The Best Cafes in West Malling, Kent, United Kingdom (2025)

The best brownie in Kent? I’d say so. The desserts served at The Hungry Guest are sublime: Care, attention to detail and presentation, all boxes ticked. What about taste? I had to focus on stopping my eyes from rolling in their sockets like a fruit machine’s spinners after sampling a taste of the brownie. Food that has this response on the inner workings of the mind scare and excite. The Hungry Guest is a modern, charming, romantic venue. Staff are warm and down to earth. Food prices are spot on for Kent. Best of all they have an excellent La Marzocco espresso machine; it creates beautiful Italian coffees to complement after-dessert contemplation.

July 2024 update: went for some breakfast with the gf and we was seated on a table within 40 seconds (perfect timing I believe as everyone after was waiting or being jiggled about upstairs) the place gets very busy it seems. The service is that you order at the counter this is ok but given the amount of staff I feel table service would be a nice touch you could still take payment at the table if they was to invest in something like a epos till this would also free up the downstairs which can seem overly crowded when people are queuing to order. The food was nice salmon was fresh and delicious on the stack that I ordered. The bacon on my gf breakfast was somewhat burnt but being hungry she ate it regardless. Only negative I have is that when ordering I couldn't help but notice the build up of "thick" dust on the top of the till screen and the hanging lights above the counter. The till especially I think needs a daily wipe as this is the thing people are seeing when ordering. 2023 The food is delicious and cooked very well indeed the price of it though is high £9 + for what they named " a mini English breakfast" we both added a hashbrowns which meant by the time you have a drink its a pricey meal. However we both enjoyed it overall and the staff were very friendly and helpful when needed.

Had a last minute Sunday meal at the Farmhouse today and was very impressed! Fast service, tasty food which was piping hot. Very attentive staff without being overbearing. Family friendly, highly recommend, just a shame we couldn’t stay longer.

We visited today for Sunday lunch and was not disappointed! We sat outside on the terrace in the shade which was very pleasant. Our server Damian was absolutely marvellous! He was so attentive and thoughtful! He heard my 4 year daughter say she wanted a Yorkshire pudding but she doesn’t eat roast dinner so when her sausage chips came out she was super excited to see a giant Yorkshire on her plate. This made me super emotional as its little touches like this that mean so much. He was patient and great with our kids and I am even got an extra Yorkshire because I didn’t get own that last time I was at an elite pub. The food was delicious, the children’s came out with our starters and our main came out shortly after and was piping hot and very much enjoyed by myself and my husband. All in all a wonderful experience and would highly recommend and are sure to come back soon. Thank you to Damien and all the staff

We came here for lunch. It's just steps away from the Sunday market. The staff greeted us and got us a seat right away. I had bangers and mesh, it's delicious. I noticed the people seated next to us had the Sunday roast with chicken, it looks good too. There's additional seating outside in a private courtyard.

The roast here is absolutely delicious!! I’ve had it loads of times on busy, and quiet weekends and it’s always top tier. They have food for kids too. There are two open fires (I think) and a lovely warm atmosphere. The people inside are nice and welcoming and all the staff are all nice. There’s an outdoor seating area which is covered by a tent which is perfect. Dogs are also allowed here which is good. There’s parking directly outside the pub, and a massive carpark less than a minute walk away too. Love it here!

Loved it. From the front, you would never believe this pub. Massive back garden, huge covered area with two large screen TVs . Another covered area plus tons of seating in the uncovered garden area. There is an outside bar and plenty of staff around to look after you. Food is available and prices are fair for the area. It has a nice ambience, lively music playing in the back ground, nice crowd, definitely a place you could bring your kids or your granny. Plenty of younger people there, having a good time but being respectful. Inside the pub is oldy worldy but has a charm. As the day was a pleasant one, most people were enjoying the autumn sunshine. First visit here but will return. Staff were friendly, food came up in good time and was good quality.

An absolutely outstanding pub! While it can get busy at times, the exceptional service from the superb managers and amazing staff truly stands out. The food is not only delicious but also very reasonably priced. This place is a gem, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly!

A fine cafe providing a range of hot and cold food along with similar drinks. Service provided in friendly surroundings. Very tastey local apple juice well worth trying!

Rode past a few years ago on way to Labour at the new EMRC site being built and thought it was for employees only. Discovered today whilst looking for a local cafe to take the partner and son for a quick bite, that it is open to public too, so thought we'd give it a try. Turned out to be a fantastic decision. Lovely spot with the friendliest staff you'll find anywhere. Food top notch and reasonably priced and best of all it's HOT. Plenty of space for meetings or a quiet bite, the staff having meetings are barely audible and very respectful of the surroundings even when sat one table over. It is clear the owners and managers of this establishment care about what they do. It's a whole package breakfast/lunch experience, lovely landscaped surroundings, wonderful food, and a service to match. You can access it on foot or by car, and is only a short distance from the nearest bus stop and train station. 5*s isn't enough. Will be coming back again VERY soon and I can't wait to visit when the orchards are in bloom.

An impromptu visit recently with my children but was unknowingly in the window between breakfast & lunch. The server was very helpful and made me a ham salad sandwich as after the walk from East Malling I didnt have much time. The Fresh loaves of bread on sale were great value & the selection of cakes very tempting Would recommend better signage on foot as I walked the whole way round following the road signs not realising it was in the middle of the buildings

Called in for a coffee and chocolate snack during our regular 6 mile walk from Allington to East Malling and back. Friendly, clean and good value. Only open on weekdays.