Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Kent
  4. Tunbridge Wells
  5. Tunbridge Wells
Beetroot and Sumac Labneh. - The Poet at Matfield, Matfield, Kent

The Poet at Matfield

4.8
4.8
3022 Reviews
£26 to £40
British

Make a booking

2 people
23:00
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, 268<br />Hawkhurst, 6 Tunbridge Wells <br />
  • 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 with Weiss Chocolate 2.0

    £75.00 per person

    28 Nov 2024 only
    We are back with Weiss Chocolate for another tasting menu! If you came last year you will know exactly what to expect! A chocolate lovers paradise. 

From savoury to sweet, each and every course contains a different preparation of chocolate. From Scallops & 30% White to Pork Loin & 70% Dark, this menu is packed full of flavour and highlights the true characteristics of chocolate - not just the sweetness! As usual for tasting menus, we will not be catering for allergies or the vegan diet.

  • Winter Themed Afternoon Tea!

    £65.00 per person

    29 Dec 2024 only
    Christmas week is made for eating and drinking, a fact we all know well. However, when the end of the week arrives most of us are bored of turkey sandwiches, leftovers and anything roast related! So we have decided to host a Winter Afternoon Tea on Sunday the 29th of December. Join us for a winter flavour themed Afternoon Tea before the New Year celebrations begin! 

 Includes a glass of English Sparkling! As always, this is the only menu we will be serving and we will not be catering for allergies or the vegan diet.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,022 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
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Energetic

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Kent

    Best Service

  • Kent

    Best Ambience

  • 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 offers a consistently exceptional dining experience with "exceptional food and service." Guests rave about the "beautifully presented" dishes and the warm, attentive staff. The charming atmosphere and extensive wine list make it a perfect spot for special occasions. Regulars appreciate the innovative menu and the restaurant's ability to "never disappoint."

3,022 Reviews

  1. Michele

    Kent

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food / service always Exellent however 3 of our party had roast sirloin of beef (had it before a few times ) however this time 2 very thin/ small slices of beef appeared on a plate with an enormous Yorkshire pudding the rest of the vegetables / jus was Exellent just thought the chef a bit mean with the meat !! desert Exellent

    Is this helpful?

  2. Christine

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The best restaurant for miles. Delicious food, beautifully presented. Friendly yet professional staff. Cosy ambiance. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  3. SHARON

    Kent

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is a restaurant for that very Special occasion....Why only Special? Because it is a Special place to enjoy fine dining at its best. Exquisite tasting plates of food, locally sourced alcohol, beautiful ambience, welcoming and attentive staff. It is on the higher price side but every mouthful is worth every penny. Thank you Tom, Your Head chef and all your staff for a Very Special Evening.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Andrew

    London

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely food. Cute old pub but could do with sprucing up a wee bit.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Philip

    Kent

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Extremely welcoming; excellent food and service; expensive but you get what you pay for I don’t like background music most restaurants that I’ve been in have it - indeed once InCornwall we were the only diners at lunch and asked for the music to be turned off. The staff said they were unable to do this, but they could turn it down a bit, I suspect that a poll of diners would overwhelmingly ask for a quiet restaurant. I have not seen such a poll.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Gillian

    Kent

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 14 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great staff and excellent food - every course was of a very high standard

    Is this helpful?

  7. Emma

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely Sunday lunch. Beautiful selection, something for everyone. Desserts exceptional. Polite, friendly and efficient team. Restaurant was packed. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Liza

    London

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on 10 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food as always - Staters and Roast dinner is faultless- It’s hard to squeeze in a desert but you just have to! Great cocktails and wine- Fabulous friendly staff-

    Is this helpful?

  9. tania

    Kent

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delightful experience thank you delicious food, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Relaxed and very welcoming. Will be back

    Is this helpful?

  10. Clare

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fab night with friends at this beautifully styled cosy Kent pub which serves amazing food, wine & cocktails. We felt more like we were in some swanky London resto with the food offering, but the environment is relaxed & casual. Tom really knew his stuff, shared his knowledge on food & wine....& was so interesting without being a wine snob. Just genuine, passionate & polished. Great service, fab food, amazing ambience. Go here!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Poet at Matfield is rated 4.8 stars by 3022 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
23:00
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
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Restaurant Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo