The Kentish Hare in Tunbridge Wells

This is our new local and it’s awesome. Service is excellent. I had the Trout and the Deer tonight and it was cooked and presented excellently. Everyone happy at our table!

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.

Went for lunch, good menu. Food was fantastic , looked good and was so tasty,and lovely staff. Will be back soon

Served by the delightful Hugh his customer four was on point . Food was superb and rounded off with a scrumptious cheese board.

Things are consistently good here from the efficient service and the excellent food. We had really first rate shoulders of lamb as our main which was preceded by a chicken liver parfait- perfect consistency, good presentation, but a little lacking in flavour. However, The Kentish Hare never disappoints. It’s a marvellous place to lunch/dine.

Great hospitality, very relaxed atmosphere in lovely surroundings. Exceptional food, high level dining. Can't recommend highly enough.

Fantastic service, beautiful restaurant/ pub looked after really well treated like royalty for my husband's birthday Food fantastic the best Michelin star rated food we have had will.go back again

An excellent lunch to celebrate our daughters birthday. Tuna tartare followed by the cote de Boeuf (excellent) with a lovely dark chocolate cremeux to finish. Lovely wines and excellent service. We sat in the bar area as 2 dogs.

A perfect meal! We came here on a Friday night, had 3 courses and a couple of cocktails. All completely faultless. Delicious food, great atmosphere and really lovely/ attentive staff. 100% recommend!

The interior is very nice, however I feel that this place is overpriced for what you get. Ended up waiting 40 minutes for a steak and 3 sides. Steak wasn't bad but small for almost 100 pounds. Chips were nice. Vegetables a bit bland. Service can also be variable. We found one of the older servers to be quite aloof and unfriendly towards our table. Was quite unhappy when asked basic questions about the menu (one of our diners was pregnant.) Not sure why that was. Would like to think it was because we weren't local, rather than due to a racial difference, as some of us were not white English. Not much atmosphere also. London prices for less quality. Better to come here for drinks, rather than food if you're considering it

The dining area is a beautiful space that can soak up both large parties and couples without too much noise. The lunch menu is very good value with everything cooked to perfection. Service was excellent too.

First visit here for husbands birthday. We were a large group of 10. Brilliant in every way. Where they sat us. Service was superb. Food - fantastic. !!! Best lunch time treat with family. Thank you.

We ordered, and the first course and drinks arrived fairly promptly. However, after a long wait after our starter plates had been removed, the waitress asked if we were ready to order dessert. We said that we hadn't had our main course yet. Consternation. It seemed that the order had slipped through the net, but instead of apologising, which would have been fine, the Manager tried to bluff it out by saying that 'slow-cooked lamb' took a long time. How disappointing - the food we had was good but we left feeling grumpy!

Food was great, portions are very reasonable and the atmosphere is great too. If you enjoy gastropubs and you in the area this is a must to go eat at.

First visit and everything was good. Nothing to add

A very pleasant meal today with my only negative being the lamb and gravy. It was nice but nothing special however the tuna tartare was exceptional and my wildlife thought her cod main was beautifully cooked. My father enjoyed his pea soup and pork mains.

Everything was outstanding. Went with our 2 daughters for my wife's birthday. The service was exceptional from greeting to leaving. The food was top class and the chateubriand probably the best we've ever eaten. The place blends the feel of a great little pub with a top notch restaurant seamlessly, which is not easy to do. I just wish it was my local.

This was our 3rd visit to the Kentish Hare. It was a busy Saturday evening, however the service was extremely stressful with the staff clearly pushed beyond capacity. Before placing our order, we asked to move from a noisy table, however the manager was abrupt with our request. We were eventually moved (there were two free tables nearby) but it seemed to be a major inconvenience. The manager was stressed and abrupt throughout, but we responded with calm and kindness in order to diffuse the situation. Even at the end of the meal, the dessert menus were dropped on the table in front of us by the manager without so much as asking if we would like dessert. He then simply walked away. For the price, I would expect a calmer atmosphere. The food was good, however portion sizes are extremely small.

Took my mate Jon here. He squibed all the face and said keep fighting the fight im going ingay core

We have been coming to the Kentish hare on and off for a few years, particularly in good weather for its beautiful beer garden. Each time we go, we wonder why we bother as the staff are quite unwelcoming. They are aspiring for high end dining and clientele, rather than be a nice place for a quiet drink with friends. We have eaten there once and the food was good - even if we were told that we had to eat in the bar due to our attire (jeans and T-shirts). The range of drinks is poor and overpriced, but honestly it’s the unwelcoming staff that spoil the experience. It’s a real shame as the garden is one of the best around. But if you’re looking for an inclusive experience, go elsewhere.

