Bucatini in Southend-on-Sea

Had a lovely meal for my birthday

Don't waste your money. I had the risotto from the specials menu and it was awful, I can only describe it as a tasteless plate of soup with processed small cubes of chicken. Very disappointing when I asked for this dish to be removed from my bill and was told no (even though I couldn't eat the dish as it was that bad).

Amazing food and friendly staff.everything is fresh .I never had that RISSOTO POLO in my live ,the dishes very good and very tested.I prefer to everyone,you can have before the show .Best food I had yesterday…

Very good price and delicious food. 😋👍👍

Best PIZZA and best PASTA .Servis it was good very friendly, I definitely recommend to everyone one before show pre theatre.

Recommended by friends, I had a meal here with one of my friends and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I tried the Chicken Risotto from the specials board, while my friend ordered the Lasagna. They said it was the best lasagna they had ever tasted. The risotto was creamy and full of flavor. The service was fantastic, with friendly and attentive staff. For dessert, we shared the panna cotta and tiramisu, both of which were outstanding. I highly recommend this restaurant for an authentic Italian dining experience.

Wife and her mum and sister visited this evening, the food was disgraceful (risotto tasted like ketchup) and when they asked if the bill could be adjusted she's was told,no.

Food was awful. Looked like ready meals with small cubes of chicken, food tasted watery and had no flavour. Table was dirty. We got a half eaten mint with the bill at the end. I have been severely sick since.

First time there tonight, certainly won't be the last. The restaurant was packed with pre- show diners, but nevertheless the service was exemplary, the food divine and the price very reasonable..A special shout out in particular to Milly, an absolute joy and delight. A lovely place, will certainly be going again !

Went to the restaurant before a show at Cliff Pavilion. The food was tasty and the service was fast. Felt the serving team was not attentive.

A must visit if going to Cliffs Pavillion. Great food, fantastic staff and service and good value for generous portion sizes.

Excellent food , service and just overall very efficient and lovely evening. Excellent value - Thankyou x will defo struggle be back and recommend to others

Walked in without booking, although I'd advise to book. It was very busy. Service was good despite it being busy. Food we found to be mediocre at best. Prawn cocktail was shrimps and quite watery. Chicken with ham and mozzarella had no flavour at all except for oregano that was sprinkled over. It's OK for a quick bite if in rush, not the sort of place to go for a proper night out meal for special occasion.

REALLY AMAZING FOOD AND COCKTAILS.everyting is fresh ,I recommend it to everyone before the show.we will really come again.

Amazing little restaurant for our pre show dinner. Very quick and friendly service and lovely food - especially the pizza!

Lovely place, was going to try the more traditional Southend Italian haunts and thought we'd give this place a try instead. It was brilliant, something was on at the cliffs so it was busy and had a lovely buzz but the staff were super friendly and really nice with the children. Food was lovely, we had a mix of pasta and pizza and the children really enjoyed the children's menu. Price was really good too - will definitely be back, have seen they've just added a weatherproof outside area 🙂

Went to this restaurant yesterday 16th after the matinee performance at the cliffs. I booked over a week ago for table for two at 5.30pm on arrival was questioned what time was my booking and my name, it wasn't even in the book. There was plenty of room and we were seated outside in the cold area. Staff weren't very helpful and the meal was very rushed, we were only in there for approx 45mins paid out bill as my son overheard they were waiting for our table!!!! We will not be using this restaurant again!!!

Great place for pre theatre meal, expertly cooked with friendly service. Would strongly recommend.

Booked 3 weeks ago for 17.30, got there restaurant was empty but guided to the outer conservatory. Explained we prefer inside, which was agreed. Starter and main served directly after one another, so clearly wanted our table for another booking. Prior to asking if wanted dessert menu we were asked to move to another table(both for two). Again outside. Which we declined and requested bill. They bought the bill and machine up together as next party was waiting and told to stand behind us. We left the restaurant at 18.15.

Four of us came here for dinner and had a lovely experience. The pizzas and chicken Milanese were delicious. Good portions and good value for money. They had a good selection of desserts too. Our waiter Sego was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend.

This is a great Italian restaurant, great food and excellent service a very friendly helpful clean environment, so good I visit it everytime I go to Southend, I highly recommend going there, the food is delicious and good value for money

We have been to this restaurant many times, the food is delicious, the service is very good, I recommend it to everyone...

We have been to Bucatini 4 or 5 times now, for a pre-show meal. Food and service has been great on every occasion. We have even booked a table, ready for our next Cliffs visit in May.

