Food and Drink

Savour the luscious flavours of the land and the sea

It’s hard to describe a taste, but easy to understand the rapture of a taste sensation. Essex offers an exhaustive variety of culinary pleasures – from scrumptious food on the go to lavish dining at award-winning restaurants. 

With around 70% of the terrain devoted to agriculture, it’s not surprising that Essex plates are brimming with vivid flavours and farm-fresh produce. Our vast range of top-notch restaurants and bars harness the vibrant aromas of this and other lands, cooked to perfection by multinational chefs (some quite famous!), and sizzling with authenticity. With prices to suit everyone.

Discover the coast with the most. The county’s 350-mile coastline harbours tons of foodie havens that serve up sumptuous seafood dishes. Whether you want to tuck into cod and chips on the pier, world-famous oysters on the waterfront, or the delightful Rossi’s ice-cream as the perfect dessert, we offer an ocean of sublime dining experiences that are guaranteed to make your mouth water.

But don’t just take our word for Essex’s fabulous eateries – flick through the Michelin guide and among the highlights are the Galvin Green Man serving the best of British in Howe Street, the Cricketers in Clavering with its sensuous Mediterranean cuisine and the Sun Inn in Dedham for its Italian charms. Or you and friends or colleagues may want to hone your own skills in the kitchen – The Mistley Kitchen near Manningtree and The Cookery School at Braxted Park are great places for budding chefs to raise their game.

Of course, you may just want a yummy snack to fill the gap. Whether you are in a bustling deli as the day picks up pace, or enjoying afternoon tea in an impossibly quaint village – prepare to enter a world of wicked savoury nibbles, homemade jams (including the internationally renowned Tiptree), and freshly baked treasures to die for. Like another luxurious dollop of fresh cream on that?

And what better way to wash down your food than a genuine drop of Essex? If roaring fires in cosy pubs or refreshing drinks in a beer garden isn’t enough, how about lounging among the vines with a chilled glass of wine? With a heritage of winemaking since Roman times, over 20 vineyards across the county can give you an exhilarating taste of the grape – many of them award winning. Or you may want to try the crisp and invigorating aromas of the many micro-breweries. Or the distinctive notes of the region’s distilleries. 

Whatever your tipple, whatever your taste, from old school eateries to shiny chrome palaces, you’ll find the perfect family-friendly spot in Essex to satisfy all appetites – and served with a smile wherever you go.