FROM cosy cafes and family run restaurants, to buzzing bars and fine dining favourites, north and mid-Essex is full of top eateries attracting diners everywhere.
Tripadvisor holds the records for the most highly reviewed spots which consistently impress with their food, service and atmosphere.
Whether you’re planning a special meal or looking for somewhere new to try, this list is your go-to guide to the dining destinations people can’t stop recommending.
According to the reviews, here are the top 20 places to grab a bite in north and mid-Essex.
1.Gardeners
Based in Chelmsford, this relaxed, friendly watering hole is perfect to enjoy classic pub favourites in a cosy environment.
2.Grange
This countryside pub is nestled amid beautiful Essex surroundings in Boreham, with the stone-built pub as handsome inside as it is out.
3.Mrs Salisbury’s
While the franchise has several cafes in Essex, the particular tearooms in Maldon and Wickham Bishops are among the most highly reviewed eateries in Essex.
Read more: Maldon: What we thought of Mrs Salisbury's Tea Room | Maldon and Burnham Standard
4.The Hub Farm Shop and Light Bites
Rated the top restaurant in Chelmsford on Tripadvisor, reviews rave about the farm shops Cicchettis, home made cakes, coffee and speciality teas.
5.Maharani Indian Restaurant
The top restaurant in Colchester, Maharani is a celebration of flavours, influences and recipes from across India with a menu full of nostalgia and closely guarded Indian family recipes.
Read more: We tried one of the best Indian take-aways in Colchester | Gazette
6.Great Baddow Barn
Offering charm and family hospitality, kids will adore the outdoor play area while parents enjoy classic pub dishes from the Hungry Horse menu.
7.Fete Grays Yard
This relaxed eatery serving brunch, lunch and weekend small plates in Chelmsford welcomes everyone, even the dog.
8.Steam on Sea
Located at Clacton Station and rated the town’s top restaurant, Steam cafes are enjoyed in Colchester, Wivenhoe, and Braintree, as well as several venues in Suffolk.
9.Lambard’s Salt House
At this eatery in Harwich, the finest locally caught fish and the best possible provenance for meat, salted and cooked over flame, is on the menu.
Read more: Review of Harwich Lambards Salt House fine dining | Harwich and Manningtree Standard
10.Taste of Italy Pizza Bar
A winner of the Best Independent Pizza Restaurant in the UK multiple times over at the PAPA (Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Industry) Awards, this Chelmsford restaurant makes fresh dough on site every day using locally sourced fresh veg.
11.The King’s Head
Rounding out the top 15 best rated eateries in the whole of Essex, the family-run pub and restaurant in Pebmarsh, Halstead boasts a traditional country bar with an open fire and delightful outdoor seating for warmer weather.
Read more: Review: Halstead pub serves up tasty dish from new 2025 menu | Halstead Gazette
12.Duke of Wellington
Cosy, charming, and leaving reviewers satisfied, this welcoming pub is at the heart of Hatfield Peverel just off the A12 and is perfect for relaxed visits with friends and family.
Read more: Essex pub is a must-visit with delicious food and cosy space | Braintree and Witham Times
13.The Flyer
The Flyer in Chelmsford fires up the grill to cook pub favourites to perfection, including succulent steaks, stacked burgers, juicy gammon and hearty beef ribs.
14.Broadwalk Bar and Grill
Offering live sports, an augmented reality darts system, shuffleboard and pool tables, this Clacton Pier eatery is a place where great food and good times meet.
Read more: I tried fish and chips at Clacton’s favourite seafront pub | Clacton and Frinton Gazette
15.The Dog and Pheasant
The top rated bar and pub in Colchester, the cosy, traditional pub is also a community hub with live music, performances and Sunday roasts.
Read more: Review of the refurbished Dog and Pheasant pub in Colchester | Gazette
16.Raj Indian Ocean
Southminster’s authentic, traditional, original Indian restaurant next to the picturesque River Blackwater offers a fresh menu for 2026, with standout items like the keema naan and the lamb shashlik bhuna.
17.The Rayleigh Arms
A beautifully renovated Georgian pub, this family run business in a quiet village offers a modern British gastro experience with a focus on British pub tradition, using fresh seasonal ingredients and working with local suppliers – and leaving reviewers raving about its Sunday roasts.
Read more: Rayleigh Arms in Essex does the 'perfect Sunday roast' | Braintree and Witham Times
18.Timbers
Set in a gorgeous 400-year-old timber framed building in the centre of Colchester, this eatery is known for its famous breakfasts – using locally sourced ingredients and a local farm’s free range eggs – and home made versions of the classics.
Read more: Timbers in Colchester really does serve the best breakfasts | Gazette
19.Weavers
Hailed as one of Braintree and Bocking’s ‘best kept secrets’, Weavers Restaurant in Bocking Village Club offers high quality, freshly cooked food in comfortable and relaxed surroundings.
Read more: We tried Braintree's number 1 restaurant on Tripadvisor | Braintree and Witham Times
20.AKA Restaurant and Lounge
All the dishes at this Asian fusion restaurant – one of Witham’s favourites – are filled with flavour, while diners enjoy a welcoming bar area and a choice of beautifully designed restaurant areas.
