The Compasses Inn in Ashford

What an amazing experience - perhaps the oddest, most welcoming pub we have been to in years. We stopped in for lunch and were amazed by the eclectic nature of the place. Food was delicious (deep-fried biscuits are now a feature of my diet), staff were friendly, efficient and welcoming, and the decor was insanely fun. We will be back.

We planned a visit in advance as a camper a stopover, after a few very narrow lanes we found the pub, the signage was poor but obviously a pub. We enquired about the stopover and were welcomed. Set up the van in a level car park overlooking open fields and went for dinner in the pub. Beer and cider good, the food was really not too brilliant. Mine a bean waffle needed more flavour and the other half’s wedges were over done.. retired after another drink, quiet night and early start to Dover…

Dropped by on my bike for a snack. Food was great, the taco was exceptional and the Discovery cider was also good. Saw other dishes being served and they were also very appealing. The pub itself has an amazing array of eclectica and doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. Had a chat to both Ross and Sarah and both were a delight to talk to. Will be back again. The Secret Drinker was spot on.

Crossing the threshold led us into an incredibly warm and welcoming bar. We immediately felt like old regulars. We explored the quirky, immersive interior and found a table which had cards and a shut-the-box game (which we thoroughly enjoyed). The menu was everything we could wish for, all homemade and smoked. The service was pretty fast, and again very friendly. If that had been my last meal, I'd have died happy! Absolutely delicious. If you find this a downside, (which my husband didn't), the portion was a bit large for me, meaning that I couldn't find even the smallest bit of pudding space, which was a shame as the dessert menu sounded intriguing. Definitely a 10/10 and we'll definitely be returning with friends and family.

Went for Sunday lunch. I would say food unexceptional and not much variety. Staff nice and friendly, ambience fine. No hot drinks at all. Don’t understand this decision. Many people, like me, want a coffee or tea after a meal and I think they’re missing a trick. Surely this wouldn’t be too much bother, and hot drinks make a good profit. A lot has changed since I used to go there as a student, and not for the best I would say. Lovely building, great location. Could make a lot more of it.

Genuinely so pleased we found this place, not sure I will ever be able to eat again. The fillet steak sandwich is enough to put a competitive eater in a coma - and the quality/taste is unlike anything I've ever had before. Bar staff are all lovely, very friendly atmosphere - and the decor was so unique. The chicken wandering around the garden was a great touch too. Bawk, bawk, bawk. 10/10 doesn't do it justice. Travel half the country to get here if you need to, you will not regret it.

We spent a really enjoyable evening at The Compasses yesterday. Quirky decor; great food at very reasonable prices and really friendly staff.

Amazing food, great atmosphere and the owners can't do enough for you, will be back for more. Would highly recommend to everyone

I was part of a group that had lunch here. It was good to feel welcome again, as the previous people had aimed for a high-end clientele, so walkers in need of a pub were barely tolerated. We all enjoyed our meals, though some struggled to finish the generous portions. I will have the fried chicken again when I next visit.

. For a local pub you would expect the owners to be much more endearing, the land lady is rude and belligerent, the beer is great however the food especially the gumbo is under seasoned stodge the menu most definitely looks better on paper Disappointed

Having read previous reviews about this lovely pub and it's wonderful food myself and family arrived last week and I can honestly say I wish we had not bothered . I also wish I had done my research more. It seems that this pub was taken over a few months back and has gone through several chefs and staff already. The food on offer was sausage rolls and soup crisps - really ! If I wanted Greggs I would have driven to my local garage or Iceland. As previous posts have suggested this establishment is riding on the tail of the previous 5 star owners and their fine dining which NOW is non exsistent. The new tenants are very much out of their depth and are doing a very poor job. The place could do with a good clean too. The place felt 'grubby' Touted on their website 'Kents best- kept secret' I think it would be best if this place in it's current hands IS kept secret until they can pull their socks up and stop disappointing punters.

