Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Alec's Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (149)

£41 and over

Seafood

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Alec’s Restaurant opened in 2010 and has established itself as one of Essex’s leading fish Restaurants. Alec’s prides itself on quality ingredients and exceptional service.
Unwind with a premium bottle of wine or signature cocktail in the comfortable lounge before taking a seat in the elegant main dining room, which can accommodate 120 guests.
Roaring fires in the winter and a delightful outdoor dining area in the summer, only enhance the elegant building.
The menu at Alec’s Restaurant is traditionally British and sets out to provide simple, quality fresh food. Although predominantly a seafood restaurant serving the finest fish and shellfish, mouth-watering meat dishes add to this impressive menu.
We are proud to follow the MSC code of conduct for sustainably sourced seafood. Plus, all seafood and fish are wild and ‘day boat caught’ from across Britain.
Please note that this restaurant operates a strict policy of no children under 12 years, and a smart casual dress code.

Top review

Karen

Dined on 9 Aug 2026

Wonderful service the ladies were excellent Felt very welcome from start to finish

GABS

4.9

4.9 (51)

£25 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Leigh-on-Sea

About the restaurant

Gabs Grazing was founded in 2024 by the owner Gabbie. 22 at the time, she took the plunge and launched a mobile catering business, Gabs Grazing. After a successful first year, Gabs Grazing expanded to a shopfront - GABS located in Leigh On Sea, to book a table at GABS please do so through reservations.

Top review

CATHERINE

Dined 3 days ago

Very enjoyable. Good atmosphere. Its not for a blow out meal, it's sharing platers and small plates which was perfect.

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Sunset Yoga & Breakfast - November

STARK

4.8

4.8 (177)

£41 and over

Modern European

Colchester

About the restaurant

Stark is located in East Mersea, Essex and is owned and run by Ben and Sophie Crittenden, who opened their first site in Broadstairs back in December 2016 with the aim of securing a better work/life balance and enabling Ben to enjoy more time with their three young children, Ivy, Rosa and Arlo. Before relocating to Mersea Island, Stark was the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Thanet and one of five in the whole of Kent.

At Stark, only one, set tasting menu is served with no options or alternatives available. Because of this, Stark is unable to cater for any allergies or dietary requirements, for any reason as all guests eat the exact same meal each night. Ben creates a menu from high quality, seasonal ingredients, using his creativity and passion to create delicious food and provide a unique and exciting eating experience for customers.

Stark is a very intimate, relaxed restaurant, whose only demand of you is that you sit back, trust us with your dinner and enjoy the experience.

Top review

james

Dined on 16 Oct 2026

Sensational food and wine pairings were spot on. Friendly and efficient but unobtrusive service made for a wonderful evening. A real foodie treat.

Aspera Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (422)

£25 and under

Mediterranean

Benfleet

About the restaurant

Welcome to ASPERA Restaurant
Aspera offers you the warmest Mediterranean welcome since 2016. We want you to feel at home with us, take your time to enjoy the finest Mediterranean-style cuisines cooked freshly using locally sourced ingredients. Mediterranean cuisine is the food from the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and its preparation and we thrive in bringing this richness to our dishes using only fresh, wholesome ingredients and traditional mix of spices.

Top review

Ray

Dined 6 days ago

We were all very pleased with our lovely food and the service

Medusa

4.9

4.9 (832)

£26 to £40

Mediterranean

Southend-on-Sea

About the restaurant

Welcome to Medusa — a vibrant destination where the spirit of the Mediterranean comes alive in every bite. Our warm, inviting atmosphere is perfect for everything from relaxed dinners with friends to memorable evenings out. At Medusa, each dish is a celebration of bold flavours, rich traditions, and the joy of sharing great food. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience inspired by the heart of the Mediterranean.

Top review

Jeannine

Dined 4 days ago

Another excellent meal with great service. Steaks were cooked to perfection, and the chips were chunky, and delicious! Great Tiramisu to finish off with too. Good value and great food. Can thoroughly recommend Medusa and have already booked to return.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

4.8

4.8 (3279)

£41 and over

Afternoon Tea

Leigh-on-Sea

About the restaurant

Here at Mad Dogs & Englishmen we have become renowned for our themed Afternoon Tea’s and wonderful cocktails. Enjoy the eclectic surroundings of this unique venue. We offer an immersive experience, a feast for the eyes and the taste buds! The Parlour Tea Room at Mad Dogs and Englishmen provides a vintage setting to enjoy Afternoon tea. We’ve become renowned for our themed teas which offer an unforgettable experience. The Botanical Rooms is upstairs and hosts our cocktail bar and also hosts our themed afternoon teas.

