Where to Eat in Royal Tunbridge Wells: The Best Restaurants and Bars

August 31, 2017 Marissa Gamble

Royal Tunbridge Wells is a large affluent town in western Kent, England, around 40 miles (64 km) south-east of central London by road and 34.5 miles (55.5 km) by rail. The town is situated close to the border of Kent with East Sussex, and is situated upon the northern edge of the High Weald, whose sandstone geology is exemplified by the rock formations at the Wellington Rocks and High Rocks.
Things to do in Royal Tunbridge Wells

1. The Nutmeg Tree

Unit 8-9 8-9 Royal Victoria Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2SR, England Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol British, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +44 1892 517070
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 152 reviews

The Nutmeg Tree

Reviewed By emma d - Tenterden, United Kingdom

We came here today following a bad experience elsewhere in Tunbridge Wells. All I can say is what a difference in service! I wish I knew the lady's name. She was a waitress in the traditional uniform, longish hair in a sort of bun. She was absolutely lovely, warm and friendly. Really sweet with our daughter. Genuinely good with customers. The food was good.. not gourmet but perfectly nice for a full English breakfast for my husband and cheese scone for me. Little touches like small cutlery for my daughter were nice. Service was quick, the cafe is clean and I'll probably be back soon for cake and tea. I last came here about 20 years ago and it hasn't changed!

2. Il Vesuvio Restaurant

112 Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QX, England Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner HK$110 - HK$330 +44 1892 534420
Excellent
75%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 491 reviews

Il Vesuvio Restaurant

Authentic, family-run Italian Restaurant, serving traditional Southern Italian recipes and welcome. Using the freshest ingredients to create many dishes to keep following the Mediterranean Diet.

Reviewed By clives868 - Uckfield, United Kingdom

Six of us went for a family meal at Il Vesuvio and had a really nice evening, great Italian food, warm and friendly welcome, great service and lively atmosphere.
The menu is extensive traditional Italian with a great choice, large portions served by staff who have a passion for the restaurant. Really great evening recommended.

3. Rendez-Vous

86 Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QP, England (Formerly Le Rendez-Vous) Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Private Dining, Accepts Credit Cards French, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night HK$63 - HK$306 +44 1892 525830
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 478 reviews

Rendez-Vous

Rendez-Vous is a relaxed brasserie-style eating establishment. We prepare all our dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Open for lunch and dinner.

Reviewed By Treats999 - London, United Kingdom

Once again, easy to park, cosy interior, professional service and delicious food at decent prices. Stairs to loos are a little precarious and a tad chilly on ground floor. Will return.

4. Kitsu

82A Victoria Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2PW, England Takeout, Seating, Reservations, Waitstaff Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner HK$110 - HK$220 +44 1892 515510
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 446 reviews

Kitsu

Reviewed By lorilouise86 - Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

I cannot recommend this place enough. Having tried sushi all over the world, few places compare.
Go with a partner, friends or the kids (start them young!) - it’s for everyone.
Takeaway is reasonably priced, great portions and never fails to be fresh & delicious.
Eating in gives you a feeling of being in a small Japanese sushi cafe serving western style sushi. Book as many days in advance as possible especially at the weekends as it is ALWAYS busy. If you want an alcoholic beverage with your dinner you will need to take it with you but that adds to the authenticity of this restaurant. The menu is vast with both fish, meat & vegetarian options - do everyone can enjoy.
My favourite items on the menu are;
Spicy crab tempura prawn UM
Salmon avocado maki
Tempura tuna maki
Philadelphia roll UM
And my other half loved the;
Chicken katsu
&
Chicken katsu curry
It’s cash only, there’s a cash point within a few minutes of the restaurant itself. Take plenty of cash with you so as you can try as many bits as your stomach can take.
You will NOT be disappointed.
Kitsu’s number one fan!

5. The Spice

161-163 Camden Road | Town Centre, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2RF, England Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Indian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +44 1892 543794
Excellent
82%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 406 reviews

The Spice

Reviewed By GIDAYE - Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

What sets it apart is:
1. Very good, no-greasy, fresh ingredients, food
2. Genuinely friendly and welcoming staff. Very happy to do what they can to make your dinner memorable for the right reasons e.g. do something not on the menu if they can
3. Relaxed atmosphere
4. They don't do the post pub crowd or have a quick in and out attitude. They close about 11pm or sooner and aren't interested in the lager fuelled pub goers.
And no i'm not associated with them in any way jut feel that when you find a really good pale for a relaxed dinner, people should know (but not too many please we don't want to have trouble getting a table!)