We visited this pub/restaurant on Wednesday lunchtime having checked the website to see if it was open and serving food. It states that they are open from 12pm to 10pm. When we arrived it was closed, we were not the only people to make the same mistake there were two others who arrived at about the same time to be equally disappointed. Having tied all the doors we saw a hand written sign in the window with completely different opening hours, it was not open until 5pm. We were naturally disappointed having travelled to Crundale specifically to visit this pub

This pub is a disaster zone! The constant launching of food/events/pop ups only for them to be changed and cancelled at the last minute. We’ve never experienced anything like this, the people must be in so inexperienced and out of their depth. Opening times don’t align, their social media is one apology after another … wow. Shepherd and Neame must be well proud! Not. Pub has such potential, was far better under Donna and John before her …

What a treat to find such a gorgeous little gem in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside. My friend and I were only going to stay for a drink, but the outdoor garden was so beautiful, with its instagram-worthy tree swing and tables set around a pretty lawn, that we spent the whole Saturday evening there. It would make a lovely venue for a wedding reception! The food was lovely. As a veggie it was great to see such a choice of options, with small plates like a beautifully fresh zucchini salad and a classic caprese and my absolute favourite main course aubergine pasta all Norma. It's fantastic to stumble upon a pub like this at the end of a stunning country walk. Can't wait to visit again!

Delicious proper Sicilian food; Proper village pub; Gorgeous Kent countryside; wonderfully friendly bar staff and landlord. Thanks so much all.

Wow it is gorgeous. Low wooden beamed ceilings. 3 fireplaces. Amazing beers. Superb atmosphere. One of the best pubs in Kent possibly even Kent and Sussex.

Visited with friends for Sunday lunch 2 weeks ago and returned again today. A little off the beaten track but well worth the visit. Lovely, traditional old pub, open fires etc. with friendly, welcoming staff, in a great location - woodland walks on the doorstep so great for walkers, cyclists etc. and the pub is dog friendly. Best of all, the food is amazing. I don’t always have high expectations for a Sunday lunch, but both times we’ve been here, it’s been perfect. Now we’ve found it, we will definitely be regular visitors!

We went here regularly when the Compasses was under its former management so decided to return now that the pub is fully re-open. We arrived just before 7pm to a virtually empty pub but thankfully it got busier as the evening progressed. We enjoyed pre-dinner drinks in the garden. The food was great although it’s more pub style food as opposed to fine dining - we enjoyed the baked truffle polenta, creamy spinach and poached egg and charred asparagus, parma ham, Parmesan crisp for starters; for mains we had the 10oz ribeye, gratin dauphinoise, roast tomato and garlic spinach and roasted squash burger, slaw, salad, sriracha mayo and fries; and for desert we had the lemon posset, raspberry compote and pink peppercorn and boozy fudge banana, chocolate ooze and vanilla ice cream. The landlord was really friendly and welcoming and we were served by the delightful, attentive and really bubbly Felicity. There is a great selection of beers and ales and a good wine menu - the Chateauneuf-du-pape was superb. As the pub is still in relative infancy I suspect it may take a bit of time for things to bed down a little and it’s much more of a casual pub dining affair than before but that’s not a bad thing and we will undoubtedly be returning at some point.

Used to come here for many years then it became very gastro pub. Recently under new management and so came with some friends. The pub hasn't changed. It is historic and remains comfortable. Its a freehouse again so an interesting selection of good beers. The food was excellent. The landlord and everyone couldn't have been nicer. The absolute best though was Molly. The gorgeous canine wellcomer. She was very good at doing the circuit and receiving love from everyone. Will definitely be coming again.

Visited today for a light lunch. I had a sweet potato, chickpea and feta sausage roll which was delicious. My companions had pork and sage sausage roll, chipotle sausage roll and spiced parsnip soup which were all excellent. Small menu, offering four different sausage rolls, three soups, and a weekly hot option which was moussaka today, either vege or meat. but perfect for a quick lunch. The landlord and staff were very friendly and welcoming. A real treat. There is a great selection of drinks, including non-alcoholic options. Definitely recommend if you are after a proper pub snack in real pub surroundings and atmosphere.

I could live in this pub! The interior and atmosphere is just perfect, authentic and cosy, not all blinged up or fake. I now have a new favourite beer too, after the owner listened to what I like and recommended one on tap. My friend...

I am sure if you read the lunch menu of soup and sausage rolls you might be a bit underwhelmed and maybe give it a miss. But you would be making a mistake. This has to be the best pea and pancetta soup I have ever had. My husband had one of the sausage rolls and said it was one of the best that he is had. Staff were friendly and the pub was dog friendly. This was our first trip out with our puppy to a pub so the welcome was much appreciated.

Visited at 2pm on a Sunday with a reservation. Was given the choice of bar or restaurant table and chose to sit in the bar. Nice rustic pub atmosphere. Food was delightful, and nice selection of beers. Would love to go back soon!

I had made a reservation several weeks for lunch today at 12.30pm. After travelling for approximately 45 minutes it was extremely frustrating to find the premises were closed. Apparently someone had tried to contact me at some point during the morning but I had no...

