Reviews in Colchester

My family and I visit Barn plants cafe quite frequently and decided to bring my parents that were visiting yesterday. We booked a table for 1pm and had to ask a couple of times if our order could be taken and it felt like an inconvenience , we waited until 2.15pm to receive our food order despite the table behind us (arriving around 40-45 mins after us) receiving their food at the same time. I don’t know whether it was a day that the cafe was short staffed but if that was the case some communication would have been appreciated either that or we’d been told when we were taken to our table that food orders were currently taking over an hour. The food was very good (as it usually is) however on this occasion the service was disappointing and it was a frustrating lunch.

Very nice breakfast and good service but when my husband asked if he could swap the black pudding for something else it was a flat no ,didn't even get a reduction, shame as it could of easily been swapped so left slightly annoyed.

Really enjoyed our breakfast and think the new summer breakfast menu is great . Everything was cooked so nicely and seasoned perfectly . Scones were lovely too , and service was excellent as always . Best breakfast out in the area

Lovely setting and good service. I had the small breakfast but was really disappointed with your mushrooms which are either tinned ones or have been boiled! For the price of the breakfast I would of expected them to be fresh.

I was visiting my daughter and one year old grandson and thought we would come for lunch. We arrived at our booked table at 1pm. ( this was a good time for baby to eat) . At 2pm I had to ask where our food was which finally arrived at 14.10, by which time my grandson had long finished his food( which we bought with us), we then had to try and keep him entertained! While we waited no one came to our table to see if we wanted another drink or to offer apologies that the food was taking longer than expected. I noted that there were other people in the same situation as us. The service was appalling and no offers of goodwill when I paid

Excellent Sunday roast again for all the family whilst celebrating double birthday event. Already booked for Fathers Day - another double event.

Home cooking coupled with happy friendly sociable staff in lovely setting. What's not to like?!!

It’s been a while since we had been to the Hare and Hounds but were really pleased we’d revisited as it was perfect. We were a party of 8, service was fantastic, staff were so friendly and the food was first class, food was beautiful, booking again for next week.

We had a fabulous Sunday lunch, dog made very welcome in the bar area. Hopefully we will be back when we are in the area

Excellent food and service. The fish was top quality. Generous portions.

Great atmosphere, good food. Will be back

Made a last minute on line booking and really glad we did. Lovely location, venue, staff, and food. Great value for money and very large portions. We’d certainly go back when we’re in the area.

Very good food, great atmosphere but we did have quite a long wait after we had ordered

Everything about this venue was excellent, especially the food. Will definitely visit again. Probably the best Sunday roast you can have. Thank you.

I regularly meet friends at The Barn cafe. I would recommend booking a table as it is always busy. Food is delicious and the staff are friendly and helpful. Quite a limited menu but we all found something we liked.

Excellent food and service. Only negative was the wait between ordering and arrival of our desserts which required no cooking. A good venue to meet friends.

Me and my mum had the beef brisket and it was DIVINE!!! Absolutely loved it. Considering how busy it was the service was still delightful and food was lovely and hot when served to us.

There’s an old saying: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. My wife and I have spent five years enjoying the lovely atmosphere of the Barn Cafe, the brilliant hard-working staff and the delightful mixture of simple, wholesome food and a few more cosmopolitan recipes. But when we sat down to lunch last Friday, it was all change. No, we couldn’t order two Buddah bowls, with its unique combination of exotic tastes. We had to choose our own three salads, plus other ingredients and the result was an unappetising mess. My wife left most of hers, I persisted for a bit longer but eventually gave up. Apart from anything else, I don’t want to work that hard choosing lunch. Please stop indulging your chefs and remember who keeps you in business: Your customers. Your menu has succeeded in the past by catering for ordinary people with ordinary tastes. If I want the exotic, I’ll go to an exotic restaurant.