Blackthorn Garden Restaurant in Maidstone

I love the whole concept of this place and have visited on various open days and Christmas event but I think the cafe could be so much better. I realise most of the staff are volunteers but when I visited on Monday one of the staff was picking out bits of celery from the display fridge and just eating it which was then going to be sold to customers, utterly disgusting and unhygienic, I would expect all staff to have at least been trained in food safety. Food choice is very limited and expensive. My latte arrived in the smallest cup I’ve ever seen I’m pretty sure this isn’t what I’ve received in the past. Charity shop was shut as it says they had no staff yet there were probably 10 people in the cafe not doing anything. I really feel that with a menu revamp and better trained staff this place could make a lot more money for charity, it’s a lovely setting and great cause just feels like it’s not being run well. Shame

We tried the cafe the other day good location and car parking the range of food is a bit limited the cafe is well set out. I just found the staff a bit frosty and not very welcoming for that reason we are not going back With the state of the economy friendly staff makes a big difference to the business

Lovely environment, food is always lovely and people and very welcoming and friendly. Will be returning again soon :)

I love this little haven for lunch out. Delicious vegetarian food, friendly and relaxed with lovely vegatable/plant beds you can wander round. Even a very reasonably priced charity shop. Homemade bread and cakes too. Wonderful.

My absolute favourite place to take people visiting me. Unique and charming, I would go everyday if i could!

Had planned to pop in for lunch after an appointment at Maidstone Hospital but the hospital were quicker than expected but i still stopped here anyway. Wonderful place, calm, lovely environment, welcoming and a lovely cup of tea with a delicious piece of carrot cake. The lunch options looked great and I was sorry to miss them! Very limited menu (today was soup or quiche or a potato dish) but the ethos of this cafe is fabulous. Vegetarian food, all locally grown and cooked and served by volunteers and those working to return to health. On a nice day take the food outside and enjoy the garden, on a cold rainy day just enjoy the cafe.

I wanted to like this place, it being for charity and all, but I’m afraid I came away feeling very unwelcome. A raffle ticket purchase was virtually forced on me at the till and it seemed to be more like a vanity project than a going concern. I had people constantly fussing about me getting a large table ready for something- then a large group appeared and I just felt I was invading someone else’s space. I’m sure it’s a great place if you’re one of the ‘in-crowd’, but not very welcoming to outsiders.

The food they serve is beautifully presented and healthy and caters for diabetics, vegetarians,gluten free and it is served in a small friendly cafe.they grow some of their own produce which adds to the charm of the cafe and it's surroundings.

We've had excellent food recently and they catered for vegetarians as well as vegans and people who are gluten intolerant.Today the choice was minimal, nothing for vegans, dairy and gluten intolerant. The salad was lovely, but very small, a few green leaves, coleslaw and cucumber isn't very satisfying. It seems strange that hummus was out of stock and that gluten free bread was not stocked. Sadly we will not be able to support this cafe in future.

I recently visited the cafe. The menu is small, modest, incredibly delicious. I have never ever had a bad meal at this cafe. This is charity run which I think is brilliant. I am gluten sensitive and was explained the main and the dessert were gluten free that day so had both, my husband had a soup and a sandwich followed by the still warm from the oven gf chocolate gateaux. The menu changes daily. Bake their own bread which is available to purchase as well as herbal teas and spices. A hearty meal for little cost. All vegetarian with gluten free and vegan options.

If you like vegetarian food this is a must place to visit A lot of the food is grown in the Blackthorn garden. They offer a few selections each day and it is well worth a trip here. After lunch you can stroll round the gardens and even visit their lovely charity shop nestled in there which has some Great finds Staff are wonderful Co-workers are people recovering from illness or such like and it has a lovely vibe to the place A place of healing and well-being 👍

Great little restaurant run by volunteers using produce grown in the local gardens. 1 starter/main served a day plus a soup option. If you are lucky enough to be there when they have the pizza wood burner going it it literally the most delicious pizza I have ever tasted.

