Montelbano Restaurant in Ashford

I have never gone to a restaurant and enjoyed every single course, but I have finally found one that I have. The food was just outstanding, my boyfriend and I went for a date night and I have lived in tenterden for my whole life and never tried it. It’s safe to say I won’t go to another restaurant anymore other than here, the scallops were amazing, then I had lamb which was just melting in my mouth it was incredible. And to top it off I have Black Forest cake and that was incredible. Not to mention the service was 10/10. I couldn’t recommend it enough if I tried. What an incredible restaurant, will absolutely be returning.

The calamari I had as a starter were awful, thick & rubbery. Then my husband found a piece of plastic in the bottom of his bowl at the end of his starter. It looked like a break off tab from the lid of a tub. We didn’t feel confident enough to embark upon the main course so left. The staff were apologetic.

Montalbano is a fantastic restaurant with an outstanding menu and attentive, friendly staff. We enjoyed a 3 course meal including the scallops and lemon sole, both of which were prepared and served beautifully! The semifreddo alle mandorle was delicious and decadent, and the tiramisu is another firm favourite. The whole team do an amazing job and there is always a welcoming, jovial atmosphere. Thank you! Highly recommend.

Great food, excellent service and all at a reasonable price. The menu is varied and interesting. Tenterden is such a beautiful town too.

Had an amazing meal at Montalbano and couldn’t recommend it more! From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel incredibly welcome—Omar in particular was outstanding. His hospitality and attention to detail really made the experience special. The food was just as impressive. We started with the bruschetta, which was fresh and full of flavour, and the prawn cocktail, which was beautifully presented and delicious. For mains, the chicken Milanese was perfectly crispy and tender, while the pasta with brandy and pistachio was rich, creamy, and packed with flavour. We finished with the tiramisu, which was light, indulgent, and the perfect end to a fantastic meal. Everything from the service to the atmosphere was spot on. If you’re looking for great Italian food with a warm, welcoming vibe, Montalbano is the place to go. Can’t wait to return!

we always go to Montalbano to celebrate any of our 6 birthdays its ALWAYS brilliant staff efficient and friendly food excellent and environment convivial for a great meal

We had a really delicious meal at Montalbano. We were visiting Tenterden for a couple of nights, and came here on our first night – the food was delicious and the wine selection was great. It was nice seeing things on the menu that I'd never tried before or never seen in an Italian restaurant before – like the Pear and Goats Cheese ravioli in a brandy pistachio sauce. Never had anything like it, and it was so very good. It was quite expensive (we're from London, and our meal was more expensive than our favourite Italian in the city!!) but as a special treat you can't go wrong.

Lovely staff. Beautiful atmosphere. Exquisite recipes. High quality ingredients. Highly recommend. Great coffee!

Christmas Day dinner at Montebello today with 6 family members and my 9 month old granddaughter. Everything was perfect from the outstanding food to the amazing service. We have eaten out on Christmas Day for many years and today was by far the best meal and experience we have ever had.

The food is amazing. Staff are very nice You need to visit this restaurant. Homemade food and sweets This is lovely to see as many restaurants don't seem to do homework food.

A friend and I popped in here for an impromptu lunch and were very pleased with our experience. Service was friendly and professional and the food was very good. We shared the antipasto plate to start, which was so generous it would really have been sufficient for a light lunch :-) A nice mix of meats, cheeses and vegetables - really very tasty. My friend had the tortellini which she declared very toothsome, and I enjoyed my veal chop. Servings were again generous. The veal chop was delicious, cooked to perfection - although the accompanying sauce (my only criticism) was lacklustre. All in all a very agreeable experience.

First time to this restaurant and won't be the last,spot on for authentic Italian dining, good portions and at a fair price, fresh produce, keep it up to all concerned well done.

