Dining
Like London in general, Kingston and nearby Surbiton have a great mixture of restaurants and cafés in various price ranges. In particular the Kingston Riverside, only a short 5-7 minute walk from Knights Park campus, offers a wealth of restaurants and traditional pubs serving a wide variety of real ales (for the adventurous), beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks with plenty of outside seating from which to enjoy a sunset along the Thames. Below are some suggestions but by far the best option is to simply wander around. You should find a restaurant or pub to suit your taste and budget within 15 minutes.
Asian
The flavours of Asia are available at Thai on Thames (which has a separate vegetarian menu) and Naturally Chinese (specializing in MSG-free Chinese cuisine), while New Malden, home of the largest Korean community in Europe, has a wide array of quality Korean restaurants.
French
Named the "Top 10 ‘Fit for Foodies’ Restaurants in the UK 2015," you may wish to try The French Table in Surbiton.
Indian
As is common throughout Britain, this area has many Indian restaurants, which are a good value and always have vegetarian options. Try Kingston’s Ajanta, Mehrish, or Roz Ana, or Surbiton’s Joy Indian Cuisine. New Malden, a 15-minute bus ride away, is home to the Lal Akash, possibly the best Indian restaurant in the area.
Italian
Near to campus there is a variety of quality chain restaurants including Jamie [Oliver]’s Italian or [Antonio] Carluccio’s. There are plenty of independent places as well, including the family-run Rococo Italian. For good and inexpensive Pizza try Pizza Express by the river Thames.
Pubs
For the weary, the Spring Grove Pub is less than a minutes’ walk from campus and offers a wide variety of drinks, reasonably priced and tasty pub food, a pool table and a charming beer garden.
There are numerous pubs that serve food as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks: some traditional British options include The Canbury Arms, The Druid's Head and The Bishop in Kingston, The Foresters in Hampton Wick, and The Duke of York and The Waggon and Horses in Surbiton. Slightly more upmarket, Browns is a cross between a pub and restaurant and has a lovely view of the River Thames. For those who like live music, the nearby Ram Jam venue in The White Horse offers live acts on Friday and Saturday nights.
There are numerous pubs that serve food as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks: some traditional British options include The Canbury Arms, The Druid's Head and The Bishop in Kingston, The Foresters in Hampton Wick, and The Duke of York and The Waggon and Horses in Surbiton. Slightly more upmarket, Browns is a cross between a pub and restaurant and has a lovely view of the River Thames. For those who like live music, the nearby Ram Jam venue in The White Horse offers live acts on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tea and Coffee Shops
There are, of course, the usual tea and coffee shops (should you wish to be either soothed or tense): Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Café Nero, and independents: The Swallow Bakery (inside Kingston’s Rose Theatre), Pickled Pantry (in Surbiton; gluten and dairy free options), and The Press Room (also in Surbiton). For truly amazing pastries and damn fine coffee, do visit the Patisserie Valerie.
Value Chains
Vegan and Vegetarian
Kingston has several restaurants and cafés that specialize in vegan and gluten free food, including The Cheeky Pea Hummus Bar (vegan, gluten free), Lebanese Delicafé (vegan), The Healthy Cook Company (brunch sandwiches, cakes & bread--gluten free and vegan), and the award winning Riverside Vegetaria (specializing in vegetarian and vegan food).