Happened upon this place after having a horrible experience at Swyft. What a fantastic little restaurant. Sat at the bar for drinks which turned into us having dinner there. Our bartender Will was excellent. Made me the best black Manhattan I ever had. Food did not disappoint. We had the stuffed jalapeños, the Thai mussels and the Saigon shrimp sandwich. All were good perfectly and well seasoned. Will definitely be back. read more

My first visit to Kingsley came this week during a two-day off-site business meeting in town. A friend who was a former employee had been urging me for years to try it, however, I'm typically only in Kent for lunch, and too anxious to get home when the tavern opens at 4pm. I am thrilled to have finally had the opportunity! The feel of the place is precisely what you would imagine in Kent. Traditional old-style dark wood, a sense of community, perfect decor to harken back to the days of stage coaches and taverns being the center of a town's social scene. Service was excellent. We never wanted for anything - but yet were not bombarded or crowded in the quaint dining room setting. The best and most important part of our meal was - well - the food. The menu is suitable for literally any dietary need without compromising their spin on elevated tavern/comfort food. Ample appetizers, interesting salads, tacos, meat/non-meat and even vegan options abound - all with terrific portion size and execution. Our entire group was pleased (and some are persnickety). Very much looking forward to returning and grateful they are in our great town. read more

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Okay. First of all, food was amazing. Secondly, drinks were amazing. But one thing I was iffy of was the waiting time for meals and some staff members staring at customers before they got occupied by getting customers a table. I understand it's a small restaurant, but for both waiting times and customer privacy, it could be improved. Overall, very nice food and romantic environment! read more

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Always good! The fried calamari is among the best we've ever had! We also love their fish and chips. Friendly atmosphere.

When visiting Kent, CT, stopping by the Kingsley Tavern is a must. This quaint and cozy tavern housed creative dishes and thoughtful cocktails. The pub curated a vibe that perfectly matched its small-town location. The adorable front porch overlooked the bustling street and was a perfect spot to enjoy your fare and spirits. My martini was stirred, then strained into a tall glass with a thin rim and stem chilled with ice cubes. It was embellished with flavorful castlevetrano olives, which you don't often see served with a martini, but refined the cocktail and experience. The bar was made of stainless steel, and local sports memorabilia decorated the walls. All the food I ordered was superb; from the house-made lemon salad dressing to the perfectly cooked burger on a sesame seed bun, it was all fresh and delicious. This spot is absolutely worth the trip, and the staff could not have been more friendly and accommodating! Read more on IG: themartinibible read more

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Would really like to like KT more as I've fond memories of good meals and good times in past years. KT remains an occasional spot to dine, in hopes of a return to those days. In the past month, have dined here multiple times at the request of friends and menu items were not available, sauces missing from served meals and service was sorely wanting. Drinks from the bar are well poured, really good top shelf selection and cocktail options, but takes a while to hit the table. A friend joked we could cross the street for a cocktail and still return to KT in time for drinks and meals when they arrived. Wanted to order other items initially, but opted for mussels when informed these menu options were no longer available. When menu items are no longer available, let the table know near to when the menus are dropped, not when the server ultimately returns to take orders. Each visit, the mussels arrived tepid. Am sure they were piping hot when plated but didn't get to the table anytime close to then. At one visit, a friend sent hers back, the rest of us were so hungry from waiting we ate them as is -mistake. When the meal arrives and has an adjoining condiment like au jus, bring it with the meal. Small kudos for remembering to bring the sauce after the patron had already eaten half the sandwich, the dish served when most of the table was near done with our meals. My friends and I are dessert and after-dinner digestif fans but on these most recent visits, have decided to call it a night after the entrée. Hope springs eternal for if/when next here. read more

Great menu. Food delicious. Excellent service on a busy Saturday afternoon when we dined read more

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Amazing food . Great Service as always . Amazing cocktails . Best burger in town . Always a great dining experience at Kingsley Tavern read more

