Type Writer. - The Poet at Matfield, Matfield, Kent

The Poet at Matfield

Name: The Poet at Matfield
Address: Maidstone Road, Matfield, Kent, United Kingdom, TN12 7JH
Telephone: 01892 722416
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 4.7

4.7

2741 Reviews

£26 to £40

British

Top tags:

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 front of house manager and Director Tom Haacke and his team. We look forward to seeing you!

EXPERIENCE BOOKINGS - The Al a Carte Is still available if you book through an experience!

Late cancellations (Same day) - £20 per person.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 2, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
British, English
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Tue–Sat 6:00 pm–8:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 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
Neighbourhood
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
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, 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

What 2,741 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Kent
Great for fine wines
Kent
Good for special occasions
Kent
British
Tunbridge Wells
Most Booked

2,741 Reviews

BA
BigAlV
Kent
60 reviews
vip
5.0
60 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely top notch dining - enthusiastic welcome, delicious menu and beautifully cooked and presented cuisine - we’re fortunate to have The Poet so near to home. Well done to Tom and his team at the front of house and Lee and his team in the kitchen - we had a special evening!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kent
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a lovely pub! Such a charming place with friendly staff and fantastic food.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kent
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food. Great cocktails. Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back!
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JL
JenniferL
London
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious Sunday lunch at The Poet. Service was spot on. Very friendly and knowledgable host. The food was really delicious. Best cauliflower cheese I think I’ve ever had. We haven’t been there for a while but will be going back again very soon. Would definitely recommend for a special meal out.
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DW
DeanW
Kent
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food, great staff and lovely atmosphere
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WE
WENDYB
Kent
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
We had booked on a Thursday as it’s normally a set menu. This had changed un known to us it was only al a carte or I’d have booked a weds.
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A
Aaron
London
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exciting, refined menus! Incredible dishes created by Chef Lee Adams make the poet a must visit. Warm, friendly attentive service. Gen Manager Tom is superb, accommodating & fascinating to talk to to with his passion for food and drink and his wine pairings were incredible. A beautiful food destination, a wonderful guest experience.
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SM
SaraM
Devon
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely perfect as always. All staff are so friendly and always happy to give advice on food and drinks. Food is amazing ! The combination of flavours and textures are excellent ! Great atmosphere too !
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DH
DavidH
Kent
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Lovely meal, food and wine excellent, looking forward to coming back again.
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J
Jamies
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Lovely place, could be a little warmer inside. Food was really delicious.
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s
stephens
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience3
Nicely presented Mediocre food . Meat uncutable and unchewable . Starter small and tasteless . Wrong dishes and wrong wine brought to table Very overpriced for what was delivered Sad
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L
Leggy
Kent
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent meal. Every course was beautifully cooked and presented with well balanced flavours. The staff were all very friendly, helpful and professional. Wonderful lunch and will certainly be back. Recommended.
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R
Rattyshowdown
Kent
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Pleasant lunch. Wine was pricey. Food very good. We chose from the lunch time menu which was looked significantly better value than the a la carte. The veggie in our group was well catered for. Service charge 12.5% a bit heavy but we all enjoyed the occasion. Strongly recommended and we shall return.
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MC
MichelleC
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience5
Really lovely food and friendly service from the staff.
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A
Andrewg
Hawaii
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 31, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Maybe just an off night but ribeye steak was very tough and was returned (as management agreed on examination); replacement, a fillet, was presented with 2 pieces stacked on top of one another, each piece being very thin and presumably to create the appearance of a thick cut,which is customary--very strange. Table clearing very slow, and general attentiveness lacking (waitstaff should come to table shortly after meal is served to ask if anything else is needed and if everything is ok). We've had 2 prior dinners there, and they we good.
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MD
MarcDobby
London
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and choice. Service good although a little slow at the start. Seems expensive. Paid the same value of bill as at the Savoy Grill 2 weeks ago!
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LF
LocalFoodie
London
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
We had a lovely evening and staff were really friendly but unfortunately a couple of things were forgotten, this alongside the quality of the food (which was very nice) were sadly not up to par with the prices charged.
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RR
RosalindR
London
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great menu. Lovely service. Thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon
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GS
GrahamS
Caribbean
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, lovely food and a great experience.
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H
Harry
Kent
9 reviews
3.0
9 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience2
Very tasty food. We were 10 minutes late, we apologised, my friend and I told to order quickly which we did but felt like we were back at school!! Terrible table facing the wall, cold and uncomfortable. Good service. It is a restaurant in what seems like a pub setting.
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S
Supersurg
London
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 26, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Helpful staff and sensibly priced wine list. Good choice of food and tasty flavours. Portions on smaller side but that was compensated by taste.
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r
rachelg
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We where treated with the warmest of welcomes by Tom and his front of house team, the fire was lit so we enjoyed pre dinner drinks in the cosy sofa area with delicious English sparkling wine recommended by Tom. We visited on a Tuesday evening so took advantage of “ steak night” the chateaubriand was sublime and the best we’ve tasted, washed down with an outstanding glass of Chablis. Our evening was perfect from start to finish and are returning again with family. Couldn’t recommend the poet highly enough
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GL
GastroLover
Kent
79 reviews
5.0
