Pretty Maid House B&B

Colourful, unfussy and joyous, there is so much to love about this great little restaurant decorated with warm hues and black-and-white photographs depicting scenes from West Africa, setting the stage perfectly for Maria Bradford’s generous, vibrantly flavoured food. A self-taught chef from Sierra Leone, she pulls inspiration from her home country and beyond for dishes such as meltingly tender beef short rib in a delicious groundnut and coconut sauce. The tasting menu is great for hungry diners, but brilliant value can be found when sharing plates from the à la carte.

You'll receive a warm welcome at this well-run roadside pub where vintage charm blends with contemporary cool. The extensive menu is rooted in top-quality British ingredients, but the eclectic dish influences come from all over the world, from France to Thailand, the Mediterranean to Latin America. Whichever country has provided the inspiration, the cooking will be generous in both size and flavour, combining several complementing elements in one dish. The sharing steaks are a feature if you're dining with friends.

Behind the clapboard façade sits a spacious bar with bookshelf wallpaper and a modern extension where you can watch the chefs cooking steaks on two Big Green Eggs. Care is taken both in sourcing and cooking, and dishes are boldly flavoured and well-presented. Simpler dishes are available on the bar menu.

You'll get a warm and friendly welcome at this cosy neighbourhood restaurant run by experienced couple Rob and Donna. Situated overlooking the green at Southborough, it's a rustic, homely place with an intimate chef's table counter upstairs if you're looking for a special occasion. Time and care is poured into every well-constructed dish, with each one showcasing the kitchen's strong knowledge of culinary techniques while delivering bold, hearty flavours. Look out for seasonal desserts like sake-marinated Gariguette strawberries.

A softly illuminated clapboard house; the oldest in town and once home to the eponymous author. Classic dishes have modern elements and feature lots of different ingredients. The moody first floor private rooms showcase local art.

Considering its name, it may come as a surprise to learn that there are actually only four counter seats at this dark and moody restaurant on a leafy street. Those spots are very much the prized tickets however, as they give you a great view of the action and you'll be served by the eponymous chef himself. His cooking is rooted in local suppliers (and some produce from the kitchen garden), resulting in dishes that shine a spotlight on top-quality central ingredients like succulent Sussex chicken – even the wine list features some nearby growers. The service is personable and pleasingly relaxed