EVENTS

THE PARLOUR TEAROOM seatings at 12, 2.30 & 5 pm
18/04 - 12/07 Cabaret Rouge Parisienne
18/07 - 01/11 Beauty & the Beast
07/11 - 03/01 A Frozen Afternoon Tea

BOTANICAL ROOMS seatings at 12.30 & 3pm
24/04 - 30/08 The Little Mermaid
05/09 - 08/11 Neverland
14/11 - 03/01 Alice in a Winter Wonderland

Upgrade to the VIP table for up to 4 guests for £10pp

Please ensure you select the correct time, venue and event when booking.

Top review

Justine

Dined 3 days ago

Its such a great venue they go above and beyond to make you feel like your in the book/film ect, staff are alway friendly and helpful, And the food is always amazing and well thought out! Totally great experience. Looking forward to our next visit!

La Dolce Vita

4.9

4.9 (28)

£26 to £40

Italian

Billericay

About the restaurant

At La Dolce Vita, we invite you to slow down and savour the moment. From the first pour of a bold Italian red to the final spoonful of tiramisu, we bring the authentic spirit of the Mediterranean to Billericay High Street. Whether it’s an intimate midweek dinner or a landmark weekend celebration, experience an atmosphere of refined elegance and a welcome that feels like coming home.

Top review

Joanne

Dined 3 days ago

First time at this restaurant and it was lovely. The food and service were both very good. I had the asparagus risotto, profiteroles and Prosecco. It was reasonably priced and the profiteroles were particularly scrumptious! I will definitely be going back.

Black Rock Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (798)

£26 to £40

Steak

Clacton-on-Sea

About the restaurant

Welcome to Black Rock, where quality ingredients and great service come together. We offer a distinctive dining experience in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere centered around exceptional food.

Our signature Steak on the Stone puts you in complete control of your meal, allowing you to sear every bite to your exact liking right at your table. This keeps every piece piping hot and packed with natural flavour from start to finish.

Beyond our prime cuts, our menu features fresh seafood, pasta, gourmet burgers, and hearty vegetarian options. We take pride in preparing our dishes from scratch using quality, locally sourced ingredients to deliver incredible freshness in every plate.

Top review

Lucy

Dined 2 days ago

We dine here as a family all the time and they are always polite and good is wonderful.

Sévine Brasserie & Bar

4.7

4.7 (354)

£25 and under

Mediterranean

Harlow

About the restaurant

Treat yourself to a culinary adventure at our delightful restaurant, where we offer a fusion of Mediterranean cuisine. We are pleased to accommodate group bookings and look forward to welcoming you.

Our restaurant is conveniently located in Harlow within the Water Gardens. Whether you’re joining us for brunch, lunch or dinner, book a table now and experience a wonderful dining experience with us.

Top review

Nadia

Dined 2 days ago

As always a pleasure. Great team, great food and always nice to come back.

Angel

4.8

4.8 (274)

£25 and under

Pub

Braintree

About the restaurant

The Angel is a rejuvenated, historical pub nestled in the quaint village of Kelvedon, on the suburbs of Essex. With rustic country charm through the interiors, there are plenty of cosy or lively spots to sit back and enjoy alongside great company. Situated on the doorstep of the high street, The Angel is perfectly located for both locals and passing city goers. This Colchester treasure provides the neighbourhood with a hub of friendly faces and warm welcomes. With direct links to London's Liverpool Street Station, it's a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Top review

Paul

Dined 3 days ago

Although not living locally, we frequently visit the Angel for lunch when visiting relatives who live in the area. The team are friendly and attentive, the food is excellent and the menu is varied.

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Experience

Festive Set Menu - £33.95pp (£10pp deposit)

Experience

Sharing plates (£10pp deposit)

Experience

3 Course Christmas Day Menu -£95pp(£25pp deposit)

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