Tunbridge Wells: Paperstone’s Insider Guide for Foodies, Culture Vultures & Nature Lovers

Back in March 2015, we packed up our London office and made the move to Tunbridge Wells. And let’s just say, we’ve never looked back! From cosy cafés to buzzing bars and fun-filled activities, there’s plenty to love about this beautiful town.

We asked our team to share their go-to spots for food, drinks, and entertainment. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, here are our top recommendations for having the best time in Tunbridge Wells!

Best places to eat

We may be one team at work, but when it comes to food tastes, we couldn’t be more different! If you and your loved ones are the same, hopefully our suggestions will help cure everyone’s cravings – no matter what their preference!

Sushi and noodles: Kitsu – their service is quick, and the food is top quality. If you love noodles, the soba noodles are delicious, and portion sizes are great. If you like Sushi, then the Green Dragon roll is crunchy, creamy, and filling. They also let you BYO drinks.

Turkish: Zorba – one of the top-rated Turkish restaurants in Kent. It’s well priced and a firm favourite for a Paperstone lunch gathering.

Tapas: Sopranos – whenever you ask for suggestions for great tapas and cocktails, Sopranos is always the first place that’s mentioned. It’s a perfect spot for a date night with its intimate setting.

Sunday roast: TN1 Bar & Kitchen – always fully booked way in advance for their Sunday roasts. Their cauliflower cheese is one of the best.

Bao buns: The Hidden Well – for the best Bao buns in town, The Hidden Well is the place to go. They also do dumplings, noodles, and rice dishes. And there is actually a well downstairs!

Burgers: Roddyburger – recently awarded runner up in the 2025 National Burger Awards, they stand out as the top burger joint in town. Besides the funky décor in the Camden Road restaurant, their burgers are top-notch, and their milkshakes are to die for. We’ve popped in here for a few of our team lunches and never regret it.

Best places to grab a drink

Some of us can’t function without a strong morning coffee, while others prefer a good cuppa. After work, we’ve got craft beer lovers, cocktail enthusiasts, and a few mocktail maestros in the mix. No matter your vibe – whether you like it shaken, stirred, or straight-up frothy – we’ve rounded up our top drink picks.

Coffee: St Kilda, Even Flow, Cup109 – we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to independent coffee shops in Tunbridge Wells. St Kilda was previously called The Black Dog; it offers a little bit of Australia in Tunbridge Wells. Our CEO considers it his local coffee stop. Even Flow is a quirky little spot on St John’s Road serving up good coffee, and light bites. Cup109 is relatively new to the scene. What makes them so special is they don’t charge for drinks extras (things like dairy free milk or flavoured syrups). Their cinnamon swirls are also really good.  

Cocktails: The Glasshouse – whether it’s an after-work drink, or a date night, The Glasshouse has perfected the art of cocktails. They also host events and have a DJ there every weekend.

Beers or wine: Fuggles – an independent beer café (along with a separate bottle shop), they are the perfect spot if you love trying new craft beers. Their selection of wines is also great. If you get peckish while you’re there, they also offer light snacks to keep your stomach lined.

Relaxed, fun pub: The Guinea – The Guinea has established itself as a friendly local pub that offers great drinks, food, and a highly entertaining weekly pub quiz.  They also do a bottomless brunch, as well as monthly comedy nights which have proven to be very popular.

Best things to do for fun

We’re a close-knit team at Paperstone, and we love to spend time outside of work doing fun activities together. Whether you’re creative, competitive, or a problem-solver, there is an activity to suit you in Tunbridge Wells, and chances are, we’ve tried it at least once!

AR darts: The Claremont – if it’s a simple, fun, affordable activity you’re looking for, then One Eight Zero darts at The Claremont will be perfect for you. Using augmented reality, compete against your friends, family, or colleagues to be crowned the top darts scorer! We recently did it for one of our mid-week team nights out and had so much fun. Our reigning champion is Tim.

Pub quiz: The Guinea – The Paperstone team has taken part in quite a few of their quiz nights, and we’ve even won one! We love it there. Big shout out to our favourite quiz host Jack – he doesn’t do all the quizzes, but when he does, you’re in for a good laugh!