6. The Poet

Maidstone Road, Matfield, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN12 7JH, England Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi European, British, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$251 - HK$385 +44 1892 722416
Excellent
74%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 518 reviews

The Poet

We believe that your dining experience with us starts the moment you walk through our door. A friendly greeting from our front of house team, lead by co-owner Andy Urbanek and Manager Simon Moore. The Poet offers a vast selection of craft gins, handpicked wines and quirky cocktails. Chef Patron Petrus Madutlela and his team tempt customers with an imaginative array of contemporary British food.

Reviewed By Rob007Kent_UK - Kent, UK

We recently enjoyed Saturday lunch at the Poet. Despite arriving late due to a late running previous function, we received a warm welcome and really attentive service throughout our meal. The three course set menu offers exceptional value for money and each dish was beautifully presented and the quality and flavour was outstanding. The staff were all very pleasant, engaging and efficient. Overall, we were glad we made the journey to this very special pub and we are already planning a return visit.

7. The Old Fish Market by Sankey's

The Old Fish Market 19 The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TN, England Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Reservations, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards Seafood, British, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks HK$78 - HK$793 +44 1892 511422
Excellent
74%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 388 reviews

The Old Fish Market by Sankey's

Situated in the Old Fish Market building in the heart of the Pantiles, Sankey's exclusive Champagne & Seafood bar is the jewel in the town's crown. Serving a wide range of Champagne & sparkling wines from around the world, it's a fabulous place to relax and enjoy the very best british fish & shellfish. We specialise in Oysters and Shellfish. A range of Oysters never before seen in the town from Carlingford, Colchester, Lindisfarn, The Dutchy of Cornwall to name a few. Fresh crabs & lobsters from Cornwall arrive live and direct fron Cadgwith cove and are dressed by our chefs on site daily. The menu comprises of Oysters, Starters & Mains as any contempory menu does, but also allows you to build your own platters. So be it for a a light lunch, pre evening nibble or a full banquette The Old Fish Market is the ideal venue.

Reviewed By Princpessa - London, United Kingdom

I imagine on a balmy Summer’s day this would be the perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy a delicious glass of fizz. However, we visited on a far from tropical day, so we chose to sit inside. We visited after the lunch time rush,so we could sit and chat whilst enjoying a glass of champagne. As space is limited, and tables closely spaced, noise levels can be high during busier times of the day. We looked at the menu and the selection of seafood, oysters , langoustines etc sound tempting, although not inexpensive. What did sound interesting was the lunchtime prix fixed menu, quite reasonable with a choice of starters and main dishes. Perhaps next time?

8. Don Giovanni

98-100 Calverley Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2UN, England Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +44 1892 529442
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 250 reviews

Don Giovanni

Reviewed By Anne-Marie B - Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

I went with a friend for a long awaited catch up. The restaurant was pretty empty for a weekday but the setting was cosy and the service attentive but discrete. I had fish stew which was to die for. The Chianti was gorgeous too. The bill wasn't cheap but good value considering the quality of the food and dining experience. Will be back for more.

9. Fuggles Beer Cafe

28 Grosvenor Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2AP, England Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi Bar, British, Pub, Delicatessen, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Drinks HK$55 - HK$86 +44 1892 457739
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 166 reviews

Fuggles Beer Cafe

Created in 2013 with the aim of specialising in the best British & European beers we could find. Good Beer Guide listed 2 years running and a sideline in Gin, Whisky and some of the finest cheeses and cured meats all set in a relaxed & friendly environment. 20 ever-changing draught lines await you including 6 cask ales, real cider and over 100 speciality & rare bottles. Over 100 gins & whiskies with food & coffee served all day.

Reviewed By Paul O

Have been to the beer cafe a few times now, and never disappointed. Great selection of top quality beers. I love their stouts. The ploughmans Lunch was amazing. Just about finished it. Everything was on my board . So tasty .

10. Gusta

49 Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QE, England Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi Italian, Cafe, Delicatessen, Wine Bar, Gluten Free Options, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks +44 7463 571525
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 101 reviews

Gusta

Gusta Ltd is an authentic Italian delicatessen cafe and wine bar, in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The staff are passionate about selecting and importing only the finest regional artisan meats, cheeses, pasta, wines and coffee, most of which are exclusively sold at Gusta.

Reviewed By SCD732 - Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom

This is place is great. We stumbled across it one Saturday evening and went in to eat. We had salads and pizza's which were outstanding and home made. Food was great, staff were friendly and the atmosphere was lovely. Really recommend this place.

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