Love that you can eat so well and healthily at the same time . A real haven of peace . Not a huge menu ,so be brave and embrace what’s on the daily meal selection as a non veggie, I’m always impressed . Lovely fresh bread to buy .

This truly must the ultimate hidden gem. Why have we not found this wonderful place before now? Places like this are needed all around the country but sadly this is the first we have found. We were shown it on Wednesday and we were so excited that we returned on Friday (6th October 2017) to explore properly…and also to sample the delicious food. The kitchen is in view of all the customers and you can see the chefs doing their valued work. The Café restaurant is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm weekdays only. Closed at weekends. As another reviewer has mentioned, all the produce is of the very best quality. It is organic and either grown here or it is sourced locally. The bread that is made here is the best we have tasted and there are several types of loaf on sale. Also on sale and displayed around the restaurant you will see different arts and crafts such as hand made jewellery and beautiful stained glass pictures which are unique and designed by the co-workers. You will see co-workers working in the café, kitchen, stained glass workshop, music room, charity store and elsewhere in the grounds. It is a wonderful place and we feel there should be more places like this which offer help for good health as well as life opportunities. For our Lunch we had sweetcorn and marrow soup which came with a slice of home made bread. Our Main was leek and mushroom risotto with salad and vegetables. Desert was apple cake with cassis custard. These were very generous portions and it was absolutely delicious. We also bought several loaves of freshly baked bread and some chocolate vegan cake. Everybody is polite, friendly and very welcoming. Everywhere is spotlessly clean. We will most definitely be going again. Out grateful thanks to John a brilliant chef, Jackie and Zoe for showing us around and all the rest of the team at Blackthorn Trust.

The food is prepared on site fresh everyday. Many of the ingredients are grown in the garden. The charity support people going through difficult times and gives space to allow healing to happen. You will find the atmosphere very relaxing and calm. There is also a lovely charity shop in the garden to browse in. You can also have a look at the stained glass workshop and purchase any items you see. If you want a particular piece to be make just speak to Renate who can organise that for you

Popped in for lunch on my birthday and the food was all so fresh and delicious, vegan options were great (huge portions and very filling) and the garden and restaurant were all very calming. The mint and chilli tea delivers quite a punch! Lucky to have this vegetarian offering in Maidstone :)

Una deliciosa comida casera hecha por voluntarios en la caridad. Las porciones son buenas y la comida es deliciosa.

Wonderful healthy food... All made and cooked on site. Very friendly helpful staff. Quiet and not rushed Had lunch and tea and cakes both really worth a visit

Very good food served and varied menu. I have never been to a vegetarian restaurant but I was surprised . surrounding the restaurant lovely gardens to look around. The art work around the restaurant was of good quality

This is part of a charity and deserves everyone's support --not for the cause -for the excellent food/service/surroundings and price. Go--you won't be sorry you did

Took family for a quick lunch. Good food. Left happy. Polite service. Very pleased. Hidden away. Wouldn't know it was there which is a shame

Un almuerzo de tres platos vegetariano en el Blackthorn jardín le costará alrededor de £12. - £15,00 con café. Es mejor cuando te das cuenta de que todos los vegetales son cultivados en el pequeño jardín encantador justo en frente del restaurante, y todo está recién preparados y orgánico. Fui con una de mis estudiantes, ambos tuvimos los tres platos, que fue más que suficiente. La gente que dirige este lugar es amable y servicial, y hay un piano vertical encantador en la esquina, en caso de que te apetece una orinan! Este es también un pequeño lugar para una amplia variedad de plantas jardín estacional, cultiva junto al restaurante - en este momento, incluso puedes comprar su Navidad guirnalda por la puerta, hecho a mano en el Blackthorn confianza. Además, obras de arte, joyas y artículos de vidrio con vidrieras son a menudo se muestran a la venta en el restaurante, y pan fresco disponible todos los días, así que tomar algunas casa con usted pronto. Si te gusta la auténtica comida y gente agradable, este es sin duda el lugar a donde ir para el almuerzo, y está abierto los sábados, lo que es una verdadera ventaja.

It is all presented very well, and the food is perfectly acceptable - but personally, I am not fond of vegetarian food...