WHETHER you have a special someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day with or want to go out in style with friends or your own, Colchester and its surrounding areas have some brilliant places in which to mark the occasion.   

Here are the top five most romantic restaurants near Colchester according to TripAdvisor:

The Creek 


Rated number one on TripAdvisor’s list is The Creek in Great Bentley which on Valentine’s will be offering a Champagne and five-course romantic meal.

Enjoy classical British dishes with a European influence in a Grade II listed building in the family-run restaurant and bar. 

One review from January, 2024 said that “civilised and classy Caroline and Terry” had cracked the secret of fine dining with the sirloin, sea bass, and ham hock all being praised.  

The Orange Tree Tapas

Gazette: Sunny - Be transported to Spain this February at the The Orange Tree Tapas & Cocktail Bar, Wivenhoe with their much-loved paellas Sunny - Be transported to Spain this February at the The Orange Tree Tapas & Cocktail Bar, Wivenhoe with their much-loved paellas (Image: The Orange Tree Tapas & Cocktail Bar, Wivenhoe)

Next on the list is ‘The Orange Tree Tapas’, a Spanish restaurant in Wivenhoe which also has a cocktail bar.  

Customer Jilly said she was seated at a “cosy table upstairs”, sharing a variety of tapas and a paella “better than any” she had before.

While another reviewer praised the “extensive cocktail menu” and added: “Every dish was packed full of flavour and delicious”

The Bicycle Tendring 

Gazette: Sharing - Sharing platters will be available at The Bicycle this Valentine's Day as part of their four-course menusSharing - Sharing platters will be available at The Bicycle this Valentine's Day as part of their four-course menus (Image: The Bicycle)
Enjoy a visit to the coast and a superb meal at ‘The Bicycle Tendring’.

A four-course Valentine day meal for £69.95 - or £64.95 for vegans – is on offer with three sharing platters including a dessert platter as the day “is all about sharing with the one you love so dear”.

A review from January said with the “beautiful food” and welcoming staff, they will be certainly “back again”. 

Miseria e Nobiltà 

Gazette: Wine - Enjoy a strong selection of wines at the Miseria e Nobiltà restaurantWine - Enjoy a strong selection of wines at the Miseria e Nobiltà restaurant (Image: Miseria e Nobiltà)
Situated in Queen Street near Colchester Castle, this restaurant named after a movie starring Sophia Loren offers authentic Italian cuisine including “perfectly prepared” pizzas and pasta. 

Julie, this February, said that she eats there “every week” due to the excellent selection of Italian foods, wines, and staff "who are always pleased to see you".

While another reviewer in January also said the separate vegan menu “was the cherry on top”.

The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie

Gazette: Fusion - Enjoy the history of the 'Old Siege' bar and its contemporary cuisineFusion - Enjoy the history of the 'Old Siege' bar and its contemporary cuisine (Image: The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie)

‘The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie’ is an elegant and contemporary restaurant with two Valentine’s Day menu options  -  two courses for £26.95 or three courses for £33.90

Pan seared minute steak, pork and pistachio terrine, and vegetarian and vegan options are available. 

Reviewer Sue praised the very spacious and relaxing restaurant during her excellent lunch and said: “An added bonus is the amazing historic surroundings”.

For the full list of romantic restaurants near Colchester according to TripAdvisor please visit here.