As locals we were all so happy to have the Compasses reopening as a pub late last year and the bar, under brewer Ben Duckworth, has become such a lively and joyous place to be once more. And after refurbishment, the restaurant reopened this week...

This is a little gem in the heart of the beautiful kent country side . We had pre booked ahead on line and was glad we did as it was very busy . After a lovely warm greeting we were shown to a very nice...

We have been eating at the compasses since Donna and Rob took over, all of the special occasions, some great Sunday lunches, and meals with friends have been here and it's always perfect. It has been our go-to for many years and we are sad...

We returned to this handsome restaurant / pub which is set in deep Kent countryside. If you don’t know it, you could easily miss it. The food is of and excellent quantity and well presented. The staff are friendly and attentive. We recommend it highly....

Visited this pub after a walk with my dog, wanted some lunch and to sit in the garden, was told dogs are not allowed and we don’t serve food in the garden. Would not of been a problem if the waitress didn’t look at us...

We really enjoyed the food here. Such a shame to hear it is closing. Really hope that the team set up somewhere different soon.

What a wonderful restaurant, food and service was fantastic and the whole experience had a since of occasion about it. Would certainly return if was in the area again.

Our party of four were all very impressed with every aspect of our Sunday lunch. Top quality food, beautifully presented. Lovely and charming service. Great VFM. I loved the specials wine list. You don't often see G from Ch. Guiraud. Sad that we don't live...

Last visited the Compasses for my daughter's 21st birthday, 24 years ago, After looking for a local pub with a reputation for good food, my wife & I booked a table, and are so glad we did. The pub is lovely, atmospheric country inn, and...

Visited recently whilst on holiday in the area. We know Kent fairly well, having lived there for many years, but had no knowledge of this gem. Of course with the current restrictions the table numbers are limited, and we were very fortunate to book the...

Really good Sunday lunch. Read it was #8 on 50 best gastro pubs, didn’t disappoint. Bit difficult to get to though! Nice big Carl park. Nice socially distanced tables. One way system and plenty of hand sanitiser. Staff really knowledgeable and friendly without being over...

the food was amazing. a little different from the norm but was a treat and loved it all. the service was great and the ambiance felt 👍

We attended last weekend and WOW! The food was amazing as always and the staff were lovely! Restrictions are in place just like all other pubs and restaurants and clearly some other reviews on here don’t get that! We were greeted with a smile, shown to the garden and the service was great! We’ve never had a bad visit here and totally commend them on the changes they have made and the rules they are having to follow even if the public don’t agree with them. ALWAYS book and you won’t be disappointed, the food is unlike anything else around

I booked a table for myself and my father for Father's day - he had specifically asked to go to a restaurant of this type, and I had booked well in advance to ensure I had a table for the special occassion. My sister has come back from University to surprise him for father's day and I called the restaurant to ask if we could possibly make the table a 3 as oppose to a 2. An incredibly rude woman picked up on the phone and insisted that this was not possible. I was more than understanding, appreciate that restaurants are hard to come by these days, and was willing to continue with the booking for my dad and I. Instead, she insisted that she would cancel the booking and when I aksed why, she said because she didn't trust that I wouldn't look elsewhere. I informed her that I had given my card details, was fully aware of the cancellation policy, and was still keen to come as I wanted to have a lovely lunch with my Dad, who I haven't seen in months due to Covid. Instead, she told me "I have cancelled the booking" and hung up on me. I am in utter shock at this. I have now been left with no reservation for Father's day despite telling my dad 3 weeks ago to book the day off work as he sadly works weekends and I am going to really struggle to find something special to do with him. I could almost cry with how bad I feel. Please please please do not go to the restaurant for any occassion, especially if it is for a meaningful occassion. I have genuinely never experienced such rudeness in my life, and despite how disrespected I feel, I can't help but think she has done me a favour as she would likely have been rude on the day, and made me feel very embarrassed for no good reason at all whilst trying to enjoy a lovely evening with my dad who I love so dearly. Disgusting and outrageous - that is all I can say. The lack of professionalism is beyond me.

Lovely pub (if a bit in the middle of nowhere), serving up some very posh pub food. The service was impeccable and all the staff were polite, friendly and offered prompt service. Food was very good indeed, we both had the lamb which was very well executed, followed by a sticky toffee pudding and chocolate mousse desert. If I was being picky, which considering the prices charged, I feel I can be, the menu lacked a bit of imagination, especially with regard to the vegetarian and accompaniments that were offered - you don't really expect chips with curry sauce to be offered at a restaurant where mains can easily set you back £35, as the vegetable side dishes are all charged for separately. Other than that, really nice meal.