I know there are many positive reviews but I can only comment on my personal experience. Restaurant was very busy (good) but so noisy it was hard to hold a conversation on the table. My starter of the day (seafood with avocado) was so very cold and totally bland. Not even a wedge of lemon to squeeze over. Steak was cooked as requested but the sauce was just a tasteless gravy. Tiramisu lacked any flavour (as confirmed by others on the table). I left feeling that the whole experience was just bland and very rushed. Tables were turned very quickly, which I understand, but courses arrived as soon as the plates were cleared from the previous course.

Lovely meal, i had a seafood spaghetti dish and we all enjoyed what we had. we sat on the verandah area as it was a warm day and this is situated on a nice part of the high st.

We returned at the weekend.having been offered a goodwill gesture . The food & the service on this occasion were very good and we enjoyed both courses. The only disappointment was there was only one dressed crab left but it was delicious. Thank you …

I spotted this restaurant very near where we were staying for a few days. Sadly won’t be able to return as we live in the SW. we loved it, great staff, great food and ambience. The homemade ice cream is fabulous, so smooth and creamy. Please ditch the artificial flowers on the railings of the steps, and inside. I do find that off putting.

Had an amazing meal here today, exceptional staff very attentive, made our visit extra special by suggesting a particular wine and then adding and extra to my dish, food was well presented and excellent taste every course was fantastic, just wish we lived nearer to come again, thank you so much x

Always have lunch here when visiting tenterden and it never disappoints True Italian food So tasty delivered hot good sized portions such friendly staff Tables could be a little better spaced as conversations could be overheard! No parking Lots of steps at the front 🤷‍♀️

We reserved our table last minute and had a very warm welcome from a young tall waiter. We had a nice table a bit away from the crowds, which was perfect for the three of us to chat. The service was excellent. I am always impressed when we are immediately told what the soup of the day is and we were given the options of the specials before we looked at the menu. This is so helpful when making a decision. I had the tuna tartare, which was fresh and delicious. I followed this with the liver which was super thin and melted in the mouth. I liked the onions on the top too. All the food is freshly made and is beautifully presented. We were all impressed. We all loved our deserts and good coffee too.

Lovely restaurant. Superb service and excellent food. Booked, and I’m glad we did as the place was full. We came with another couple for a celebration and were not disappointed.

We arrived early at 3.30 for a 4pm reservation and although busy we were shown to a table on the lower terrace and ordered drinks. We enjoyed our starter but were disappointed with our mains. The men both ordered spaghetti carbonara which is usually their favourite. The spaghetti however was dry with hardly any creamy sauce and the pancetta/bacon was hard and chewy. As a result they both left most of their meal. The ladies had the crab ravioli which was tasty although the ravioli was luke warm. We didn’t complain as weren’t in the mood for making a fuss and didn’t want to spoil an otherwise pleasant afternoon. This was our first ever visit to Montalbano restaurant and I’m not sure we will return after this visit.

Great selection of dishes to cover all tastes, brilliant service, good choice of wine and love their alcohol free cocktails

Top rate. Came for a celebration last Tuesday. Can't rate them highly enough, from staff to food. The experience was wonderful. For a Tuesday, it was full, and not many places could say that, Thank you for a wonderful meal.

There's a reason this place has #1 in Tenterden. For once, I'd not done and pre visit research, and we found Montalbano after having been recommended The Vine, across the road. The menu at The Vine was somewhat uninspiring, but the exterior of Montalbano caught our eye. Its Sunday night, so was quiet and we easily got a table for two, outside on a lovely evening. Opted for Antipasto to start, great portion, fabulous selection - good value. Then, rigatoni arribiata and mushroom risotto. And a shared Tiramisu for dessert. All outstanding. Wine list included some Sicilian gems - briliant. Wait staff were awesome, organised a Taxi for us, on a Sunday (we knew it was going to be a stretch!) Highly recommend. Its hard to find authentic Italian in the Uk but Montalbano hit the spot!

