The Chequers

With top hats as lampshades and tubas in the loos, quirky is this 16th-century coaching inn’s middle name. Its charm and character are only enhanced by its location within a picture-postcard village that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. The pub itself offers appealing, boldly flavoured dishes – such as a lovely plum frangipane tart for dessert – and sourdough pizza is served from the outdoor Smithy Kitchen when the weather allows. The wine list features large-format magnums, jeroboams and imperials.

Considering its name, it may come as a surprise to learn that there are actually only four counter seats at this dark and moody restaurant on a leafy street. Those spots are very much the prized tickets however, as they give you a great view of the action and you'll be served by the eponymous chef himself. His cooking is rooted in local suppliers (and some produce from the kitchen garden), resulting in dishes that shine a spotlight on top-quality central ingredients like succulent Sussex chicken – even the wine list features some nearby growers. The service is personable and pleasingly relaxed

A softly illuminated clapboard house; the oldest in town and once home to the eponymous author. Classic dishes have modern elements and feature lots of different ingredients. The moody first floor private rooms showcase local art.

You'll get a warm and friendly welcome at this cosy neighbourhood restaurant run by experienced couple Rob and Donna. Situated overlooking the green at Southborough, it's a rustic, homely place with an intimate chef's table counter upstairs if you're looking for a special occasion. Time and care is poured into every well-constructed dish, with each one showcasing the kitchen's strong knowledge of culinary techniques while delivering bold, hearty flavours. Look out for seasonal desserts like sake-marinated Gariguette strawberries.

Behind the clapboard façade sits a spacious bar with bookshelf wallpaper and a modern extension where you can watch the chefs cooking steaks on two Big Green Eggs. Care is taken both in sourcing and cooking, and dishes are boldly flavoured and well-presented. Simpler dishes are available on the bar menu.

You'll receive a warm welcome at this well-run roadside pub where vintage charm blends with contemporary cool. The extensive menu is rooted in top-quality British ingredients, but the eclectic dish influences come from all over the world, from France to Thailand, the Mediterranean to Latin America. Whichever country has provided the inspiration, the cooking will be generous in both size and flavour, combining several complementing elements in one dish. The sharing steaks are a feature if you're dining with friends.

One-time '80s rock drummer Graham Garrett has now been in the kitchen longer than he was on stage. His family run restaurant is in a great spot, located in a picturesque village and housed inside a 16th-century cottage with heavily timbered interiors. Graham's dishes are stripped down to show off his quality ingredients and years of technical experience; if you're lucky, you'll get the finely crafted parmesan churros as a snack. The wines are local, the service is as unfussy as the food and the bedrooms have stylish themes.