The Herbalist

We love coming here for food and cocktails. 🍸 Great service and atmosphere.

Decor and general setup of the bar/restaurant is very pretty and unique. Location is great within Maidstone Town centre.

Service was very good at our visit with smiling/friendly staff.

However, the main aspect of any restaurant regardless of looks is the food which was a real let down. We had the fish and chips, the batter on the fish was soggy and not fully cooked through. The chips were somehow dry/overcooked and the mushy peas looked like a slight afterthought.

It may have been a one off but for both portions to be like that?

For the dessert we had the Apple Crumble and Creme Brulee both of which were a let down - rather tasteless.

Plus side is the use local produce which is great but it does reflect on price being a bit of a premium.

Unfortunately won't be coming back...maybe for mocktails.

Food was very nice. Staff pleasant and attentive. A lovely busy atmosphere.
However I will probably not return because the acoustics are terrible.
There's not enough sound baffling which means diners can barely hear each other over the din. That leads to everyone shouting at each other and just makes it worse.
A real shame.

Super atmosphere, lovely staff, fabulous fish and chips 🍟 really fresh. The manager was so accommodating despite them being busy and having a comedy night on. Definitely impressed will certainly be going back

Wide menu that is sure to satisfy a diverse crowd. Good selection of vegan and gluten-free options. Lovely atmosphere and very warm and friendly staff. Good value for money. Will be coming again.

We dropped in for drinks, on arrival the staff member recommend we go downstairs as it was happy hour on cocktails, we thought great went down and the menus indeed said happy hour from 5pm, so I ordered and low and behold full price cocktails were charged !

I asked the waiter about the mistake, no mistake he said they had decided to change happy hour to 6pm just not bothered to change the signage or tell any staff. So we took the hit on full priced cocktails really disappointing attitude tbh

Quick booking for a Christmas meal due to train strikes. No issues booking at all, we chose the normal menu which is quite varied. The premises had problems with the heating, but we received plenty of warning and communication in case we wanted to cancel.
It's the first time I have visited, I have heard mixed reviews but I couldn't find fault (bar the obvious - prices etc 😬) I had the Chicken wings for starters, £6.50 for 2! 🤔 They were lovely, but should have 3 for that price! Rib-eye steak for main, it was slightly over done, I should have sent it back, but absolutely tip top taste wise, absolute banger. The meal was finished off with the waffle, banana and honeycomb ice cream. I'm not normally a pudding person, but what a taste-gasm! If I'd had more room (or money) I'd have had another.
Couple of glasses of Port, a beer and we were at £65, which overall, considering the meal is ok, but worth considering if you're watching the pennies. I'd definitely go again, and would recommend you go and make your own mind up. We didn't use the downstairs area as they were shutting up, everywhere was nice, clean and welcoming.

Looks nice but food not up to scratch. I had a simple pizza but it wasn’t that tasty. Had hair inside apple crumble which was sent back.

Poor service had to go up to the desk to pay as couldn’t get anyone’s attention.

Well over prised.