Cannot fault the food and the service for our lunch today to celebrate a birthday. Came after recommendations and we will definitely be returning soon. The only downside was the seriously OTT noise coming from a large party of diners who arrived by coach.

Absolutely stunning, had the seafood spaghetti, seabass and veal chop, with cheesy garlic bread and a lovely bottle of wine, excellent friendly service and delicious food, best Italian in Kent.

We had an incredible dinner in this beautiful restaurant! Food is superb, I had the best tuna steak ever and my husband absolutely loved the melanzane alla parmigiana! Also the tiramisu’ was 10 stars! Everything was perfect, service is excellent, professionals and friendly at the same time! We will come back soon ! Thank you Alessandra and Jonathan

Despite living locally we hadn’t been out in Tenterden for a few months and decided to choose a restaurant based on other Trust Pilot reviews (and a good choice of vegetarian choices). When I booked online I expected it to be good as there was very little availability (always a good sign) and had to settle on a table at 5:30pm. We were greeted warmly and the menu was extensive. The food we ordered was excellent. What stood out for us was the service. We were delightfully looked after by Charlie and her very able (and really lovely) trainee Omer. Good food is vital but amazing staff elevates a restaurant to 5 stars. Charlie and Omer definitely deserve recognition from the owners/management. We will certainly return. And book in advance! Thank you.

Thank you again for such an amazing evening. The food , service, atmosphere are incredible. Always such a warm welcome too 💕

We came from Rome to spend Christmas eve dinner with my daughters & family living in the UK, and it was wonderful. Excellent food, excellent service and efficient staff! It was a memorable experience and we hope to come again in the future.

A birthday treat. What better place than here to celebrate. Wonderful atmosphere, wonderful food and wine, and wonderful service. The choices available are all enticing and the specials do truly offer something special. We opted for a special starter and main menu for the other, then main menu for the main courses, on this occasion. We’ve had special mains here before and they were delicious. Whoever the capocuoco or capocuoca is, they are very talented. What makes this the absolute gem is that it’s truly exceptional value for money. It’s always busy which is no surprise considering how good it is, but you still get great service, don’t feel cramped or rushed in anyway way and the quality is always faultless. A great experience which we will continue to repeat. We’ll be looking out for event nights this year as well. Grazie Montalbano.

Tina Turner tribute evening was great. Food was good as usual and the atmosphere was excellent. Certainly the best restaurant locally. Friendly, good food and welcoming.

Best italian restaurantt in the UK. 80% of the staff is italian. The quality is supreme. The waiter and the manager comes to your table and takes care of everything. Also, affordable prices!!!

A memorable wedding anniversary lunch, for once a restaurant which lives up to the reviews Authentic Italian/Sicilian dishes and great wine, served with Italian flair and friendly banter We both had the scallop starter, Madame had the crab ravioli with mussels and I had the liver….I asked if it was possible to substitute the mashed potato with pasta….not a problem For dolci, I asked for affogato….not on the menu….again no problem. Thank you Ana & Salvo

A fabulous meal served by a wonderfully enthusiastic waiter who clearly enjoys his job. Food really very good and in particularly the Fillet steak perfectly cooked.

I challenge anyone to find a better authentic Italian restaurant than this place! Absolutely stunning food and fantastic service to go with! A must MUST visit!

One word - excellent. Greeted by the Owner, seated straightaway and offered water. Drinks followed and I asked for Sparkling Water with Lemon & Ice - No pressure to buy branded. Quick served. Had Fritto Misto to start with Calves Liver as main. Best liver I've had all year. Partner had Pasta which she said was superb. I finished with Formaggi, OH had Tiramisu. Both were generous portions. Easy parking in Bridewell Lane CP just behind restaurant.

The food was fantastic and the people who own the place are lovely! We come from the Netherlands came to visit England like we do every year. We went to this restaurant and it’s so good really authentic Italian cuisine and style. Raul, Adriano and the rest of the staff (I believe it’s an Italian family business) really make you feel like you’re in Italy! Loved it!!!

