The Best Restaurants in Cooling, Kent, United Kingdom (2025)

Myself and Editorial Consultant reviewed The Ole Rochester on Sunday 7th July. We were pleasantly surprised at the ambience and decor of the restaurant. It was a nice bright, open space and had such a welcoming feel. Ole Rochester, is a beautiful Spanish eatery in the heart of Rochester, nestled within the quirky retail ambience of the High Street. The setting is a magnificent atmospheric restaurant, with vibrant murals spanning the huge walls.  Upbeat music adds to the vibe, echoing its Spanish roots. The service was impeccable and high-level without being intrusive. We ordered the Olives, Bread, and Manchego to start a generous platter furnished with  fine garnishing detail. This set the palate for two mains of Sea Bass, Agave sauce, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and the Seafood Paella. Dishes were plentiful and exquisitely presented. The Sea Bass fillets had a delicious crunchy outer, and the sea of vegetables and potatoes was delicious and complemented the delicate flavor of the fish. The Seafood Paella was very filling, delicious, and a generous portion. It could easily be for two people.  This was  downed by a delicious glass of The Ole Rochester's original Sangria.  We were pleasantly too full to attempt desert, however, we made the decision that we would definitely be back again, and this time we would make room for desert. Overall a truly fabulous experience in a characterful, dynamic setting.

The food was absolutely beautiful. I took my sons to celebrate my birthday and it was absolutely wonderful. I am from Spain and I can say that it felt like i was in Spain. My son had the Paella and we had mix grill. Will be back soon. Definitely will recommend to everybody

Very friendly and attentive staff, great menu selection. We had some tapas, with good size portions. We had 4 plates plus some bread and that was plenty for a Sunday lunch. Next time I will order the paella (which they make fresh and to order with your preferred ingredients) or the argentian steak.

Fantastic first time ordering takeaway from Sha Masala. The food is outstanding - very authentic Sri Lankan food, which was fresh and bursting with flavour. We were not easy to deliver to due to road closures, yet the restaurant went that extra mile to get our delivery to us. Great service. Great value. Thank you and hope to see you in the restaurant soon.

Tried this place out after seeing the reviews and wanting to go somewhere new for me. I was not disappointed. The food was very good, however the real outstanding part was the customer service. The owner came out and gave us samples of the dishes we ordered so he could tailor the spice levels more to the liking of the people who ordered it. Exceptional service and very good food, highly recommended

Recently opened restaurant offering lots of real (I mean REAL) authentic South Asian cuisine for a reasonable price. They offered really good suggestions on their menu which were tasty and as close as possible to buying from a restaurant in Sri Lanka. The owner suggested some really good cocktails carrying spicy tastes. Great experience and great service. Going to be my favourite place for dinner outs.

‼️WARNING‼️ Authentic and exceptional Sri Lankan and South Indian food served by the friendliest of staff. First visit tonight, but I think this is going to turn out to be one of my favourite restaurants in the Medway area. 💯 recommended, 💯 coming back!

We stayed just one night for a wedding at Cooling Castle Barn. Brilliant, convenient transfer by Gav to and from the venue which was, a much appreciated, inclusion in the room rate. Very friendly pub with a fabulous chef who doesn’t stop smiling even when she’s run off her feet. All staff were lovely and obviously dedicated. Nice, clean, spacious room with lots of added extras, again, much appreciated. Evening meal and cooked breakfast were excellent! Would definitely stay again.

We only stopped for a little refreshment. It's a nice pub, very traditional and comfortable. Nice staff. We did not eat but it looked like good solid pub grub.

Friendly staff and dog friendly in the bar. Went on a Friday evening and it was super busy in both the bar and restaurant so food took a while to come out. It was a little noisy for us but it was great to see a local pub doing well

Had a lovely meal here on Monday evening. Food was excellent and portions are very generous, just what you want from a local pub. Staff there are very pleasant and friendly. We were recommended there by friends and we were not disappointed. We will be back!

I have just celebrated my 30th birthday party at The Boathouse and what an absolutely perfect venue! Everyone commented on how lovely it was and all of the staff were so helpful! I would fully recommend booking this venue if you have a celebration coming up!

