Reviews in Tunbridge Wells

Party of nine of us had an excellent three course meal. Highly recommended. Caring pleasant and efficient staff. Thankyou

Loved the atmosphere as soon as I stepped into the bistro, food and service great and have even booked it out for my birthday party in May.

Booked a table for 815 on Saturday 10 January ,table not ready, suggested a drink at the bar, bar so busy staff bickering. Waited a fair while to get served, whole place looked like it was in total chaos, decided to leave as it made us wonder what food would be like due to lack of service. Don't think we will return, a shame as we are local and have a large family. If we had a good experience would have probably been regular customers.

Giggling Squid, Tunbridge Wellsby Ian Manley www.ianmanley.co.uk. OK, I admit it. I got lost again. Not as bad as the summer I decided to spend eight weeks cycling from Brighton to the south of France and ended up in Belfast, but lost all the same. I was given directions by my wife, her of the perfect internal sat nav, but ended up walking directly away from the restaurant on the so-called hottest day of the year. It was easy to spot them as I wandered – the tribes of workers on their lunch break, clutching a bag of shop-bought sarnies and looking for a place in the sun to sit and scoff. I turned around and made my way to the Giggling Squid, envying them their al fresco plans.I arrived hot and flustered and slightly annoyed at sitting inside on a day like this, but that soon changed as I walked into the cool, calming environment where I was quickly shown to a table and offered a drink. Luckily George, my dining companion, was late (although not luckily for him, a parking ticket was to blame) giving me time to take everything in. I always think that restaurants are better at night – the customers are louder and dressier, the lighting is less harsh and the general buzz of expectation adds that final twist of seasoning to the experience. But for a lunchtime visit this place had it about right, with enough Thai-inspired décor to give it a theme, but not enough for it to feel like a theme park. The menu was well thumbed, which I took to be a good sign, and I was initially overwhelmed by the number of dishes on offer for a lunch sitting. Then I remembered that the Giggling Squid is a Thai Tapas restaurant – with the option of ‘one big dish’ if you prefer. We stuck with the tapas, and here follows my tip for ordering, based on my own downfall: think more about how the dishes will work with each other rather than plumping for all of your favourites. With 16 options on the self-pick list, it was very easy to get carried away, and I did! And it’s not as if I had to – as well as the pick’n’mix approach you could opt for one of the set tapas groupings, which offer four perfectly complementing dishes. But no, I was the proverbial kid in the sweetshop and went for Lamb Massaman Curry, Spring Rolls and Tom Yum Chicken while George took a more balanced approach with Salt and Pepper Squid, Seared Scallop with Spicy Lime Dressing and Thai Dumplings. Now we’re both hearty eaters, but this combo of six dishes (with a bowl of rice each) was more than enough for a mid-day meal. The curry contained good, generous chunks of meat and my first taste had me instantly planning a return trip for a full ‘big dish’ serving. The spring rolls were complemented with a decent dip and while the Tom Yum didn’t sit that well next to the curry (my fault entirely) and was not as spicy as I usually like, it was still worth ordering. I have to say I was less impressed with the dumplings, which didn’t really give me anything back other than their integral calories, but I think they would have worked better with a different dish combo. However, the scallop was cooked perfectly and the squid was spot on, with a beautifully seasoned, light batter. If I’ve got one criticism of the menu it’s that some of the dishes available as part of the Tapas Set aren’t available on the pick’n’mix menu. So if you wanted red chicken curry, you’d have to choose the Starving Squid tapas set, or have it as a main meal. But one thing I was particularly pleased about was the allergy labeling. Coeliac disease is in our family and working out which dishes are gluten free can be difficult - but not here. While the evening menu seems to offer more gluten free options, there’s still enough choice at lunchtime for those who need to be careful about what they eat. Perhaps because of the beautiful weather the restaurant wasn’t that busy, so service was super fast, but carried out in a way that made me feel this was the norm, not the exception. While we whiled away the afternoon over a couple of beers and some good chat, I clocked a table of six office workers come in, have a relaxed meal, pay and leave all within 47 minutes – perfect timing for a working lunch, and one that I’m sure didn’t cost them too much more than their colleagues’ al fresco, shop-bought sarnie experience. •Giggling Squid, 57 Calverly Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2UY. 01892 545499 Lunchtime meal for two, excluding drinks and dessert: £23 Kitchen open 12-4, 6-10.45 (9.45 on Sundays). Takeaway menu available online at gigglingsquid.com

fantastic food service and no msg.

