Maidstone Restaurants

Whether it be fine dining or budget family fare, Maidstone boasts a vast range of restaurants serving many different cuisines to tempt the palate, including Chinese, Indian, Italian, French and Portuguese. From an la carte meal to the humble burger every conceivable taste is catered for.

Souffles - 31 The Green, Bearsted

Situated in a listed 16th century cottage, award-winning Souffles is a delightful restaurant overlooking a picturesque village green. Here, former head chef at the Cafe Royale, London, Nick Evendon and his wife Karen make every effort to produce a contemporary British menu but one that that draws heavily on the influences of world wide cuisine. The restaurant evokes a warm and relaxing atmosphere with its oak beams, exposed brickwork, sloping floors and fireplaces and one where visitors can enjoy comfort as well as fine dining. Seasonal menus are classic with a modern twist and include dishes such as pan fried wild mushrooms with Old Sussex Cheddar pastry and an almond and smoked paprika pesto,  Rump of English Romney Marsh lamb with tomato, basil and olives, perhaps followed by a delicious terrine of oranges, strawberries and bananas with a passion fruit coulis. An air-conditioned private dining room is available for corporate entertaining and meetings with a variety of options and menus ranging from day delegate rates to lunch and dinner parties.

The Lime Tree - 8-10 The square, Lenham

This impressive award winning restaurant is housed in a 14th century building and located in the medieval square of Lenham. Here, the vibrant and modern is combined with the warmth of oak-beamed surroundings to produce a fine dining-style in a classical and elegant fashion. Open seven days a week, the Lime Tree combines a variety of European cuisine with a classic Italian twist, incorporating fresh locally grown produce when possible. Starters include seared Falmouth scallops and tiger prawns brochette or pan fried calves livers with crispy bacon and truffle mash potato, followed perhaps with a main of pan fried duck breast, potato fondant with an orange sauce and fine French beans or roast rack of local Westwell lamb served on crusted mint and root vegetables with sauté potatoes. The afternoon tea menu is served between 3.00pm and 6.00pm with a delicate selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones filled with clotted cream and choice of preserves. As well as tea and coffee, afternoon teas can also be served with a delicious glass of chilled champagne.

Baan Thai - High Street, Yalding

Located within the historic facade of a listed15th century building is an elegant and stylish Thai restaurant. Although  still retaining many of its original period features, the combination of rustic oak beams and high-backed vanilla leather chairs gives the restaurant an air of contemporary chic. The Baan Thai boasts authentic, centuries old recipes which are made without the use of chemical flavour enhancers, thereby allowing spices and ingredients to be truly recognised and tasted in each individual dish. The restaurant’s signature dish is crispy deep-fried sea bass topped with a sweet chilli sauce, with other favourites including  papaya salad with peanuts, dried shrimps and lime leaf chilli dressing and the Massamun red duck curry with new potatoes and coconut milk. A very popular little restaurant that attracts a stylish following of people.

Ethos Lifestyle Complex - 9 Gabriels Hill

Here is a restaurant that serves a diverse range of health conscious food. Ethos pledges that no artificial colourings, preservatives or taste enhancers are used in any of their dishes. With a minimal use of salt, all sauces, dressings and dips are made from low fat natural yoghurt, fromage frais and extra virgin olive oil. The elegant and chic decor makes it an ideal venue not only for intimate dining but also larger parties and corporate events. The Ethos café bar is open for breakfast from 7am and serves a wide selection of food and drink to eat in or take away. It is the perfect place to meet up with friends for coffee and with an adjoining continental style courtyard, it is also a popular place to lunch.