The Monument — Restaurant in Canterbury

We were very much looking forward to our Sunday Lunch at The Monument. The experience however left us a little disappointed. When we first entered the pub the staff where chatting behind the bar and we were stood for some time before they acknowledge us and took as through to the table. A little thing but it is nice to be greeted on arrival. Once we’d been seated we waited some time before having a drinks order taken. But I am pleased to say once we had ordered the food and drinks followed very soon after. The lunch itself was well presented with reasonable portion sizes. I enjoyed my chicken and my partner also enjoyed his roast beef. Compliments to the chef! As we were using the 2-course Sunday Lunch offer we also picked our puddings. These again arrived in good time. And we greatly enjoyed our puddings until my partner had to spit out a piece of glass! that was in the custard. When our puddings were collected the server didn’t seems to know how to respond. We were duly promised the desserts would be taken off the bill however, when the bill was first presented this hadn’t happened, so again we had to mention the error. To their credit this was then kindly resolved. I would encourage the owner to consider further training the junior staff in more attentive service and dealing with complaints professionally. There where repeated giggles by the team as staff members made mistakes on other tables! It just made things very awkward. It might be worth keeping glass well away from the kitchen wherever possible. Experience is so important in hospitality nowadays. You have a friendly team just need a little guidance to achieve their...

August, 2024 review

I come here to eat sometimes. Some staff are more friendly than others, but all staff are polite.

Food is usually good, and when there's issues they are quick to fix them. Portion sizes are good too.

Can be hard to get a hold of someone as its a pub if dining in.

Locals discount is a nice addition.

Toilet room is good. Nice smelling soap, powerful hands dryer. Clean.

Could do with larger windows without panes, but I guess it's a historic building so they're limited with what they can do.

Can't fault the place. Would recommend.

Update Dec 2024

Beef lasagna was terrible. Cheap cheese is now used, almost no lasagna sheets and no flavour. Massive portion but just pure grease from the cheap cheese. This dish used to be a safe bet. Sadly not anymore.

Thai green curry good... Except there's a weird taste of ghee but like it's gone bad.

Cost £28 - Photos added

Having now been here a lot, I'll say, the food is very inconsistent.

Both in what you get on the plate portion wise... For example sometimes there's less veg, and flavour wise.

Sometimes it's really bad. Last few times has...

From the outside, The Monument looks enticing and welcoming. Despite its mixed reputation for trouble which I have witnessed first hand (employ bouncers if it will prevent trouble), do not let this put you off visiting in the evening. The garden area is great especially if you have children in tow. It’s also a good venue to watch sport with outdoor heaters installed. The staff are super friendly - however, there have been occasions where we have been left waiting for drinks / service. Why 2 stars? I’ve marked down the Monument due to the poor food. These comments are not based on a single visit. The food has always been very average but the last occasion was awful - a couple of dishes were returned to the kitchen. I’m not expecting Michelin star food but I expect basic food to be prepared properly. I would like to see local cider options rather than Strongbow on tap. Variety is key to draw in new business. This venue has so much potential but drastic action is required in the kitchen. Until then, stick to drinks - there are far better...