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Kingsley Tavern is one of my very favorite places to dine out in Kent, CT. The owner, Anna, takes great care to provide locally-sourced food, and each dish is always packed with flavor. The expansion of the space in recent years has been a bonus so more inside seating is now available. We recently visited to have some burgers and chose the Newton-McCann Farm grass-fed burgers. These are from cows raised on the family farm that is located a few miles down the road and has been in the family for multiple generations. It is really awesome to enjoy truly local food. Anna also works closely with local vegetable farms and proudly shares which farms are partner-providers. With several vegetarians in our family, Kingsley is a place where everyone can find meals that tempt the palate. During a past visit, I enjoyed the vegan coconut ginger chickpea and lentil stew that includes basmati rice, cilantro-raisin chutney, scallions, cilantro and herbs that make it jam-packed with flavor. Dessert is always a treat there and my chocolate cravings are always satisfied with the chocolate Guinness cake that includes dark chocolate cake, served warm, with Jameson caramel and Bailey's whipped cream. read more

Kingsley Tavern - Interior of newest addition. - American Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

Went for dinner with my friend. Drinks, shared App and two entrees later was a very happy satisfied guy. Service was spot on friendly ( ok my friend is somewhat of a local regular, but still it was good) entrees were perfect Duck breast tender MR and the Asian vegetarian dish just phenomenal. It had the right amount of heat spice. We sat at the bar ( our favorite in any establishment) lighting dim enough, but not dark, music at the right level so I don't have to sing along and clear the place out ( tone deaf lol). If you're in the area worth the stop in. I know I'll be back read more

Best place in town if you like a creative bistro. Excellent chef, fresh local produce, menu varies with mood and availability but always delightful. read more

Great food!! I ordered the avocado tacos and they were absolutely amazing! Kids enjoyed the cheeseburger and even the pasta from the kids menu was delicious! I would come back. read more

Walking around town, we looked up on Yelp a place to have lunch. (With dog in tow). We were greeted quickly and seated outside soon after. We ordered the calamari app which was really good. Loved the dipping sauce. My husband had a locally made draft beer that he really liked. I asked the waiter for something fruity to drink and he delivered a delicious refreshing drink. I had a grilled romaine salad with tofu bites, cherries, hazelnuts and It was a lite refreshing Salad. My husband had the avocado tacos and really liked them. We would totally come back when in town read more

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This restaurant never ceases to serve a great meal. Friendly service, great choices, great drinks, but our food was a tad cold. I had the Jerk Chicken Breast on a bed of beans and rice, with fried plantains. The perfect dish that tasted great apart, and mixed to gather, sweet, savory, and a delicious piece of protein, that was perfectly cooked, but not as hot as it should have been. Good thing it was delicious. My husbands dish, which was Shrimp and Grits, with perfect and savory Grit Cakes, was just amazing, but he complained that his food was also cold. We are not the type to complain during our dining experience, because it's a real downer for each other. But we did comment on the way home. Our only guess as to why it happened was because our server had left alone for protracted periods of time, and even apologized at the end for abandoning us. It was really no problem. She was doing double duty as front of house, and working as server. My guess is that she left the dishes sitting under the heating lamps, if there are any at all. But we have no real forensics to solve this mystery! I encourage the amazing staff and owner to be careful about the temperature of the food, because it's really too good not to serve at the optimal temperature. It would have been even better if the heat of the Jerked Chicken spices and the hotter temperature gave it an extra bite to unlock the spices. I rated four stars because we love Kingsley Tavern, and it is without a doubt one of the best eateries in Northwest Connecticut, and a true institution. Don't delay, and try their Jerked Chicken dish. It's just that good! read more

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Just had a nice lunch at Kingsley Tavern. Inside with nice dividers between tables. It was a rainy day and the place wasn't too crowded so we sat inside. They have 2 small tables in the front under the covered porch and a few tables in the courtyard (uncovered). My husband had the French dip and I ordered the Cobb salad. Both were solid and we'll definitely come back! The French dip was a bit small but good for lunch. I asked for moseyed greens with the cobb salad - it had a sprinkling but mixed greens but mostly to hide the mostly romaine below. The shrimp and grits and soups looked good. Sad to see the coffee and chocolate shop at the corner went out of business. We have to start eating out more to support our much loved towns. This is the first time we've visited Kent since COVID lockdowns. read more

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Enjoyable meal for my wife's birthday. The service was very good and we were able to make a reservation. Food was very tasty especially the pumpkin soup and grilled cheese. Jerk chicken was good as well. Was disappointed they did not have the curry mussels as I heard this was a big hit and really wanted it. read more

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Wonderful place! The ambiance is great and everything I've tried is good. When I go with others, we all say the same!

