Penshurst, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

“Good-quality food and friendly service” at this village pub, which was rescued in a rundown state by entrepreneur Sir Keith Mills and his wife Maureen a dozen years ago, and is run by well-known chef brothers Chris & James Tanner. “It’s great for families – you can watch the chefs at work in front of you!”.

This Arts & Crafts boutique hotel at the edge of Rusthall Common woods makes a “lovely setting” for a meal from chef Scott Goss, who trained under Gary Rhodes, served in a dining room with original stained-glass windows and wood-panelled fireplace. “Sunday lunches on the terrace are a summer treat” with “amazing views” over Happy Valley, and it’s “very popular for weddings”.

2023 Review: A “family favourite” for its “lovely atmosphere and brasserie food” – and handily close to Tunbridge Wells station – this spin-off from the ever-expanding Ivy operation is well regarded by most reporters, but also suffers from the complaints commonly levelled against its Identikit siblings: most especially indifferent cooking that’s “poor value for money”.

“Still a favourite in Tunbridge Wells by a mile” – Rob & Donna Taylor’s Southborough five-year-old occupies an attractive site and “is that rare treat – a top restaurant in Kent!”. The “staff are so sweet and friendly and always know so much about the menu” that it creates a “lovely, warm and relaxed atmosphere” and the food itself is “very thoughtful and well-prepared from a monthly-changing menu”. Dishes are priced individually à la carte, or you can order a tasting selection for £90 per person and there are “excellent matching wines”.