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

The Poet at Matfield

4.8 (3119)
£26 to £40
British
Maidstone Road, Matfield, Kent TN12 7JH

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for fine wines
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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Lee Adams
  • Neighborhood
    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
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

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 #14 - The Poets Private Wine Cellar

    £150.00 per person

    Jun 13, 2025 only
    We’ve flipped the tasting menu concept on its head. This ones different.
 Forget the classic approach where wine plays second fiddle to food. Here, the wine takes centre stage, with exquisite food pairings crafted to elevate each pour. Expect nostalgia, excitement, and cherished memories—all woven into one unforgettable evening. My cellar isn’t just Bordeaux and Burgundy. This menu will introduce you to hidden gems, (hopefully) shatter preconceptions, and unlock new ways to savour remarkable wines, all at a refreshingly accessible price.

What 3,119 people are saying

The Poet at Matfield reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.5Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Kent

    Great for fine wines

  • Kent

    British

  • Tunbridge Wells

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Poet at Matfield is a cherished dining destination with "outstanding food" and "amazing service." Diners praise the "innovative menus" and "lovely, friendly staff." The ambiance is relaxed yet professional, making it perfect for special occasions or casual visits. It's a "really special restaurant" with a welcoming atmosphere and "delicious" dishes.
3,119 Reviews
  1. Ian

    London8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had eaten a couple of times before at the Poet, as a couple. We took our parents for a family Sunday lunch, as always the for was excellent and the service was very friendly.

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  2. Terry

    N. Ireland1 review

    1.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was very poor. My son had a roast beef dinner which comprised of two pieces of meat that you could see through. My wife had so called belly of pork , which consisted of a lump of pork that she could not even cut. The bill for 6 people was £350 which I would have been better flushing down the toilet.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tom

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional Sunday roast as always. Incredible service too

    Is this helpful?

  4. Matt

    Kent1 review

    3.0

    Dined on May 19, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food, but had to wait almost an hour for our main. The waitress did warn us 10 minutes after ordering that there would be a delay, which was appreciated. Not ideal for a business lunch, though.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Val

    Kent7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    3rd time of visiting, as before friendly staff, excellent food and ambiance

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  6. Iva

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exquisite! Probably one of my favourite menus so far (it changes every 2 months I believe). Everything was delicious and my friends loved their food. The service was also amazing as usual.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Melanie

    Kent6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Visited for another delicious‘tasting’ menu. Staff were really accommodating regarding timing; we were well looked after. Food was outstanding and as always, the ambience & staff were wonderful. Keep up the good work xx

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  8. Nick

    Kent3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We've eaten at the Poet on a number of occasions. The food is consistently of a high standard and the staff are always very knowledgeable, friendly and courteous.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Samantha

    Kent8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food and service as usual this has been my favourite restaurant in Kent for twelve years , today didn’t disappoint. Everything was perfect including our service Rosie

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  10. John

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Welcoming, friendly, thoughtful enjoyed our experience at The Poet

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Poet at Matfield is rated 4.8 stars by 3119 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Kent
  4. Tunbridge Wells
  5. Tunbridge Wells

Make a reservation


Booked 7 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Poet at Matfield

Maidstone Road, Matfield, Kent TN12 7JH

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    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
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine
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  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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