Dined for the first time here! I have only been here for drinks at the bar and always thought the food I saw others order looked really good. And in fact, it was! The grilled cheese had a wonderful cheese pull and perfect sourdough bread. The chips were fresh and crunchy. I tried my boyfriends pasta and it was the perfect flavor of crab with a light tomato sauce. We tried the hot chocolate and wow was that decadent! It was like dessert in a warm cup. Unfortunately I don't really love the espresso martinis! The menu is also a bit pricey which is fine because you get really good food. But I will say I have never been to a place that you had to pay for dinner bread! For $2 you get 2 warm rolls. It does not come complimentary which is okay but it's weird that even if you order the $36 pasta, the bread doesn't come free. That being said the bread was warm and tasty. Looking forward to trying other items next time. I'm also want to add that the staff has always been warm and friendly! And everything is always very clean. read more

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The mixologist, Will, was a delight and good sport. Not only did he conjure up my perfect Manhattan (with fancy Italian cherries to boot!), he also crafted a special drink for my friend. He is the quintessential bartender who knows how to engage with the customers with great charm. My friend and I enjoyed conversations with others partaking in libations at the bar, too. Definitely has the feel of a local spot. Keep in mind it is a small place, so get a reservation if you can. read more

Kingsley Tavern - A classic and a newbie - both were perfecto! - American Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

I really enjoy being in this restaurant. The food is good, the ambience both inside and out is wonderful and the service is fine. The only thing that keeps me from going there is the policy that they don't accept reservations for parties of fewer than five people. What out to dinner going party of four would go to a restaurant of this caliber without a reservation? Not us. I don't know why they have this policy. No other restaurant I go to (in New York or Litchfield County) does this. Maybe they will change sometime. Until then we will happily go to Giffords. read more

Great Tavern on Main Street in Kent, Ct. Delicious for lunch, brunch and dinner. Soups, fish tacos. beef and burgers all are excellent. Friendly staff. read more

My friend and I dined at the Kingsley Tavern yesterday evening and had an exquisite experience... that kind of experience that brings back wonderful memories of little trips taken in days gone by. It was our first cold fall night and it was so nice and cozy inside. As soon as we walked in, we felt welcome and knew we were in for a great experience. Just from looking at the menu, I knew the Chef and kitchen staff had to be very talented with all the eclectic, multi-ingredient choices that are only offered with a very experienced kitchen staff. Our waiter was excellent with just the right amount of attention and care. In fact, the service was excellent all around! I started my meal with a cup of their Greek Lemon Chicken soup which was probably the best i've tasted! My main dish was their Peeking Duck, from their specials menu. This is Not an easy dish to perfect, but it was delicious and garnished with fresh vegetables and a tasty rice pilaf. My friend greatly enjoyed the Coconut, Chickpea & lentil vegetarian dish. The combination of flavors and textures was divine! We topped off our meals by sharing an Amaretto Chocolate Mouse that was nicely balanced in taste with just a hint of almond flavor and a very rich, but not too sweet, chocolate that had a slightly firm texture. I highly recommend a dining experience in this restaurant... but make sure you give yourself plenty of time to fully enjoy the ambience as you read through their varied menu... and above all, savior your meal!! read more

The little restaurant built on love. So adorable and delicious. When you walk in you feel love. So much love. Relax an enjoy. read more

My husband and I love Kingsley! It is our favorite restaurant in Kent. Everything about it is great: service, food, cocktails, and ambiance. Everyone is very friendly. On top of that, they have a Specials Menu that changes with some regularity. So inventive! (See photo) I had the soup and it was delicious. read more

Kingsley Tavern - Specials menu at Kinglsey Tavern, Kent CT - American Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

Interesting variety of food (eg oysters, poutine, tacos, Asian-inspired dishes, steak frites), nice cocktail variety, bar area and indoor and outdoor dining. Specials menu has good variety from week to week. Good dessert options. Minor downsides: Sometimes hard to get through for reservations, a little tightly packed in and staff sometimes seem a little stressed. read more

