We love it here. Photos over a couple of visits. Always fantastic service and attention to detail. The food is consistently a winner and somewhere we’ll be returning to many times in the future!
Michael Fyffe
This place is a little gem. It was so good I had to have two main courses.
Margaret Browne
Wonderful Mother’s Day lunch. Everything was perfect from being greeted to our departure. My daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed it all.
CK Wan
My husband and sons surprised me with lunch on Mother’s Day. I’ve been wanting to dine at Thackeray’s so was happily surprised.Overall the food had some hits and misses. All the staff that served us were lovely and polite.I had the crab starter as did my 11-yr old son. It was light with slightly pickled vegetable ribbons and almonds. The sourdough focaccia was good but I found a piece of thin sharp plastic (could have been a fish bone) in my slice. When I told the waitress, she apologized.The main course of sirloin beef roast was delicious, rare and very tender. Unfortunately I couldn’t cut into the roast potatoes because there so hard. The waitress was very accommodating and changed it immediately.For dessert between the four of us, we tried the poppy seed sponge, pinapple and coconut sorbet (ok), raspberry soufflé (delicious) and baked Alaska (very good).It was very expensive (over £300, no alcohol) for the quality. Their Sunday lunches with a similar menu is £38 vs Mother’s Day lunch at £65 per head. And beyond the apology for the plastic I found in my bread, they did not offer anything else.My 11-yr old and I both had stomach aches after finishing the meal ?A disappointing experience for a restaurant that has been recommended.
Rachelle Ulyate
Have been here 3 times before and was disappointed with this visitation.We had to ask to put the heating up or to move seats as it was freezing cold inside, ended up wearing my coat inside. We had the tasting menu (which we've had before, hence why we came again) the portions were ridiculously small and even went to have a KFC afterwards as we weren't filled at all. The only two good portions were the beef dish and the rhubarb soufflé.... The rest...... C'mon chef.... What happened?What was most disappointing is the lady in the blazer and jacket who was obviously important,.asked us if there was any allergies or anything in the beginning and we said, please no beetroot...... Guess what appeared on our 2nd dish.... Beetroot. This place had always had a high status in my mind on customer service and attention to detail however the standards have seriously gone down as a simple request was completely ignored.Also the wine paring? Did you guys actually taste the wine with what was being served? Again we used to love the pairings and food it matched with but it's like no one gave it any thought. Now before you slate us completely we have both worked in restaurants ourselves before so understand everything that goes into it, but honestly was so so disappointed with this meal. The only good thing was the servers and their knowledge of the items being offered and with a smile. The rest..... Maybe just revisit the menu as I'm not sure what that haddock and raisin situation was.We got 20% discount which is basically just the servers tip?Correct me if wrong. If anything, I would've happily paid the servers their tip as they did a steller job. The food on the other hand was disappointing for a £400 meal and cheap wine. Won't be back as I was too embarrassed to even show my partner the food and wine it had to offer.... He said he's had better food in Mayfair for a similar price.
bengrillit
My family and I had a very nice Sunday lunch but we were horrified when we ordered extra sides of Kale at £5.00 each and what arrived was a minuscule and I mean minuscule portion of kale, literally 2 leaves, not even enough for one person, I thought it was a joke but alas no - don’t bother ordering extra sides, a total rip off.
Fiona P
The service was brilliant, atmosphere gorgeous, wine and cocktail list amazing, and food options were divine. I do need to add that my baked aubergine was raw and hard (surely there is nothing more delicious than a soft, baked, creamy aubergine with skin that falls apart?) and the chocoalte tort was frozen and hard. I've always experienced tarts and torts are somewhwat room temperature? It was so cold I couldn't taste it! Just a little bit disappointing for a Michelin star restaurant, and I have been to a few.
59dolly
Everything about our evening was excellent, the staff & food. We had a set menu which was good, beautifully cooked & the taste of every mouthful was superb. Thank you to all the staff for such a wonderful time. Well done
Dawa D
This is the second time within 5 months that we have visited Thackeray. The vegetarian set menu remained unchanged while the meat eaters menu enjoyed variety. I can of course choose from the Al Carte menu, at extra cost. I will be dining there again with friends in a fortnight but wish I had not agreed to, eating the same meal again is disappointing. Vegetarian's are always considered last, but as we are generally cheaper to feed and pay the same price, its disappointing. I had hoped better from Thackeray.
