Best - 13 Essex restaurants have been named among the best in the 2026 guide across the UK (Image: Stark)
The TOP 100 restaurants across the UK according to the Harden's national diners poll has been revealed.
Although no restaurant in Essex was named in the top 100, three were deemed outstanding and a further 13 were recognised across the county.
Kintsu and Stark in Colchester were given outstanding as well as Food Leigh on Sea.
Despite them not being featured in the top 100, they will still be featured in the wider guide of the Harden's best UK restaurants 2026.
The book includes independent and unbiased reviews of 3,000 restaurants.
The 13 Essex restaurants named
- The Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill
- The Company Shed, West Mersea
- Food Leigh on Sea, Leigh-on-Sea (Outstanding)
- Galvin Green Man, Great Waltham
- Kintsu, Colchester (Outstanding)
- The Mistley Thorn Restaurant and Rooms, Mistley
- Moto Pizza, Chelmsford
- Smith’s Brasserie, Ongar
- The Square and Compasses, Fairstead
- Stark, Colchester (Outstanding)
- The Sun Inn, Dedham
- Le Talbooth, Dedham
- The Windmill Chatham Green, Little Waltham
The best in the country
- Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall in West Lancashire beat Simon Rogan and Alain Roux to the top spot.
- The North West is the region with the most top 100 entries outside of London (with 12 restaurants making the list).
- Edinburgh is the city with the most top 100 restaurants outside of London, closely followed by Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham.
- High number of new openings going straight into the top 100 suggests the quality of restaurant openings is better than ever.
To find out more, visit Harden's | Top 100 Best London & UK Restaurants.
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