Really beautiful inside and out, lovely cleans and bright inside. Outside has the most beautiful view of the river and so hidden away that I have only just came across this lovely place through a friend. enjoyed a glass of red. The staff are very friendly and guided me through the menu. I would like to see more for plant based/ vegans such as the mushrooms could very easily have the cheese sauce separate, so that it could be an option for vegans or non vegans. I had chips, veggie Indian style barji like things that were nice, olives and bread. My friend got the Sunday carvery and really enjoyed the options. The vegan pies where finished or I would of got the same. I'm still unsure about parking as I did see a few restrictions due to being near the station so would have to call up about that. There are a few designated spaces. Overall would definitely come back with a group of friends 😊

The Boat House Restaurant in Strood offers a delightful dining experience with its great carvery and friendly, attentive staff. The modern restaurant area is clean and welcoming, providing a pleasant atmosphere for guests. Situated on the Medway river, the location offers stunning views, adding to the overall charm of the dining experience. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely meal or a special occasion, the Boat House Restaurant promises a memorable culinary journey with its combination of excellent food and picturesque setting.

Lovely food and staff, thay done really well due to the fact there was 30 people eating at once. Some music in the background would be nice and some soft lighting, staff could off come over more but thay was really nice and personal. recommend visiting. :)

Food here is seriously outstanding. Best pub meal I have had in a long time. Owner is also a lovely lady - made us feel very welcome and looked after!

Was in the area and looking for somewhere nice for a sit down lunch that wasn’t a chain restaurant. We found this place and it was brilliant, a proper pub! Dogs were welcome inside which was good to see, there is a good selection of drinks at the bar and the menu was well stacked and I was spoilt for choice. The food was great, I had the ham egg and chips which came with peas. The portion sizes were more on the generous side (big win) but what let it down was the portion size of the peas, they literally came in a little dish that you would get sauce brought to your table in, you could have shot it down the hatchet in one. Other than that it was brilliant and I will come back again if I am ever in the area.

A nice local. I've given food the benefit of the doubt because we arrived after the kitchen head closed but I'm sure it's lovely. Beer stock is spot on, with a good selection of beers and ciders. Good size garden too. The bar staff were warm and friendly. See you again soon 🍻

Beautiful area and pub. Lovely garden and space in the summer months, ducks wondering around the garden while sipping away on a beer. Staff always friendly and the food (quite pricey) is always fresh and on point.

Found this little gem by complete accident one Sunday afternoon. The service by the young waitresses is superb, they cannot do enough for you and I felt like nothing was a problem. Had the fish and chips which was a good sized portion and the most delicious homemade baileys cheesecake. Would definitely return.

Great service by Soph and Jo enhanced by tasty food, and a cosy traditional pub in a quaint setting. The ladies made extra effort to chat to our children and make them feel special. Alongside the broad menu and specials, there's also a full vegitarian and vegan menu, kids options, and light lunch choices.

The pumproom is the perfect place for an occasion. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s honestly worth every penny! We went for our wedding anniversary and had put it on the booking form. They welcomed us with a card on the table, we had a free cocktail and some fudge at the end of the meal too. The staff were lovely and so knowledgeable about everything on the menu. We had every course going and the flavours in every part were beautiful. Lots of combinations you wouldn’t necessarily find elsewhere, the bone marrow fondue was our absolute highlight. The cocktails menu is extensive and there’s loads with alcohols from the distillery to choose from. It’s also lovely to have the view out onto the river with Upnor castle in the distance. Such a gem to find in Chatham, we loved it!

We started on the cocktail making class before hand and what an experience, definitely need a taxi after that. Straight into the beautiful restaurant, all the staff were very attentive and accommodating to our needs. Only reason for the 4 stars was they didn't have any oysters and we were looking forward to those but do not let that deter you. Definitely a gem of a place.

I first discovered the Copper Rivet strawberry gin, which I liked so much I researched and found out about the distillery and restaurant along the river in Chatham.. and I had to experience dining at the place that made such a good quality gin. We were not disappointed.. quality cocktails, service and food.. you do pay a bit more but for a special occasion it’s just perfect.. first we had drinks outside with lovely views along the river, and blankets provided in case it gets chilly (we actually had a bit of sun!!).. and then inside the amazing building for dinner.. the food blew us away and my husband told the waitress he wanted to marry the chef 😂 which I totally understood… will definitely go back and look forward to it! And the triple cooked chips which we will have with whatever we order..

We were gifted some vouchers for a treat. What a discovery - set in an old, refurbished industrial building with a contempt atmosphere. The food is delicious and beautifully presented. Nice drinks menu with local spirits and wines, and some interesting cocktails including non-alcoholic options.

