. at The Hand & Sceptre in Tunbridge Wells

  • The Hand & Sceptre
    (4)
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  • White Veg-options
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Mediterranean
Beer/Wine
British
Fusion
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Mixed pub food. Ask for the vegan menu upon arrival: it lists salads, falafel, soup, coconut curry, avocado sandwich, spinach and harissa burger, and desserts like chocolate tart, peacan treacle tart, and coconut sorbet. Dog-friendly. Open Mon-Fri 07:00-23:00, Sat 08:00-23:00, Sun 08:00-22:00.

Venue map for The Hand & Sceptre
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4 Reviews

First Review by SazTW

Avatar SandrineGasnier

SandrineGasnier

Points +96

Vegan
18 Jul 2019

Great vegan menu

Lovely yummy food with a vegan menu!

Pros: Quality, Diversity

Cons: Expensive , No kids menu

Avatar GiraffeJo

GiraffeJo

Points +109

Vegan
22 Jun 2019

Honestly, a bit disappointing

There were 5 people In our group for lunch, 2 vegans, 2 veggies and an omni. 4 of us actually ordered from the vegan menu and 1 ordered a vegetarian dish.

My main issue was that 2 of us (myself being vegan and the omni in the group!) ordered the flat bread from the vegan menu - it didn’t advertise coming with chips but when we ordered our waiter asked us which chips we would prefer so we both asked for sweet potato fries. When the fries came out they had cheese on them (despite us clearly ordering from the separate vegan menu). I’m not sure if this was an error on the waiter or the kitchen’s part but the waiter apologised. I shared the fries with one of the vegetarians in the group so I just avoided any that had cheese on them, however I’m now wondering whether actually they were not cooked in a separate fryer and this is why they weren’t on the vegan menu!?

In terms of staff knowledge I was also disappointed when I asked what type of plant based burger it was on the vegan menu (I.e. meat substitute or bean based etc) and our waiter didn’t know or really seem to understand the question (and didn’t offer to find out). That’s why I chose the flat bread instead and then had the cheese issue!

My second main issue is that the food was pretty average especially considering the price. 3 of us had the vegan chocolate tart advertised as coming with fresh berries. (2 of us originally ordered the treacle tart which was sold out, fair enough). However 2 of us can’t eat strawberries so asked for the tart without them, expecting other berries instead, however the only berry on the third tart was a solitary diced strawberry! The tart was also pretty small considering it didn’t come with any accompaniment but cost £6.25!

Overall it’s great they’re trying with a vegan menu but my view is that they must try harder!

Pros: Separate vegan menu with varied options

Cons: Overpriced considering very average quality , Staff need extra training, More descriptive menu would be helpful

Avatar Andrew-Lohmann

Andrew-Lohmann

Points +484

Vegetarian
20 Aug 2018

I chosen for a significant birthday and it was exceptionally nice

Our food was exceptionally good and liked by mum, sister and myself. The restaurant is nice light with views out to the cricket ground or towards Southborough down the avenue of trees and grass.

The restaurant has changed hands over the many years I've lived in Southborough but has always been very good or excellent. I occasionally visit and have had excellent vegan food they are exceptionally good at catering for any need even if it is not on the menu. Now they have a wonderful vegan menu with things that you could not have before.

Mum and my sister who are not vegan were also very happy with everything they had. The decoration has been changed so it is not as pretentious as it was before.

Updated from previous review on 2018-08-20

Pros: Very nice light setting , Very accomodating whatever your need, Very good vegan * * * * * food.

Cons: You can't comment on M&B website for their venu

Avatar

Andrew-Lohmann

21 Aug 2023

The management, not the parent company, has changed and the Pub-hotel has been refurbished this year 2023. The restaurant had gone down hill badly for all menu options, sadly from starting very good.

I visited for my 65th Birthday yesterday and there was not a vegan Sunday Roast but curry or burger. So I had the curry, it was very good, with a Camden Ale because my first choice beer was tart and was changed for me.

If you know what the menu is fine, but if you want a roast lunch then Southborough Café with mushrooms instead of meat or the Imperial on a Sunday are both good. Otherwise, the H&S is good with one good vegan dish, the curry, which is also liked by the staff.

During the week, there was also a falafel dish on the bar menu, some months ago.

Avatar SazTW

SazTW

Points +16

Vegan
22 Jul 2018

Dinner

This pub has a separate vegan menu with several choices for each course. We visited last week to try out the menu and the food was great! We needed to ask for the vegan menu as they don't give this out to everyone. The vegan food seemed to be made on site, didn't seem like they had bought in pre-made items so that was good. We went on a friday night and managed to get a table without booking, but you can book tables online.

We didn't have starters but there were a few options to choose from.

We tried the curry and vegetable tart for main courses. Both were delicious and fresh. We also had side vegetables which were dressed differently so not just served "plain" which was nice.

For dessert we tried the chocolate tart and the treacle tart. Both were delicious and came with coconut sorbet which was lovely. I think that's been the nicest vegan "ice cream" that I've tried (and I've had a lot....!)

The restaurant itself was nice, clean and comfortable. It would be a good location for both casual dining and a more special meal. There is a car park too.

Pros: Vegan menu with varied choices

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