Excellent gastro pub with a fresh changing menu based on local ingredients. Service was quick and professional.

Dropped in on the way home, turned out be their 10th anniversary celebrations! Enjoyed the glass of wine but made to feel most unwelcome as not part of the 'click', was told it was all over social media but can't find anything so would suggest it's best to avoid at the moment unless you're part of the Tunbridge Wells yummy mummy rich set!

We came for a dinner to celebrate our anniversary and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Service was spot on and the food was a delight. Would absolutely love to come back if we were ever in the area again.

It had been just about a year since our last visit. We were very pleased to see that standards were as high as ever. Great food and superb service. We are looking forward to our next visit and will not leave it so long.

Delicious Cornish Cod. You must try.

Excellent attentive service and beautifully presented great quality food. Option of two or three course lunch menu. Limited choice but this makes the quality so much better. Great lounge area for pre dinner drinks or coffee after. There is a separate front bar for less formal bar snacks.

Beautiful pub. Atmosphere was fantastic and the food was amazing. Could not recommend enough.

We have dined here several times and always found the staff friendly and helpful and the food delicious. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and we will keep returning.

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.

I popped in for a cheeky lunch here this week, having been before and being in the area(ish). I was warmly greeted and seated straight away. The menus were provided, and the set lunch option was an obvious choice. The staff are very attentive to dietary requirements and ask about allergies before taking your order. I chose the terrine to start with, which arrived with some sourdough bread on the side. The terrine was made up of chicken ham and black pudding and was delicious. It had a great texture mixing the chunks of ham and chicken with the softer black pudding. Served with a little salad leaves and some shitake and date ketchup. It was very tasty indeed. Next, I went for the lamb and ordered a side order of hispi cabbage. This was an absolutely delicious plate of food and very well executed. The lamb was a rolled shoulder that was incredibly flavoursome and a little crispy and not soggy and fatty. Served with this was the most smooth and decadent mashed potato. A few turnips and some leaves of perhaps Cavalo Nero and a plentiful amount of sauce (jus) made up the rest of the plate. Delicious! Now, I am going to mention the side dish of hispi cabbage as it was without doubt the best cabbage I have ever had. It was simply delicious. Yes a bowl of cabbage.!! It was just cooked and well seasoned, and coated with white miso, butter, and chili. It really was fabulous. I should have stopped here, but my greedy side came out when they offered dessert, and I saw the Bramley apple crumble and custard. It's apple crumble, big deal? Under a big mound of crunchy pebble like crumble was a tart but sweet, deep pile of apple, unmistakably Bradley's. A little jug of vanilla custard on the side finished it off. The crumble was buttery, yet crunchy, the apple was pure Bramley deliciousness and the custard, warm, not hot, not too thick and heavy with vanilla. The most comforting choice for a dessert and it certainly delivered. All in all, everything i ate was well thought out and very tasty. Now I must also mention the staff, who were attentive but not intrusive, very engaging and knowledgeable about the menu too. I also want to mention the young lady who greeted me and found me a table. I don't think she was waiting staff, as such, but more the front of house and bar manager. (I apologise for not getting her name). She worked nonstop, always on the go, and always cheerful. There is a great team at the Kentish Hare, making for a great experience. I will certainly be back again for sure.

I hate writing reviews about great places because it means it becomes more popular and the prices go up but the 'Hare' is just wonderful and punches way above its weight. Food, service and ambience are all top- notch. I only hope I can still get a table in the future!

Fantastic restaurant with high quality food and excellent service.

First visit, our party of four had a very memorable lunch. Excellent food beautifully presented. All members of staff were delightful. Thank you, we'll be back!

First visit, our party of four had a very memorable lunch. Excellent food beautifully presented. All members of staff were delightful. Thank you, we'll be back!

This was our first visit to the Kentish Hare. We booked a table for a Thursday lunchtime and chose from the fixed price three course menu. The pub/restaurant itself is modern clean, airy and informal and, when we went, not particularly busy. The service was friendly and attentive but not overbearing and the food was well thought out, superbly cooked and very tasty. The wine list was not extensive but covered all the bases and looked well considered. All in all, it was a great experince, fantastic food at a reasonable price (certainly for the quality). We're so glad we discovered this gem and will definitely be coming back.

