Located in a very authentic old Tudor building in the centre of town, quoted in the Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations as the home of Uncle Pumblechuck, this charming restaurant is the direct inheritor of Elizabeth's Tea Rooms, with its pleasing red brick and half-timbered interior. Known nowadays for its enthusiastic use of local ingredients, it has become a hub for the community who appreciate the freshness and imagination of its food.

Only two minutes walk from Rochester Cathedral and Castle, Elizabeth's also provides a suitable setting for family parties and special occasions, where reliability and quality are important. An à la carte leads the way with starters of crab and smoked salmon terrine with citrus crème fraîche, and there is beef carpaccio with truffle oil and shaved parmesan. The rest of it rarely deviates from the French or modern European script, think rump of English lamb with crispy sweetbreads, sweet shallot puree and dauphinoise potatoes, and monkfish 'Kiev' with sautéed mussels and spinach with white bean puree.

Garlic mushrooms, mixed salad and spinach make attractive side orders and carry a pleasing measure of distinction. A riot of wickedness awaits those for whom desserts are a temptation that just cannot be passed by trio of local rhubarb, baked chocolate tart and vanilla crème brûlée with raspberries. A lunch menu offers incredibly good value from a choice of three starters, including home cured salmon, and three main courses where you can find pot roast breast of chicken.

Every so often a special occasion's menu is offered and you could expect ham hock terrine served, followed by roast British beef with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy to prepare the palate for the big event. Whilst not familiar with Elizabeth's cellars you could imagine them to be some subtly dry, as only proper cellars can be, with that aroma around and a stable temperature that moves no more than within 4 degrees maximum. Certainly what comes out of it is satisfying and in some cases quite adventurous. It has certainly not been selected by anyone but a dedicated lover of the grape.

Their Website is clear and easy to use - click on it for further information, particularly about gourmet nights and other events.