726vandaj
My husband and I took friends for a 40th birthday celebration and it was fabulous. I hadn’t eaten at Thackerays for a while as the last time, it was not great. However, it was a completely different experience this time. The food and service felt like it was on a different level and the wines were superb. We all had fish - either halibut or the monkfish both of which were delicious and perfectly cooked. It was a really lovely evening and I shall definitely go back.
Although my last review was a year ago we have been to Thackerays in the intervening time as a couple, with clients,as a group for Sunday lunch and with friends for birthdays. EVERY TIME superb, gluten free - no problem, dairy free - no problem, vegan - no problem. Richard and his team are the best, charming and attentive without being too much oh and then the food….. this is a no brainier, two average meals at local pub for one at Thackerays. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough Went there for our first date 16 years ago and have been returning ever since
Mitzy100
It was a joy from start to finish. We were celebrating a special birthday. We received a great welcome, super table and the food and wine were exceptional. What a brilliant business - it is a survivor and long standing in this tough industry and that is because they maintain such excellent standards. Thanks Again
Philip G
Absolutely fantastic! The experience begins before you’ve even entered. The characterful building greets you before entry, as you look upon the oldest building in Tunbridge Wells. You’re welcomed in with energy and excitement by the staff who almost seem giddy to share their craft with you but remain so poised yet approachable. Cocktails at the bar is where we started before being led to our table…everything is in perfect position. Then the real experience began and chef Hill presented us with plate after plate of sheer perfection! Everything about the food and presentation is expertly done and only surpassed by the sheer taste and flavour of it all. We lost track of time in a mix of elaborate and great tasting food and wonderful company. The atmosphere is excellent and chef Hill at one point walked through to be greeted by nods of appreciation from each table. You can’t find a better dining experience in Tunbridge Wells.
wilsonemmi
Super reasonable set lunch, we did the pairing wine, added a couple of sides and an extra cheese course. Staff were very accommodating as usual and we sat on the terrace to enjoy the lovely sunshine. Would highly recommend their set lunch, truly delicious, huge amount of attention to detail and presented perfectly.
J Pignon
I visited Thackeray's recently for lunch on a special occasion. It was a lovely meal, the set menu, with first class service. The wine suggested was excellent and the food was fantastic at a reasonable price. Thank you!
We love it here. Photos over a couple of visits. Always fantastic service and attention to detail. The food is consistently a winner and somewhere we’ll be returning to many times in the future!
This place is a little gem. It was so good I had to have two main courses.
Wonderful Mother’s Day lunch. Everything was perfect from being greeted to our departure. My daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed it all.
My husband and sons surprised me with lunch on Mother’s Day. I’ve been wanting to dine at Thackeray’s so was happily surprised.Overall the food had some hits and misses. All the staff that served us were lovely and polite.I had the crab starter as did my 11-yr old son. It was light with slightly pickled vegetable ribbons and almonds. The sourdough focaccia was good but I found a piece of thin sharp plastic (could have been a fish bone) in my slice. When I told the waitress, she apologized.The main course of sirloin beef roast was delicious, rare and very tender. Unfortunately I couldn’t cut into the roast potatoes because there so hard. The waitress was very accommodating and changed it immediately.For dessert between the four of us, we tried the poppy seed sponge, pinapple and coconut sorbet (ok), raspberry soufflé (delicious) and baked Alaska (very good).It was very expensive (over £300, no alcohol) for the quality. Their Sunday lunches with a similar menu is £38 vs Mother’s Day lunch at £65 per head. And beyond the apology for the plastic I found in my bread, they did not offer anything else.My 11-yr old and I both had stomach aches after finishing the meal ?A disappointing experience for a restaurant that has been recommended.
