There is an abundance of places to eat & drink in Tunbridge Wells, with a great variety of cuisines. Dilan and Bella , food lovers and bloggers, share with us their top recommendations for an international foodie experience in Tunbridge Wells.
We have loved exploring the diverse, up and coming international restaurants bursting with heavenly flavours right on our doorstep in Tunbridge Wells. Take a read of our food journey below!
Indian- Imli
From onion bhajis to lamb jalfrezis, Imli has all your classical Indian dishes nailed with the finest, fresh produce. We have always been so satisfied when visiting Imli as they have an extensive menu, and they never fail to serve a mouth-watering curry! They also serve a tasty range of Indian appetizers and mixed grilled meats, so succulent and at a perfect spice level for us. This is an excellent venue for a large group as there is ample space and it is also very family friendly.
Pan Asian- The Hidden Well
St John’s, Royal Tunbridge Wells
This restaurant should have been called ‘The Hidden Gem’ as it is such an exceptional dining experience. It is the perfect place for couples to wind down and enjoy a cheeky drink or two! It has a cosy environment, tables underground (with a view of the well) and food that is out of this world (we are a little biased as pan Asian is our favourite cuisine). Although every dish is a winner here, there were two stand out dishes for us; the pulled duck bao buns with hoisin sauce, cucumber salad, spring onions & sesame seeds and secondly, the bao bun ice cream (fried bao bun with vanilla ice cream). This is a must place to visit!
Turkish- Royal Misya
High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells
The recently opened Royal Misya has some of the best kebabs and grilled meats we’ve ever tried as they were tender, juicy and packed with flavour. We especially loved the fresh, soft, sliced homemade bread served with our meals and easily could’ve had a bowl or two of the bread on its own. We left extremely full as the portions are of a good size. Throughout the meal here, the staff were amazing and very accommodating which made our dining experience so much better!
Greek – Alexanders
Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells
If you are looking for an authentic taste of Greek and Mediterranean food, this is the place to be! The décor and ambience gets you in the mood for a warm, flavourful gyros (a must try here – especially the pork one). Alexanders has a variety of pasta, salads, grilled dishes, fish dishes, vegetarian dishes and more, there’s something for everyone here! As big cheese lovers, the saganaki was definitely a hit! Hot, stringy cheese with a crunchy outside, what’s not to love!
French- Coco Retro
Royal Tunbridge Wells
This cosy restaurant has left us with the best impressions – especially the unmatched service! The staff can offer recommendations based on your palette and their friendliness creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The menu consists of delicious modern and traditional French dishes presented beautifully alongside an extensive wine list (over 450 wines!). We braved the sauteed crispy frogs legs (in parsley garlic butter with chilli flakes) and snails (in parsley, garlic and Pernod). We were pleasantly surprised with how scrumptious they were, and we would definitely order them again next time! Be sure to try them out too!
Japanese- Niihaw, Dodomi and Kiko
Royal Tunbridge Wells
With so many up-and-coming sushi bars in Tunbridge Wells, we couldn’t decide which one to write about! We have been really impressed with Niihaw, Dodomi and Kiko, each offering their own fresh, delicious handmade sushi and a range of other dishes such as assorted dim sum, curries, tempura and ramen. Our regular go-to dish from Kiko has been the Toro dragon roll (prawn katsu, seared tuna with teriyaki sauce garnish with lemon zest, black tobiko and micro herbs) and it has never failed to disappoint!
Tapas – The Town House
Royal Tunbridge Wells
On a hot summer’s day, you can’t beat a tasty charcuterie board and tapas dishes whilst sipping cocktails and wines in the sun. The outdoor seating at the back of the restaurant is very comfortable and a perfect hub to socialise with friends and family. Be sure to pre-order the signature homemade paella, we were blown away with the chicken & chorizo one!
Afternoon Tea – The Earl Grey
Walking through The Earl Grey doors is like going through a timelapse as this snug, vintage tearoom has been kitted out with antique décor and china which will make your dining experience very memorable! The Earl Grey serves modern British food (the fry up is fantastic and presented so beautifully – beans in a china cup etc), afternoon teas, heavenly homemade cakes, sweet treats and award-winning coffee/teas! Their produce is locally sourced which makes dining their even more meaningful.
Oysters – Sankey’s Old Fishmarket Restaurant
The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Sankey’s exclusive champagne and seafood bar is an essential visit in Tunbridge Wells if you’re seafood lovers like us! They specialise in shellfish; our best-loved dish being the cooked and dressed oysters (Le Ruth – crab meat, prawn, parmesan). It’s a fantastic place to unwind and appreciate the very best of British fish. Dining outdoors is such a happy vibe at Sankey’s as you’re in the midst of the bustling Pantiles. Even on colder nights, they have the heaters to keep you warm whilst enjoying your meal.
We hope this blog has enticed you into trying out some of the exquisite international food Tunbridge Wells has to offer. To keep up to date with our latest reviews of local restaurants, follow @bestbites.db on Instagram.
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