My husband's and I favorite date night spot! We have been here MANY of times and haven't had a bad meal yet!! You can tell the chef knows what they are doing and that they use nothing but the best produce and meats. We brag about this spot all the time being 10 mins from home. read more

The perfect stop after a morning of Christmas shopping. Fish tacos & burger hit the spot. Friendly service & cozy atmosphere was just what we were looking for. Bartender made a great espresso martini to end the meal. read more

Kingsley hits all the right buttons. You can sit and eat at the bar if you are feeling social or get a cozy table for two by the window. The chef often comes out to chat to locals and visitors alike and she has no problem taking opinions or praise. The bartender will recommend a cocktail if you ask he is attentive without lurking! All of this plus wonderful food, most of which is sourced locally. There are some permanent items. I love the big bowl of mussels with crusty bread for dipping; last visit they were in a saffron based broth. I highly recommend ! read more

Took a drive up to Kent Connecticut last week to hike a bit. Ended up walking 6 miles and of course we were starving afterwards !! Kingsley Tavern had great reviews and would open just when we got there. The staff was very nice! We were seated out on the deck next door. The server kept social distance but was still personable. The menu has something for everyone's taste. My girlfriend ordered the Newton-McCann Burger. When it was set down in front of her I immediately took my fork and stole a piece of the edge. Even though the burger was cooked medium well (I cringe when she orders it like that lol)... the juices in the burger were flowing!!!! I wish I could post a video because I actually could not believe how much juice was running and recorded it!! She took her first bite, closed her eyes and was shaking her head in disbelief!! The burger was that good!!! The burger came with a gorgeous slice of heirloom tomato, red onion, sautéed onions on request and a huge tray of delicious fries!! I ordered the Caroline BBQ Shrimp. I've never had anything so unique. The shrimp were so tender and flavorful!!! It came with fried sweet corn polenta and grilled summer squash and roasted tomatoes. The entire dish was in a delicious BBQ-esc broth. I can't even explain it. Savory, smoky, a little bit spicy.... the sweetness wasn't in the sauce... but it was on my lips!! Not your typical BBQ sauce... better than you could imagine!!! We are not drinkers but they have some fantastic sounding beverages. Even vegan options as well!!! They sound so good I almost ordered one!!! Can't wait to go back and try some other specialties!! When you're looking for something out of the ordinary but extraordinary in flavor... head over to Kingsley Tavern!! read more

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We went t for a wedding. We were too early to check in so about 10 of us headed over to grab a bite. We did the apps and shared. Everything was gray abs they have some really good cocktails as well. Don't know when I will be back in Kent, CT but if I am. I will go back. read more

Good food, great service! Hot July day and our waiter kept our pup well hydrated and we enjoyed our meal.

The pub is clean and very welcoming. Don't miss out take a visit. Great food, atmosphere and service!

Located in Kent a picturesque village in north west Connecticut. The atmosphere and food are excellent. A unique menu and excellent service can be found here. read more

Really good spot! We stumbled upon it as we are from anywhere near here. Extensive menu and from the looks of everyone's plate and face, seems to have many delicious options. I had Anna's Bloody Mary and tomato based mussels, with both baguette and house made chips. Very good. Husband had French dip which he claims is the best he ever had. So that's it... nothing more I need to say. read more

Kingsley Tavern - Bloody Mary... Anna's - American Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

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Lovely looking bar and tables. The salads are very small yet pricey ($24 with a small piece of chicken and you could not pick a different dressing) but the hair in the dish was the most disturbing. My fiance's steak sandwich was a sliver of steak and wasn't even warm. Too many excellent restaurants in the area to spend $120 for mediocre food and a kitchen that needs some attention. The manager had very little interest in hearing/seeing anything. read more

