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Beetroot and Sumac Labneh. - The Poet at Matfield, Matfield, Kent

The Poet at Matfield

4.8
4.8
3057 Reviews
£26 to £40
British

Make a booking

2 people
23:30
Booked 13 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighbourhood gem
The Poet offers an informal yet refined dining experience in the heart of the Kent countryside. Set in a charismatic 16th century building, diners can expect food of the highest standards, made using the finest local and seasonal produce and lovingly prepared by a small team of chefs led by Head Chef & Director Lee Adams.

In addition to the food, we offer a selection of fine wines, quirky cocktails, and have a collection of over 25 craft gins available.

World War I poet Siegfried Sassoon lived in Matfield and is the inspiration behind our name. Sassoon was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry" and later won acclaim for his writing. We're pretty sure he would have loved our food too!

A warm welcome awaits diners from General Manager and Director Tom Haacke and his team. We look forward to seeing you!

Please be aware we do not cater for the vegan diet.

Late cancellations - £20 per person.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, English
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 6:00 pm–8:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–5:30 pm
  • Phone number
    01892 722416
  • Website
    http://www.thepoetatmatfield.co.uk/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Lee Adams
  • Location
    Maidstone Road, Matfield, Kent TN12 7JH
  • Area
    Tunbridge Wells
  • Parking details
    Please note: we have limited parking and would appreciate our guests respecting our neighbours when parking.There is additional free parking located at Matfield village green, 5 minutes walk from us.Many thanks!
  • Public transit
    Bus stop The Standings Cross: 267 Hawkhurst, 268Hawkhurst, 6 Tunbridge Wells
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Experiences

  • Tuesday Night Steak Night

    Multiple dates available
    At The Poet we use an array of techniques in order to give the best possible flavour and texture to different cuts of beef sourced from all over Britain. Our in-house dry-ageing chamber holds varying cuts of different ages, giving us flexibility with our menus and pricing, to curate an experience well worthy of a visit. Seasonal offerings such as aged wild boar loin or venison haunch, could be sharing a menu with aged Scotch beef sirloin, or smoked hanger steak, all cooked in our 300-degree charcoal oven. The steaks on offer are served alongside seasonal vegetables, local potato preparations and sauces tailor-made to complement the flavours of the steaks available on that day. Prices range from £34.95 - £94.95

  • Tasting Menu #Vegetarian

    £65.00 per person

    23 Jan 2025 only
    Introducing our very first Vegetarian Tasting Menu! We know our usual tasting menus don't cater for vegetarians, so we’ve created a special menu for those who don’t usually get the chance to join us. While this menu doesn’t include ingredients like scallops, salmon, venison, black pudding, halibut, or lamb, it’s still packed with exciting, innovative, and delicious flavours. Please note that this will be the only menu available during this event, and we are unable to accommodate allergies or dietary modifications. These dishes are vegetarian but not vegan, as we do not cater to the vegan diet.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,057 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Kent

    Great for fine wines

  • Kent

    Good for special occasions

  • Kent

    British

  • Tunbridge Wells

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Poet at Matfield is a culinary gem in Kent, known for its "outstandingly good" food and "exemplary service." Regulars rave about the expertly crafted dishes that creatively reinvent British classics. The cozy, charming ambiance is complemented by a top-notch wine list, and the attentive staff consistently enhance the dining experience. Ideal for special occasions, The Poet promises an unforgettable meal every visit.

3,057 Reviews

  1. Nick

    Kent

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Poet is still the best Sunday lunch around. We try many places for Sunday lunch but we are yet to one on a similar level. Yes prices have increased but it’s worth paying that bit extra for quality. We will return very soon.

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  2. Katie

    Kent

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was excellent, the atmosphere was perfect and the food wonderful. I highly recommend and rate The Poet for a meal

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  3. Kevin

    London

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    The restaurant was cold and we kept our coats on ( we did remark on the temperature when we were seated).The team were very warm but we felt an underlying push to finish our meal and leave. We arrived at 8pm and left around 9:30 when the closed sign went on the door. For the high price and fine dining aspiration I expected the restaurant to be focused on making the diners feel more comfortable and relaxed. The food presentation was very good and was well cooked, however we thought that some of the combinations did not work (beef and cottage pie for example). We fine dine regularly so have seen many creations but just thought that this menu needs a little simplification.

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  4. Sally

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow! We went to The Poet for the first time last night to celebrate a significant birthday and it was fantastic. From the moment we entered the building we were made to feel very special. The food was amazing and the staff very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed every bit of the evening. I would highly recommend The Poet to anyone wanting to experience top quality restaurant food and wine.

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  5. Lee

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible food and outstanding service. It was our wedding day and they were incredible from start to finish. The staff had extensive knowledge of the food and wine and were able to offer great recommendations. We will be back again soon!

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  6. Mark

    VIP

    Kent

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, Tom and the team were amazing. The best Sunday lunch you can get.

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  7. Darren

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An excellent Sunday roast in a beautiful restaurant.

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  8. GlenM

    Kent

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our meal was fantastic and they service was exceptional. The young lady who waited our table was ultra professional. I meant to get her name but didn’t. She had red hair. Our meal was great, although not cheap you pay for quality and great service. We will return with friends

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  9. Julie

    Kent

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful food served by smiling knowledgeable staff

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  10. Liza

    VIP

    London

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent as always! Can never get enough of the Sunday roast - It is the best ever - Staff always friendly and attentive- Wine and cocktails a must!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Poet at Matfield is rated 4.8 stars by 3057 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
23:30
Booked 13 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Poet at Matfield

Maidstone Road, Matfield, Kent TN12 7JH

Additional information

  • Area
    Tunbridge Wells
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Mon, Tue, Thu–Sat 6:00 pm–8:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–5:30 pm
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, English
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Please note: we have limited parking and would appreciate our guests respecting our neighbours when parking.There is additional free parking located at Matfield village green, 5 minutes walk from us.Many thanks!
  • Public transit
    Bus stop The Standings Cross: 267 Hawkhurst, 268Hawkhurst, 6 Tunbridge Wells
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Lee Adams
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining
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