Reviews in Colchester

I have been to the Barn a few times now and the service and food has always been good, however, my last visit was very disappointing. I took my daughter and had booked a table for 2.30pm. We did arrive early and a very flustered member of staff told us they were very busy and could we come back in 10 minutes. That was fair enough as we were early. We came back just before 2.30. The same lady said a table still wasn't ready and could we take a seat, there was another lady also waiting for a table. The member of staff asked us if we were there for lunch or coffee and cake and did we want to sit inside or out? she also asked the other lady the same questions. She then disappeared back into the restaurant and didn't reappear! Whilst we were sitting there another group came up and a gentleman member of staff got them seated immediately! He saw us and got us to a table. We expected the restaurant to be packed out but there were loads of empty tables. The same lady came over to take our order, but another waitress turned up at the same time. She said that the waitress would take our order and took the menus from us before we had the chance to say anything!! The food was very good but I think the cafe needs more staff. The waitress who took our order was lovely but the other lady came across quite rude and abrupt. Another couple came in after us and were seated but no one took their order and they had to go up to the counter. I don't know if it was the time of day or that it was the school holidays but the service was very disappointing compared with previous visits.

A lovely place to eat with friendly service and great food. There is a lovely shop to look around and potentially buy, full of many classy goods, clothes, bags etc and do not forget it is a garden centre too. Such a great place to visit so what are you waiting for??!!!!

Food was lovely and very well presented but service was extremely slow. We had to chase up for a dessert menu and for the actual desserts. The poor service was not something we had experienced on previous visits and was particularly disappointing as we were treating friends to lunch.

I booked the venue for a table of 9 of various ages from 73 to 14. The menu covered all age groups and included Vegetarian and Gluten Free. The food was of a very high standard and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The steak my grandson and I had as very good and in his 14 year old words, 'Cooked to Perfection'. He wasn't wrong. A great selection of wine both red and white and he ale was good too. All in all a great family dinner and we will be back. Thanks to the staff for handling and unpredictable situation so very well.

Four of us enjoyed Sunday lunch yesterday …..seeing a limited menu for me, is a good sign. The food was delicious, beautifully presented by happy smiley waitresses Puddings equally delectable Thank you

Good food, friendly service but extremely slow. A long wait to order and an even longer one for food to be served. It was very busy however.

A lovely “out for dinner “ experience with friends I had not seen for a long time. Relaxed and unrushed with plenty of time for conversation.

I had a meal for my sons 21st. They were accommodating with letting me put up banners and balloons. There were 12 in the party. We only had a choice of one menu as we were a large number. But the quality of food was good. Service was good.

Perfect setting, great quality food and excellent service!

Tasty food, lovely thoughtful staff. Highly recommend ❤️

Alway enjoy our visits very welcoming and good excellent

Loved our lunch at the Barn, always look forward to going there for lunch and then having a look around the garden centre . Friendly staff and great food.

You know when the name of company keeps cropping up on your bank statements that you know you are onto a good thing. We always look forward to our visit to the Barn even if just for a wander around the plant section. Taking our neighbours for breakfast on Sunday and enjoying great food with great friendly service just makes you want to return. The staff are always attentive and we even manage to have a laugh together which hopefully makes their working day enjoyable as well. Looking forward to our next visit. Thanks all Davi & Rachel

Sunday lunchtime visit to celebrate special anniversary. My request for quieter table location was kindly met, despite it being a busy service. Great menu choices, we opted for the roast turkey, which was perfectly cooked and served, with very generous vegetable portions. All the staff were extremely polite, friendly and efficient. In fact everything about our whole visit was impeccable! We were absolutely delighted, thank you very much.

Usually enjoy any meals we have here but unfortunately this weekend was not one of them. No choice of roast only beef left & then roasts ran out for any other customers!Our dinners were not hot enough with hard to cut roast potatoes & an unusually dark gravy that tasted of marmite! Definitely not up to The Barns usual standards! Service there seems to take a lot longer nowadays too!

Great food and service. The waitresses and counter staff were very attentive, friendly and professional. Thank you

This a my first visit to the Barn Garden Centre and it was charmed. It is an excellent place - plants in very good condition, tasteful items of homeware and cards and a large cafe area. The service and food delivery was slow so allow time for that, but the coffee and scones were delicious. We had a window seat and eye-level view of the butterflies on the verbena outside. A very nice visit - would recommend.