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The Wishful Thinker

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A charming rural restaurant offering outstanding food and a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for celebrations or a relaxed meal.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Our booth seating

The Wishful Thinker

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A charming rural restaurant offering outstanding food and a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for celebrations or a relaxed meal.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The food was completely outstanding and have been prepared by a very talented chef."

TIP

Book for Special Occasions

Consider booking in advance for special occasions to enjoy personalized touches like birthday treats.

Avoid Peak Noise Indoors

Visit during off-peak hours or opt for outdoor seating to avoid potential noise indoors.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11:30AM

Cuisine

Pub, Restaurant

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+44 1622 232272

Address

Lenham Heath Rd, Maidstone, ME17 2HY, United Kingdom

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Outstanding Culinary Creations

Outstanding Culinary Creations

Talented chefs craft unforgettable dishes, receiving rave reviews for their quality and unique offerings.

Google Review
Exceptional Service with a Smile

Exceptional Service with a Smile

Attentive and friendly staff, like Agnieszka and Julie, ensure a welcoming atmosphere and memorable dining experience.

Google Review+1
Charming Rural Ambiance

Charming Rural Ambiance

Nestled in a charming rural location, the restaurant boasts a spacious garden and a beautifully designed interior.

TikTok+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

W I S H F U L T H I N K E R 💭 Hey guys, just wanted to drop a quick note about this place I recently visited ‘The Wishful Thinker’ in Lenham part of @Elite Pubs 🤍 It’s awesome! The food was on point, the service was top-notch (Izzy was our waitress) and the vibe was just perfect a beautiful venue 🌸 Definitely a spot worth checking out if you’re in the area. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars all the way! #thewishfulth...
@kelly.mac.content
21 likes • 3.9K views

Book for Special Occasions

Consider booking in advance for special occasions to enjoy personalized touches like birthday treats.

Avoid Peak Noise Indoors

Visit during off-peak hours or opt for outdoor seating to avoid potential noise indoors.

We visited the wonderful The Wishful Thinker near Lenham in Kent. The pub is just one of the fabulous Elite Pubs all of which have a different feel and charm but all serve top notch food for the whole family. #DaysOutInKent #Kent #placestoeat #EasterSunday #goodfood @Elite Pubs
@2teensandthedog
6 likes • 759 views

Enjoy Outdoor Seating

Try outdoor seating for a more relaxed dining experience in their spacious garden area.

Explore Local Walks

Explore the local area after your meal with nearby walking trails for a complete day out.

Tips

from all over the internet

Book for Special Occasions

Consider booking in advance for special occasions to enjoy personalized touches like birthday treats.

Avoid Peak Noise Indoors

Visit during off-peak hours or opt for outdoor seating to avoid potential noise indoors.

Enjoy Outdoor Seating

Try outdoor seating for a more relaxed dining experience in their spacious garden area.

Explore Local Walks

Explore the local area after your meal with nearby walking trails for a complete day out.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Wishful Thinker is praised for its outstanding food and exceptional service, with staff like Agnieszka and Julie frequently highlighted for their attentiveness and friendliness. Diners love the charming rural setting and spacious garden, though some note that the interior can be quite noisy during peak hours. While the food quality is consistently high, a few reviewers found certain dishes to be slightly overpriced for the portion size.

"My partner n I had a brilliant time. Agnieszka, looked after us and was absolutely lovely. Everybody there was so so attentive. The food was completely outstanding and have been prepared my very talented chef.
We’ve added the bill because we had large roast meals lovely pudding and two drinks and two coffees. We can only say that the overall cost was completely anatomy, deserved. It included a 12 1/2% tip to the waitress and waitresses which is lovely thing to do . If you’re thinking of going to The Wishful Thinker, “go“ !!"

Driverless Bus

"Pub large with good garden space . Inside is open plan so very noisy. Food good. We ordered 2 pizza for grandkids on adult menu. Pepperoni and Margareta . 2 Margareta came instead. Not what we ordered. 12.5 percent service charge (discretionary) but the staff were pleasant so we paid it.
Overall not a bad place to have a meal. If you want a quite environment then look elsewhere.
Pizza 13 pounds . Good adult size. We wouldn't go back due to the noise. Sometimes difficult to hear conversation. Car park ample . Garden has wooden benches but there is an outside patio area building side with comfy seats."

JOHN MCMANUS

"This restaurant is in a rural location. The building itself has been generously extended and sympathetically designed to blend in with other buildings in the local area. The main restaurant seating was in a lower area accessed by a number of steps. There was also outside seating, a children's play area, and a large overflow car park. The toilets were top-class.

We had a family gathering and due to time constraints opted for brunch.

I do not normally mention staff, but I will suggest our server name, with a few letters ladra. In our opinion, he was one of the best restaurant staff we had encountered for a long time. He was professional, funny, cautious, and a great asset to the business, obviously enjoying his role.

The food was of good quality, well-presented but we felt was  overpriced for what you were served, table service was well timed, service charge was added to the bill. Our coffee was not very hot but Was promptly changed.

We enjoyed our meal and the pleasant surroundings. After our fill, we selected a 2/3 mile walk in the local area."

Fred Gogle

What People Like

Outstanding food quality
Friendly and attentive staff
Charming rural location and garden

What People Dislike

Interior can be noisy
Some dishes perceived as overpriced

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, The Wishful Thinker is ideal for special occasions, with staff often providing complimentary Prosecco and birthday treats.

Google Review

Absolutely, The Wishful Thinker is highly recommended for its consistent quality Sunday lunches.

Google Review

The interior can be very noisy, especially during peak times. Consider visiting during off-peak hours or dining in the garden.

Google Review

Dishes like the meatballs and steaks receive high praise, and pizzas are also popular.

Google Review+1

Yes, it features a spacious garden with ample seating, offering a more relaxed dining experience.

Google Review

The menu does offer vegan options, and TripAdvisor mentions a 'large menu' which suggests variety.

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kent.camra.org.uk

Pub Guide - Kent County CAMRA

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