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

1. **Food**: The food is fresh and delicious, and every bite is a surprise. 2. **Environment**: The environment is elegant and comfortable, relaxing. 3. **Atmosphere**: The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant, giving people endless fun. 4. **Service**: The service is attentive and thoughtful, making you feel at home. My friends and I loved it and will definitely visit again.👍

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

As someone who isn't the biggest foodie, I must say that Amore is definitely something to rave about. From the moment we stepped in, the atmosphere was inviting and the service was impeccable, making it a truly memorable experience. We decided to try the ravioli, Napoli pizza, tiramisu, and pistachio dessert, and each dish exceeded our expectations. I have no doubt that all the other items on the menu are prepared to the same high standards as the ones we enjoyed. The flavors were exceptional, and each dish was crafted with care and attention to detail. The ravioli was perfectly cooked, the Napoli pizza was bursting with authentic flavors, and the desserts were simply divine. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. Considering the quality of the food, the service, and the overall experience, the prices are more than reasonable. You will definitely find yourself wanting to come back for more. A more has truly set a high bar for dining experiences, and I can't wait to return to try more of their delicious offerings.

Visited recently during the Christmas Market weekend in Rochester which was amazing! I had a lovely service, the restaurant was full but I managed to get a table with no queue which also was a success! Had a wonderful King Prawn starter with garlic and chilli, it's not listed as a starter on the menu but they can prepare one if asked as it's on the main course section. I was very happy with that, wine and tiramisu were excellent, all in all very good place to visit and enjoy great Italian food, Thank you! ☆☆☆☆☆

Booked a table for my brother birthday a few weeks before hand. The restaurant was very busy on a Friday night and turning away walk ins. The food was excellent and the Service was exceptional. Well worth a visit.

Delicious lunch today. Freshly made pasta with great toppings. Crispy, fresh home made pizzas. It was like walking into a small town restaurant in Italy. Very friendly. Quick service. Dogs welcome in the garden. Brilliant place! We will be back!

Great place , friendly chatty staff brilliant tasty food , had the okaholma smash burger & Nik nack burger both both rib n saucy loaded fries 🍟 😋

The best burgers! A great selection of burgers and fries and the meat is always cooked to its best! The taste is unreal 🤤🤤

Fantastic bar/pub/grill! The food is amazing and I feel like no matter what your choice, you will love what you have but at the same time wish you had what someone else is. Everything on the menu looks great. The portions are more than enough, the side of beef Nik Naks was a surprise delight too. Staff are friendly and can tell they like being there and seeing the reactions from people who aren't expecting the sizes of what they ordered.

Great place if you want to experience an unique burger with good quality if meat. Everything we ordered tak away was very tasty. Portion sizes were good too. Prices seem fair for the quality. This is also a great spot to go and enjoy a pint with friends. I do recommend.

The BEST roast dinner I’ve had in a long time!! Had the chicken and beef for the 2 meat roast and it did not disappoint!! The restaurant had a really cozy vibe to it that feels like a traditional pub and still feels clean and warm. The staff were brilliant! Quick service and very helpful. Had 2 roast dinners with 2 meats, a drink each and 3 scoops of ice cream which came to around £80. With what you’re getting and what it tastes like the food is definitely worth the price! Parking is tricky! Depending on when you go, I had to park down a side road and walk but the weather was nice for the walk. Definitely recommend this place!

Had a lovely lunch here, staff were very friendly & the service was great. The food was delicious & of a high standard. Will definitely be returning!

Had a great meal, the food was fantastic and well presented. The service and atmosphere was great, I will definitely be going back to this restaurant.

Fantastic dinner out. Food was amazing, with very friendly and helpful service. Steak and lamb cooked perfectly. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome in the bar area, not the restaurant area. They had bowls of water down.

We visited @smoque at the Rochester location and the burgers were delicious 🤤 The owners John & his partner were lovely and very welcoming I had the Smoque with a QC burger Hubby had the Grim Reaper burger and we had loaded fries with pulled pork and bbq sauce The burgers were fully loaded and so filling the loaded fries were yummy but the portion size was smaller then what we have had at other places and more expensive, you also had to pay extra if you want additional toppings To drink I had the Baileys chocolate milkshake & hubby had the cider Overall it was yummy 😋 and we recommend 💯 Look at the smile on my face 😂

We visited one evening and popped in with the hope of getting a table without booking. The owners were friendly, welcoming, and couldn't do enough to help. They were genuine people, and this definitely added to our experience. I was on a strict diet, and they helped cater to my needs without issue. Another plus! When the food arrived, I can honestly say it was one of the nicest burgers I have ever tasted. Everything was cooked with time and care, it certainly showed in every meal. We will definitely be back for more when next in Rochester. This is a real gem of a restaurant that needs the support of all! Highly recommended 👌 Update - we visited again 05.10.24 and had another fantastic meal. Salads were delicious and staff very friendly, just as our first visit. We'll definitely be back!