We had our wedding at Cooling Castle Barn on a beautiful Sunday in the summer, and it was amazing. The staff and organisation on the day were spot on (including the great ceremony master) and took a lot of pressure off the maid of honour and rest of the wedding party. We got married in the garden which looked beautiful and needed minimal decoration, and the barn itself felt magical. The food was good (and really pleased they were able to do a customised canapé from my home country). And it was great that our family and close friends could stay in the rooms on side. I would definitely recommend Cooling Castle Barn as a wedding venue to others.

Such a lovely area. Didn't get to go in or to see the castle but from a distance was stunning. Went here for a wedding was top notch. Beautiful surroundings

Chloe Caldwell Photography - Cooling Castle Barn is a simply beautiful wedding venue. Surrounded by countryside, the barn itself is a beautiful, elegant setting with an authentic, rustic feel. The staff at Cooling Castle Barn are attentive and welcoming, to guests and suppliers alike. It was a pleasure working alongside them. I can't wait to return for more weddings soon. - Chloe Caldwell Photography

From the moment I found Cooling Castle Barn online, I had fallen in love with this venue, to the day we viewed we both knew we wanted to book our wedding day here. The team at cooling are some of the most gorgeous people, nothing is too much and they happily answer all of your questions. Holly was our day manager and she a stunning person, she made the whole day run so smoothly alongside Stephen our Toast Master. Without a doubt have their toast master in your wedding day if you can because it takes all of the stress away from you and your bridal party. They know exactly what they need to do and when and it is just the little things that help make you live in the moment. Best day of our lives, stunning venue, amazing food and large portions, party and laugh until your heart is content!! Our Wedding day was in May 2024.

The reason I never gave a 5 star is because it needs to be bigger . Mockbeggar is a friend little tea room and farm shop. The food and cakes are great and nice local produce in the farm shop. Great little gem x only just moved into the area and I love it !

Charming Tea Shop and farm shop situated just off the B2000 near Cliffe Woods. Very friendly place; quiet, cosy one might say. Food is excellent, portions are generous and the prices are VERY reasonable. You can eat and drink either indoors in the rustic setting of the refurbished old farm buidings, or outdoors, either on the shady terrace or out in the open. Free parking.

The staff were very friendly and helpful and theres a great selection of products.

Bought some of the great produce from the farm shop . Lovely place where we also enjoyed a lovely coffee and cake.

Spectacular food for the family of seven. All the things we like! Beautifully tender beef and dumpling stew, steak and ale pudding, fish and chips, hunters chicken, ham and egg, sausage and mash. We all had something different (except 2 hunters chicken) and it was all very very good. Very happy. Definitely be back. Great service too. Highly recommended

A gem in the Rochester countryside! Homely traditional pub, dog and baby friendly! Open fire! Fantastic Sunday Roast and vegetarian options! We had starter, mains and desserts and were given a lovely corner booth that our newborn fell asleep in because we were so cozy! All of the food was absolutely incredible with lovely big portions. One of the best places we ate at on our trip that way! Will definitely be going again to try more of their menu on our next visit down!

We (family of 5 including 15 yr old, parents and grandparents) booked a last minute table . From the phone call to book in we found the staff very welcoming and friendly. When we got to the pub we were welcomed warmly and invited to a table that was made ready for our arrival. Cannot fault the service of any of the team. The food including the home made chips was to die for! We had combinations of chicken burgers, Red dog burgers, and ham egg and chips. I Wasn’t going to order dessert but father in law did so we all did and wow the honey comb cheesecake was beautiful! As was the cherry crumble! (We were lucky to get the last one!!) We will definitely be back again to this little treasure of a pub/restaurant! Thank you so much!

Friendly, excellent food and 1st class service. All the staff were incredible , the young lady who was serving us was welcome, bubbly and friendly she made us feel like we were home and we just popped out to our local pub ! We were staying nearby and doing this place online, we are SO happy we found this little gem and if we lived closer we would most definitely be visiting frequently what a pleasant place and experience we had! You can really tell the food was homemade and not just heated up, perfect portion size and nothing was too much for the staff. Can’t express enough how pleasant our expense was. Please pass on our comments to your waitress she was absolutely incredible and really made our whole experience of the pub that much better was also lovely to meet the chef who was also excellent and seemed pleased to hear we enjoyed the food (and the plates were wiped clean) ;) Thank you again!