Had a lovely lunch here with a friend before seeing a show next door at The Cliffs Theatre. We booked a table just in case but wasn't necessary as it was busy but still plenty of tables available. We had the lasagne, a tuna pizza and chips, all of which were freshly cooked and piping hot. The desserts were delicious, we had tiramisu and the profiteroles and you could tell they were home made. The service was very professional and friendly and we would definitely recommend. We'll certainly be back next time we see a show.

Amazing food and service for a pre-theatre lunch, would highly recommend if you want fresh Italian food for a reasonable price. The food was absolutely incredible!!!!

My wife and I visited for a pre show meal. The staff were very welcoming even though we hadn’t booked. The food was delicious, and we will definitely be back, next time we visit the Cliffs Pavilion next door.

Garlic bread and pizza was fresh, tasty and superb, reasonabaly priced drinks x tiramisu was lovely and tasted homemade, but really disappointed with my lemon meringue pie, tasted like a cheap bought one, but overall brilliant and will definately be going back.lovely pre theatre meal and the staff are quite amusing x

We popped in for a meal after a children’s show at the Cliffs Pavillion. The pizza was excellent. The service was fast and friendly.

Good food, seafood additions to the menu, friendly service. The whole family enjoyed the experience.

I had the Gnocchi Bolognese and my sister had the Pizza Sardenara (Mozzarella, Anchovies, Olives). We also had 2 draught Morettis. We enjoyed everything very much. Very handy location next to the Cliffs Pavilion. My sister has already arranged for our family to eat there again.

What a lovely place ! The rump steak and chips were incredible , such lovely staff who cannot do enough for you ! We will be going back more often now 🩷

Lovely food but woefully understaffed. I've been here twice and both times the same. I was warned by previous Diners that Staff are not allowed to keep tips. That I couldn't believe. Sadly, it turned out to be very true. The Owner/Manager keeps the tips. When my table came to pay and leave a tip we were told not to bother as the serving staff never get it. Have passed this info on and won't be visiting again. I can't stand out and out thievery. This Restaurant only opens and survives on Theatre going Diners.

Five of us popped in for dinner before going to the theatre. Very disappointed! The meals looked like ready meals from a supermarket. The chicken and ham were tiny cubes and tasted processed. The pizza toppings were exactly the same. Very cramped. Staff rude.

We came for dinner prior to seeing a show at Cliffs Pavillion. We arrived at 5.30 for our booking and were well looked after. Service was great, food was excellent. I had steak from the daily specials which was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere in the restaurant was really good . A perfect start to the evening! Highly recommended but book ahead!

Really lovely food. Great prices

Shambolic organisation, booked a week ago only for them to say they did not have our reservation. Asked us to wait as a table would be available and then they subsequently gave it to another party!

Disappointed that even though we rang to say we would be 10 minutes late our table was given to someone else. The front of house guy couldn’t care less. We were kept waiting OUTSIDE around 15 minutes for a table and the 30 minutes for our food to arrive. This left us 20 minutes to rush our pasta before our started. Definitely will not be returning.

I've been staying in the London area for the last few weeks working on a project, but I currently live in Turkey. So I was delighted to encounter this fine Italian restaurant owned and managed by a Turkish family. Best of luck to them.

Really nice enjoyable food, service is mega quick!! From ordering, food was on the table almost so fast it caught us off guard, good service, lovely food, give it a try 👍🏼

Visited Bucatini for the 2nd time before a show at the Cliffs Pavillion and we have got to give it top marks for service food and atmosphere. It has a lot of choice on the menu and the staff make sure you are served in ample time to get to the show in good time.

Pre theatre dinner booked with friends. Very tasty gnocchi, nice dessert, speedy service and helpful staff. Got very busy so recommend booking if going prior to a show. Would come again!

Really convenient for Cliffs Pavilion. Great food, great value and quick service. Highly recommended.

Fast and tasty food. Just have fantastic experience before cliff pavillion THEATRE 🎭 will definitely go back if come back to Southend-On-Sea

Went here with my friend yesterday to have some dinner before a show, we got sat in the conservatory which was a little small but was okay. We were sat waiting for a good 20 minutes before someone came and took our drink or food order. Whilst waiting, we observed the waiting staff looking absolutely lost and seemed to have no idea what they were doing by walking around like a lost child, sometimes holding drinks/food not knowing who they were for. Our food took a while to arrive as one point we noticed a couple waiters pointing over at our table finally noticing we had sat there for a good half hour after ordering at this point and nothing was on our table. When it did arrive, the food was very hot, which was good but seemed like it was put in a microwave to bring the heat back up as it seemed we were forgotten. The food itself was okay, it was nice & did the job but we probably won’t be back in a hurry.

