Searching for a restaurant in Essex? There are lots to choose from in Harwich, Southend, Brentwood and throughout the county. With a range of cuisines from British to Italian or Indian, the variety of places to eat in Essex with its restaurants and pubs is vast. Find the right place to eat in Essex with Sugarvine.
Excellent food and service. This a great pub
The Ship Gidea Park – RomfordHad a lovely lunch here on Sunday, a good variety to choose from, really lovely staff who looked after us very well and reasonably priced, we will definitely return!
The Owl – LoughtonLovely place to meet friends for lunch.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterConsistently good, friendly and all round quality
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterGreat food, excellent service. Great location
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterI had a really disappointing experience with this restaurant’s customer service and would not recommend booking here. I cancelled a reservation and specifically called ahead to check the process. I spoke to two members of staff who both clearly told me that I would receive an email explaining how my deposit would be returned. Based on that, I reasonably understood that I would not be charged. Despite this, the restaurant later went ahead and took the deposit anyway. When I raised this, I was told this is “not their process” and that deposits are taken at management’s discretion, effectively dismissing what their own staff had told me earlier that same day. It’s completely unacceptable to give customers clear information over the phone and then ignore it when it suits. If your internal policies differ, your staff should be trained properly — customers should not be penalised for relying on what they are told directly. To make matters worse, my follow-up email has now been ignored entirely. Poor communication, inconsistent policies, and even worse customer service. I won’t be returning.
Skylark Social – ColchesterLove this place! Beautiful setting, staff are great and so are the pizzas!
Skylark Social – ColchesterThe service in here is very good but we know it is always slow. The food is very very good & worth the wait usually but don’t eat here if you’re on a time pressure. I would say that on of our group ordering the Caesar salad it was very small & not many lettuce leaves. The prawn open sandwich was really beautiful & light. The chips with the fish & chips were perfect, crisp on the outside, fluffy inside. We booked a later table at 1.15pm for lunch by the time we were served it was 2pm, when we went to look at desserts for 2.30pm most of the dessert menu was completely unavailable apart from one piece of cheesecake & one other portion of something - this was hugely disappointing when booking a table of eight for a celebratory birthday lunch. Atmosphere & environment was lovely, very clean
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterI bring my elderly mum her for lunch regularly. It's easily accessible for her and in a lovely setting. Staff friendly and efficient. Food lovely and good value. And a varied menu too including small plate meals which are good for anyone without a massive appetite. Well worth a visit.
The Owl – LoughtonAs usual the atmosphere, service, standard of food and drink was excellent . We have never walked away from the restaurant with a bad word about any part of the experience. We always highly recommend you to anyone heading in your direction. Thanks again Kevan and Jackie
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterWe had an amazing Sunday lunch. The food tasted amazing and arrived promptly. Portions were just right and desert was equally as good. The setting is perfect. Staff were lovely and friendly.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterFood was great and staff were fantastic. Only criticism is I observed the chef using his hands to put food on plates. Not great when the kitchen is clearly on display from the bar.
The Owl – LoughtonHad a fabulous family meal! Service was really good and food was amazing. Will be returning in the future!
The Dukes Head – Bishops StortfordAbsolutely Fantastic Birthday meal. Food 5* Ambience 5* Staff 5* vf£ 5* Thank youuuuu.xx
The Hare and Hounds – ColchesterBooked a table for 4, seated promptly and a waiter came over really quickly to take out drinks order. Food arrived in good time and we weren’t rushed to leave the table after we had finished.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterWe found the chicken to be very fake tasting.It was fatty , chewy substitute meat rather than real chicken . The food wasn’t hot. I wouldn’t go back because of these points.
Spoon World Buffet and Bar – BasildonWe came to Grumpy's for my daughter's birthday, as always, the service was great from start to finish and Kerry brought out the Happy Birthday banner sign for my daughter, which is a nice touch. The food and milkshakes were yummy. And we enjoyed hearing about the challenges they do. My daughter enjoyed her birthday dinner very much - thankyou x
Grumpys Diner – SouthendHonestly we thoroughly enjoyed the food and the service was great. We did wait around 50 minutes for our food but was definitely worth the wait
The Dukes Head – Bishops StortfordBuy one main course and get the second one for a quid. Offer available all day Monday-Friday from 5 January 2026.
Get a glass of Prosecco for £3 every Friday between 5pm and 7pm.