We ate here last night for dinner and we were immediately made to feel welcome and relaxed as soon as we walked through the door! The atmosphere was relaxing and the setting of the old building made it even better! Donna's knowledge of the menu was fantastic and she was very friendly when we were ordering. We both had 3 courses and could not fault a single thing! The little touches made all the difference, from the home churned butter to remembering it was an early birthday celebration! It was all so delicious that we can't even pick a favourite dish! Our hotel was just under an hour away from the restaurant and we would happily drive it again to sample the delicious food, that was cooked to perfection! 10 out of 10 for every aspect!

A most wonderful lunch with good friends. The food, the wine, the service.....you simply can't fault the place. Magnificent..thank you.

From start to finish, this place didn’t disappoint, amazing welcome & the food outstanding!! Best lamb I’ve ever tasted. Donna & Rod have this off to tea, who would have thought they have been closed for months. Hats off you guys & the fabulous staff. Thank you for a superb lunch. Make sure book as always full. See you soon

We had a really enjoyable lunch. The bread and butter are lovely. We had the lamb which was very tender. Starters are also enjoyable and beautifully presented. The puddings are delicious and very rich! Service was very friendly and accommodating. Drinks are reasonably priced.

Having had a tiny civil wedding in the morning in Canterbury we chose The Compasses to share lunch with our witnesses and everything from the minute we arrived was wonderful. The ambience, staff and food were absolutely lovely and I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. Definitely going back! And thank you everyone for making our lunch such a delight

My family and I arrived yesterday for a birthday celebration, we were not greeted with warmth or friendliness as you’d expect from an establishment with a great reputation for their culinary expertise, however I brushed this aside and gave my name to confirm the booking. Immediately after, the lady we were greeted by informed me that I must have the wrong date as my name was not on the system, despite telling her that I had booked for my birthday (an obviously memorable date), most people with an ounce of good will would normally wish you a happy birthday, but not this lady! She continued to tell me I had the wrong date despite explaining that I had an email confirmation that I would be willing to show her if I could connect to the wifi network. She seemed dubious as to whether or not to accept my request, but accepted my offer on the basis that she connected to the wifi for me! Took my phone and did it herself! Whilst I was scanning my phone for the booking confirmation a man with a young baby asked if he could come in for a drink (to avoid the sudden rain pour), this lady refused him despite the pub being empty bar two other diners! We asked if we could sit and have a drink whilst we waited, again we were refused and my father who was warming himself up by the fire (it was a cold day) was asked to move due to COVID regulations despite there being no one being in that area. This lady’s attitude lacked warmth, tact and sincerity and her demeanour emanated an air of unwillingness to do the utmost to provide an excellent service. Despite finding the e-mail we decided we would not be spending our money on an establishment where we appeared dispensable. Having dined at some of the best places Kent has to offer such as The Sportsman, The Three Chimneys Biddenden, The Fordwich Arms, The Duck Inn near Canterbury and Jojo’s in Tankerton- We’d hoped we’d get a similar experience from The Compasses, this was not the case. If you’re looking at booking here, I would ask that you consider spending your hard earned money elsewhere. I recommend any of the restaurants above as I can guarantee they will offer quality dining but most importantly a quality service.

Had lunch today with my husband, walked in to a lovely warm welcome. The food was exquisite, the meat just melted in the mouth and the hake flaked beautifully. Watch out for two types of bread with a marmite butter - absolutely delicious! The whole meal was crowned with a luscious sticky toffee pudding served with medjool date and rum puree and gorgeous Jersey cream. Stunning! Can't wait to go there again.

Bottomless brunch was really good. Staff were really attentive and lovely. Definitely will come back again

We were staying in Canterbury and had seen the reviews. We decided to book and take the drive out.We were not disappointed.The pub has a lovely typical country feel, the food was lovely although the lamb a bit too pink for my preference.They did advise beforehand it was served pink but just a bit too much for me.Service was lovely and they had the spacing of customers done very well for current circumstances.

Been here a few times now, my favourite restaurant I've eaten in for a long time. , the menu is always interesting, food has always been fantastic, service very professional and friendly, Food wise this place is up there with the Sportsman , Reeds and the Fordwhich arm. Nice and chilled no fuss.

Absolutely loved it - everything about it - the food - the Inn - the wine - the staff... It was our first visit and we can’t wait to come back!

Fabulous food and good service in this beautiful country pub complete with open fireplaces. Will definitely return.