79 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lunch at The Poet was wonderful. The venue was gastro pub decor in style. The menu was varied and every dish we ordered tasted amazing. Beautifully presented and good size portions. The wine we ordered was also delightful. Staff professional and engaging. Will definitely return.
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M
Michael
Kent
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience3
Firstly they tried to say we never kept the booking to stop us posting a review. We were sat in the dark which made it difficult to see what we were eating, the fact we had taste buds did not help identifying much. I had the parfait, which was nothing special, but it looked like someone had placed the old skin from a slice of Brie on the plate. Unsure if it was supposed to be there of someone had not cleaned the plate. We then had roast beef. You know your in trouble when the beef is sliced so fine you can see through it. I assume that's done so you don't have to try chewing it. Roast potatoes had no taste and could have done with longer in the oven. Carrots were sliced and mixed with what I would describe as bird feed with herbs. Gravy was very salty. The meal was massively over priced and the service was poor. As we were drinking our coffee and drinks the waitress said we had to leave as others were waiting to use the table. That's fine but she made to effort to move us to the bar area with our drinks and coffee. I noticed the table in front of us had also sat down at the same time as us. They had no drinks or coffee and were just talking. When I asked why they were not being moved I was told they sat down an hour after us. I know it was dark but not that dark. Would I recommend eating at the Poet? no Will I be going back? no There once was a pub called The Poet. The food was bad don't you know it. The service was poor, they showed us the door. Would we return? Hell no!
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S
Slugs
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Excellent attentive service and enthusiastic people. The food way surpassed our expectations and we had a wonderful evening. The heating could have been turned up a little but that was the only comment until the cocktails and beautifully paired wines warned us up.
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KE
KeithE
London
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience4
A few changes on the menu but the new team have maintained the very high standard and the food is a delight.
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ZS
ZeS2
London
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a treat! We returned to The Poet as it is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion with exquisite food, wonderful service - and they’re dog friendly!
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MG
MichaelG
Kent
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and hospitality. Staff were very knowledgeable on food and wine. We had a great evening and will be back.
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PH
PhilipH
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an outstanding lunch - Michelin-star quality at prices you’d normally have to spend on a far more humdrum meal, plus a lovely old fashioned-pub style ambience and friendly service. This is now sure to be our new favourite restaurant.
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SB
StephenB
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on October 14, 2023
overall1food2service3ambience3
Incredibly expensive food that looked fabulous on the menu but didn't deliver on the plate. This is a pub masquerading as a high end gastronomic experience but it is neither. £41.00 plus 12.5% service charge on stringy fillet steak. In fairness, the chef did come out to apologise and I wasn't charged and offerd a free pudding so service was good, however the bill was still £142 for 2. Overreaching and overpriced
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Y
Yummyornot
Berkshire
15 reviews
3.0
15 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2023
overall3food4service4ambience3
Some innovative dishes to choose from that were beautifully presented and full of flavour. One of my guests ordered the duck which I noticed was a fillet piece and quite tough to cut. I had the meagre ( fish) which was fresh and excellently prepared. The other guest had pork belly - which she described as 'really good' but it contained some hard inedible ?grains, possibly the pearl barley? We only had starters and main courses and shared 1 bottle of red. The wine list was had a good range of wines at various prices to choose from. The back of the restaurant was very dark (we dinned at lunchtime on a sunny day), which I can imagine in winter has a warm and cosy ambience, but I felt it a little oppressive having no view, and very low lighting. The service was very good and friendly. My biggest reservation was about the value for money. I dine regularly in central and west London and The Poet just seemed expensive in comparison. The main fish dish was £34.00, and I did not order sides, although I suspect many others dinners would. I do think a set menu option at all times should be available.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kent
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Superb from start to finish. The chef is a master of his trade. Delicious x
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CB
ChrisB
East Sussex
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Lovely attentive staff and a nice atmosphere. Some of the dishes were fantastic (the scallop starter in particular) and others pretty good. The duck dish was unremarkable, given the cost.
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IP
IP133CB
Kent
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food excellent service and serving staff. Well worth a visit.
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AL
AmyL
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really excellent and worth trying the lunch menu which is a good value. Delicious food and excellent service, which lovely relaxing atmosphere
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a
adamr
East Sussex
21 reviews
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Very nice light lunch - my dining companion had the soup, which she finished with relish and proclaimed 'very good'. I had the egg and mushroom ragout which came with a poached egg on top. The egg was a little underdone for my liking but next time I'll know to ask to have it medium. Very pleasant atmosphere, friendly and efficient service. We'll be going back.
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l
lillake
London
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Everything was great overall. Though we had a late Sunday lunch table and the roasts at that point didn’t seem as freshly made, as they and one of the sides were dry.
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ND
NickD
London
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of the best sunday lunches I’ve had in recent months. Excellent. Tom and his staff deliver on all levels.
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DP
DavidP
Dubai
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Scallop entre was delicious, roast beef main was hearty and veg was very tasty loved the wine pairing. Panne Cotta with enormous blackberries was amazing. Service very attentive and helpful.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kent
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went for a Sunday roast and the food and service was amazing.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Poet at Matfield is rated 4.7 stars by 2741 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 2, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Maidstone Road, Matfield, Kent TN12 7JH

Additional information

Neighbourhood
Tunbridge Wells
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Tue–Sat 6:00 pm–8:30 pm Sun 12:00 pm–4:00 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, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

Website
http://www.thepoetatmatfield.co.uk/
Phone number
01892 722416

The Poet at Matfield

Make a reservation

Additional information

Experiences

Tuesday Night Steak Night

Menu

What 2,741 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

How is The Poet at Matfield restaurant rated?

Is The Poet at Matfield currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information