Had a sunday roast, was very high quality. £35 for two courses. Higher price point definitely reflected in the excellent quality. Drink prices reasonable.

Excellent food and service as always. The steaks and sauces are amazing! Already looking forward to our next visit with our friends next month.

Lovely food, hot and good portions.

The quality of the food is excellent. I really enjoyed the ham hock and the sea bass main course. My wife said that the cod fish was excellent too. I would happily go back.

My second visit here and this time for Sunday lunch. Sunday lunches in pubs are often very hit and miss with roast beef in particular being often unsatisfactory. My Kentish Hare roast beef was excellent, tender, succulent, perfectly cooked and accompanied by light Yorkshire pudding, crisp, fluffy mashed potatoes and a generous selection of interesting vegetables. Starters were great too, quite delicious and presented skilfully. My rhubarb pavlova dessert was superb. Couldn’t fault anything and when service is efficient, friendly, perfectly timed and competently executed, you know you’re in a superior establishment. Will certainly return, The Kentish Hare is very special.

We had lunch here today with our daughter. She had checked all the reviews and menu and booked it due to these. Well it was perfect amazing Sunday lunch thank you chefs. The caring staff were great attentive but unobtrusive thank you. Lovely lady who helped us choose. Nothing too much trouble.

We had seen great reviews about the Kentish Hare, but the food, service and ambience absolutely surpassed our expectations. We will be back

Special evening with friends, one off the bucket list. Beautiful restaurant, wonderful, attentive staff, no frills but definitely on it. It is pricey but the food is obviously of high class and standard. Different level of pub food.

Lovely gastro pub with delicious food and great service.

Absolutely lovely restaurant one of the best ones I’ve been to!

Absolutely brilliant restaurant 👌

Thank you to all the staff at the Kentish Hare for an absolutely wonderful dinner on 23 December. We had pre-booked from the Christmas menu, and every dish was perfectly cooked - just delicious! Warm and welcoming atmosphere. I can recommend without any hesitation.

It was only ok. I would not really want to go again. and it was expensive. The staff were a bit offhand.

Visited on a last min Sunday. Food was great and service was fast. Will come back for trying out the menu. Generous portions too.

Another great meal. Food all served hot, and beautifully presented.

Most visits have been for dinner, but we decided to go for lunch because the menu is different with some intriguing dishes. We both had the Brown sugar cured Loch Duart Salmon followed by the Line caught pollack. We spontaneously agreed that this was the best lunch we have had for a very long time. In the case of both dishes the quality of the raw materials, the preparation, the cooking and the presentation were sublime; apologies for failing to show a picture but conversation overtook that consideration. Greedily, I had the Saint Domingue chocolate Namelaka which was smooth and rich as it should be. Our server was warm, friendly and attentive. My wife had a Bloody Mary and I had a pint and we had some sparkling water. We thought the bill was good value for a first class lunch. Most impressed!

It’s great to find a pub that doesn’t serve pub grub. The Kentish Hare is a real find, providing an interesting innovative menu, beautifully presented, perfectly cooked flavoursome dishes which illustrate culinary skill and real understanding of palate. This is a super place with efficient, accommodating and friendly staff. Its interior is modern, but period features have been retained and it’s lovely to see open log fires. I highly recommend The Kentish Hare.

The food, staff and general feel was absolutely top notch. We had 2 course Sunday lunch which was better than any Sunday roast I can remember (apart from Mums 😂). The staff were attentive and so friendly. Visit if you get the chance!!

First time here and delighted. Not cheap but absolutely worth it. Friendly efficient service , tasteful understated decor, interesting menu and tasty food. Thanks!!

Love love this place, wish it was my local. Fab food, ambience and service. We'll be back for sure.

Last Friday, a dear friend booked a dinner for us at this restaurant. Three couples were booked for 8 pm, and we arrived 15 minutes early. The decorations and ambiance were welcoming. James, our server, politely informed us that our table wasn't ready because other guests were still dining. We went to the bar and had a drink. Our table was ready by 8:20 pm, a bit later than expected, but we didn't make a fuss. We ordered still water and a red wine, Saint Clair New Zealand Pinot Noir. For starters, we ordered various dishes, and I opted for the ravioli with mushroom and English truffle. Keep in mind that English truffles have a subtle flavor, working well when you want a touch of truffle without overpowering other ingredients. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware of this until I tasted it, and it turned out to be quite tasteless. English truffle won't be my choice again. We enjoyed several delicious main dishes, and I decided to go with a bottle of Stellenrust SIMPLICITY SHIRAZ: CABERNET SAUVIGNON-MERLOT, recommended by James. I chose the slow-cooked lamb (10 hours), but, apologies to James, due to excessive seasoning, the classic lamb flavor was overshadowed, making it taste more like beef. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and I'd love to return, but I'll steer clear of the lamb next time.Nick

Great roast with all the trimmings!