Amazing food, beautifully presented. The 2 waitresses who served us throughout the evening were delightful & added to the dining experience. There was a small disturbance from a couple sitting next to us which didn’t spoil our evening. But the staff handled the situation professionally & without making any other guests feel uncomfortable. They went above & beyond in apologising to us. Can’t wait to come back!

We ate here last Friday, 1st time at this beautiful old pub, but definitely won’t be the last. The food was absolutely stunning, presented to perfection and everything tasted divine, easily the best meal I’ve ever had, anywhere! On top of this the staff were lovely too, really made you feel at home, no rush, no fuss, just friendly efficient service. Thank you to all for a wonderful experience, we will be back very soon.

Had a fabulous lunch. The food was excellent and the service superb - lovely food and nice people. Will definitely book again.

Heard good reports on the food, Booked a table for 6 for lunch.Unfortunately at the last minute 1 couple could not make it. We only got the text as we arrived. We apologized, but were moved from our table to a small table in a miserable, dark room. A very irritable women lectured me on why they take credit card details in a condescending, confrontational manor and said we charge for people who don't turn up. Our other friends were very successful retired S & N landlords & suggested we leave. Wish we had as food unexceptional. The lady in charge seems to have a big chip on her shoulder and obviously resents any criticism.

What a lovely pub. First time eating here, all good local food and drink. In the current situation they are only taking Resturant bookings, but it’s well worth a visit. All the courses were spot on, especially the venison vindaloo. We’re definitely coming back.

We ate here on the last night of our "staycation" nearby and it was certainly a case of saving the best until last!I enjoyed the sweetcorn soup for starter, and sea bream for main. I'm not normally a huge fan of desserts but had almond cake with wild blackberries and it was my favourite course! Absolutely delicious and the wild blackberries reminded me of blackberry picking as a child - very nostalgic.My husband had pheasant, lamb and black truffle bread and butter pudding. The truffle pudding wasn't to my taste but my husband loved it!Service was friendly and efficient, the atmosphere was cosy.All very reasonably priced considering the quality. If we're ever back in Kent, we'll definitely be visiting again!

Fantastic food, such great quality and also good wine. The service is attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is perfect. We had a truly wonderful gastro pub meal.

The food is absolutely delicious! We had roasts and the starters looked amazing. Brilliant puddings and all in all 10 out of 10. Very pretty setting and the staff were friendly and great. A brilliant pub and what a treat. highly recommend and some stunning walks around the area.

Exceptional. A gorgeous, fairly priced experience that I’ve already booked to return to. I enjoyed every second I spent in The Compasses and I cannot wait to go back. Service was professional, friendly and highly knowledgeable.

We are so lucky living less than 10 minutes drive from the marvellous Compasses Inn. So it was the ideal choice for my wife’s birthday meal. Lovely atmosphere and very friendly staff made the evening a success. Now for the food, all beautiful presented and a delight for the palette. Will visit very soon birthday or not.

This is a gorgeous old Kentish Shepherd Neame pub in a glorious location.I really, really want to like it, but I've been disappointed both times I've had lunch here. Recently, I had lunch with a friend. The lady behind the bar wasn't very hospitable and I've never been instructed to look at the menu before asking for a drink at the bar before! Our table was incredibly uncomfortable and I had to sit on what felt like a hard shelf, looking down on my friend, who was in a chair. She enjoyed her fish, mine was presented nicely, but personally, I'm not crazy about nearly raw trout. We shared chips but they were more like roast potatoes and the oil tasted less than fresh.

Better than any Sunday roasts I’ve had anywhere in the country irrelevant of how many Michelin stars the place had.I don’t know how they cooked the roast beef but it just melted, was so pink and tasted awesome.The waiting staff were either brusque or inexperienced and a bit useless but what’s going on in the kitchen is very special.Ps, I’ve eaten in 6 of the top ten restaurants in the world.

We had lunch here as a small group of friends and really wanted to like the place. The garden and inside seating were very pleasant, and the wine and fish dishes we had were good. However the pigeon and duck main courses were both very tough and very variable in quality between us. When we raised this very politely with one of the younger waiting staff (who were generally sweet and helpful) she disappeared and a slightly older lady (manager?) appeared and challenged us about it and handled the matter in a way which left us all uncomfortable, which I can only explain as passive aggressive/patronising. It was a real shame and clouded the more pleasant aspects of the meal.

We had an absolutely amazing meal here last night. Every single course was of the highest quality and taste. We are still talking about it now l and will be re booking again soon!!

