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Lakes

4.4
4.4
12 Reviews
£26 to £40
European
Lakes is the restaurant of Hempstead House, a small family-owned country house hotel between Sittingbourne and Faversham in the glorious Kent countryside. It dates back to 1850 but Lakes restaurant was added in 1998, quickly winning awards from the AA, the RAC and the English Tourist Board. Its crystal chandeliers, fine china and cut glass provide an elegant backdrop to chef Matthew Levett’s accomplished interpretation of classical English and French dishes: fresh fish and meat is locally-sourced and fruit and veg come down from Covent Garden each day. Start with roasted tomato filled with goat’s cheese and served on aubergine cumin purée, then dive into yoghurt-roasted rack of Kentish lamb, meltingly tender from its marinade and served with bean and lentil casserole and boulangère potatoes. Finish with passion fruit crème brûlée or get the taster plate of coconut tart, Amaretto mousse and pistachio ice-cream – it’s heaven.

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Additional information

What 12 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

12 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2010

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Lakes restaurant excellent dining experience, interesting menu, good service and ambience

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  2. RT234

    Kent

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2010

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service at Lakes in in Bapchild was absolutely fablous. The Food was even better, the wait was hardly noticeable as the Chef filled the initial gap (before the arrival of the starter) with an appetiser, that again was heavenly. Good quality food cooked to perfection in a very enjoyable ambiance.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    29 reviews

    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2010

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious meal in delightful surroundings.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    29 reviews

    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2009

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Lovely restaurant, delicious food, good service but could be more welcoming.

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  5. Angela61

    VIP

    London

    58 reviews

    4.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2009

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    What a civilized place to lunch! £10 for two courses as it was Wed lunch is a steal. Lovely service, generous portions and good choice. Not much atmosphere but hey?

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Kent

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2009

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    HEMSTED HOUSE SITTINGBOURNE ATTENTIVE SERVICE GOOD FOOD IN A VERY PLEASANT LOCATION HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WIL VISIT AGAIN SOON

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  7. Naro

    London

    41 reviews

    4.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2009

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Setting is lovely, with the extention being very tastefully done. Dinner room was a good size, even with 2 large parties in. Large portions, however found the food a little rich, quite heavy on the cream. Roast beef was very good, but the tiramisu was not a tiramisu.

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  8. Sam25

    Kent

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2009

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a surprise dining location for my wife as it was for our anniversary. I had looked at the website and downloaded an example menu. Ffine decor, table decoration and place setting. Each table has ample clearance so that you do not feel claustrophobic. We both ordered from the A La Carte menu and I strongly recommend the medallions of Beef. Very tender and cooked to perfection. Two minor critisms: 1. the mains were served as the starters were cleared. Irritating gnats buzzing around.

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  9. nick

    London

    37 reviews

    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2008

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Lakes is a really nice venue for a very special occasion. We went on a wednesday evening so it was very quiet. Drinks were a little pricey at £9 for a large malt whiskey but the food was excellant and the service outstanding, worth a try if you can afford it.

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  10. AJFa

    London

    77 reviews

    4.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2008

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    To be greeted by 'there's only two of us on tonight so...' was not an auspicious start to a 10th wedding anniversary celebration... however food was by and large good... if a little unimaginative. I m a pudding fan and would recommend the lemon and pistachio praline. We stayed over in the rooms at Hempstead House - waitress service at breakfast was on a par with fawlty towers...

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FAQs

Lakes is rated 4.4 stars by 12 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

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Google Map for Lakes

Hempstead House, London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 9PP

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Sittingbourne
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    European
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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