Best Vineyard Restaurants in Kent

Seven Kent vineyards are listed below where the restaurant is worth the trip independently of the wine. The range runs from The Mount's courtyard in the Darent Valley to Chapel Down's Swan in Tenterden, which holds two AA Rosettes and a view across the vines.

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Overview

At the formal end, Chapel Down's Swan and the Winery Restaurant at Squerryes both hold two AA Rosettes. The Swan serves lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner Thursday to Saturday; Squerryes also has a Vineyard Cafe for casual visits, with sharing boards and oysters on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Balfour's Winemakers' Kitchen and The Mount's Courtyard Restaurant are the pick for a longer lunch. Balfour draws on named Kentish suppliers and serves a Sunday roast; The Mount has a retractable roof for year-round dining and opens until 11pm Wednesday to Saturday.

Mereworth runs brunch and pizza Wednesday to Sunday, with live jazz every Sunday from 11am. Woodchurch is the most casual option — stone-baked pizzas and boards from Friday, balcony seating above the vines, open Thursday to Sunday.

Planning your visit

Book ahead for the serious kitchens

Squerryes and Chapel Down both hold two AA Rosettes and fill up at weekends. The Mount and Balfour also book out. Walk-ins are more reliable at Woodchurch and Mereworth.

Lunch vs dinner

Most estates are at their best at lunch, when you can sit outside and see the vines. Balfour and Mereworth both do strong evening services if you want a longer occasion.

Getting there without a car

Balfour runs a free shuttle from London. Chapel Down is closest to a train station (Staplehurst or Headcorn, then a short taxi). Squerryes is reachable from Oxted. Most others require a car.

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Featured vineyards

The Mount Vineyard

(Shortlisted) (Visited)

The Mount Vineyard features a Courtyard Restaurant and Bar, open Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM (kitchen closes at 9:00 PM) and on Sundays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM (kitchen closes at 5:00 PM). The establishment serves modern British cuisine, with a focus on delicious sharing platters and stone-baked pizzas, often paired with their own award-winning still and sparkling wines. The ambience is described as modern and chic, yet informal and vibrant, with a beautiful setting that includes a fully retractable roof for year-round enjoyment and underfloor heating in winter. Well-behaved children are welcome for food and drink, though tastings are adult-only, and dogs on leads are permitted in all guest areas, including the restaurant and on the Wine Deck. While the restaurant itself does not have specific awards mentioned, its dishes are designed to complement The Mount Vineyard's own range of award-winning wines.

Balfour Winery

(Shortlisted) (Visited)

The Winemakers' Kitchen is Balfour's on-site restaurant, serving seasonal British food made with locally sourced produce - each dish designed to sit alongside the estate's own wines. It is open for lunch seven days a week, and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. A Sunday roast is served weekly. The restaurant sits on the mezzanine level; guests with accessibility requirements can be seated on the ground floor on request.

Open: Lunch 12pm–3pm daily; Sunday roast 12pm–4pm; Dinner 7pm–10:30pm Friday & Saturday (last table 9pm)
Booking: Recommended - reserve via the website

Chapel Down

(Shortlisted) (Visited)

The Swan at Chapel Down holds two AA Rosettes and serves modern British dishes designed to pair with the estate's wines, with vineyard views from the restaurant and terrace. Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner Thursday to Saturday. Dogs are welcome in the bar and on the terrace but not inside the restaurant; children are welcome throughout.

Mereworth Wines

(Shortlisted) (Visited)

Mereworth Wines features a combined winery bar, café, and shop, offering a unique ambiance where visitors can enjoy their food and drinks with views of the production area, tank rooms, and cellar wine storage. The cafe serves brunch from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 1 pm, and pizza from Wednesday to Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm, with an additional pizza service on Fridays from 5 pm to 8 pm. They also host a Jazz Brunch every Sunday, with live jazz from 11 am to 2 pm. Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside the winery and on the terrace.

