The Windmill Hollingbourne — Restaurant in Maidstone

We came across The Windmill Hotel back in January, looking for a venue for a wedding meal. Not realising we could have the Potting Shed (out door/indoor area) to hold a full wedding reception. We met the general manager, Bart. Nothing was too much for him. He listened to our requests and let us have full rein. Our wedding reception was the windmills first to be held, and just WOW! When we agreed on our wedding date and venue, we went here for dinner to try the food. I generally only eat steak if a mushroom sauce is on the menu. However, my (now) wife just said go for the steak. To my surprise, Bart brought out our dinner, only to present a homemade mushroom sauce freshly done by the chef. Big smiles! Bart went on to light the open fire and took our 'set the date' photos by the fire. He was brilliant all the way up to the date of our wedding. We done a table set up where two regulars joined in on how the tables show be. The day before our wedding, we showed Bart how we wanted the tables dressed with our decorations. He went above and beyond. We had family stay the night before, and I was being picked up to be taken via the windmill to the church. Checking in, Bart and his team had everything perfectly set up! He even managed to outsource certain drinks. I like that they don't generally stock! We arrived after our church wedding to be welcomed with drinks, and our guests loved it all. Bart wanted my wife and I to look at our room together. He had set it up with drinks we like and made the room romantic. I messed up on the food order for two of my guests, and out of nowhere, Bart managed to get them their food without a delay!! When all was done, our guests we to their hotel rooms, we sat and had a drink with Bart just taking in how wonderful and amazing the day was. Furthermore, we had guests staying at a local hotel, and they were invited to join us for breakfast at the windmill, which again tabled were all set up to accommodate us! Saying thank you to Bart and his amazing team just isn't enough for everything they done to make our day extra special. I'd like to say we made a friend out of all of this! Fantastic service, brilliant staff, value for money, stunning rooms, and every one of our guests said what a beautiful place to be. To Bart and his staff, thank you again. Your service...

What a shame! Me and my husband were regular visitors to the windmill and would spend most notable events such as valentines day , new years eve and even the night before our wedding etc eating here . We decided today to go for an Easter Sunday dinner , expecting the very high standards we always receive, however we both came away very disappointed for the first time ever. Food was awful, lacked seasoning, raw beef not even rare straight up raw , dirty potatoes , bland veg , awful red wine jus that really left an nasty taste in the mouth , hardly any veg , tough Yorkshire and the menu said cauliflower cheese included only to actually be an extra £5, creamed spinach also an extra £5 incredibly bland ,it had never seen seasoning and again left vile taste In the mouth , starters werent much better, one small scotch egg for nearly £10, very overpriced... Also incredibly rude male manager (?) told us our table wasn't ready when we arrived so we waited and was never told that it was ready we had to guess , Got seated , and for everyone else he was explaining the menu etc but not for us , as the meal progressed he asked all the tables around us how their food was and if they would like any other drinks but not us but jokes on him as if he had asked I would have ordered another bottle , at one point I'm sure he gave us a dirty look ! We didnt get offered the dessert menu he just walked over with a card machine and waved it in my face not saying a word , didn't even say thank you after I had paid , the meal cost £90 of my incredibly hard earned money which Im now grieving as I feel it was spent poorly on awful food and service, we have Decided based on today unless we receive money back and an apology we will no longer use the windmill as our regular date night spot and shall not return, which honestly makes us upset as we loved the place very much previously. Please fix this , you are ruining your restaurant

Ps- this part of the review was added at 2:11am the following morning , both me ans my husband are up with crippling stomach pains and stomach issues and the only thing we have eaten the same was the roast from here about 7 hours ago ,...

A Historic Gem in Hollingbourne- The Windmill Restaurant

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Windmill Restaurant in Hollingbourne, Maidstone, and it was an experience worth sharing. This charming establishment has been around since 1864,the building not the resturant.

From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the charm and coziness of the place. The interior is beautifully preserved, with a perfect blend of rustic elements and modern comfort, making it an inviting spot for a relaxing meal. The history of the place adds an extra layer of warmth and authenticity, making you feel like you’re a part of something special.

I ordered the classic fish and chips, and it was nothing short of amazing. The fish was perfectly cooked, with a crisp, golden batter that complemented the tender, flaky fish inside. The chips were equally impressive—crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. It was a simple dish done to perfection, which is a true testament to the kitchen's skill.

The service was another highlight of my visit. The staff were attentive and friendly, making sure every need was met without being intrusive. It's clear that they take pride in what they do, and it reflects in the overall dining experience.

What really surprised me was how reasonably priced everything was. Given the quality of the food, the level of service, and the charming ambiance, I expected to pay much more. The Windmill offers incredible value for money, making it a standout choice in the area.

If you're ever in Maidstone, I highly recommend stopping by The Windmill Restaurant. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it’s not just the delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and great service that make it special—it’s the sense of history that truly...