Shuffleboard: The Shufflehouse – enjoy a game or two of shuffleboard, all while enjoying a pizza and a cocktail. It’s another venue we’ve used for a couple of team nights out and have really enjoyed it.

VR racing: VR racer – located in Ely Court at Royal Victoria Place, VR Racer offers 8 racing simulators, suitable for ages 12 years and up. They have a selection of race types, lengths, and you can book for larger groups as well.

Mini golf: Bogeys – love a bit of retro? Well, Bogeys transports you to the 80s with neon lights, old school arcade games, and drinks to match – remember Hooch anyone? The courses can be completed within 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many people you’re playing with.

Pottery: Manic Ceramix – grab your friends, and head down to Manic Ceramix on Camden Road. Whether it’s painting a pre-made piece of pottery, or crafting a personalised print or cast, this is the perfect activity to share with friends and create something special and unique.

Chocolate making: Temper Temper Chocolate – Love chocolate? So do we! In fact, who doesn’t?! Even better – making your own! They offer parties and workshops where they take you through making your own yummy treats. Or, if that’s not your thing, you can just pop in and buy some of their delicious chocolates from their shop.

Escape Rooms: Clue Cracker – if you prefer solving puzzles and stretching your brain, then why not give one of Clue Cracker’s escape rooms a try? See if you can escape within the allocated time, all while exploring one of their many different rooms. We’ve done this as a work event, and it proved very entertaining seeing certain people become very bossy (ahem…Sophie!) when the pressure was on!

Best cultural activities

There’s plenty for the culture vultures in Tunbridge Wells – it’s not all pubs and coffee shops! Those of us that live locally enjoy the markets in the Pantiles, or like to see a show at the local theatres. Below are what the team suggests if you’re looking for something a bit more cerebral.

Market: The Pantiles market – you can’t beat a stroll in the sunshine, all while looking at some top-quality arts & crafts, and indulging in some deliciously hand-crafted food. It takes place every other weekend between February and November.

To see a show: Assembly Hall Theatre – with a huge selection of shows to choose from, there is quite literally something for everyone. If you prefer a more intimate vibe, Trinity Theatre is the one for you – they’ve recently upgraded their café area too for a pre-show bite to eat.

Library, workshops, or workspace: The Amelia Scott – they house a range of arts heritage, culture, and well-being services. Local coffee shop Fine Grind has also set up within the building, offering the same drinks and food as their popular high street shop.

Live music: The Forum – having hosted many bands that are now world famous (Adele, Coldplay, Oasis, to name a few), The Forum makes for a great, memorable night out.

Cinema and bowling: Knights Park Odeon – you just can’t beat a visit to the cinema. Let’s face it, we don’t really know how much longer cinemas will be around. While they still exist, visit Knights Park Odeon for the latest movies, and pair it up with a game of bowling at the Hollywood Bowl next door.

Best walks/parks

Greenery, fresh air, maybe even an ice-cream in hand… these are good for the soul. At Paperstone, we value looking after ourselves, and spending some time in nature is one way that’s available to everyone. Tunbridge Wells has some stunning parks and walks, so we’ve listed our favourites for you to choose from.

Dunorlan Park – not just a green space, it offers live events, festivals, and fireworks each November. It has a beautiful lake in the middle where you can hire pedalos. Top your afternoon off with an ice-cream from the on-site café.

The Pantiles – a historical strip at the bottom of town, offering boutique shops, galleries, plenty of cafés with outdoor seating, and some top-rated restaurants and bars. It also hosts jazz concerts throughout the summer months.

Calverley Park – we spend many a summer lunch break soaking up the sunshine, walking around or enjoying a picnic in Calverley Park before heading back to the office.

Tunbridge Wells Common – perfect for walking the dog, or letting the kids explore the rocks. Perfection on a warm summer evening, taking in the sounds and smells of this beautiful town.

We’re always on the lookout for new spots, so if you have a must-visit place in Tunbridge Wells, get in touch to let us know! Happy exploring!