Took a drive over to Kent two weekend ago searching for a brunch spot. We were not disappointed in the Kingsley Tavern. SO had a cleansing ale (taste offered first) & I had the 'brunch' cocktail - plenty of water top ups given too. All COVID protocols followed, although the space seemed a little barren with the plexiglass dividers - it's a cozy room otherwise. Staff seemed a little distracted - chatting away at the bar fairly loudly, but in all they were pleasant & attentive. My SO had the Newton-McCann burger with cheddar cheese - he said it was perfectly cooked, although a little messy, very tasty. Once again, the right bread can make or break a sandwich! I had the avocado toast (one of my faves) with sunny side up eggs on top. There was plenty of smashed avocado on the sour dough toast (yes!) and the roasted tomatoes, were quite unctuous - not dry. Very good additional to the creaminess of the avocado & eggs. In all, worth the drive - we will be back! read more

My oh my is this place amazing! My wife and I took a little weekend getaway to the Berkshires, and part of our tradition has been stopping in Kent for brunch on the way up. This year, looking to try something new, I turned once again to Yelp to find the perfect brunch spot. Ratings and reviews for Kingsley Tavern seemed great, and the photos looked incredible! As a result, we decided to give this place a shot. We arrived around 12:30pm on a Saturday (after dealing with some wonderful traffic up in the Bronx and Westchester) and were seated right away. I immediately loved the decor and the quaintness of this intimate place. There are perhaps 20 tables plus bar seating. We ordered a couple of waters and some coffee and then took some time to peruse the menu. Honestly I had trouble deciding but ultimately opted for the steak & cheese hash (essentially chopped steak, eggs, potatoes, peppers and a delicious gravy with an assortment of spices from parsley to pepper). My wife decided on the southwest salad. While the southwest salad was good, the steak & cheese hash was fantastic! The combination of flavors was perfect, and the consistency of the gravy mixed with the steak, eggs, potatoes and peppers made it somewhere between a stew and a typical meat dish. Honestly, it was amazing! The food here was so good that we decided to stop back on our way back to Long Island just a day later. I ordered the steak & cheese hash again (I'm craving it just writing about it) and the quality was just as impressive. Meanwhile, my wife opted for the chicken and waffles this time. I took a quick bite of hers and was really impressed with that as well (chicken was cooked perfectly and the waffles were delicious). Really can't go wrong either way! Meanwhile, the service was terrific and the prices were just right. Without a doubt this place serves up an awesome brunch and I'm tempted to take a half day trip just to eat here again! read more

Kingsley Tavern - Chicken and waffles - American Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

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Great food, solid atmosphere, nice people both patrons and staff, but service could be improved. Either way, definitely worth stopping at!

I was drawn in to this place because of its good reviews on yelp. My boyfriend and I went to Dover stone church ( which I recommend to go if you're in the area) as we were nearby and were hungry so we found a place that would be 1. Close to our location & 2. Have yummy food & hopefully good reviews. We stumbled upon Kingsley tavern which borders NY & Connecticut but located in Connecticut. First, it is located in a very cute & quaint neighborhood with a bunch of cute stores and one located right next to it that we went in and explored while we waited to be called. It was a bit busy as they were only doing outdoor dining and it was a Saturday, but we gave them our number & were called fairly quickly. We sat on an outdoor area located on the side of the restaurant (also seating in the front) which was really cute that I wish I could've taken a pic. Anyhow, by the time we were taken there weren't many people dining and service was a bit slow. I ordered the rosé wine $9 which was actually pretty delicious and not dry which is the way I like it. I also ended up getting the mimosa which was also good but went back to the rosé which I preferred. I was going back and forth with what I wanted to order but based on the reviews I decided to go with the steak and cheese hash and boy was I not disappointed. It was such a perfect blend of flavors that just writing this review is making me want to go back for more. The cheese sauce is what really made this dish stand out than just the typical steak and eggs combo that many places offer. My boyfriend got the Saigon sandwich & he loved it too. We also got the poutine which was my first time trying it and WOW I loved it! The only downside to this place was that the service like I mentioned was a bit slow. Our food took a really long time to come out and we had to flag other staff instead of our waitress when we needed something, BUT I will be coming back here because the food was just too good. read more

Kingsley Tavern - Steak and cheese Hash - American Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

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Stopped by tonight. What a great spot. I had fish tacos and my wife hade avocado tacos. All we can say amazing. The rice and beans were prepared perfectly. Great addition to the dish. We will be back! read more