Had a great pre-theatre meal, the waiters were lovely, we made a special request for cheesy pasta for one of our children which they were able to do. Portions are very generous and prices really reasonable, most pastas were under £10 Gnocchi verde was really tasty. Will always use this restaurant for pre-theatre meals going forward

We had a delicious meal of pasta and pizza, the Verde pasta was really fresh and tasty. Hubby's pepperoni pizza was thin based, he thoroughly enjoyed it. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend 👌

Great place to eat. Food was great, we had ordered a veggie pizza, garlic bread with cheese and a few drinks. All the food came out in good time and served by great waiters. Great food and service all round. The 'outside' seating area is also great and cosy Would recommend a visit for sure

Very welcoming staff. Food delicious! Ideal place to eat before or after a show. We have been on a number of occasions since now and would totally recommend.

Lovely food and the service was perfect. A big thank you to Seyhmuslym. I would thoroughly recommend Bucatini.

Pizza was brilliant, lovely staff. Was worth the price 100% a lovely place to go and eat before going into the cliffs pavillion

No frills but really tasty food. Friendly staff and reasonable prices. Ideally located near theatre and parking.

Starter mushrooms were still frozen returned, found waiter abrupt would never go back

Stick with the pizza. I ordered the carbonara that was cooked in what seemed like a chicken soup sauce. It was the weirdest and most bland thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s so easy to make a decent carbonara. No excuses.

Food was out of this world fair price as well...only issue was the lack of staff which the waitress apologised for but we'd definitely go again.....

This restaurant was recommended to me by a work colleague. I was very impressed from the moment we stepped in. We were welcomed and invited to choose our table. The food was served fresh but very quickly and was as delicious as it looked. Staff...

Too busy and congested , the food was ok ish. The service with the waitress was poor, we waited forever to get the bill.

Arrived in time for our 6 o clock booking restaurant was rammed with no sight of a reserved table. They were extremely busy, waited 10 mins, with no contact, managed to waylay a waitress who said that there should be a table free soon. Unfortunately...

Great food, very busy as just before a show at the cliffs pavilion. Well worth going.

Brilliant place, sat 12 for lunch after a booked meal at a local restaurant let us down that day. All 12 of us enjoyed our meals, very friendly helpful staff. All meals were delicious , thank you very much x

Superb super friendly service, great atmosphere, absolutely jam packed with people and no stressed faces, wonderful food, great place, thankyou

Good Italian food at decent prices. We tried it out on our first evening, and the kids liked to so much that we returned a second time a few days later. We had different pasta dishes, pizza and gnocchi. All of them very good. Service was friendly and efficient, we did not have to wait long for our food.

Nice place to eat .not bad prices .friendly atmosphere.

I had booked a table for 5 30 Saturday 4 feb we arrived at 530 and waited till 6.00 before they they took our.order. Whilst we were waiting for our started the waitress came and asked us if we wanted a sweet ,did not even...

It was very busy in the restaurant as cliffs pavilion is close by . We were within 5 minutes of walking out had we waited any longer for our food . We all had pizzas which were OK but we had to rush them as we were pushed for time and nearly missed the start of the show . The restaurant is in an ideal spot for a pre show meal but I would make sure you get on there at least 90 mins before the show starts .

Absolutely appalling meal had. Went late summer 2022 and lovely food so wanted to go again before our show at the Cliffs. What a complete disappointment, absolutely nothing like when I ate in the summer. Food was awful. Mozzarella and tomato salad was served with...

Poor pasta . Gnocchi was out of packet My pasta dish was watery carbonara save your money go elsewhere wouldn’t go here ever again

Pre show dinner, food was delicious and service was friendly. They were incredibly busy and rushed off there feet so booking is a must especially if you have a show to see. I don’t think I would go for any more than a pre show...

The greatest Italian in all of Southend! We had a wonderful business trip for a world Christmas trip! 11/10 would come again!!

Fake Italian restaurant more Mexican in style. They seem confused. The menu is a mish mash of odd dishes.

Visited Bucatini for the first time last Friday. A friend recommended. She was not wrong! Warm and cosy and buzzy all at the same time! Had Carbonara and it was delicious as was wine! Many thanks to Servet x We have booked again for two...

Had a very enjoyable pre-theatre meal here on Saturday. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Bolognese was particularly good as were the side order fries (like homemade!) We're back at the Cliffs Pavillion next week and will definitely be returning to Bucatini before the gig.

Best Italian Great service delicious food and friendly staff, highly recommended, also very convenient for pre theatre meals it’s located next to cliff pavilion theatre

Had a great pre-theatre meal here on a Saturday evening. Friendly staff seated and served promptly. Delicious pizza, nice wine and reasonably priced. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Quick and friendly service. Delicious and authentic Italian food. Ideal place for a pre-theatre meal. Will return when next in the area.

