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![Essence Restaurant participating in local cultural festivals at The Pantiles, Kent.]()
Brand Partner Experience, Virgin Experience Days
Brand Partner Experience, Virgin Experience DaysAvailable 02 January 2026 to 30 November 2026
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![Resident musician Gordon Mark Webber performing acoustic live music at Essence Tunbridge Wells.]()
Acoustic Live Music at Essence
Acoustic Live Music at EssenceGordon performs every Wednesday from 7pm until 9.30pm.
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![Amritsari Tandoori Murg chargrilled chicken Sunday roast at Essence Tunbridge Wells.]()
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![Guests enjoying outdoor dining at Essence during Live at The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells.]()
Live at The Pantiles at Essence
Live at The Pantiles at Essence28th May – 3rd September 2026
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![Celebrate Father's Day with fine dining Indian cuisine at Essence Tunbridge Wells.]()
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![Festival crowds enjoying the annual Cohesion Plus cultural Mela in Tunbridge Wells.]()
Cohesion Plus Presents Tunbridge Wells Mela
Cohesion Plus Presents Tunbridge Wells Mela5th July 2026
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![Essence Tunbridge Wells: Contemporary Indian dining during the Taste of Bihar event.]()
Taste of Bihar Hosted by Atul Kochhar
Taste of Bihar Hosted by Atul Kochhar21 July 2026
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![Chef Atul Kochhar and Stuart Gillies collaborating at the Four Hands Dinner at Essence.]()
Stuart Gillies and Chef Atul Kochhar at Essence
Stuart Gillies and Chef Atul Kochhar at EssenceWednesday, 21 October 2026
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![Essence at The Pantiles: Proud Corporate Associate partner for Trinity Theatre.]()
Brand Partner Experience, Trinity Theatre at Essence
Brand Partner Experience, Trinity Theatre at EssenceEssence at The Pantiles is delighted to be a Corporate Associate for Trinity Theatre.
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![Live acoustic music performance at The Grey Lady Sessions sponsored by Essence Tunbridge Wells.]()
Brand Partner Experience – Paul Dunton Presents, The Grey Lady Sessions
Brand Partner Experience – Paul Dunton Presents, The Grey Lady SessionsEssence is proud to sponsor The Grey Lady Sessions, presented by Paul Dunton.
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![The Potteries member reward dining experience at Essence by Atul Kochhar, Tunbridge Wells.]()
Brand Partner Experience, 1887 The Pantiles
Brand Partner Experience, 1887 The PantilesSunday to Thursday when ordering from our a la carte menu.
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![The TN Card member reward cardholder discount at Essence by Atul Kochhar, Tunbridge Wells.]()
Brand Partner Experience, The TN Card Member Reward at Essence
Brand Partner Experience, The TN Card Member Reward at EssenceEssence at The Pantiles by Atul Kochhar, The TN Card – Member Reward.
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![Chef Atul Kochhar and Head Chef Kuldeep Singh collaborating at the Essence Four Hands Dinner.]()
Four Hands Dinner Series at Essence
Four Hands Dinner Series at EssenceGet ready for an exciting line-up in 2026.
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Spice Up your Celebration at Essence
Spice Up your Celebration at EssenceAt The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells.
Essence by Atul Kochhar
Housed within the Grade II listed Georgian buildings of The Pantiles in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells on the former site of Woods Restaurant & Bar, this new, chic restaurant brings Atul’s celebrated traditional pan-Indian menus – served with a contemporary British touch – to this elegantly genteel spa town in Kent’s beautiful High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, often referred to as the Garden of England.
Essence features a spacious restaurant, bar and a private room perfect for life’s celebrations, whilst in the summer months, the restaurant will spill out onto a spacious terrace to enjoy al fresco dining at its best in the elegant promenade.
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![Essence Restaurant participating in local cultural festivals at The Pantiles, Kent.]()
Dining Gift VouchersDining Gift VouchersTreat your friends, family or colleague to a dining experience at Essence.
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![Warm and welcoming premium pub-style hospitality and cocktails at Essence Restaurant.]()
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![Authentic Kolkata Bengali cuisine tasting menu at Essence by Atul Kochhar, Tunbridge Wells.]()
What’s On at Atul Kochhar Restaurants
Curry Everyday: Chef Atul’s latest Cookbook
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Discover a Taste of the East in the Heart of Tunbridge Wells
Indulge in a variety of Pan-Indian fare, re-discovered and re-interpreted with deft flourishes and European techniques by acclaimed chef, Atul Kochhar at Essence at The Pantiles. The aromas, textures, flavours and spices of the East come alive in the recipes drawn from across this vast sub-continent on Atul’s extensive travels across the regions. Housed within an elegant Grade II listed Georgian building in the midst of The Pantiles, rediscover the delights of the East at the hands of a Michelin master in a spacious, brightly lit dining room enlivened by a warm heritage colour palette and high vaulted ceilings. Alternatively pop in for some Indian tapas and a cocktail at the welcoming bar.
Menus at Essence at The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Well’s Latest Culinary Destination
Essence at The Pantiles introduces a wide range of classic dishes culled from the regions of Atul’s homeland with plenty of choice available for pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans. When time is at a premium, enjoy some tapas at the bar with a hand-crafted cocktail or when the time is right for indulgence, discover a world of flavour with both à la carte, set and tasting menus on offer. To accompany your meal, Essence at The Pantiles offers carefully curated pairings of wines with by-the-glass matches for every dish on the menus.
Enjoy Essence by Atul Kochhar’s Food at Home for Takeaway
Essence at The Pantiles offers an at home service available for collection for those who prefer to experience fine Indian dining in the comfort of home. Simply select your favourites from a range of popular dishes during the lunch or dinner service and they will be waiting, wrapped, ready for collection. Advance notice is essential, please contact the restaurant directly.
Celebrate Life’s Key Moments with Private Dining and Exclusive Use
When a touch of privacy is required for a social gathering or a private event, book the elegantly styled Private Dining Room at Essence at The Pantiles, comfortably seating up to 26 people for private cocktails and canapés or a seated meal. Situated on the mezzanine floor, this brightly lit space sits apart from the body of the restaurant and overlooks the main promenade. It also features its own private bar to cater for any event, big or small. Working closely with any client to ensure the perfect event, the enthusiastic events team at the restaurant will do their best to ensure it’s a date to remember whether that’s a small anniversary lunch, a private party or a major corporate event. The entire restaurant can also be booked out for Exclusive Use.
Contact our dedicated events team to start tailoring your event by clicking on Private Dining below. For more information, pricing and room capacity, see our events brochure.
Let’s Drink to …
Enjoy a range of premium spirits, wines, champagnes and cocktails at the bar at Essence at The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Sip on cocktails crafted from world-renowned labels alongside Atul’s own branded spirits or enjoy a selection of whiskies from around the world. Our sommeliers will also be on hand to suggest the perfect pairing to accompany any dish on the menu
Tunbridge Wells Restaurant Dining Gift Vouchers
For the perfect gift, buy a culinary voucher for Essence at The Pantiles by Atul Kochhar, allowing friends and family to enjoy a delicious and innovative gastronomic journey through the regions of India. A range of denominations is available starting at just £26. There are also vouchers to cover a weekday set three-course lunch from £28 and for a weekend set lunch, from £33. Vouchers for a seven-course tasting menu start from £76.95 and with accompanying wine flights, £124.95 per person.