I can 100% see why this restaurant is recommend by Michelin 3 years in a row. The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant and the food is excellent and arrived quickly. The service is fast and the waitresses were friendly. We will definitely be coming back!

We first visited in February and had a fantastic time with wonderful food and spot-on service. So we booked again in May but sadly like the rest of the country, everything went on hold. But we were determined to go back as soon as things reopened and if anything, the food has got even better. New menu, same staff and surroundings making you feel very special and comfortable but nothing is OTT. Superb 10/10 from me and my wife on everything with some courses to die for. So again, if you've not been yet, GO THERE! Shouldn't really say that as want to keep it a secret but you will be hard pushed to find a better experience and food anywhere in the area or dare I say, in Kent; fantastic all round and thank-you Compassess Inn - worth every penny!

We took my 92y/o mother for a birthday lunch.We have always found The Compasses good in the past, but now it has gone up a Quantum level better. From good pub food to good Gastropub. Interesting, inventive and tasty food. Good range of wines as well, ranging from New Zealand, Argentina to Staplehurst! One glass of which was the wrong colour wine (white instead of rose), but quickly changed when pointed out. A new member of staff methinks. No problem, just amusing if anything.Overall an enjoyable none-too-expensive experience.We will be back for more.

Absolutely fantastic lunch! Food was impeccable, choice of drinks was superb and service was first class! The team work so hard and their passion is obvious to see. Can’t wait to go back!!

Booked a table on line at half an hour's notice following an impromptu recommendation. A bit difficult to find on narrow lanes but Satnav hals and well worth the effort. The location is to the east of Crundale and very close to the boundary of the OS paper map. Excellent food with good size portions and obviously a well organise kitchen.

Bread was delicious but rather lulled is into a false sense of security. Starters were inoffensive, nothing spectacular but nothing awful either, although my pigeon took a little cutting...not sure if this was the game or the cutlery at fault?First main was the pork belly, which I felt compelled to add salt to, seasoning was definitely off. The dish was all a bit ‘meh’ and instantly forgettable. Second main was the mallard which was memorable for all the wrong reasons, tasteless, and with a skin which my wife couldn’t penetrate. We voiced our concerns and were patronised by the waiting staff. The restaurant were professional enough not to bill us for the duck, although it felt like hard work receiving an acknowledgment they were at fault.Such a shame.

What a lovely night out the food was excellent very tasty indeed what a lovely old pub the staff was very pleasant will definitely visit again as your see from my photos cooked to perfection everything

Wanted to go somewhere new/different for Valentine's dinner so did a bit of research and came across the Compasses Inn and was NOT disappointed. Bit of a wild/windy journey but worth it. Didn't see muchof the outside due to the weather but will do that next time. Very nice interior, warm and welcoming. Sat at the bar (thanks to the couple that moved down to let us sit) and had a drink before dinner. Good varied menu and food was top drawer, hit the mark each time. Service was friendly, fun and attentive without being in your face. So all in all, a 10/10 and thanks for a lovely evening and we'll be back there again very soon.

Historic pub near the village of Crundale (technically Sole Street) serving great food. The building itself has a lovely ambience and feels like it's been that way for centuries (it may well have been).The food served is definitely at the more complex and tasty end of the gastro-pub market - the menus are appetisingly written and the dishes are more sophisticated than the majority of country pubs in Kent offer. Fortunately the kitchen proves itself more than capable of delivering the promised level of sophistication to a very high quality. The dishes don't disappoint - everything was delicious. The complimentary bread, butter and cheesy mousse (my description, not theirs) was a great start to a great lunch too.The lunch menu is very reasonably priced for the dishes on offer, with the a la carte menu being a bit pricier but still well worth the money. The Compasses has not lost its roots as a pub though, so the variety of drink options available and the pricing of them all was great. Service, both at the bar and at the table, was delightful. There's many an expensive restaurant that could learn from the casual ease and warm approach from the front of house.If only The Compasses was a little easier to access - the narrow country lanes that have to be traversed to reach it are a nightmare! But if that weren't the case, we'd never get a table again, so maybe I should be careful what I wish for.

