The Compasses - Canterbury

I was able to secure a table for the second dinner service, and I really enjoyed it. The bar staff is incredibly knowledgeable, which made for a great experience. The front-of-house team was super friendly and natural, making us feel very welcome. The food was outstanding—lucky for us, Chef Ben was in the kitchen before heading back to Stark. The new head chef has some big shoes to fill if they aim to maintain this quality. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens on our next visit. I also want to give a shout-out to the pastry chef, Cleo—her desserts were a 10 out of 10. We’ll definitely be back and will order just as much food again. Thank you for a wonderful evening!

Reflecting on the old menu, it attempted to be overly creative, obviously aiming for local awards, but often felt too extravagant and rich. I dined there many times, and found the meals to be excessive and trying too hard to impress—overthought and oversaturated. The service was acceptable, but the timing from the small kitchen was very inconsistent, leading to long waits for food when the dining area was full, likely due to the complicated menu. Now, under new management, I can confidently say that the food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is welcoming. If you’re seeking large portions, this might not be the place for you, and don’t let negative reviews deter you. For those who want hearty servings, you may prefer a chain like Harvester. However, if you’re after amazing flavors, beautifully simple presentation, a traditional pub ambiance, and attentive staff, I highly recommend visiting this impressive addition to the Kent countryside. I took my kids and partner, and I must say, my children have never eaten cauliflower with such enthusiasm! For starters, we enjoyed the salmon and beetroot dishes—both were superb and would cost four times as much in the top restaurants of big cities, without the flavor to match. Our main courses included exceptionally seasoned cod, elegantly presented with rich taste, and their take on the Sunday roast (beef) was outstanding. The beers are sourced from microbreweries, steering clear of the bland, mass-produced options. The Sunday morning Bloody Marys were fabulous too. The desserts were innovative, packed with flavor, and perfectly portioned. I’ve traveled extensively and dined in more Michelin-starred restaurants than I can count—something the previous owners may never have realized. This establishment, under its new management, is truly remarkable. Those who can’t see past the transitional phase or the fresh ownership may not appreciate what it offers, which is something authentic. I’m thrilled they’ve reopened with such style and flair, executing the basics exceptionally well while being an integral part of the community. Keep up the great work—you’re on the path to fabulous success; there’s nothing quite like this in Kent!

Fantastic selection of craft beers, and the restaurant boasts a Michelin star! You can truly taste the excellence in every dish, even the vegan options. Who would have imagined that such a prestigious award would go to a charming little pub nestled in a quaint hamlet high in the hills of the Kent Downs?

Brilliant lunch at The Compasses. Such a beautiful historic building with a massive garden out back in the middle of some of the nicest countryside Kent has to offer. Weekend kitchen is run by Paesana (Sicilian inspired menu from the folks who also have a food residency at the George and Heart in Margate) great selection of salads and pasta dishes at fair prices for the portions and calibre. Super impressed by the food (grilled peach proscuttio salad especially). Country pubs in Kent usually boring drinks menu. Not so here, wide selection of beers from some of the South East's best craft breweries (Kernel, Pressure Drop, etc) and a solid wine spirits offering. Also really appreciate the thought they've put into their no/low alcohol selection more than a dozen AF beers/wines/spirits to choose from you'll struggle to get to this place without driving, so it was great to see choice offered to drivers outside of the usual soft drinks or Becks Blue! Looking forward to coming back here.

A great little gastro pub in a really quirky spot but get there soon whilst you can. This is our second time eating here and overheard the owners telling a family dining that it was closing down soon. This is really sad news and if the owners do set up somewhere else, please contact me to let me know where as I can say without hesitation that the food here is delicious. The bread with marmite cream cheese is so good as was all of the dishes we had from the menu.