Great food. We had the smashin burger and it was DELICIOUS. unfortunately burgers don’t come with fries. The restaurant is lovely and the staff is super nice. The place is a bit small, they don’t have many tables so I would recommend to book before going.

Lovely Italian restaurant in the heart of Rochester. Easy to walk from any parking place. The service was nice and friendly. They have a big variety of dishes and desserts, I loved the specialties of the Chef. I love the meloncelo was delicious. There is a good selection of wines The decorations are very Italian and cosy. Portions sizes are big. You might need to reserve at night time. They have outdoor seating. Is possible to pay with card or cash.

We came here during a weekend visit in Rochester to see the Art Fair and had an excellent time here. The food was excellent, the service was first class and I'd definitely come here again

Excellent yummy food, would definitely recommend and visit again.

Fantastic restaurant. Great food and great staff. Really friendly place. They didn't have a table available but took our number and called us when one became available. Top service I had the Mama Mia pizza and a Monte Cassino beer. Very happy with them. I definitely recommend this place.

Best place to eat in Rochester, and surely one of the best in Kent too. Food is incredible, and served extremely quickly - the staff are all incredibly friendly and polite, the atmosphere is lovely, and the prices are very reasonable. Would highly recommend the pistachio panna cotta specifically - one of the best desserts I have eaten anywhere at any time. Thank you for a wonderful experience. I'll be back!

I picked the restaurant at random for dinner on a flying visit to Rochester and was very pleased! Service was fast, appropriately Italian, and efficient. Despite it being busy our food came out in good time and was well-prepared. Would be very happy to go back again on a future visit.

Some of the best Italian food I've had in a long time. Our group ordered pizza, pasta, and a few starters - everything was top notch. The staff was on top of everything and extremely friendly. We don't live in Rochester, but would happily make a trip back to have dinner here again!

Popped in as in the area, a lively authentic Italian restuarant in the hub of Rochester High street, easy parking opposite, exceptional service, home cooked food your Italian mumma would make, the sea food rissoto was very tasty, throughly enjoyed are meal, will come back when in the area again

Visited here tonight,the food was lovely,service was great,..really cosy atmosphere..Will definitely visit again

Had a great lunchtime meal at Thai Four Two in Rochester with friends!, service was friendly, and the food really tasty. Starters: PHLAA KUNG: Grilled King Prawn salad with a fiery Thai-style dressing, full of fresh kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, chili oil, and carrots. Packs a punch! 🌶️🔥 For mains: PLA RADD Prik: Deep-fried cod served with a tasty Thai sweet and sour chili sauce. Musamunn Curry: A mild coconut curry with a subtle sour note, loaded with beef, onions, and potatoes. Coconut Rice: Jasmine rice cooked in rich coconut milk—full of flavor. Phad Thai Noodles: Rice noodles in a homemade sweet & sour sauce, mixed with egg, bean sprouts, carrots, spring onions, ground peanuts, and a squeeze of lemon. Finished of with a bowl of Strawberry ice cream. My top pick was the PHLAA KUNG— flavorful and spicy, which it went will with a cold Singha beer 🍤🍺. Thank you

Wish I could give more than 5 stars! What a great impression walking through the door. Lovely cosy Thai restaurant. Koi karp pond and several fish tanks around the restaurant. I walked in at 7pm on a Tuesday night and the place was packed. Really do call and pre book! I had a sharing platter starter, delightful. Main Phad Prik Khing with noodle. Did these hit the spot! What an amazing resturant, great value for money and service was top notch. If I return to Roch this will be the first restaurant on my list!

Amazing service and good. The Thai green and red curries were lovely. Pad Thai was also excellent. Large portions of rice. Excellent value and too this restaurant quality. Best we’ve had in Kent and outside London. Can’t wait to go back. Great service and fitted us in no problem even though it was busy during Dickens Festival.

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 😊

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. :)

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.

Have walked past loads of times thinking "should go there some time" now after going I think what was I thinking not going sooner! Fantastic food, fairly priced. The Seabas ceviche I had is genuinely one of the nicest things I've eaten in a very long time. My Hake from the specials was great as was my wife's scallops starter and hake with muscles and clams. Fish cooked to perfection 👌 We never had deserts as was too stuffed but what we saw come out for others looked equally as good. Can't wait to go back. Keep up the great work.

This is one of our favourite restaurant, the one that me and my husband always go to, sometimes twice or 3x in a month 😂 we know each other now. You can guarantee best quality of food! Oh and don’t let the name fool you as they also do amazing steak and chicken x

Dinner with friends at this restaurant last Saturday. Lovely restaurant on 3 floors with spiral staircase unfortunately food didn't live up to the tasteful decor of the restaurant - both my starter and main course were bland and the lemon meringue pie was an overwhelming portion of sweet meringue and very little lemon to balance it! Our Waitress Barbara was an absolute delight which is why I have rated 4* overall

Wow, what an amazing place. Seafood platter was outstanding, quality and freshness of food was great. Staff are so friendly and helpful, we will definitely be back... 1 thing I would say would be go when you are hungry because the portion sizes are definitely not small!