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  5. Ongar

Smiths Restaurant Ongar

4.8
4.8
2790 reviews
£41 and over
Seafood
Top tags:
Priding ourselves on our motto ‘Famous for fish’ Smiths Restaurants is a name that has become synonymous with fine dining and quality, attentive service. Our restaurants are located in Ongar Essex (just off the A414) and Wapping in central London (near Tower Bridge). Both restaurants boast an extensive menu of fresh fish that we offer to cook in a variety of ways to suit every palette. We also offer locally sourced meat dishes to accommodate those who prefer their food terra firma. To compliment the quality of our food we have worked closely with well renowned independent wine merchants to ensure we have a selection of wines that are the perfect accompaniment to every meal. The only problem you may have a Smith’s is being spoilt for choice.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 46 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Seafood

  • Hours of Operation

    Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–4:30 pm Sat 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–7:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 6:30 pm–11:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:45 pm–12:30 am

  • Phone number

    01277 365578

  • Website

    http://smithsrestaurants.com/

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Smart Casual

  • Private party facilities

    The Smith’s unique private dining experience is the perfect choice for your special occasion. Our stunning private bar is suitable for both seated dinners for up to 20 guests round one table where you will be looked after by your own personal waiter or up to 28 people on seperate tables.

  • Private party contact

    admin@smithsofongar.co.uk: 01277 365875

Popular dishes

What 2,790 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Energetic

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Essex

    Best Overall

  • Essex

    Best Food

  • Essex

    Best Service

  • Essex

    Best Ambience

  • Essex

    Special Occasions

  • Essex

    Most Booked

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  1. MR

    MichelleR

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Each dining experience we have had at Smiths of Ongar has always been an absolute treat. Staff and food always amazing.
  2. JW

    JohnW

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very efficient service. Not rushed but there was no waiting between courses. Food of a high standard and reasonably priced. A little noisy but to be expected at a good restaurant. Few parties going on.
  3. C

    Cloudman

    Frankfurt

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food as always - fabulous Sunday Lunch - highly recommend.
  4. MH

    MaggiefromHatfieldBroado

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was delicious, good size portions. The service was excellent and the staff were friendly. A really lovely evening.
  5. MM

    MMEpping

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food3service5ambience4
    Very nice evening, the food was nicely presented, the staff were extremely pleasant and the menu is extensive. Thought it was a tad pricey for what we had, but that said theres no noisy kids and I would definitely go back.
  6. J

    Jamesg

    Hertfordshire

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    2nd time I've visited smiths and will be a regular from now on , they have always accommodated my request with extra touches for birthday celebrations, excellent food with matching service with a smile ☺
  7. JC

    JohanneC

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful atmosphere, food was lovely and good value for money. Staff very attentive without being too in your face
  8. MW

    MelanieW

    Essex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a lovely evening for our anniversary and belated anniversary for my parents. The service and food were perfect. We will return as soon as we can. thank you
  9. CB

    ChristopherB

    Essex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just simply gorgeous well presented plates of delicious food and fantastic service
  10. GM

    GrahamM

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The best fish restaurant we have ever been to . Well trained staff excellent food
  11. CM

    CMSMITH

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really enjoyed a meal at Smith’s to celebrate a special anniversary. Food was very tasty and service was excellent. Every restaurant feels expensive these days, but it was worth a little extra in this restaurant to have such a special night.
  12. JC

    JulieC

    Essex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service & food was excellent would highly recommend restaurant to all my family & friends
  13. EC

    EllisC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely place, food was tasty and service was very quick. Would definitely go back.
  14. SW

    SteveW

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    outstanding food and service. great atmosphere and makes every occasion special. Very friendly and efficient staff.
  15. JM

    JohnM

    London

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Not a thing could be faulted. If you g on a budget and want that bit of value, stick to the set menu, if you want the world and everything glorious in it, go al la carte where the range is possibly too much, but if one can't find something one likes, have a sandwich in doors.
  16. NL

    NannaL

    Essex

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food good size portions of fish, well cooked and tasty. Sides well presented. Drinks nicely chilled. Staff friendly and helpful. One very minor point... I would have liked a poached or fried egg with my meal but kitchen said it wasn't possible. We have been before and will prob go again.
  17. v

    vhughes

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service and food is alway excellent here! I've lost count of the amount of times I have now been here and will continue to come back. My favourite restaurant!
  18. p

    pauld

    Essex

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The very best food by miles, everything perfect and fresh, the flavour and quality outstanding, however we think the cost of drinks are rediculously inflated £8 pint of “their house lager” £13 for craft gin and lemonade!! Bottle water expensive, One very small bowl olives £4!! As we mentioned service / food outstanding , pity experience tarnished by over the top drink cost!!
  19. S

    Stevie

    Essex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent dining experience, food excellent as always and then even provided a birthday dessert for my wife Was not expected as wife’s birthday was back in late June. We booked for Smiths but had to postpone twice. A lovely and thoughtful gesture.
  20. IR