Having seen the rave reviews I was super excited to secure a last minute table online. Easy enough to find on the high street with on street parking pretty much outside. Buzzy atmosphere and attentive (thankfully not overly familiar) service. Food was good - not outstanding - maybe I'd hyped myself up to expect utterly amazing? I can't even remember exactly what we ordered now. I definitely had the Casarecce pasta all'arrabbiata, as veggie main choices were a little limited. My favourite thing was in fact the two glasses of delicious red wine that made me a little giggly!

We booked a table for four on Friday night and were allocated a two-hour slot from 18:00 to 20:00. The place was buzzing when we arrived and remained packed throughout, which is presumably why they want to turn the tables. We went for mains and puds, with two cod dishes, one steak and liver, all of which arrived promptly and were well made and cooked. The desserts were good, as was the cheeseboard but it was a bit disappointing that no-one could give me the names of the cheeses. With some coffees to finish, dinner was over within the two-hour slot and we had enjoyed a very nice meal.

Wonderful family run restaurant We had dinner here while staying nearby and were very impressed with the food which was delicious and reasonably priced. We look forward to visiting again 👏🏻👏🏻

Met 3 former colleagues for lunch. My food was superb and the service was great. I really get the feeling that they take such a great pride in what they do. Thank you so much. Please consider opening a branch nearer to where I live East Kent!!!! No pressure!!

Another most enjoyable experience at this excellent restaurant. A meal to celebrate my wife's birthday and the food and service were both faultless. Always a lovely atmosphere with staff who are passionate and friendly. We will definitely return again very soon.

The best... There is nowhere in Tenterden for this service and great food...MONTALBANO IN MY OPINION IS NUMBER 1!!!!

Wonderful delicious food and great ambience. Went here for my fathers 90th birthday and they made him feel very special. Highly recommend!

Long Friday lunch Fab restaurant Very Italian menu Loved the atmosphere Plenty of seating great service Lovely tasty well presented good sized portions food. Nice deserts tiramisu ummmmmmm special Expresso martini fab! Mid priced range We will return

Went for lunch and had a fabulous meal. Food, service, atmosphere were all exceptional. Will definitely go again.

Brilliant place! Went for a family Sunday lunch, the food was delicious and the service could not have been bettered; It has a very attractive ambiance and is conveniently sited in the village near the car park.

Excellent food, excellent service. Very welcoming. A lovely place to enjoy an evening. We look forward to our next visit.

Service was incredible . Everyone was so helpful and kind . Remembering my name as I had booked the table . Food excellent and atmosphere lovely. Will definitely be going back when we move down soon . Highly recommend

Fabulous meal with great service. Salvatore was a great waiter. True Sisilian experience. Best meal I have had in a long time. Would recommend anyone tries it.

My wife and I were on a short break in the area and this restaurant was highly recommended, so we managed to get in at short notice. The staff were very attentive and helpful in suggesting wine with the meal (lovely wine), the beef ragu...

This is a fantastic restaurant & the food, wine & service are 5 star. We first visited in 2022 & have been going regularly since then. The a la carte menu is great & also there are daily specials. It is a family owned restaurant...

We visited on Saturday evening, and had a table outside as weather was beautiful. Have not been to this restaurant for a couple of years, but service and food still excellent.It really is an authentic Italian restaurant, we can not fault it, and if we...

This restaurant is absolutely fabulous!!! We have been visiting it for approx 3 years & because it’s my Dad’s favourite restaurant decided to book it for his special 90th birthday surprise!! WOW what can I say. Nothing was too much, my Dad was made to...

It's been a while since our first visit, but I was looking for somewhere a little "special" for lunch today and remembered how much my wife enjoyed it here the last time. We both had the Arancini balls for starters, which were beautifully prepared, and...

Yet another superb meal with outstanding service, cannot recommend enough. Thank you Ana and staff.

