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.
Great breakfast as always. Our go to for when we want to start a special day off right.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterAlways enjoy a meal at the Blue Anchor. Staff always friendly and attentive.
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterGreat staff, speedy service, great quality and brilliant staff very happy
Grumpys Diner – SouthendExcellent menu, something for all tastes including a very good children’s menu. Beautiful presented food, very tasty and well cooked/prepared. Very attentive staff, but not over the top., friendly and welcoming. Comfortable seating, well decorated premises. Overall, yet another memorable meal at The Blue Anchor
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterHad an anniversary meal here. Couldn’t fault the food and the service was great and a nice touch with a little anniversary treat.
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterWe had Sunday lunch at the pub yesterday. We both had the Roast beef, when it arrived it looked and tasted fabulous. If you can imagine your plate with veg cooked to perfection, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding cooked as good as your Nan's!! Beef cooked perfectly and not forgetting the red cabbage! Then this is the place for you! The staff are friendly and helpful.
The Hare and Hounds – ColchesterGreat restaurant with an amazing selection of food. My family and I loved the value for money and certainly left feeling full up. The staff were so friendly. My Grandkids enjoyed their treat and really enjoyed themselves.
Spoon World Buffet and Bar – BasildonLovely little restaurant! Friendly staff & the food is out of this world!
Stoked Vegan BBQ – SouthendA lovely setting with delicious food. All staff were friendly and helpful
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterWent for Sunday lunch with my partner we both had the roast beef it was very nice only slight criticism it could have been a bit hotter.for desert we both had the upside down cake delicious .Definitely will be back.
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterVisited several times and always leave happy. The setting is lovely, the shop & garden centre are good, food is great and prices reasonable. Service is a little haphazard (our visit yesterday was fine) but it’s always busy and I believe they are looking for more staff so it’s understandable
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterFood wasn’t that hot. The bubble and squeak was just potato with a hint of carrot no other veg.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterLovely atmosphere, staff were attentive and professional. Food was nice, quality was good.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterFantastic service from Millie and the team. Really good, hot, fresh food, served quickly. Lovely ambience in the evening. Thank you for a lovely meal.
Stoked Vegan BBQ – SouthendLovely setting , great food & friendly staff
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterHad breakfast to celebrate husbands 70th Birthday. Staff friendly and welcoming Only complaint, eggs on sourdough with Advocado were very wet. Sourdough under toasted and water off egg made it a bit soggy Same with the under toasted buns and 2 more wet eggs! Shame as the setting outside is lovely and relaxing.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterI 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.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterFood always plentiful fresh and hot always replenishing when it's getting low, staff always clearing plates away quickly ,but I must say this the toilets need attention not very clean smelly and I don't think they get checked ie loads of toilet paper on floor some toilets that havnt been flushed I personally staff are not going in and checking them and the floors and toilet doors need a good clean seem very sticky these are the ladies dread to think what the mens are like
Spoon World Buffet and Bar – BasildonBuy 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.