    IanR

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service was excellent Can not fault anything Can not wait to go back
  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Cambridge

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved it, very nice and Kerry Katona sat opposite
  22. NM

    NigelM

    West Virginia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    The only thing I would say is that the menu for gluten free is very misleading. Unlike vegan and vegetarian who seem to get there own menus. Gluten free is 9 times out of 10 a medical issue. When you looked at the menu there were only two starters and 3 mains that were showing gluten free. None on the specials. However when you look at it this is not the case and when I enquired it was only the bread that came with it that make some dishes non gluten free and this could be replaced with gluten free bread. Why not have a gfa or even better a gluten free menu that adds these on. Believe. Me it is a bigger enough life change and going without many food wear a small bit of thinking would make life a little easier. Apart from that amazing as always Best regards Nigel
  23. CB

    CarolB

    Essex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I eat here regularly. Food is always excellent and good value. Staff are consistently excellent. Outside of the West End of London there really isn't anything better provide you like fish which is the whole point of visiting.
  24. T

    jeremyT

    London

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 5 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Anniversary
  25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service
  26. A

    Andrew

    Cambridge

    7 reviews

    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience1
    Service not as good as before. No smiley face.
  27. C

    Coop

    Essex

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Lovely lunch time selection, great value. Very friendly and helpful staff.
  28. SL

    SaraLou

    Hertfordshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was amazing as always and great service.
  29. TH

    ThomasH

    Essex

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 4 August 2022

    overall2food3service3ambience3
    Service was ok but food was disappointing. Aged Parma ham and melon salad consisted of 2 tiny slivers of ham, about 6 small slices of melon and lettuce. Main dish of cod in batter was small, albeit tasty. However, chips, while crispy on the outside, were hard on the inside. Altogether an unsatisfactory meal experience, exacerbated by a bill of £120 for two set lunch meals, at £28 for two courses, suggesting that our drinks - bloody Mary, glass of mediocre Gavi di Gavi, 3 glasses of Prosecco and a bottle of sparkling water, cost £64. Not exactly what I would call value for money. The problem with restaurants like this is that they live on past reputations but their standards slip over time.
  30. DF

    DarrylsFave

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    It had been a while since our last visit and we had forgotten just how good the food and service was at Smiths. We will be going back again soon.
  31. DB

    DanB

    London

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a lovely meal at Smiths with outstanding service and food. The restaurant has a great buzz and our waitress Sophie was excellent and very attentive.
  32. l

    lulu

    Essex

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My family and I have Been coming to smiths for the last 28 years, must say it’s been my favourite restaurant, and I have tried a few, all my children have all been coming for there birthdays and now my grandson. fabulous staff! always a warm welcome, if anybody says they don’t like smiths. They must have a very good reason. 😘
  33. PT

    PeterT

    Essex

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 3 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As usual everything was excellent,the food was superb, great service and staff are the best of any restaurant we have eaten in.
  34. IJ

    IJBELL

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 2 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My 1st visit here and definitely won’t be my last. Food was amazing and the service was probably the best I’ve ever experienced. Even brought out a happy birthday dessert from my partner after I asked our lovely waitress. Would highly recommend
  35. LS

    LorettaS

    Essex

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 August 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Smiths was amazing. The staff were very professional and the food was lovely !
  36. L

    Lukey

    Essex

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 2 August 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Always very good
  37. LW

    LindaW

    Hertfordshire

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 31 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food and service if somewhat a bit noisy but it won’t put me off going again. It’s one of my favourite restaurants
  38. PI

    PhiIpR

    Essex

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 31 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Went for a celebratory birthday Sunday Lunch and had an excellent meal
  39. D

    Deluvian

    London

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 31 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent starter of dressed Brixham crab followed by a juicy lobster done with garlic butter, washed down with a delightful Chablis Premier Cru. What's not to like. All in all another superb venue. My wife enjoyed prawns done in garlic butter followed by the a rather lovely lamb rump, presented sliced on her plate. To conclude, strawberries and cream were to follow. We like to dine here about every two weeks.
  40. KM

    KatieM

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 July 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely evening at smiths, delicious food and great cocktails

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Smiths Restaurant Ongar is rated 4.8 stars by 2790 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 46 times today
Google Map for Smiths Restaurant Ongar

Fyfield Road, Ongar, Essex CM5 0AL

Additional information

  • Area

    Ongar

  • Hours of Operation

    Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–4:30 pm Sat 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–7:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 6:30 pm–11:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:45 pm–12:30 am

  • Cuisines

    Seafood

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress Code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking Details

    Private Lot

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://smithsrestaurants.com/

  • Phone number

    01277 365578

  • Private party facilities

    The Smith’s unique private dining experience is the perfect choice for your special occasion. Our stunning private bar is suitable for both seated dinners for up to 20 guests round one table where you will be looked after by your own personal waiter or up to 28 people on seperate tables.

  • Private party contact

    admin@smithsofongar.co.uk: 01277 365875

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