Lovely food. Beautifully presented

Amazing food, you can see that the people running this place, those cooking it really care about what they do.

Enjoyed a great evening at the Hare... Whatever your preconceptions of food is ....leave it at the door and put your trust in these wonderful chefs..I guarantee you,they won't let you down!

The Kentish Hare is a fabulous pub/restaurant where the food never disappoints. The menu has something for everyone and the food really is delicious. It appears diners travel from far and wide to enjoy the Kentish Hare and consequently there is always a great atmosphere both in the bar area and the restaurant. The staff are attentive without being annoying and go the extra mile to ensure you enjoy your time there.

Visited here a few weeks ago, not a pleasant experience for several reasons, too long and drawn out to explain but we were treated badly and regular customers were put before us in unfair circumstances, we only gave a 1* because it’s not possible to give a zero, food mediocre and certain foods not available (we got there when they opened and ordered immediately) why then place the food on the menu?! Would not return or recommend this place certainly does not deserve a mention in the michelin list very dissapointed

Food was excellent, my husband had a fillet steak that didn’t look or taste like it was barbecued despite the menu stating all steaks were cooked on one but otherwise the food was faultless. What let this place down was the service, it unfortunately really lacked in that area. It was quite a cold atmosphere and I would say that 80% of interactions with the staff were because we had to flag someone down. We found that certain people were just stood around not doing anything but I got the feeling it was because there was a hierarchy of staff and certain employees only doing certain things which is quite common in high end restaurants but it didn’t work out well here in this instance. We didn’t order from the set menu & whilst it worked out quite expensive I would say that portions were on the large size which was good, but in all it was 2.5hrs to have a 3 course meal which I feel is too long.

Lovely place for a relaxing long lunch. Excellent food with great service in a beautifully crafted interior.

Absolutely delicious food and a great variety of dishes. The outside doesn’t reflect the inside but it’s a lovely atmosphere once you’re through the door.

The four of use enjoyed a relaxed afternoon meal, the food was enjoyable with a good selection of wine, time well spent.

This was the first time we ate here and it was superb. It's not 'huge' portions because it's Masterchef quality. You can have snacks, starter, mains, pudding & coffee without feeling bloated and great value for money. Lovely staff and enough of them so that service is exemplary. There were four of us and we all agreed it was a great experience and we are coming back.

My first visit to this restaurant was for dinner, it definitely won’t be my last.! The food was fantastic, and the staff so polite and helpful. Although the portions did not look big, the richness of the food ensured we were very full at the end. Every part of this dinner was delicious, and the presentation was delightful. Well done to everyone on the staff.

A really good lunchtime experience. Taste buds came alive I didn't know I had. The 2-course option wasn't cheap at £28 but it was worth it. The service was efficient and friendly. Totally satisfied!

Very solid food. Everything we had was really good! If I would have any complaint is that the portion is fairly small for the price. The 4 of us ended spending 300 pound , for a starter. Main and dessert each and 3 glasses of wines.

Another lovely meal out with the family. Food was delicious and very friendly staff. They made a nice effort to help celebrate our birthdays. Looking forward to coming back again!

Chance find. After a short wait we were shown to our table. We had three different styles of burger. Steak, chicken and mushroom. All were delicious. Special mention goes to the fries. Double fried. Crisp outside and floury insides. Bl"*dy delicious, and we all agreed. Deserts...one of my companions had the honeycomb ice-cream and absolutely raved about it. She's 11 years old. Meantime we adults had coffees. Again delicious and my other companion asked if they had almond milk ....and they did! Service impeccable. WHAT a lucky find. Sadly I live 70 miles away or this would be my favoured place to go. Try it. You won't be disappointed.

