Reviews in Colchester

We booked a few days ahead to this lovely Garden centre Cafe/restaurant as we had heard it can get busy at the weekend and I can see why! Inside an old-fashioned polytunnel garden centre they have created this gorgeous restaurant out of wood- beams and pallets and created this lovely rustic atmosphere. The garden centre itself is crammed full of stunning home ware and gifts. The main thing we noticed is that the place was full of millennial aged people, so you know the food must be good! And it did not disappoint. We both opted for a comforting Chai Latte and a roast. The special for the day was a beef brisket roast so it would have been silly not to try it. At £21.95 the roasts were the perfect size without being too huge. Every single mouthful was absolutely exquisite. The meat was tender and melted as you cut into it, and had clearly been basted in a stunning rub/sauce which created a light sticky layer of flavour. The roast came with carrots, parsnips, crunchy roast potatoes, a huge fluffy Yorkshire pudding, greens, s celeriac cream and an incredible gravy which was very liberally applied. I could easily eat this meal everyday and never get tired of it. Every part of it was cooked and seasoned to absolute perfection. Having just had surgery, I also would like to note that the staff were incredibly accommodating, making sure that I had a comfortable chair and checking if I needed anything. My only tip would be to try and sit in the main room of the restaurant on a hot day, as the polytunnels get rather warm- as can be expected!

This is a lovely place for lunch. I took my elderly parents there, to celebrate a birthday. I found the menu to be spot on: enough choice to satisfy us all but not so much that you might question freshness. The ladies who served us were really lovely and thoughtful to my parents. Service was well-paced too. We'd certainly go there again. For me, this is a new favourite for when I visit Colchester.

Had a very nice experience at the Barn on Saturday 12th April, excellent breakfast and great hosting from the staff. A lovely place with a great atmosphere, would recommend to anyone.

Had a lovely breakfast, poached eggs were perfect and helped to give us a really relaxing Saturday morning.

My wife and I had a lovely meal at the Barn on Friday. Nearly sat outside but decided it wasn't quite warm enough. We were wrong, but never mind! As always, the service was impeccable, the food was excellent and the environment was just right. I notice other reviews complain about the waiting time. This is NOT a fast food restaurant, the meals are prepared to order so expect a slight delay. I must mention my Apple & Rhubarb crumble. I've finally found somewhere that doesn't produce a crumble straight from the microwave that is impossible to eat unless you've got a flameproof digestive system!! This was just as it should be, oven warm.

Enjoyed a leisurely breakfast sitting outside in the sunshine.

The Special was Belly Pork and it was the best I have ever eaten. However my wife, who is vegetarian, had very little option. The corn burger, which is actually a quorn burger is still there, and is quite tasteless. Quorn needs to be used with a sauce/marinade in order to have any taste. The wild mushroom risotto was deemed delicious though.

Very friendly staff, great buzz in public bar.

Had a lovely lunch with my friend yesterday

Food and service have always been good. Cakes are especially good. It's one of our main meeting places for lunch.

Family have come to stay and we all went to the Hare & Hounds. Ages ranged from 11 - 78 and there was something for everyone. The food was excellent and the service and atmosphere helpful and friendly.

Food good, amosphere excellent, staff not so much. Have been coming for a long time but this was the third visit on the trot where the staff and service was not good. One waitress was outright rude to me yesterday, which was embarrassing. Such a shame as it used to be very good.

Used to be our go to for lunch when we lived locally, and thought we would try it again as we were in Colchester for the day. Unfortunately it's not what it used to be. Staff, except for the clearly out his depth front of house greeter, were great, but the menu has go e backwards under the new management, with prices also significantly higher. Regret, likely to be our last visit.

Excellent all round!

Our group was meeting up from 3 different counties and had an excellent lunch experience. It was a well balanced menus with a wide variety of meat, fish and vegetarian options. We were welcomed by polite, friendly and efficient staff.

Good food in a nice atmosphere. I was on a restricted diet and they kindly prepared a plain omelette and toast, which was not on the menu, with no fuss. Greatly appreciated

Eight mature ladies visit Barnplants cafe every first Tuesday of each month for tea and cake in the afternoon. The service is good and cakes are delicious, but we don't understand why the restaurant refuses to stock Redbush (Rooibos) tea, despite constant requests, as we all drink this tea by preference.

My mum & I went for a Monday lunch here for a Mother’s Day treat for my mum, I chose a Monday as I was thinking it’ll be quiet. It was quiet but this made no difference to the staff being very unaware of us waiting 25 mins to be asked what we would like to drink let alone what we would like for our lunch. As by this time I went up to the til to then ask if we could order & mentioned myself & another table which I noticed had also been waiting 25 or so minutes. Food took a very long time to then come out & I had no apologies from the waitress about waiting or having to go up to the til to ask to order our food. This is the second time I have eaten here both times have been very slow & staff are not friendly. It’s a real shame as myself & my mum love to shop here but won’t be coming back for lunch.