Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the most booked restaurants in Essex? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location 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!

Kara Lounge & Grill

4.7

4.7 (1209)

£25 and under

Turkish

Grays

About the restaurant

We are proud to serve you one of the healthiest and most well-balanced Turkish and Mediterranean food in Essex.

Our dishes are prepared freshly upon order, using authentic recipes, traditional cooking methods with finest ingredients.

Our focus is to provide the highest quality of service available.

Top review

Anita

Dined 5 days ago

First time at the Kara would definitely recommend it. There was 4 of us and all our meals were perfect staff friendly and helpful didn’t wait long for our meals, will definitely come back again.

Smiths Restaurant Ongar

4.8

4.8 (4828)

£41 and over

Seafood

Ongar

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 3 days ago

We had a lovely dinner at Smiths. The food was delicious and the restaurant catered well for dietary requirements (coeliac & dairy free). The fresh homemade gluten free bread was one of the best I’ve tasted and was a lovely touch. The Parma Ham, fig & walnut salad was my favourite, followed by the Dover sole. The restaurant had a young group of waiting staff who provided exceptional service. The service was absolutely faultless and of a high standard. Staff were welcoming, friendly and had a good sense of humour. Despite arriving later than planned, staff were incredibly accommodating. I would highly recommend Smiths and look forward to dining here again in the future.

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Popular dish

Brixham Dover Sole

Lot Bar & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1367)

£26 to £40

Contemporary European

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Lot Bar and Restaurant is a family run business offering freshly prepared food from 8am until 10pm daily. Whether you are looking for an informal breakfast or light lunch with friends or a 3 course celebration dinner in the evening or simply a drink in the bar after work, we have the best to offer locally.
We at Lot Bar and Restaurant take pride the quality of our ingredients, the high standard of presentation and excellent service. A seasonally changing breakfast and lunch menu offers everything you could want from a kitchen and our evening A la carte menu includes restaurant favourites as well as daily changing specials. On Sunday afternoons we offer the best Roast available. Our wine list, available from 11am, is curated by us to include the faithful, the unusual and the interesting.

Top review

Amanda

Dined 3 days ago

Haven't been to Lot for years. Very pleasantly surprised and will definitely be a much more frequent visitor.

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Popular dish

Paella

Côte Brasserie - Chelmsford

4.5

4.5 (60)

£25 and under

French

Chelmsford

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Simon

Dined 6 days ago

Had a lovely pre-Christmas meal here. We were really well looked after, with great food and excellent service!

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Experience

New Year's Eve Set Menu

Experience

Festive three-course Set Menu

The Eyna

4.7

4.7 (805)

£26 to £40

Turkish

Basildon

About the restaurant

The Eyna is a new, refreshing, traditional Turkish cuisine coming to the heart of Basildon. With a open-plan dining experience, open kitchen & central bar, we're sure this will be your perfect location for all types of events or casual dining.

Top review

Carly

Dined 3 days ago

Been twice now and had the best experience both times

Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Braintree

4.3

4.3 (811)

£25 and under

British

Braintree

About the restaurant

Our restaurant is located in the heart of Braintree's busy shopping area, handy for taking a break any time of day. From booths to larger sharing tables, we're open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.

Top review

Gill

Dined 4 days ago

Staff were really friendly and the food was tasty and good value

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Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Colchester

4.6

4.6 (645)

£25 and under

British

Colchester

About the restaurant

Whether it's a bite to eat after a morning at Colchester Castle or private dining for 28 people (can we come?), we've got a spot for you. Find us where West Stockwell Street meets the High Street, or just follow the sound of people having a good time.

Top review

Nick

Dined today

First class, the food was piping hot, which compared to some other restaurants was good news. Breakfast was very nice and could not complain about anything. The staff were as usual friendly and polite. My family go there every boxing day.

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Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Chelmsford

4.2

4.2 (848)

£25 and under

British

Chelmsford

About the restaurant

Bill's Chelmsford restaurant sits in the heart of town and provides a welcome escape from shopping. Come in for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. From cosy booths to sharing tables, there's something for everyone.

Top review

Sally

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

Very good service at Bills today all staff members were polite and considerate l came here for a meet up with 2 friends before Christmas all servers were very polite and we were asked if our food was okay food was presented well overall a nice place to come service was also very good also we weren't rushed

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Mad Dogs & Englishmen

4.8

4.8 (2829)

£26 to £40

Afternoon Tea

Leigh-On-Sea

About the restaurant

Here at Mad Dogs & Englishmen we have become renowned for our themed Afternoon Tea’s and wonderful cocktails. Enjoy the eclectic surroundings of this unique venue. We offer an immersive experience, a feast for the eyes and the taste buds!
The Parlour Tea Room at Mad Dogs and Englishmen provides a vintage setting to enjoy Afternoon tea. We’ve become renowned for our themed teas which offer an unforgettable experience.
The Botanical Rooms is upstairs and hosts our cocktail bar and also hosts our themed afternoon teas.

EVENTS

THE PARLOUR TEAROOM seatings at 12, 2.30 & 5 pm

Running till 5/1/25 - THE NUTCRACKER
17/1/25 - 28/3/2025 - DIAMOND OF THE SEASON

THE BOTANICAL ROOMS (upstairs) seatings at 12.30 & 3pm

Running till 5/1/25 - A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS
17/1/25 - 28/3/2025 - SNOW WHITE

Please ensure you select the correct time, venue and event when booking.

Top review

Katie

Dined 3 days ago

This place is amazing I cannot fault it at all. The food,the decor ,the staff and cocktails are out of this world and well worth the money you will not regret going.

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Experience

The Nutcracker - Weekends £55pp (£15pp deposit)

Experience

VIP The Nutcracker Weekdays £55pp (£15pp deposit)

Experience

The Nutcracker - Weekdays £50pp (£15pp deposit)

Banquet Chinese

4.6

4.6 (1657)

£26 to £40

Cantonese

Colchester

About the restaurant

Please not that on NYE dinner only set menus will be available.

Banquet Chinese is a restaurant and venue unlike any other found in Colchester or North Essex today. This is Chinese food the way it is meant to be experienced! Our mouth-watering dishes are cooked to perfection by award-winning chefs using only the freshest and finest ingredients.

The interior has been carefully chosen and imported from China to create a genuine and sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy your lunch or evening meal, perhaps together with a bottle of wine from the well rounded wine list supplied by Liberty Wines.

Please take some time to familiarise yourself with Banquet Chinese here on our website. Have a look at our menus and wine lists. Read about Dim Sum, the delicious little dishes perfect as starters or as a light and sophisticated lunch time meal. Polite notice: Parties of 10 or more guests will be required to choose from one of our dedicated set menus.

Top review

Cheryll

Dined 5 days ago

This in my opinion is the best Chinese restaurant ever. Staff are very attentive and extremely friendly. The restaurant is nicely decorated and well laid out. The food is amazing and they also allow you to switch items on their set menus which is great. I go here with my partner and also family and friends. Every body we take there has always had a wonderful experience

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