We have just come away after what should have been another lovely meal at The Compasses somewhat disappointed. Everything up to the main meal was delicious. The mousse dip served with the bread was amazing and the pigeon was good but then it went down hill. My partner ordered the mallard which came with braised red cabbage and a potato pastry, expectations were high.....such a let down. The plate itself looked lovely until you touched the skin....which was as soft as anything. The fat clearly hadn’t been rendered down enough and nowhere near enough colour.....served medium rare but maybe a touch under due to the poor cooking of the skin but this is where it gets better my partner called the waitress over and asked why the skin wasn’t crispy and was told that skin isn’t always served crispy and as it was a natural product that the cooking of each breast was different.....maybe this particular waitress should learn that arguing with a customer in her patronising tone isn’t acceptable, my partner asked her to take the dish away no suggestion on her part at this point was made, she then came back 5 mins later saying the chef was prepared to render the fat down again, he declined. As a gesture of good will they did remove the offending dish but at the point the damage is done. We have been visitors of this pub for some time and it’s always one that I would recommend to others sadly no more.

Booked a table for four on a Wednesday . The restaurant was very quiet but has a lovely ambiance, old fashioned pub setting with logs on the open fires. Service was excellent and staff very friendly. The quality and variety of food was absolutely superb . Third visit and always the food has been fantastic. We would highly recommend for a meal out .

Had a nice meal here with our 2 kids, not really geared up for younger children but enjoyed it anyway, only downside was the espresso martini! Worse one I’ve ever had! And at £9.50 should have been a contender for the best, also pretty disappointed in the way the waitress dealt with my request for some Kahlua to be added, just told me it did have kahlua walked off, for what we were spending on lunch and that drink in particular I would have expected it re-made or taken off the bill as we didn’t even finish it, put a bit of a downer at the end of a otherwise nice meal.

About half hour drive from Whitstable and worth the effort. Well cared for old pub turned gastro. Numerous log fires; ceiling beams; decked with hops: cheering on a damp winter day. A few seats at bar and some sofas out back but this is predominantly a restaurant. Home made bread with hot cheese dip containing little pieces of dried venison had to be scooped up with my soup spoon. Delicious. Chicken terrine and celeriac soup were delicate and fresh. Main courses had a spicy element - skate with curry dauphinois and sea trout with very crisp rosti. Elegant and homely food.

Delicious! Went today for lunch after a friend recommended. A really beautiful old pub. A lovely fire going. The bread which came to start was utterly divine, and then the starters in my opinion were defiantly star worthy. We had the ox cheek and cheddar tart and the halibut. Both I would say faultless. Absolutely 10/10. The pork belly was delicious but a tad less going on, and then pudding- the chocolate and orange which again I would say would happily sit on a Michelin menu and an apple crumble tart, which was also nice but not quite as good as the choc! Really lovely relaxed but efficient service from the manageress and owner. Look forward to coming back again soon. Thanks so much!

Lovely Sunday birthday lunch. Was a bit worried that the men wouldn’t feel full but they all said they were. Pork belly was especially liked by all and having found out it was my birthday I had a lovely birthday surprised decorated dessert

We booked for 3pm and had an aperitif at the bar but as a group of six we were a bit in the way of the staff and asked whether we may sit at our booked table. We were advised just after 3pm the table hadn’t been laid so we couldn’t sit at our table. I ordered the roast beef which was served medium rare and I asked if I could have mine a little more well done as I’m not keen on the presence of blood. The chef refused when I sent it back and I was still charged for it despite stating that I’d be happy to accept if the meat was tough due to more cooking. There was only one vegetarian main course. The desserts were good, however.

Lovely pub deep in the heart of the Kent countryside offering delicious food and friendly staff. Excellent roast beef presented with style and inspiration. A good selection of interesting wines. Definitely will return.

Delightful country pub with good selection of wines and ales plus a very good restaurant. The set menu is £19.95 for two courses but my wife and I went a la carte for lunch. Clearly popular, the restaurant quickly filled up so it’s best to book. Good variety of food on the menu which is around a 1 star Michelin quality. Worthy of mention was the bread with cheddar mousse dip. The staff are very pleasant and efficient. Situated in the middle of nowhere, down some narrow roads, but my Satan’s had no problem. Definitely worth a detour.

We could not have asked for more from the staff, from the menu, from the food, from the wine. We took a two year old and she was well catered for. It is expensive but was truly worth it for a special family occasion. If you enjoy really good food, cooked to perfection, served with a smile, excellent service and the best possible atmosphere, this is a place for you. We'll go back again.

None of our team had been there before, so we had little idea of what to expect. We were not disappointed. Between the seven of us, we sampled a good selection from the menu. Every dish was beautifully presented and all tasted wonderful. This restaurant is extraordinarily good value. Our only criticism was that the otherwise excellent and friendly service, was a bit slow.

