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

Amazing food, and good service. I had lunch, some cocktails and desserts with two friends, one of them Italian, and she said everything was fantastic. We loved the starters, some of them with smoked salmon and mozzarella cheese, others with gratin aubergines, absolutely delicious! The pistachio dessert was lovely, with authentic Italian ice cream. Highly recommended!

Very good food, great service and enjoyed the evening. Thanks to all the staff. Will be recommending

If you are living locally or you are just visiting Tonbridge Wells, LagodiComo Bar and Restaurant is a place that must be on your list if you like Italian cuisine. Me and my wife had a lovely dinner recently in this place and it was an amazing experience. The restaurant has a great location, very close to High St, with a lot of places to visit around . There are plenty of parking places in the nearby area, we only walked 5min from the car. The moment we stepped in we were welcomed with a friendly positive attitude by the staff and we were amazed by the beauty of the place with lovely interior design, lights, shades and colours. The restaurant is spotless in terms of cleanliness. We served dinner and the food, cooked with fresh ingredients, was so delicious and authentic. The portions are not very big, the chef concentrates more on the quality, flavor, taste and elegance of the plate then quantity. So if you are very hungry and you want to eat the American way big portions this place is not for you, plenty in the area. On our visit we interacted with a few members of the staff and all of them were very friendly, eager to help, acting with professionalism making our visit an experience hard to remember. There is a wide variety of wines to choose from, amazing cocktails and premium Italian beer. If I have something to complain about, this is absolutely personal, I absolutely dislike the idea of service charge. I think it is quite disrespectful and redundant towards the customers as this is the main objective of a restaurant , to serve people. When the same bottle of wine that I can buy it from the local store with £50 you are selling it with £100 this is your services charge. Although I do believe in tipping, the tip should be minimum between 5-20%, should be suggested on the bill and the tip should reflect the satisfaction you had , it shouldn't be mandatory. But this is what I think and in our case we have been very satisfied. As a summary, the place is great, the staff is amazing and I am definitely recommending this place

We had a wonderful Sunday night meal at Lago. All courses were to a high standard with a great bottle of red. Filippo looked after us well and shared good knowledge of the menu and the other servers were polite, warm and efficient. Would recommend.

Our family have been customers of the Mount Edgcumbe for the last 11-years. I would highly recommend their hospitality, food, wine and beer; we are very fortunate to have such a wonderful facility on our doorstep. I cannot recommend a pub/restaurant/hotel higher than this establishment - great staff, beautiful facility and very welcoming!

Had a fantastic family lunch. It's all been freshly decorated, and looks fantastic. The service was polite, friendly and attentive, a very good menu - something for everyone. The food came quickly, good portion size and was delicious. Going back gain in a month's time as they have function rooms upstairs for a celebration. Cannot recommend this place enough :)

Beautiful tastefully styled traditional pub with super food and surprisingly good accommodation. Easy to find from the train station and well situated amongst the common made for a wonderful 3 day stay. Room was spacious and well equipped with modern bathroom and decent toiletries. Breakfast was exceptional and portions generous too. We also ate an evening meal one night and that was very good too. Lovely to see dogs welcomed and the effect was to accentuate what was already a cosy atmosphere. Can’t recommend enough - great value to stay and overall a very enjoyable experience

Saw this recommendation on the Michelin website as a Bib Gourmand. High quality food at a cheaper price point than a Michelin Star. We went for a Sunday Lunch. Place was very busy and we booked online a while in advance to secure a spot. Walk-ins are welcome but at busy periods you might be disappointed in not getting a seat. Decor and atmosphere were very nice. Staff were friendly and attentive. Nice and cosy pub. Of course, the food was excellent. We had 1 minor issue with a hair in one of our starters which is why I rated it 4 stars. Stuff like this happens even in the best of places. I would go back as I think this is a one off. Apart from that, everything was great. Portion sizes for the roast were generous and the side of veg was huge. The quality of the food is amazing, everything is fresh and flavourful. You can really tell that they use high quality ingredients to get started. Plating is very pretty too if you are into that. We paid £40 per person for a 3 course Sunday lunch. After drinks and service charge it was just over £210 for a group of 4.

The dining area is a beautiful space that can soak up both large parties and couples without too much noise. The lunch menu is very good value with everything cooked to perfection. Service was excellent too.

I was taken to the Kentish Hare for a birthday Sunday lunch. The food at this restaurant was very high quality. I had yellowfin tuna tartare starter which came with watermelon, avocado and orange ponzu, it was divine. For a main course my son-in-law and I shared a roast beef dish and I finished with Bramley apple crumble. My wife and daughter had fishcake followed by roast lamb and then Amalfi lemon parfait. The main course came with a selection of perfectly cooked vegetables. There was a good and varied wine menu and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. I had the non-alcoholic passion fruit martino shown in the picture. It was all delicious. The portions were generous and the service was friendly, efficient and quick. The atmosphere was relaxed and we could see the chefs working in the open kitchen. I will be returning frequently.

