Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Essex? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Black Rock Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (707)

£26 to £40

Steak

Clacton-On-Sea

About the restaurant

Embark on a culinary adventure at Black Rock, where we offer a unique dining experience that will tantalize your taste buds. Our menu is a global fusion of flavours, showcasing the best of international cuisine.

Our signature "Steak on the Stone" is a must-try, allowing you to customize your steak to your desired level of doneness. This innovative cooking method ensures a truly personalized and flavourful experience.

Beyond our exceptional steaks, our menu features a diverse range of dishes to satisfy every craving. From succulent seafood to hearty vegetarian options, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Our commitment to using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients guarantees exceptional quality and taste in every bite.

Top review

Alex

Dined 7 days ago

We chose black rock for my sons 18th birthday meal. The food was fantastic, the service was brilliant and the atmosphere was great. The table for 4 was a little small and 2 of us had to straddle the table leg but that didn't deter from our experience. Definitely worth choosing the stone over cooked to order was the consensus.

Lot Bar & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1367)

£26 to £40

Contemporary European

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Lot Bar and Restaurant is a family run business offering freshly prepared food from 8am until 10pm daily. Whether you are looking for an informal breakfast or light lunch with friends or a 3 course celebration dinner in the evening or simply a drink in the bar after work, we have the best to offer locally.
We at Lot Bar and Restaurant take pride the quality of our ingredients, the high standard of presentation and excellent service. A seasonally changing breakfast and lunch menu offers everything you could want from a kitchen and our evening A la carte menu includes restaurant favourites as well as daily changing specials. On Sunday afternoons we offer the best Roast available. Our wine list, available from 11am, is curated by us to include the faithful, the unusual and the interesting.

Top review

VikiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

great atmosphere, service and food as usual from the Lot

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Popular dish

Paella

The New London Restaurant and Lounge

4.7

4.7 (968)

£26 to £40

British

Chelmsford

About the restaurant

The award-winning New London restaurant has been on Chelmsford’s dining and social scene since October 2013 and it still is a relaxed yet sophisticated dining venue. The venue is full of elegance and glamour – now more than ever after an incredible redesign in March 2018.

We have a reputation for seasonally inspired menus with a unique approach to homemade food which makes the New London restaurant a special place to visit.

We pride ourselves on our excellent service with a personal touch. All our staff are proud of, and knowledgeable about, our dishes, wines and cocktails.

We offer only the best locally sourced and seasonal British produce including fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients and foraged herbs. All our dishes are served in the inimitable style that has helped it garner so many compliments and awards since opening.

Top review

chris

Dined 3 days ago

Great service food was excellent. I would recommend this restaurant certainly

The House by Hilly Gant

4.7

4.7 (1209)

£41 and over

British

Braintree

About the restaurant

We've been serving the people of Braintree and beyond since 2015 and in that time have humbly become ‘one of Essex’s best restaurants.’ We have received recognition from the AA, having been awarded an AA Rosette for ‘culinary excellence’ for five consecutive years, and then in 2023 we received our second rosette, putting the restaurant amongst the top 10 restaurants in Essex. Our food is of course one of our main focuses, but we don’t just stop there. Attentive, relaxed and friendly service is as important as the food and our objective is to make your visit an enjoyably memorable one. Our exceptional wine supplier, Peter Watts Wines (based up the road in Coggeshall) allows us to offer you delicious wines of an exceptional quality. Then add some cocktails, jazz, personality, creativity, a few hidden quirks and we like to think this all culminates to create a truly wonderful experience. Life is about memories; we want to be part of your best ones.

Top review

Shaun

Dined 3 days ago

Never had a bad meal and the service is amazing!!!!!

The Cricketers Arms in Rickling Green

4.7

4.7 (580)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Saffron Walden

About the restaurant

RESTAURANT NOTE: Our outside tables are not bookable, they are available on a first come first served basis. Should you wish to reserve a table in our pergola, you must contact us directly please by phone 01799 619260 or email info@thecricketersarmspub.co.uk

Whether you’re after a comforting home - cooked meal after a long day at work or fabulous fine dining for a special celebration, we’ve got something for every occasion. Choose from our locally sourced, innovative menu and excellent wine list in our oak beamed bar or stylish restaurant.