I’d seen the restaurant reviewed by a restaurant critic, so we decided to try it out. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Lovely crispy roast potatoes! Staff were very friendly with the perfect level of attentiveness. It’s off the beaten track, and the exterior does not do justice to the gorgeous, old interior, but it’s well worth the effort to find it!

I have visited this pub on many occasions over the years and the food and service has consistently been excellent. Moreover, the pub itself is beautiful. It would be churlish to state otherwise on all the above counts. What has made me give less than a 5 star review is the recent policy to ban dogs during food service hours.

This was a long for arranged birthday treat which fell on a filthy day with pouring rain and a howling wind. Upon stumbling into the bar we were afforded the friendliest of welcomes which was substantiated by the roaring wood burner which greeted us. We were then ushered toward another open fire with blazing logs where we were offered drinks whilst we perused the menus.

The food we ate here was exceptional! So delicious and presented so beautifully I wish I had taken photos but it looked so tasty we tucked straight in. Congrats to the kitchen team who obviously really care about the job their doing... It shows!

Our 2nd visit in a month. The 1st was for Sunday Roast and all four of us said it’s the best roast we’ve ever had!

I can only feel sorry for the locals to have a 'destination' (cringe!) restaurant instead of the lovely cosy country pub I'm sure they deserve. High prices make for high expectations, sadly we were disappointed after looking forward to coming for several weeks. We felt unwelcome. The dining room was a modern addition to what is a beautiful old pub. It had (horror of horrors) a fake fire and the generic (ughhh) gastro pub decor. Daughter had blunt cutlery and a weird high sided plate that she couldn't cut her food on. We were told off for arriving at 12.10 for a 12 noon table. Service was in the first instance impatient and rushed (3 requests to order by 12.15!) and then just dwindled away even though the restaurant was half empty. Food was strangely sweet - these were roast dinners - odd. I particularly enjoyed our table being wiped with an old tissue - a roast potato (which for the record was hard, not crisp and fluffy) smeared across it and just left for our delight while we waited for the bill. Felt cross with ourselves to not having celebrated this special occasion in our local which has roaring fires, fabulous food and the most welcoming service. Oh and it's a third cheaper. Scuttled away after an hour...won't be returning. My final comment would be don't dare ask for more gravy for your roast!! ;)

Superb food prepared by chef Robert and guest chef Will Devlin with exquisite wines to match

Me and my partner finally made it over here for lunch, it’s a 90 minute drive from us and they also happen to be shut on my days off. So glad I didn’t let this get in my way and now I’ve been here I think I’d happily drive twice as far to return. I was very much hoping it wouldn’t be that great (it would have made me feel better about myself) however from that first bite of, what I’m sure they told me was a Turkish style bread, Dipped in a disgustingly delicious cheese sauce with some sheepy bacon crumb on top, pure rage filled my body! My god, Mr. Rob Taylor. You are not only a beautiful man but you make beautiful food. I promise you, I desperately didn’t want to enjoy this place anywhere near as much I did but to tell you there was even one thing we could fault with our lunch would be a complete lie! Thank you so much compass team, I can not wait to return with the rest of the family!!

Visited the Compasses at Crundale on Thursday evening and enjoyed their 8 course (very reasonably priced) taster menu. Every course was absolutely delicious and our service was incredible too. I couldn't fault it! Will definitely be coming back.

We found our way to The Compasses after reading the excellent reviews & looked forward to a special dining experience.

We ate here for my Daughters Birthday, the restaurant is lovely, food was too, however the only reason we are giving four stars is the menus is not seasonal. We came on a belting hot day in August, we ate things like venison with hot pot potato.. pigeon in a thick jus! We would of preferred lighter dishes like fish in a consommé etc. We however really enjoyed our experience.

Food was excellent (thanks chef) including venison, beef & vegetarian food, serving staff were friendly polite and attentive. Manageress was rude and refused to give her name. Would of left a hefty tip (at least £30) but her attitude was so poor was asked by group not to! Coffee too hot!

Fantastic meal for 8! Wished we had been here sooner. Beautiful food and attentive staff. All the meals were beautiful. The marmite cream cheese is amazing! We’ll be back!!

Having been before and had a lovely meal ,we were keen to take the rest of the family for my daughter's birthday. The pub is traditional and gorgeous and the staff are very welcoming . We all had a lovely meal with a very good selection on the menu. The set menu is fantastic value for money, delicious and beautifully presented. Our new favourite restaurant in Kent.

Finally managed to get over to Crundale. Recommended by friends in the trade who eat there regularly and run a restaurant along very similar lines, it’s been on our list for ages. Sometimes, this results in a big, fat, let down.