British, Modern Restaurants in Chelmsford
1. The Square and Compasses
British, Traditional restaurant in Fairstead
Fuller Street - CM3
“Reliable British dishes with a supporting cast of the usual pub grub suspects” inspire continued high ratings from fans of this 17th-century village inn, which is a stop-off point on the Essex Way long-distance footpath.
2. The Windmill Chatham Green
British, Modern restaurant in Little Waltham
Chatham Green - CM3
Tom Clarke, ex-of Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir, and L’Ortolan in Reading (where he met partner Nancy Witte), is behind this “unique, intimate and personable restaurant” in a “beautiful setting situated in the small hamlet of Chatham Green”. A diminutive pub with a distinct dining area, the venue turns out “decorative plates that are full of flavour”, including a tasting menu which “takes you on a gastronomical journey where every mouthful is a joy”.
3. Pig & Whistle Restaurant
British, Modern restaurant in Chelmsford
Chignal Road, Chignal Smealy - CM1
2024 Review: In a village a short drive outside Chelmsford, this converted sixteenth-century pub has fine countryside views and provides a traditionally comfortable destination, complete with linen tablecloths, candles and cut glass. It wins good all-round feedback (if not a huge volume of reviews) and its modern brasserie fare (with steak, beef Wellington and cote de boeuf to share a highlight) helps it regularly feature in Essex food awards. (Owners Brendan Curran & Justin Mullender are also known for the quality of their put-downs on Tripadvisor!)
4. The Cuckoo
British, Modern restaurant in Radley Green
2023 Review: “A good-to-find culinary outpost in an area with few interesting eating spots” – this “welcoming” gastropub is well worth remembering: “a steady hand in the kitchen meets good ingredients, and if food and wine both tread a relatively safe path, it’s no less enjoyable for that”.
5. The Magic Mushroom
British, Modern restaurant in Billericay
Barleylands Road - CM11
2022 Review: Darren Bennett’s stalwart, serving up creative modern British cooking (including a well-regarded afternoon tea) “continues to be reliable in all respects”, whether you stop to take advantage of the set menus or its popular side act as a wedding and events venue.
6. Smith’s Brasserie
British, Modern restaurant in Ongar
Fyfield Rd - CM5
“A favourite restaurant of all time!” – this “very consistent” Essex institution first opened in 1958 and its performance over many years has earnt it a special place in the hearts of its dedicated fan club (which includes Rod Stewart, the Beckhams and other TOWIE notables). “The food is always to a very high standard with the best seafood” – “it can feel very crowded but the fish is always well cooked”.
7. The Hoop
British, Modern restaurant in Stock
High Street - CM4
2024 Review: This “lovely old Essex pub” with a white wooden facade serves food that is “well above average for pub grub” – and its popularity means it “gets overcrowded and noisy” at times. Originally three weavers’ cottages from 1460, the building was converted two centuries later using beams salvaged from naval vessels docked at Tilbury. Top Menu Tip – “the skate wing is delicious”.
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