An excellent meal with fantastic service. A treasure in Kent. Extremely creative menu, without the fuss. My wife had the monk fish and I had the deer - and they were to die for.

We love it here. Photos over a couple of visits. Always fantastic service and attention to detail. The food is consistently a winner and somewhere we’ll be returning to many times in the future!

Love our lunch and the staff were all very friendly! I made a note upon booking mentioning it's for my husband's birthday, they left a birthday card on the table when we arrived and a little cake with candle 🕯️ that's really sweet! We were already talking about visiting again to try out other dishes ❤️

Thackeray’s in Tunbridge Wells is an absolute gem that delivers an exceptional dining experience. From the moment you arrive, the beautiful venue exudes elegance and charm, making it the perfect setting for any occasion. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with just the right balance of sophistication and comfort. The food is nothing short of outstanding. We started with the halloumi, which was cooked to perfection – crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. For the main, the fillet steak was a true masterpiece – tender, juicy, my partner had the ribeye which I must say was bursting with flavour and a bigger portion but both were cooked to perfection medium rare. It was paired with sides that complemented the dish flawlessly a truffle jus. To finish, we shared the tart Tatin dessert, which was nothing short of heavenly. The caramelized apples, buttery pastry, and creamy accompaniment of brand and plain cream made it an unforgettable end to the meal with rum and and raisin ice cream 😋 The service was impeccable throughout, with staff who were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about ensuring every guest has a fantastic experience. Thackeray’s is not just a restaurant but an experience, where every detail is considered to perfection. Whether for a special celebration or simply a treat, this is a place that truly stands out. I can’t recommend it highly enough – absolutely five stars!

The food was wonderful, the service was top notch and the location was beautiful. However I give it an overall 4 star as I felt sometimes that the dishes were a tad small for the price tag. We were 2 people and our bill came to £300 and we only had 2 x the chef’s tasting menu and 2 glasses of wine (not even a bottle) as we were driving. The raspberry soufflé is one of the best I’ve ever tried and definitely the one that will make this visit memorable.

First visit to this restaurant. We went for a family dinner. Turned up without reservations but we were welcomed and seated. We ordered mixed chicken sharing kebab. It was delicious and very tasty. Service is fast could be more smiley and friendly. The food was prepared quickly. It’s priced reasonably. Inside is modern, clean and interior is airy. It has a nice small outside area.

Definitely one of the best Turkish restaurant we’ve been to . Food is delicious, service outstanding and brilliant atmosphere, place is modern and classy but what makes it special is definitely service 👍👍👍👍

If you’re craving authentic Turkish cuisine, Zorba is the place to go. The shish kebab stands out as the highlight—juicy, well-seasoned, and grilled to perfection. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere creates a welcoming vibe for diners, and the staff are friendly and attentive. Complement your meal with fresh salads and savory dips for a complete experience. Zorba is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy delicious Turkish flavors!

This place is absolutely amazing. If you are in the area you have to try it. The restaurant has a lovely location in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. Mediterranean cuisine is about great taste and healthy food. If you step in the decorations and lights are making you feel calm and welcomed. The staff are lovely and eager to help. The place is very clean and tidy. The food is excellent made from fresh ingredients. Portions are considerable. Also Sunday they serve Sunday roast. We are looking forward to visiting this place again.

Very authentic Italian restaurant. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. We had a pizza and fish but seafood spaghetti looked really good! We will definitely go back to try a few more dishes.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and the food was amazing. Would definitely come again!

A very nice and rustic atmospheric family restaurant run by a charming couple over 13 years now, serving authentic Italian food from Naples. and I need to mention the husband was very pleasing and attentive. The food was full of flavour, I could smell the aroma from the gluten free pasta I ordered from far away, and the portions sizes were just right. And the bill was beautifully had written. We truly enjoyed our dinner and time in this satisfying place.

Came here for a family birthday dinner and was very impressed with the service and attentiveness of the staff. The food was delicious - I would personally recommend the duck curry, but the fish and chips and steak looked good too. Had a really buzzy atmosphere (only watch out for that is if you’re hard of hearing then this is not the place for you when it’s busy). Would definitely recommend and come again.

A lovely place to spend an early lunch. Booking a table on a Saturday is a must. We didn't and was given a "leave by" time on arrival that didn't really impact on our meal but meant we were clock watching. The staff were attentive, friendly and helpful though I wasn't sure if this was due to our having not booked a table. The food was delicious and the set menu made it affordable though there was an issue with over charging for a starter that we did not have. Despite our issues on the day, this is a great place to eat and we will look forward to returning on our next visit to Tunbridge Wells.

We have visited The Ivy on a number of occasions and it never disappoints. On this visit we had chosen the toast to spring menu. It was £27.50pp for three courses and a glass of wine from a set menu. The food was delicious and there were a good number of choices. We always enjoy a visit here, the atmosphere and venue are wonderful and buzzy. The staff are always very well presented and helpful. You very much feel like you are getting a fine dining service but the cost is so affordable. I think if you ordered off the a la carte menu, you might rack up a bill that seems too much. However there is nearly always a set menu of some kind to choose from and the value for money that you get from this for the quality of food and service is unbeatable!