Charming and attentive staff serve excellent Italian food and wine with panache. Very busy but with a friendly bustling ambience. My husband rated the fillet steak and I enjoyed the Turbot. It felt like a little trip to Italy.

A super restaurant with delicious food, and friendly and helpful staff. We sat outside on the terrace and it was a lovely evening, not noisy at all. Food was fabulous!

My wife and I have both individually and collectively wanted to try this for many years. Today we finally chose to visit on the occasion of our 10th wedding anniversary. The restaurant occupies a lovely setting on the tree lined main road through the pretty...

Excellent restaurant, efficient and friendly staff. Say outside on the terrace. Good delicious. Recommend to book in advance not to be disappointed.

Excellent meal and attentive but not intrusive service - and can thoroughly recommend the amaretto dessert!

Beautifully situated restaurant on the main leafy road through Tenterden. We had a terrace table which afforded a good view and airy atmosphere on a balmy Sunday afternoon. The starters were varied and plentiful and the mains were all first class. The special: crab tortellini...

Our first time here and it won’t be our last for sure. We had the seafood sharer and the swordfish special It was beautifully cooked , presented and served We managed a desert sharing We booked an evening v for our anniversary later in the...

We had an absolutely excellent meal at this restaurant yesterday evening. It was difficult to choose from the selection of dishes available as they all looked delicious. Three courses, wine, tea and coffee later we were really satisfied. They also offer a selection of mocktails,...

Having just returned from Italy, it was delightful to enjoy a genuine Italian meal so close to home. Gentle ambience, attentive (but unobstrusive) waitstaff, good variety on the menu, and delicious food. Was there with a mobility-impaired family member and The restaurant was able to...

Having a day out in Tenterten, and, being a 'Montelbano TV' fan, we couldn't resist eating here and....... what a find! Staff brilliant, food, brilliant, atmosphere, brilliant. attentive but not rushed service, well presented and delicious food. Good prices too.

Had a fabulous lunch here yesterday. The service was exceptional. All the staff we spoke to were attentive and polite. The food was absolutely delicious and the cocktails were great too. Thankyou.

Celebration birthday lunch, staff are friendlly and nothing too much trouble, the food was excellent from seafood to steak. Thank you for making our day

Stumbled upon this restaurant whilst shopping in tenterden and what a lucky find. Lovely friendly helpful staff (as we hadn’t booked) they found a table for us. Light lunch required and delivered it was fabulous Italian speaking staff knowledge of the dishes etc Well presented,...

Fabulous food, wonderful staff and great atmosphere. We had a great lunch. Booking was easy. Will definitely be going again, and again.

Perfect Italian food in a friendly and welcoming setting. We were a family party of four plus baby, celebrating a birthday, and were warmly welcomed, attended to quickly, and treated as though we were valued patrons. The restaurant was fully booked, with a wedding party....

Really super food, fish of the day was skate wing absolutely lovely, my wife’s veal chop very tasty, the sauce really yummy. Our Starters of prawn salad probably the best we have ever had. Service was exceptional, attentive but not obtrusive. The atmosphere was friendly...

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit here for my son's 18th birthday. We booked a table on the terrace which was sheltered and had the addition of heaters. When it gets dark the twinkling fairy lights create a lovely setting. Great service, friendly waiter and courses weren't...

Really lovely and tasty food. Welcoming restaurant and excellent service (thanks Neroli). Bruschetta and arancini for starters with veal and arrabiata for main - all of which were excellent.

Amazing food would give 5 star to starter, main and dessert. Fantastic waiter Jovi very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend as food was truly divine 😋

Great food, we had the carbonara, pasta with lobster and the risotto, all were fantastic. Very friendly staff. Special thanks to Gustavo for his advice and smile.

What an fantastic restaurant! The staff are friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable regarding food and drink and go the extra mile to make your dinning experience as special as possible. The food os absolutely divine, full of flavour and made with fresh ingredients and always delicious! This...

