats and tables and chairs outside with lovely throws to use. I had a really tasty jacket potato and a beautiful home made cake. Has a good selection of gluten free and vegan options of savoury and sweet items. Throughly recommend

Lovely vegan breakfast 😀 Will certainly be going back again. Friendly staff and a great selection of vegan cakes too! Dog friendly also which always gets bonus points in my opinion! Highly recommend.

A favourite place to walk to, have a coffee and chill. It’s a perfect location, friendly staff and high quality food. For such a tiny place they do amazingly well. I’ve introduced many people to this little gem. The dog biscuits are genius. My dog won’t walk past without joining the queue for her biscuit so our furry friends approve too!!

Lovely staff and lovely venue to sit and watch the world go by. Great for four-legged friends as well. Always have a sausage roll and a drink whilst the dog has a ice cream. Can get very busy at times as it's a very popular place.

what a fantastic location right next to the river and lock. really nice walks and actually quite picturesque. the cafe is small with good selection. great place to sit by the river and watch the world go by.

Fantastic place to stop for coffee and a snack if out walking or mountain bike riding like I was today. Had a flat white - was excellent as was the sausage roll. This will now be my preferred mid ride stop for this route. Blankets available with outside seating so you can enjoy a coffee even on those chillier days. Stopped by again a few days after this review mid ride. Coffee and steak pasty excellent. Really pleasant place to rest for a while by the river. PS be sure to look out for the bold as brass Robin who likes to snack on cake crumbs etc! June 2022 update - seats and chairs upgraded - this place continues to impress!

Went there for coffee with my friend. The place was bigger than expected I felt like me at home. Only not one explained how to order . The food looks amazing my coffee was good. The service at the counter was not that friendly. They have a parking and tables to seat outdoors. Prices are ok

Small little coffee shop with great service and food. The hot chocolate is a must try.Only caveat is that they close early. Wish they were open a little longer.

This place was a little hard to find at first, but I am glad I did. It is a lovely cafe with very polite and caring staff. A few good plant based and vegetarian options available with generous portion sizes. Although the food did not have any creative twists or flavours, you could tell it was made with care - it was quite simple and familiar instead. There is a pleasant view onto the fields and possibility to bring a not-too-big well-behaved dog. I will be coming back.

Lovely little cafe, quite small inside looks like it has double the seating in the summer opening up to outside too. Had a really good breakfast sandwich, soft bread plenty of filling, will be heading back when I'm nearby again.

Great little café with very friendly staff. We were greeted promptly and then seated. The server explained everything to us, and when we received our food, the chef came put to make sure everything was to our liking. I strongly suggest a visit!

Had heard good things about this cafe so stopped off for breakfast after an early morning appointment at Maidstone Hospital. From the moment we walked in we were struck by the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Good choice of food and service was quick and efficient. Breakfast was very good and well presented. Coffee was great too. All good value for money. Will definitely be popping back here.

What can I say…. This cafe is amazing . Popped in while walking past and ordered 2 set breakfasts and two cans of cherry coke. Our order was taken by a attentive waitress and when the food turned up it was just what we needed , not greasy and cooked to perfection. Keep up the good work cafe Riviera . Five ⭐️

Nice breakfast, I opted for a set breakfast of sausage, two rashers of bacon, chips, beans, toast and a fried egg along with a can of drink for £9.00. Some of the chips were a little overcooked/crunchy but the rest of the breakfast was nice. They operate a loyalty scheme of a free meal once you have collected 8 stamps from paid meals, they have the same offer regarding drinks too. They have customer toilets which were clean and in decent condition. If you found this review helpful please click on the heart icon, thanks.

Great place for a coffee stop especially compared to other local places; lovely staff that make such an effort to accommodate and the cake choices are good - i can highly recommend the ginger loaf, a big piece that’s surprisingly light and non sickly . We’ve also had the toasted sarnies and the only slight negative is I wish they also did sourdough toasties here then it’d be perfect! But at least there’s always a heated sausage roll or toasted cheese scone & marmite until then 😊. Had the best iced cappuccino on warmer days, very well made here, as they’re never quite right anywhere else.

Was heading to Nottcuts Garden Centre and had seen good reviews about this place so decided to drop in. Happy to say the reviews were right for once, lol. Lovely staff, very friendly, and although they were closing early when we went in they didn't rush us at all. The cake I had, the ginger cake, was delicious. Moist and very tasty. The hot chocolate was even better. Can't recommend this place enough!!

Went in to grab a quick coffee I was amazed with the service and friendly atmosphere Coffee one of the best in Maidstone

Great cafe with very friendly and helpful staff. Came here for a coffee on a Saturday morning and because it was so cosy and staff were lovely we decided to stay for lunch. Coffees and teas are good and the lunchtime sandwiches are good. Would have preferred a bit more salad in my sandwich and crisps rather than tortillas with sandwiches would be better but bread was fresh and fillings plentiful. I had Brie and cranberry. We shared a brownie and this was fresh and tasty too (although didn’t realise they came warmed up so would have been better if staff had checked we wanted it warmed up). Despite a few criticisms on the food I’ve still given it 5 stars as the (female) staff were so friendly and helpful and happily working - a joy to see. Lovely seating upstairs as well as the tables downstairs.

Set 3 for £12.50, came with toast. Added black pudding for £1 extra ( two very generous slices I may add). Filter coffee was good. Hash browns could do with being alot crispier as were bit soggy. Bacon was very nice thick cut. All in all very good food. Told the breakfast wrap was very nice. No price on the board. Clean premises with friendly staff. Keep up the good work ✌️❤️

Had a cooling iced latte followed by a tasty breakfast. The latter was freshly cooked and just the right size. Service was "with a smile" and prompt. Quiet music in the background. Highly recommend Puddings. They make delicious cakes as well.