Havet, Tonbridge
Havet is a popular, authentic Turkish restaurant in Tonbridge High Street. We had been meaning to visit for several months and finally made it on a cold Sunday evening in December.
The restaurant was surprisingly lively with couples, families and small groups all chattering happily. We were shown to a cosy booth and immediately offered drinks and menus.
The restaurant sources “the best meat, fish and produce from London and the South East.” On their website they say, “We travel to Smithfield Market at 3am every morning to hand pick prime cuts of meat for our butchers to use; we have our fishmonger who selects only the finest catches of the day for us to work with. And everything that is possible to make, is made on the premises. We then ensure that everything is made to the original recipes handed down by our families. No corners are cut we even make our own chilli sauce – it contains five fresh vegetables as well as piquant chillies.”
We chose a few starters to share: butter bean humus, a deep fried aubergine dish and house bread. They have cold and hot meze – including sucuk – spicy Turkish sausage, lamb kofte meatballs and spicy chilli pepper kisir.
For main course we had the traditional lamb doner iskender which was accompanied by coban salad (tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumber and parsley in pomegranate sauce) chips and chicken shish (marinated premium chicken breast).
Flavours were intense and portions large. It was my first lamb doner for over 40 years and much enjoyed! The meat was excellent quality and not at all greasy.
Havet is great value – https://www.havetrestaurant.com/menus – ingredients are top notch, portions are huge, service is friendly and the atmosphere is buzzing. What’s not to like!?
Just to mention – the restaurant had no idea we were writing a review.
Service options:
Outdoor seating
Great cocktails
Vegetarian options
Address:
150-152 High St,
Tonbridge,
TN9 1BB
Phone: 01732 387387
Menu: havetrestaurant.com