Have been here 3 times before and was disappointed with this visitation.We had to ask to put the heating up or to move seats as it was freezing cold inside, ended up wearing my coat inside. We had the tasting menu (which we've had before, hence why we came again) the portions were ridiculously small and even went to have a KFC afterwards as we weren't filled at all. The only two good portions were the beef dish and the rhubarb soufflé.... The rest...... C'mon chef.... What happened?What was most disappointing is the lady in the blazer and jacket who was obviously important,.asked us if there was any allergies or anything in the beginning and we said, please no beetroot...... Guess what appeared on our 2nd dish.... Beetroot. This place had always had a high status in my mind on customer service and attention to detail however the standards have seriously gone down as a simple request was completely ignored.Also the wine paring? Did you guys actually taste the wine with what was being served? Again we used to love the pairings and food it matched with but it's like no one gave it any thought. Now before you slate us completely we have both worked in restaurants ourselves before so understand everything that goes into it, but honestly was so so disappointed with this meal. The only good thing was the servers and their knowledge of the items being offered and with a smile. The rest..... Maybe just revisit the menu as I'm not sure what that haddock and raisin situation was.We got 20% discount which is basically just the servers tip?Correct me if wrong. If anything, I would've happily paid the servers their tip as they did a steller job. The food on the other hand was disappointing for a £400 meal and cheap wine. Won't be back as I was too embarrassed to even show my partner the food and wine it had to offer.... He said he's had better food in Mayfair for a similar price.
My family and I had a very nice Sunday lunch but we were horrified when we ordered extra sides of Kale at £5.00 each and what arrived was a minuscule and I mean minuscule portion of kale, literally 2 leaves, not even enough for one person, I thought it was a joke but alas no - don’t bother ordering extra sides, a total rip off.
The service was brilliant, atmosphere gorgeous, wine and cocktail list amazing, and food options were divine. I do need to add that my baked aubergine was raw and hard (surely there is nothing more delicious than a soft, baked, creamy aubergine with skin that falls apart?) and the chocoalte tort was frozen and hard. I've always experienced tarts and torts are somewhwat room temperature? It was so cold I couldn't taste it! Just a little bit disappointing for a Michelin star restaurant, and I have been to a few.
Everything about our evening was excellent, the staff & food. We had a set menu which was good, beautifully cooked & the taste of every mouthful was superb. Thank you to all the staff for such a wonderful time. Well done
This is the second time within 5 months that we have visited Thackeray. The vegetarian set menu remained unchanged while the meat eaters menu enjoyed variety. I can of course choose from the Al Carte menu, at extra cost. I will be dining there again with friends in a fortnight but wish I had not agreed to, eating the same meal again is disappointing. Vegetarian's are always considered last, but as we are generally cheaper to feed and pay the same price, its disappointing. I had hoped better from Thackeray.
My husband and I took friends for a 40th birthday celebration and it was fabulous. I hadn’t eaten at Thackerays for a while as the last time, it was not great. However, it was a completely different experience this time. The food and service felt like it was on a different level and the wines were superb. We all had fish - either halibut or the monkfish both of which were delicious and perfectly cooked. It was a really lovely evening and I shall definitely go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Although my last review was a year ago we have been to Thackerays in the intervening time as a couple, with clients,as a group for Sunday lunch and with friends for birthdays. EVERY TIME superb, gluten free - no problem, dairy free - no problem, vegan - no problem. Richard and his team are the best, charming and attentive without being too much oh and then the food….. this is a no brainier, two average meals at local pub for one at Thackerays. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough Went there for our first date 16 years ago and have been returning ever since
It was a joy from start to finish. We were celebrating a special birthday. We received a great welcome, super table and the food and wine were exceptional. What a brilliant business - it is a survivor and long standing in this tough industry and that is because they maintain such excellent standards. Thanks Again
Absolutely fantastic! The experience begins before you’ve even entered. The characterful building greets you before entry, as you look upon the oldest building in Tunbridge Wells. You’re welcomed in with energy and excitement by the staff who almost seem giddy to share their craft with you but remain so poised yet approachable. Cocktails at the bar is where we started before being led to our table…everything is in perfect position. Then the real experience began and chef Hill presented us with plate after plate of sheer perfection! Everything about the food and presentation is expertly done and only surpassed by the sheer taste and flavour of it all. We lost track of time in a mix of elaborate and great tasting food and wonderful company. The atmosphere is excellent and chef Hill at one point walked through to be greeted by nods of appreciation from each table. You can’t find a better dining experience in Tunbridge Wells.
Super reasonable set lunch, we did the pairing wine, added a couple of sides and an extra cheese course. Staff were very accommodating as usual and we sat on the terrace to enjoy the lovely sunshine. Would highly recommend their set lunch, truly delicious, huge amount of attention to detail and presented perfectly.
I visited Thackeray's recently for lunch on a special occasion. It was a lovely meal, the set menu, with first class service. The wine suggested was excellent and the food was fantastic at a reasonable price. Thank you!