Chef Atul Kochhar has been at the forefront of fine Indian dining in the UK for the past 30 years, becoming the recognisable and popular face of modern Indian cuisine as a celebrated restauranteur, television personality and cookery book author.

His newest venture, Essence at The Pantiles, is located in the historic colonnades of Tunbridge Wells, Kent. A two-story Grade II listed space, Essence at The Pantiles by Atul Kochhar will be the second venue in Kent to open under his partnership with restaurateur, Jitindar Singh, the first being the popular award-winning  Indian Essence by Atul Kochhar in Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent.

Essence at The Pantiles opened 7th February 2024 bringing a touch of the East to the city’s main Promenade. The Pantiles were originally created 400 years back to tap into the medicinal properties of a nearby spring, becoming wildly popular in the eighteenth century as a spa destination under trendsetter and bon viveur Beau Nash. Today, this welcoming area has a distinctly continental outdoor feel and is better known as an elegant, upscale restaurant and shopping destination, just an hour’s distance from London and 40 minutes from Gatwick Airport.