Great Italian restaurant! The restaurant is clean ans the staff is friendly and very attentive Attentive , they don't ask constantly if you are ok but they acknowledge you. The Jovi was great! Grazie mille😁

Firstly I would like thank all the lovely staff for a friendly, attentive and professional meal experience on our weekend away. My wife and I had been recommended the restaurant, and as it was our Ruby anniversary day, we wanted it to feel special. We...

Absolutely loved it! Made to feel so welcome, we sat on the terrace, food was lovely and they didn' t rush us out, the service was amazing, would definitely visit again. Thankyou.

What a wonderful lunch,"Frito Misto" ....and those king prawns!! Olives and the most lovely breads, Great wine ...a little bit of Italy for a few hours as it was lovely and warm ,sitting outside. All that was missing was the sound of water lapping and...

Visited again this time for lunch. Once again the food, service and atmosphere was excellent.

Enjoyable lunch on the terrace. Starters of prawn cocktail with avocado and crab (a lit to le too heavy on the rosemary sauce) followed by fish of the day of sword fish with chimichurri and potatoes, as well a spaghetti carbonara. All good. Dessert of...

We've just returned from a holiday in Italy and our meal at Montalbano surpassed anything we experienced around Lago di Como! My starter of burrata and tomatoes was excellent, followed by a veal chop and chips, which sounds mundane but was totally delicious and SO...

We visited as a couple. The service and attitude of staff was excellent. The food was lovely, we had 3 courses all of great quality and very tasty. We enjoyed the meal so much we booked for the next night. We highly recommend this restaurant.

We were visiting Chapel Down winery for a tour and thought rather than have lunch at Chapel Down we booked lunch on the terrace at this restaurant. We chose to sit on the lower terrace as it was a lovey warm day. The view from...

What a fab Italian restaurant! The layout of the restaurant means in the summer you can sit outside at the front like a typical local Italian restaurant based in Pisa or you can dine inside in a cooler environment. The menu is GREAT! Lots of...

Superb lunch. Can not fault anything am dead so we understand why they have a good reputation. Everything was flavoursome and presently nicely and quickly.

A very tasty meal all around- we particularly loved the pappardelle al ragù and seafood spaghetti, and the calf’s liver. I wouldn’t necessarily rush back to have the starters again , and service was a little slow. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the staff’s care for us...

Fine Italian food and great service! My best meal eaten in Kent! Scallop starter, veal chop cooked to perfection, fresh and delicious tiramisu. Attractive interior - on fine days there is outdoor seating as well.

Thanks everyone at Montalbano, we stopped for an impromptu late lunch, service was brilliant, food delicious and ambience perfect. We'll, be back.

Wonderful food and fast service as always, a truly wonderful “date night” with my wife! Thank you very much!

Short break in Tenterden for my wife's 60th Birthday and a visit to Chapel Down (also recommended, btw). I found Montalbano on Google maps because it is just up the road from our hotel and I'm really glad I did, because our meal there was...

Food delicious, reasonable prices and always busy so a good vibe inside, would recommend to anyone especially those who like Italian food but lots of options

Everything was perfect from the moment we arrived. Warm greeting. Efficient service. Great food. No wonder the restaurant was completely full. Can’t wait to return.

Had a lovely alfresco dinner with our two young kids. Staff were really friendly and great with the kids, food authentic and the whole experience felt like being back in Sicily again.

Lovely, authentic Italian. Great, friendly service, wonderful food. Locals friendly too! Ended up chatting to both tables next to us!

My wife and I went to Montalbano after visiting Chapel Down winery. Montalbano is a lovely restaurant on the highstreet of Tenterden. We were welcomed by Adriano, a truly lovely Sicilian man who made us feel at home. It was our 10 year anniversary, and...

We visited after a tour of Chapel Down on the recommendation of our taxi driver, who told us that the restaurant was family run & that we would be well looked after! He was absolutely right & we weren’t disappointed! The staff were so friendly...