Michelin-star chef Atul Kochhar gives update on when his new restaurant will open in Tunbridge Wells

Those eagerly awaiting news of when leading chef Atul Kochhar will open a new restaurant in Tunbridge Wells will be delighted to hear an update from the chef himself. Foodies in the area were excited to learn the twice Michelin-star chef, who has many restaurants including in Mayfair and Marlow, was looking to open in The Pantiles.

The British-based chef and television personality has been at the forefront of Indian cuisine for more than 30 years. Last year, at Pub in the Park at Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells, he stunned foodies who had patiently waited in queues outside his pop-up restaurant with his tantalising dishes.

And he returns this year to the same event, again at Dunorlan Park, from July 7 to 9. When he opens Riwaz on The Pantiles, he will be in good company, as it is a bustling food and drink destination with restaurants, cafes, a hotel, regular food markets and live outdoor entertainment, during which people eat al fresco.

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Mr Kochhar told KentLive this week that the restaurant on The Pantiles will “hopefully open by the end of the year”. He also said all the permissions were in place and he and his team were “working on it”. He previously told us: “I love Tunbridge Wells”.

As we reported last April, Riwaz will be in the former family-run Woods Restaurant near the bandstand. Listed building consent has already secured permission for the large Grade II-listed building, which has a ground floor and first floor restaurant.

The plan is to create a larger open-place kitchen, a new open bar area and a larger front-of-house dining space. In addition, a cellar room will be created and the toilets refurbished and extended.