Tonbridge, Kent – A beloved Tonbridge pub has earned county-wide recognition after being named Highly Commended in the Pub of the Year category at the 2025 Kent Food and Drink Awards.
The Kentish Rifleman, located in the heart of Dunks Green just outside Tonbridge, was one of only three pubs across Kent to receive the commendation—an achievement that places it firmly among the best in the business.
This year’s awards saw thousands of votes cast by the public, celebrating the hospitality venues and local producers that truly define Kent’s food and drink culture. From cosy pubs and top-tier restaurants to innovative chefs and iconic brands, the competition was fierce.
To be recognised in a county with such a rich food and drink scene is no small feat. While The Magnet in Broadstairs took home the top prize in the Pub of the Year category, The Kentish Rifleman stood alongside it as one of only three pubs to be highly commended—cementing its status as one of Kent’s best.
A County Full of Culinary Talent
Alongside The Kentish Rifleman’s success, this year’s awards celebrated a host of standout names across Kent’s food and drink landscape:
- Restaurant of the Year: Bleù Steakhouse, Staplehurst
- Chef of the Year: Carlos Fàbregas, Sentido, Sandhurst
- Best Café/Coffee Shop/Tearoom: Café Guild, Faversham
- Best Seafood: Kebbells, Broadstairs (also winning Best Bar and Best Use of Local Produce)
- Fine Dining Restaurant: Bleù Steakhouse, Staplehurst
- Best Newcomer: Fifteen Square Metres, Broadstairs
- Best Local Beverage: Chapel Down, Tenterden
- Best Food Brand: Kent Crisps, Staple near Canterbury
With such a wide variety of winners, the awards highlight the incredible diversity, quality, and passion found in Kent’s food and drink industry.
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