We visited last night and had the Latin Tapas, all the dishes were brought out as soon as they were ready and piping hot! All delicious!! The restaurant itself was fun and modern. They had shuffleboards to play on upstairs. Music playing (not too loud), lovely staff. Well worth a visit.

We recently held our Christmas party at The Shuffle House for a group of 27, and it was absolutely fantastic! From the planning stages to the event itself, Jennifer, the manager, went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect and tailored to make everyone happy. On the night, the staff were outstanding—smiling, attentive, and incredibly efficient. Even though the place was buzzing with other customers, we never felt overlooked or had to wait for service. The food was incredible, and everyone in our group raved about how much they enjoyed it. After our delicious meal, we had a blast playing shuffleboard, which added an extra layer of fun to the evening. A huge thank you to Jennifer and the amazing team at The Shuffle House for making us feel like VIPs and for turning our Christmas party into such a memorable and successful event. I would highly recommended The Shuffle House for any special occasion!

Brilliant birthday bash! I hosted my 37th at Shuffle House, with over an hour of shuffling then pizza downstairs. We were really well locked after, such a great atmosphere, and awesome value. Would highly recommend for any special occasion, or just a different night out.

Coco Retro is a charming French restaurant located in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with a cozy dining room and a friendly staff. The menu features classic French dishes, all made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. I recently had the pleasure of dining at Coco Retro with my family. We started our meal with an assortment of appetizers, including escargot baked under a garlic butter. While this escargot was far from the best I have ever had, it was cooked well and the garlic was not too overpowering, overall coming in above average but not awesome. The same can be said for the other appetizers we tried. The main courses however were a different story! I tried the lamb shank and it is a must-try! The shank is slow-cooked in a rich red wine sauce until it is fall-apart tender. The meat is so tender that it can be easily cut with a fork. The sauce is flavorful and the mashed potatoes are a perfect pairing for the shank and sauce. The desserts continued to impress us after our main courses were over. I opted to try the classic puff pastry dessert and to my excitement it was executed extremely well. The puff pastry was flaky and light, and filled with a sweet custard and topped with fresh berries, altogether creating a great flavor profile. Overall, we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Coco Retro. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the prices were reasonable. I highly recommend Coco Retro to anyone looking for a great dining experience.

I cannot iterate enough how much we love, loved, this cafe/bistro. It was exactly like being in France - took me right back to the Rue Sufflot or Ile in the summertime. The lunch menu was fantastic - free appetizers brought by delightful staff - piping hot soup and delicious tomato salad that were themselves great and generous. The mains blew us away. Duck confit the way it’s meant to be, with port and cherry—perfection!!! My wife had a generous portion of delicious monkfish. Ambiance, atmosphere, cold food, warm delicacies, a full bar where you can design your own drink. Spectacularly comfortable - we will now be coming down here for dinner from London every month! We just love it. You won’t regret coming to this awesome place that really puts in best efforts with quality results.

Fairly decent french cuisine restaurant. The starters were okay, and I particularly enjoyed the short ribs in the beef bourguignon sauce. I would've loved to see a better choice of classic french desserts and more interesting cheese options on the dessert menu.

This place is a real hidden gem! We've been there twice now and both times the food was amazing. The owner knows his stuff and can tell you all about each dish. And if you're gluten-free, don't worry - their chef can make anything gluten-free. It's so nice to be able to go out to lunch and not have to worry about whether or not the food is safe for you. My husband and I love this place and we'll definitely be going back again and again. Thanks for a great experience! 🥂❤️

My mother had an avocado & poached egg on toast & I went for the eggs Benedict. We both liked the food but were a little disappointed as our eggs were both slightly overcooked - yolk was not runny. Service was great & the establishment was well presented.

Such lovely place. Popped in for some drinks with my partner for his birthday. Good location. Reasonable prices, quick service and atmosphere is ready to rock & roll u. Happy to be here.

Great food, great atmosphere, staff are unbelievably good. Love visiting TN1 for a Breakfast or Sunday Roast. Food is always excellent. Can cater for small and big parties. One of my favourite places to eat I Tunbridge Wells.

**update on today's visit** Great breakfast, sausages amazing, my wife loved her avocado and poached eggs. My only criticism is this venue in notoriously slow at bringing your bill over. It happens every time we go. Nice friendly staff, always polite. Not the most attentive out there. Nicely decorated, light and airy. Would recommend. ______________________________________ We've now been here on several occasions, day and night. Overall the service, food and atmosphere is good. The live music was very entertaining during a mid week evening. Some of the lights are at eye level at night, which can be dazzling, otherwise the atmosphere and ambience would be great. We had to move tables because of the lighting arrangement. The food is (nearly) always cooked to a good to high standard. The service getting the bill can be slow. Overall this is certainly a recommended venue to visit in Tunbridge Wells. Keep up the good work, a few minor tweaks here and there and this will be a fantastic place.