Great food, served quickly before a show at the cliffs pavilion, excellent service! Thank you!

Been here several times for a pre-theatre meal and each time it’s been a nice, friendly experience. The menu is limited however it’s great for a quick, tasty meal, highly recommend the Bolognese penne bake, nice size portions and really friendly staff.

Booked for our first visit to this Italian restaurant. Good service from Justin who was very attentive plus from I believe the owner? Food was served quickly and very tasty. Really enjoyed plus the bill including two courses and two rounds of drinks under £60!...

The staff were very attentive and friendly. Our choices from the menu were delicious, especially my pizza, it was spot on. A great place to eat before your show at The Cliffs Pavilion, quick service if needed otherwise a lovely place to visit for dinner.

popped in for pre show meal. staff attentive, food hot and fresh, Will be back.

Visited for the first time last night,and from the very warm welcome to leaving to go to a show at the Cliffs, it was fabulous. All the previously read positive reviews are true - the staff, food and atmosphere are great, and I most certainly...

Located right next to The Cliffs theatre, so popular with theatre visitors. Nice food, well presented, sensible prices. Decent range of wines, beers and soft drinks. Friendly staff.

Absolutely excellent! It’s our first time at this restaurant and I have to say the food is great, the atmosphere amazing and the service excellent! We will certainly be coming again the next time we are in Southend on Sea.

Had such a lovely meal with friends. Staff are very friendly and food is delicious, also reasonably priced! Highly recommend and will be visiting again!

Great food, great service and best pasta in southend! Cant fault it! Fully recommended and cant wait to go back

Best Italian around! Gorgeous food , amazing staff and well worth a visit! Brilliant before shows at the cliffs too! ❤️

We had never been to the Cliffs before and was nervous about not being able to find somewhere nice to have a sit down meal and some food. The first place we saw was Bucatini, right next door. We put our head in the door...

This is a lovely Italian restaurant, located next to the Cliff Pavilion Theatre. We were welcomed with a big smile and not having booked in advance we were lucky enough to be seated straight away and our drinks order taken. The food choice is mainly...

This has fast become a weekly reward for myself and a friend on our walks out to get some fresh air and have a good gossip! Fantastic quick and very reasonable food amazing service and ambience amongst westcliffs theatre going masses!! Lovely place! Thoroughly recommend...

We used to come here quite regularly right after they opened. Food was good and staff were friendly. Our last visit was a real disappointment, though. None of the old staff were there and the new staff were not as friendly. The food was worse,...

Visited many times, lovely food and friendly staff. Particularly like the baked pastas and pizzas. Excellent for a pre show meal

Went in for pre theatre meal which I assume a lot of people do. It’s quick efficient and great value. In saying that we did not feel rushed and could have been there for much longer. The food was good with plenty of choice and...

Been here for pre show dinner and lunch what a great place. Great service and great food. Lots of tasty foods

Been here for pre show dinner and lunch what a great place. Great service and great food. Lots of tasty foods

A piece of ham was stuck to the underside of my friends margarita pizza. She doesn't eat pork so this wasn't really appreciated. My other friend found 2 thick black hairs in her pizza. The menu is pretty much 4 pasta sauces with a load...

What a little delight this was. The menu didn’t sing to me but we decided to find out more. The staff and service were very attentive polite and prompt. The food was absolutely fantastic and delicious, we thought at first it was simple and it turned out to be simply wonderful. Left a good tip because it was deserved. If you live in the area support this little gem so you don’t lose it.

Great restaurant for a pre or after Cliffs Pavilion show, or even for any other occasion. Have visited here several times now with different friends and family and it never fails to impress! The staff are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. The food is excellent, mainly pasta and pizza dishes, but they also have a good selection of starters and deserts. The prices are also reasonable, have nothing but praise for the restaurant, I have no hesitation in recommending it to others.

Being a vegan I was enticed to the restaurant because it advertised vegan on the window… but the only vegan supplied was cheese, it’s was very disappointing. Also the starters was advertised as mushrooms but I received one mushroom, again disappointing so I won’t be encouraged to go back

Unbelievable, the server didn’t know what a glass of wine was! After we ordered drinks told the pizza oven was broken and that included the oven. Servers lacked interest, knowledge and any idea of where the tables were when the food was finally ready. All...

Pre-theatre meal. Superb location next door. Amazing food. Great value for money. Will definitely be back to try the pizzas!

Similar to some others, unable to get bookings in established italian, we booked table for 6 on bank holiday Saturday.. staff was very welcoming, we had vegan and vegetarian pizza and one if the best kids Pasta and cream and green veggie sauce..reasonably priced, definitely recommend it.