Woodchurch Wine Estate

(Shortlisted) (Visited)

Woodchurch Wine Estate has a bar and restaurant open Thursday to Sunday, serving stone-baked pizzas and cheese and charcuterie boards from Friday. The balcony overlooks the vineyard and Kent countryside. Self-guided walks are free; guided tours with tasting cost £25 per person and run about 75 minutes.

Squerryes

(Shortlisted) (Visited)

Squerryes' Winery Restaurant holds two AA Rosettes and offers à la carte, a tasting menu, and afternoon tea - the most formal dining option at any Kent vineyard. Open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner Friday and Saturday. The Vineyard Café is the casual alternative, with coffee, light lunches, and sharing boards on Friday and Saturday evenings. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor terraces; children have a dedicated menu.

More Vineyards with Restaurants in kent

Yotes Court – Kent

Yotes Court features the Cellar Door, which includes a Wine Barn and Paddock Lawn, offering a relaxed ambience with sweeping vineyard views. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm (March to October), it serves delicious light bites such as locally sourced charcuterie, cheese, and hummus platters, complemented by their award-winning wines. Well-behaved children and dogs on leads are welcome in the Cellar Door and on the Paddock Lawn.

Woolton Farm – Kent

The Barn is Woolton Farm's on-site restaurant and bar, open Friday to Sunday (including bank holidays) from April to September. The kitchen leans into Kentish produce, turning out sourdough pizzas, charcuterie and cheese boards, light bites, and a breakfast and brunch menu running until midday. Vegan options are available throughout. The space itself has the warmth you'd hope for from a working farm building — wooden beams, outdoor seating with countryside views — and the bar pours the farm's own wines and Kentish Pip ciders alongside other drinks. Dogs on leads are welcome, and baby-changing facilities are available on site.

Open: Friday–Sunday (plus bank holidays), April to September; breakfast 9am–12pm, lunch/dinner 12pm–8pm
Booking: Walk-ins welcome

Vine rows looking toward an Arts and Crafts manor house and church tower in the Kent countryside at Silverhand Estate

Silverhand Estate – Kent

Silverhand Estate is the UK’s largest single-estate organic vineyard, set in the Kent countryside and producing organic sparkling and still wines alongside guided tours, tastings, and seasonal experiences.

Buy the wine from vineyards featured in this guide

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Balfour Winery1503 Rosé£26.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
Balfour Winery1503 Brut£26.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
Balfour WineryBotham & Balfour Legend Series Brut Reserve NV£30.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗

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FAQ

Which Kent vineyard restaurants are worth booking for a special occasion?

Squerryes and Chapel Down both hold two AA Rosettes and offer tasting menus. Balfour's Winemakers' Kitchen suits a longer lunch with its locally sourced Kentish menu. All three need advance booking at weekends.

Can I visit a Kent vineyard restaurant without doing a tour?

Yes at all six on this list. The restaurant at Chapel Down, Squerryes, and Balfour operates independently of the tour programme, though tours can be combined if you want the full visit.

Which vineyard restaurants have outdoor seating?

The Mount (Wine Deck and Tipi), Chapel Down (summer terrace), Squerryes (summer terrace), and Woodchurch (balcony) all have al fresco options, weather permitting.

Is there a Kent vineyard restaurant accessible without a car?

Balfour runs a free shuttle from London. Chapel Down is the most accessible by train — Staplehurst or Headcorn, then a taxi. Squerryes can be reached from Oxted.

Do vineyard restaurants in Kent serve their own wines?

Yes — all six on this list serve wines made on site or from their own estate. Several offer flight pairings alongside the food menu.

Best Vineyard Restaurants in Kent

Book an experience

Overview

Planning your visit

Book ahead for the serious kitchens

Lunch vs dinner

Getting there without a car

Map

Featured vineyards

The Mount Vineyard

Balfour Winery

Chapel Down

Mereworth Wines

Woodchurch Wine Estate

Squerryes

More Vineyards with Restaurants in kent

Yotes Court – Kent

Woolton Farm – Kent

Silverhand Estate – Kent

Buy the wine from vineyards featured in this guide

FAQ

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