Essex · Restaurants · Curated · Updated 2026

Restaurants in Essex

Discover the best restaurants in Essex. Find inspiration for your trip with our curated list of top-rated spots, local favorites, and hidden gems.

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united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/acanteen

Acanteen

Chelmsford’s all-day bar, restaurant and live music venue – brunch, pizza, cocktails and events in a buzzing city-centre setting.

35 New London Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0ND
4.3 Very Good 1,802 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/alec-s-restaurant

Alec's Restaurant

Alec's Restaurant in Brentwood offers exquisite seafood and fine dining in a beautifully restored historic setting with impeccable service.

Navestock Side, Brentwood CM14 5SD
4.6 Excellent 1,177 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/galvin-green-man

Galvin Green Man

Historic 14th-century gastropub near Chelmsford offering award-winning seasonal British cuisine in a charming countryside setting.

Main Rd, Howe Street, Great Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 1BG
4.5 Excellent 1,267 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/talbooth-restaurant

Talbooth Restaurant

Award-winning Modern British fine dining on the River Stour, where 19th-century charm meets contemporary culinary excellence.

Gun Hill, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6HP
4.7 Excellent 912 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-magic-mushroom

The Magic Mushroom

A stylish fine dining experience blending British and Mediterranean flavors in a charming converted barn on Billericay’s outskirts.

Barleylands Rd, Billericay CM11 2UD
4.6 Excellent 921 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-leather-bottle

The Leather Bottle

A historic 17th-century pub in Cobham, famously linked to Charles Dickens and serving British classics in a relaxed, characterful setting with a large beer garden.

54, 56 The St, Cobham, Gravesend DA12 3BZ
4.3 Very Good 800 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/vita-bella

Vita Bella

Authentic Italian cuisine with fresh local ingredients in a charming village setting near Chelmsford.

The Tye, East Hanningfield, Chelmsford CM3 8AF
4.8 Excellent 1,442 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/pig-truffle

Pig & Truffle

Historic charm meets modern British cuisine in a cozy village setting, delivering refined flavors and warm hospitality at Pig & Truffle.

The St, Little Dunmow, Dunmow CM6 3HT
4.5 Excellent 388 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/aspera

Aspera

Experience authentic Mediterranean flavors with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a stylish and welcoming setting in Benfleet.

130A London Rd, South Benfleet, Benfleet SS7 5SQ
4.8 Excellent 1,094 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/harvester-stanway-colchester

Harvester Stanway Colchester

Casual family-friendly British bar & grill in Colchester offering fresh, flavorful meals from breakfast to dinner in a relaxed setting.

186 London Rd, Colchester CO3 8NZ
4.2 Very Good 3,357 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/dukes-head-billericay

Dukes Head Billericay

A charming gastropub in Billericay blending traditional British fare with a warm, inviting atmosphere and scenic outdoor spaces.

Laindon Common Rd, Little Burstead, Billericay CM12 9TA
4.4 Very Good 1,394 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/pig-whistle-restaurant

Pig & Whistle Restaurant

Charming 16th-century countryside restaurant in Chelmsford offering award-winning British cuisine and a cosy, intimate dining experience.

Chignal Road, Chelmsford CM1 4SZ
4.5 Excellent 642 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/il-pescatore

Il Pescatore

Experience authentic Sicilian seafood and Italian hospitality in the heart of Southend-on-Sea at Il Pescatore.

4 Queens Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1LU
4.5 Excellent 646 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-barn-brasserie-great-tey

The Barn Brasserie, Great Tey

Historic 16th-century barn meets modern British dining in a charming Essex countryside setting with warm hospitality and versatile event spaces.

Brook Rd, Great Tey, Colchester CO6 1JE
4.4 Very Good 852 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/cosy-club

Cosy Club

Experience timeless art deco charm and inclusive British dining at Cosy Club Chelmsford, open all day for every occasion.

24 Springfield Rd, Chelmsford CM2 6JX
4.4 Very Good 592 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-chequers-matching-green

The Chequers Matching Green

A charming gastro-pub overlooking Matching Green’s cricket pitch, blending traditional English village charm with modern dining comfort.