Truly spectacular pub, gorgeous decor, amazing service? Recommended

Our second visit but years apart and we were not disappointed. A lovely village pub and setting but well laid out restaurant and garden with a very nice feel to it. Excellent selection and good food and wine, but the staff are something else and so genuinely friendly even under pressure on s Saturday night. Expensive but worth it.

Went for a Sunday Roast. Food was absolutely banging. Three course meal for 40 quid. Can’t beat it. Will be going back.

Honestly a great experience. The food was perfect, but we were also blown away by the service. The staff have obviously been trained really well. We'll be back soon.

Taking my friends there for a spot of lunch at this beautiful establishment. There are not enough superlatives to describe our time there. Very friendly service, amazing delicious food that are both very pleasing to the eyes and the palate. Delicious cocktails and beautiful ambience (the weather helps!). Will definitely visit again.

The best pub lunch we’ve had for a while. Great atmosphere whether you want to sit out in the fresh air or inside for those wintery days. Wish this was our local.

The Kentish Hare is great pub in Bidborough, Kent. Unlike other pubs in the area, the food is fantastic. You pay 'London prices' but it is definitely worth it. The service was very good as well. I recommend this place for an evening out but if you're planning to go at the weekend book well in advance as it gets busy. We went on a Thursday night and booked the night before!

We booked lunch at The Kentish Hare, and the food and service were excellent. We would throughly recommend it especially as it’s dog friendly!

I would like to be more positive because it is a hard time to run a restaurant and getting skilled staff is far from easy. The restaurant on a Thursday was full so there may be plenty of demand but we found the prices to be above what the meal was worth. The food was good (but not excellent or particularly memorable) and the young servers did try but this is not their strongest suit. The gap before the dessert arrived was far too long and we watched others being served faster. Worth a try but don't set your sights too high.

Lovely village pub with friendly staff and delicious food.

Went for mid week lunch Beautifully cooked and presented. I would say rather expensive for lunch a la carte menu The bar menu alternative was burgers or fish and chips, which, though cheaper, couldn't compete.

The Kentish Hare does not disappoint. The food is cooked with finesse and skill using the freshest of ingredients. The waiting staff are attentive, unintrusive, friendly, and professional. The atmosphere is both relaxed and upmarket. Highly recommend

Took my partner here for her birthday, the food, wine and everything was fantastic. We had the cote de boeuf and it was the best I have ever had. Highly recommended this restaurant if you happen to be in the area or are staying in Tunbridge (like we were).

Perfect pub roast lunch. Not much else to say! If you want a fantastic pub roast, this place will do it. Excellent family meal and highly recommend.

It was my 1st experience of fine dining, and it didn't disappoint. The lunch menu is reasonably priced, the food quality is excellent and the Kentish hare have a warm atmosphere / decor with an opened kitchen

Excellent food and great service

Staff very rude .and over priced

First visit to this gastropub. Really delicious food and excellent friendly service.

Food was beautifully presented and delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. A lovely way to celebrate our wedding anniversary!

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.

Absolutely top notch Sunday roast with perfect service by the hosts. We had difficult dietary requirements which they were happy to accommodate.

First visit to this restaurant and I will guarantee this won’t be our last. Hospitality was very good, all staff were friendly, knowledgeable and highly professional. This is the best food I have tasted locally for a long time. Fillet steak and the lamb was beautifully cooked and was outstanding and there’s nothing I can say about the triple cooked chips apart from AMAZING. Lovely venue. We will be back.

Lovely restaurant, friendly service and great food and wine

Staff extremely nice and smiling. Easy to get to. Book early seating as parking limited

Undoubtedly the best restaurant for miles around. Excellent food, excellent wine, excellent cocktails, excellent service, excellent ambiance. A bit expensive but worth it. Love it to bits. Come back regularly and would come more if we could afford it!! Had lunch today. It was packed. You must book even for lunch. Nice bottle of Chablis and food that was even better than I remember. Fixed price lunch menu is good value. So this now relates to a visit on 23rd December 2022. It was even better. Try the venison fillet. It's absolutely fantastic. 8th March 2023. Lovely Cornish Pollack. Excellent.

My husband and I visited yesterday for a Sunday lunch. It is our second visit which has not changed since six months ago. Not only was the Sunday lunch outstanding the staff are a true credit and very professional. We were always asked how the meal was. We hope to be back again very soon.

Pricey food, not the best range on menu but cannot fault quality and service

I live nearby in Tunbridge Wells and this is the best Roast in the area. The menu is varied and today I loved the Tiramisu. The wine and Gin menu is also great!