Top review

Rosemary

Dined on 9 Dec 2024

Excellent service. Delicious food as always. Thanks

The Anchor Inn - Nayland

4.6

4.6 (1916)

£25 and under

British

Nayland

About the restaurant

A traditional country pub with a warm welcome, The Anchor Inn offers a fine selection of cask ales and fresh, home-cooked food. Set in the beautiful village of Nayland, open fires and a cosy atmosphere make the Anchor a wonderful winter bolthole, and the banks of the River Stour provide glorious al fresco dining throughout the summer months.

Top review

Denise

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely meal for 4 of us with great service from staff who were attentive to our needs and friendly Highly recommend

Trio

4.6

4.6 (20)

£26 to £40

Italian

Saffron Walden

About the restaurant

At our restaurant, we believe that dining is more than just a meal—it's an experience that brings people together. Our ethos is built on the foundation of family, community, and shared moments.
We understand that family doesn't have to be defined by blood; it includes friends, partners, and anyone with whom we share a special bond.

We are committed to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Our menu is crafted with love and care, featuring dishes that reflect our passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients and authentic flavors. Each plate served is a testament to our dedication to culinary excellence and our desire to bring joy to every table.

Top review

Roger

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent service quality food good atmosphere staff ere exceptional

The Red Lion - Margaretting

4.6

4.6 (31)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Margaretting

About the restaurant

Indulge in a culinary journey as you step into our warm and inviting gastro pub. Here, we pride ourselves on offering an impressive steakhouse-style menu that is sure to tantalise your taste buds. We are dedicated to sourcing the very best produce we can find, with all of our prime steak and beef supplied by our locally sourced suppliers.
Under the skilled craftsmanship of our head chef, Lukasz Kot, every dish is a masterpiece waiting to be savoured. From perfectly grilled steaks to an array of tantalising fish and European-inspired creations, there's something to delight every palate.
But it's not just about the food at The Red Lion; it's about the experience. Relax in our cozy yet stylish surroundings, where the ambiance is as inviting as the menu. Whether you're enjoying a hearty meal with friends, sipping on a fine wine by the fireplace, or soaking up the sun in our charming outdoor seating area, you'll feel right at home.

Top review

Claire

Dined 5 days ago

A nice friendly atmosphere in a traditional venue& would recommend to small or large groups

The Swan Inn Felsted

4.5

4.5 (70)

£26 to £40

Italian

Felsted

About the restaurant

Discover a haven of flavours and ambiance at The Swan Inn, a charming gastro pub nestled in the heart of Felsted, Essex.

For those seeking an embrace of comfort and authenticity, The Italian Kitchen awaits. Guided by the hands of Chef Nino, every bite echoes the streets and homes of Italy. Whether it's the comforting touch of pizza, the allure of pasta, the charm of tapas, or the timeless notes of traditional Italian fare, Nino brings Italy to you. And with And with our full restaurant and alfresco seating, let Felsted feel a touch more Mediterranean.

If Sunday means gathering with loved ones over a hearty meal, The Sunday Roast is where you belong. Crafted by Chef Nino, our roast is a celebration of timeless British flavors, featuring tender cuts, golden potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and traditional, rich, savory gravies—all served with the warmth and care of a family feast. Proud to make Sunday in Felsted feel just a bit more special.

Top review

Janet

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Very good food and enjoyable company. Minor complaint was loud noise from another table of diners!!

Dusty Miller

4.2

4.2 (128)

£25 and under

British

Harlow

About the restaurant

Lukasz Szumski’s culinary career began early at the age of 18, as a chef in the Chicago Rib Shack, Obica Mozzarella Bar and other great brands, Lukasz sought opportunities to develop his creativity

Lukasz Szumski has developed his culinary techniques with a passion for locally sourced products. In 2022, Lukasz established The Dusty Miller restaurant, where he elevated the restaurant to its current state and continued to update the menu every week. Everyone has something to treat themselves.

The Dusty Miller Gastropub menu has a lot of options for everyone for gluten-free, vegan or meaty options.

Top review

Les

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Excellent food, great value on Groupon Deal. Will revisit

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