Matching Green, Matching, Essex CM17 0PZ
4.3 Very Good 612 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/hoop-at-stock

Hoop at Stock

Historic 15th-century gastropub in Stock village serving award-winning modern British cuisine in a cozy, traditional setting.

The Hoop, 21 High St, Stock, Ingatestone CM4 9BD
4.6 Excellent 667 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/bill-s-chelmsford-restaurant

Bill's Chelmsford Restaurant

A vibrant British restaurant in Chelmsford’s town centre, serving all-day meals, seasonal specials, and welcoming guests with a lively atmosphere.

119 Bond St, Chelmsford CM1 1GD
4.4 Very Good 1,268 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/leigh-bistro-restaurant

Leigh Bistro Restaurant

Charming family-run bistro serving fresh contemporary European cuisine in the vibrant heart of Leigh-on-Sea.

123 Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1PG
4.6 Excellent 597 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/castle-great-leighs

Castle - Great Leighs

A charming and cozy English village pub in Great Leighs serving freshly cooked, reasonably priced meals with friendly service and warm ambiance.

Main Rd, Great Leighs, Chelmsford CM3 1NE
4.3 Very Good 583 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/aurum-restaurant

Aurum Restaurant

Refined modern British dining with stunning estuary views at Southend’s boutique Seven Hotel.

The Seven Hotel, 7 Clifton Terrace, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1DT
4 Very Good 118 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/la-quinta-restaurant-venue-hire-benfleet-essex

La Quinta Restaurant & Venue Hire - Benfleet Essex

Experience superb dining, lively entertainment, and warm hospitality at La Quinta, Benfleet’s premier restaurant and event venue.

22-28 Benfleet Rd, Hadleigh, Benfleet SS7 1QB
4.3 Very Good 284 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/fete-at-grays-brewery-yard

Fête at Grays Brewery Yard

Quirky indie eatery in Chelmsford's historic yard: inventive brunches, global small plates, cocktails, and coffee in a dog-friendly, vibe-filled space for all.

Unit 10 - 13 Grays, Brewery Yard, Chelmsford CM2 6QR
4.8 Excellent 310 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/bartellas-restaurant

Bartellas Restaurant

Experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a warm, inviting setting nestled in the Essex countryside near Ingatestone.

Writtle Rd, Margaretting, Ingatestone CM4 0EH
4.6 Excellent 203 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-new-london

The New London

Upscale Chelmsford restaurant offering scratch-made dishes, attentive service, and a cozy contemporary lounge atmosphere.

147 New London Rd, Chelmsford CM2 0AA
4.6 Excellent 332 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/rose-crown-great-waltham

Rose & Crown - Great Waltham

Essex village gastro pub where seasonal menus and warm hospitality create memorable dining moments.

Chelmsford Rd, Great Waltham, Chelmsford CM3 1AG
4.6 Excellent 537 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/samphire-restaurant-the-county-hotel

Samphire Restaurant @ The County Hotel

Award-winning British cuisine with fresh, local ingredients in a stylish, family-friendly Chelmsford setting.

The County Hotel, 29 Rainsford Rd, Chelmsford CM1 2PZ
4.5 Excellent 20 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-dining-room

The Dining Room

A cozy Leigh-on-Sea gem serving exquisite British-European fusion cuisine with standout roast dinners and attentive service.

1356 London Rd, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2UH
4.4 Very Good 316 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/russells-restaurant

Russells Restaurant

Historic vaulted barn setting meets refined French and English fine dining with seasonal dishes and exceptional service in Great Baddow.

Bell St, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 7JS
4.6 Excellent 218 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-square-compasses

The Square & Compasses

A charming Essex countryside gastropub blending rustic warmth with refined British cuisine and local ales.

Fuller Street, Fairstead, Chelmsford CM3 2BB
4.6 Excellent 376 reviews
united-kingdom/essex/restaurant/the-cart-shed-restaurant

The Cart Shed Restaurant

A rustic yet refined British dining experience in the tranquil village of Thornwood near Epping, blending seasonal local produce with countryside charm.

9 Duck Ln, Thornwood, Epping CM16 6NE
4.7 Excellent 72 reviews

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