Diners' Choice: Gluten-free-friendly 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 (150)

£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

Natasha

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous food. Fantastic service . Overall an incredible dining experience

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.

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

The Green Man at Lindsell

4.8

4.8 (241)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Great Dunmow

About the restaurant

Welcome back to the Green Man at Lindsell. Now currently under new management and direction!

In our cosy bar we have retained the buildings original features and given it a fresh contemporary edge where we welcome both drinkers and diners alike and our tables are available on a ‘first come’ basis offering an extensive range of dishes from salads, sharing planks to wholesome pub classics.

Our 70 seat a la carte restaurant to the rear of the property is also not to be missed, with crisp white linen, delicious food and an extensive wine list making it the ideal place for lunch, dinner or any other special occasions. Bookings are welcome and recommended. Please visit our website for restaurant opening hours.

We also have a large terrace area and extensive garden to dine alfresco or enjoy a champagne cocktail. We welcome families and have plenty of area for children to play. So come on in and take a look around and we hope to see you soon!

Top review

Russell

Dined on 9 Oct 2026

Amazing food and service - menu is always changing. Wine selection also excellent

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.

Trio

4.7

4.7 (188)

£26 to £40

Italian

Saffron Walden

About the restaurant

We offer seating across two floors, and you are welcome to request either upstairs or downstairs seating when making your reservation. However, please note that during busy periods, we may not always be able to guarantee your preferred seating choice. If you have any accessibility or mobility concerns, kindly mention them in your booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Thank you for your understanding!

Top review

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service, friendly and relaxing atmosphere

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Popular dish

Lasagne

The Bull Brentwood

4.6

4.6 (2160)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Bull Brentwood, a warm, comfortable & friendly, family run gastro style pub. Our passion is to serve delicious homemade food using the finest ingredients, including rare breed meats and locally sourced produce. On the menu you can expect seasonally changing hearty food along with weekly specials plus the added bonus of a great wine list and friendly staff. We have an a la carte menu in our restaurant area and a bar menu if you fancy something lighter. On a Sunday we offer the A La Carte menu along with a our delicious Sunday roast menu. As well as our beautifully decorated restaurant we have a comfortable lounge bar area and an extensive garden with a children's play area. Both of these area's can also be used to relax, mingle & enjoy a meal or just a drink if you prefer...

Top review

Daniel

Dined 2 days ago

Very nice place to eat, sensible pricing and excellent service from the young ladies that served us. The food was good as always. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

La Petite Petanque

4.6

4.6 (151)

£25 and under

British

Southend-on-Sea

About the restaurant

Online bookings for diners only. For drinks and cakes please call to book a table or walk in. A Beautiful Restaurant in the perfect setting
Open every day with three dining areas, including terrace seating
Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Evening Dining Events.
For Afternoon Tea please call the restaurant to book and pay deposit, 48 hours notice required.

Top review

Susan

Dined 2 days ago

As always the welcome was amazing. Just like home from home. Nothing was too much trouble; food excellent and didnt feel rushed at all

Flitch of Bacon - Family Pub & Rooms, Dunmow

4.3

4.3 (58)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Felsted

About the restaurant

We have poured our hearts into restoring and preparing The Flitch of Bacon Gastropub in Little Dunmow, and we are so excited to finally share it with you. Whether you're joining us for a drink or a meal, we look forward to creating wonderful memories together.

With our warmest thanks and excitement,

Matthew, Christine, and The Flitch of Bacon Team x

Top review

Sandra

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Went with friends. Lovely warm and cosy atmosphere. Food was excellent and the service was great.

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Experience

Boxing Day Fish Spectacular

Experience

Christmas Day at The Flitch of Bacon

Experience

New Years Eve at The Flitch

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