Wow I have a new favorite!! - I happened to be in Tunbridge Wells today for a business meeting and found myself slightly early and had a bit of time to kill and needed some sustenance when I spotted the frontage of Soup-urb - instantly the name made me smile (pretty cool - even superb!!) so rather than look to grab a normal sandwich or meal deal at the nearest convenience outlet I ventured in. Greeted by a smiley gentleman who was serving I asked what he recommended as I took in the varied menu. After a short conversation I took his advice and bought a meal deal - which for £5.00 gave me a generous sized homemade mug of chowder a homemade lemonade and a homemade sausage roll - well I cant rave about it enough - amazing taste and I also felt incredible value on the pocket, I will definitely be going back but unfortunately not as regularly as I would like as I am based in Surrey. Fantastic experience and wonderful food - highly recommended by me.

I visited Soup-Urb in February on a Saturday lunchtime and found it bustling, but able to seat us in a sunny window seat on some seriously retro styled benches and chairs.The waitresses were divided into those who seemed eager to be there, but busy and one who seemed desperate to be anywhere else, but was unfortunately in charge of taking our order. We were a little scared of her brusque manner!However, I ordered the soup of the day, a delicious and well-portioned soup with a sweet potato base, served hot. It came in a little ceramic pot with a plate of fresh baked bread and slightly salted butter. All were delicious. I drank a super matcha green tea smoothie which was full on yummy, although pricey!My partner had a roast pork and crackling sandwich on thick slices of home baked bread, with lashings of tasty chutneys. He loved it and has since wanted to return to re-order, but is conscious of the cost. Overall, tasty and substantial food, based on a rustic farmer's market-type concept. Would love to pop back every weekend, but the prices are a little steep for a simple sandwich or bowl of soup.

My experience was of poor quality food, presentation 0/10 drinks very overpriced £2.10 for small coke. Staff were polite. My total score for this dining experience 1/10 this was supposed to be a special meal out with my daughter afer completing her exams. How disappointing.

simply amazing

i hadn't been out with my family for a while and i decided that we should go out to eat we all decided that we wanted a Indian so we went to the langton green tandoori because people had been saying that it was the best Indian cuisine in kent. As i entered the atmosphere was pleasant and calming. The waiters were very polite and pleasant. The food tasted WONDERFUL! i would like to recommend King Prawn Masala and King Prawn Butterfly. My children loved the food especially the deserts, which shows that it's for all ages.

This is the best restaurant i have been to for a while. The waiters are very pleasant and lovely. They really do know how to serve a customer. The food and presentation was just amazing, they have different plates and bowls for different dishes to make them look authentic, and it tasted GREAT! The atmosphere is great very cosy. Alot of people brag on about how good it is so we gave it a try...and it was WONDERFUL!

Was just over at Tunbridge Wells for a nice quiet Christmas and just had to brag about this wonderful restaurant! food was excellent, the service was perfect and oh did i mention the food was gooooooood! Will definitely be visiting tunbridge wells even only for this place!

Langton Green Tandoori is a cosy little restaurant on the main road. The food is excellent, the service is charming and the atmosphere is relaxed. A true little gem found on the long winding roads of tunbridge wells. It is THE only place to have your Indian meals in tunbridge wells!

Lovely pub right next to the spa valley railway. Food was really tasty, good pub food as well as other interesting things on the menu. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. Would go there again.