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!

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

Food you cannot forget. The most freshest calamari and pasta dishes. Hard to choose which dish to have. Wine was reasonably priced compared to other restaurants in the town. Service was excellent and the restaurant had a stylish outside eating area and a cosy intimate restaurant. Jelly beans at the end of the meal was fun!!!! Will be returning.

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.

We enjoyed the food at this restaurant, as it was of very good quality. However, we couldn't help but feel that the portion sizes were a bit on the smaller side, considering the price tag. I personally left a bit hungry. The set lunch for 2, along with a bottle of water, all together priced at 99 pounds, felt quite steep. Additionally, finding parking in the area proved to be quite difficult.

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.

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 ❤️

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.

Delicious and tasty food in a cozy lovely place. We had a dish for two, which was a mixed grill platter and the portions were very generous, our group was 3 people and we couldn't finish everything on the plate. The lamb chops were really good, the ribs just tasted amazing, the hummus had perfect texture and their pita bread was very soft and delicious. We received great service from the staff as well, who even helped us book a taxi when we were leaving. Highly recommend it!

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.

Bruschetta funghi was exquisite - incredibly creamy and full of flavour. Mains: Gnocchi - this is the most authentic gnocchi I’ve had since Rome, it was amazing. Cheesy, full of flavour and the tomato sauce was one of the best I’ve had. Spaghetti - it was nice and simple - nothing too special but it did have a real authentic Italian element behind it. Dessert: All I can say is wow. Everything single item hit the spot. The Panna cotta, the chocolate fondant (I cant remember the exact name they had for it in the restaurant) and the cannelloni - it was unbelievable. Especially the chocolate fondant, cooked to perfection - the chocolate began oozing out as soon as we cut into it. The chocolate was rich but just the right amount. Also the hog chocolate was heavenly if you like thick creamy not chocolates - it tasted like a chocolate mousse! I would 100% recommend this restaurant - not only is the food incredible but the staff are wonderful and welcoming.

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!

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.

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.

We had our daughter's 10th birthday party here, and chose the mixed party menu. The girls' loved it, the food was good quality and perfectly sized portions, and the service was excellent - both before and after the night. Happy to recommend it, we'll definitely host a party there again.

Brilliant food, good portion sizes.

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.

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! 🥂❤️

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.

**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.

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.

En route heading back to London on a Sunday, we decided to grab food with us only wanting one thing. A Sunday roast. However with many pubs in the area we called around, checked reviews, even walking into some establishments that were always busy. On our hunt we came across TN1 Bar and Kitchen, and after visiting my outlook on bars has changed when it comes to getting a roast. Firstly when you walk into this bar, it's extremely modern, with a hint of quirkiness. It was nice & open with a lovely atmosphere that was busy yet chilled, and luckily a table of 4 was waiting for us. Whilst waiting to decide on our order we were pleasantly greeted and served drinks, before putting our order in which was easy from all the views and smells from other customers' plates. When your food arrives at the table so will a big smile on your face, as straight away the presentation confirms we made the right decision. The Pork Belly Roast dinner I had was not cooked to perfection, but is perfection. Everything on the plate held its own, dazzling my taste buds from every bite giving me that that homely Sunday feel inside. The portion size is perfect and if you have this without a starter, you'll feel more than satisfied yet in my case I forced what I couldn't eat as it was too good to leave on the plate. You can tell every detail was well thought through with the decor and menu options; wanting to give customers a great experience to ensure they return. If I lived near TN1, you'd find me here every Sunday without fail.

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.

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 :)

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!

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

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.

Afternoon tea .excellent sandwiches fresh and lovely. Not keen on the cakes way too much chocolate but the scones where good but not enough butter or jam to go round.staff not chatty or engaging. Service good selection of teas disappointing. There was no choice sad.i must say I have had better high teas and would not do this again,I would prefer lunch.

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!

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.

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.

We went for Sunday lunch and ate in the bar (same menu) as we had our dog with us. Food was excellent, very nice presentation, good quality ingredients and tasted great. Service was friendly and good. The whole place was as smart and clean. Highly recommend and we will definitely be going again.

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.