City Diner in Chelmsford

Their roast dinners are the best I've ever had, friendly staff

Good cafe. Lots of options on the menu and a good price. Proper cafe. Busy and food atmosphere. Lovely food.

Absolutely disgusting 😤 food burnt, staff not a clue what they were doing, not even correct order given had to chase order up.

Needed somewhere to kill time while in chelmsford……and it’s morning time. What to do??!! Popped in to have some breakfast - absolutely epic breakfast- thank you! Great staff, friendly and attentive service. See you soon!

Visited with 2 colleagues as a mid week catch-up breakfast. Very different from my 90s/2000s memories of cream interior, metal twin chairs facing each other and exterior soft serve ice cream machine through a window. Moderately busy at 1030 when we arrived. Swiftly seated and the menus are clear in their choice & illustrations. Breakfast 1 Breakfast 4 Breakfast 6 All meals came with tea/coffee included. Food was decent fare, priced accordingly, and served in good time. It would be fair to call this a greasy spoon/cafe in its selection and presentation. It's not a slur or veiled insult, just an observation. We had a decent time, it served its purpose and we left satisfied.

Go here often always polite staff food is what you would expect for the price .no complaints from me

My friend takes me here every time I visit her. I love the food, my only complaint is, they don't do alternative milks, I'm dairy intolerant, I have to take my own milk

Had a breakfast there yesterday. The food was lovely, but the toast was burnt. My point is why would you give someone burnt toast it was black i don't complain because that is not me but won't be going anymore.

Nice cafe very quick lots of choice very generous when I asked for 12 fish fingers will be back

pasta bolognaise uses horse meat 100% because it definitely isn’t fresh british beef. the wait staff seemed so uninterested in taking orders and wouldn’t even bother to come over to apologise about the wait for the food. i find this appalling, avoid at all costs! my boyfriend found a hair on his milkshake & was unable to chew the meat on the bolognaise due to it being absolutely vile. the cheese was ‘parmesan’ but someone must have dyslexia because they picked up ‘plastic’ instead. it had no flavour and was just overall horrid. chicken burger and chips were the only good thing, only because they were fresh out sainsbury’s freezer. do not go here if you want a toilet-free night.

Great food. Great service. Been going here for years. Never had a bad meal.x

I would give 0 stars if I could,went there with my son and ordered a chicken salad for myself,and they just put a stale big piece of chicken breast probably leftover from the roast dinner,with no taste and smelling disgusting next to some leaves of lettuce and a few slices of cucumber and tomatoes.Absolutely disgusting!I do know how the chicken salad should look,as I ordered before from another cafe,it should have grilled and seasoned chicken breast slices.When I told to the waitress about the chicken that couldn't be eaten she just told me that they didn't have any other complaints about the chicken in that day,that's it!no discount,no apologies,nothing!Never ever return there!And I did feel a bit of rasism in their attitude.

Had a really lovely Bacon Roll & Hot Mug of Tea this morning 10/2/24 9.30 am. Large Roll pilled up with freshly cooked good quality Bacon. Steaming Tea & a strong teabag which I love. Helpful smiley friendly waitress. Good price could not fault at all . All clean & hygienic tables Curley crockery napkins. Set me up for a good Saturday Shop. Place is always busy so i really don,t get the negative reviews left by some folk.

Good food a bit pricey but you are in center of town

Lovely service - friendly staff and fast. Very clean and delicious coffee - cheaper than rip off Starbucks in the centre of High Chelmer precinct. Plus there is a boycott due to Gaza Genocide of them. My coffee at £2.40 was less than half of Starbucks. Recommended.

Good food with decent portions. The staff ate great aswell. Vert friendly.

Great menu with something for everyone, at affordable prices.

I wouldn't give this any stars if that were possible ! My wife and myself went to this cafe over a week ago, I had a cooked breakfast, my wife had porridge. I had nearly eaten my breakfast when my wife pulled out a big long hair on her spoon stuck in the porridge 🤢. She said I don't think we will come back here again so I said " no I wouldn't because these sausages taste awful," when she looked at the remains of the last bit of sausage I had left she said it's not cooked !!! The pork sausage was still red in the middle 😖 , I'd already eaten one and three quarters of the other ! I hadn't noticed because I didn't have my glasses on . We called the young girl waitress over and she was disgusted, she took the porridge and the breakfast back out to the kitchen, she came back and couldn't apologise more even though it wasn't her fault. She said they have taken the price off for the porridge ! Good of them as my wife had hardly eaten any of it !! And they took a couple of quid off for the uncooked sausages ? . I'd rather have had the cook come out and explain why they weren't cooked properly and also to hear an apology from him. I never gave a bad review at the time and thought I'd put it down to a bad experience but since eating the uncooked pork I have suffered with a terrible upset stomach so thought I would warn anyone else thinking of going to this cafe for breakfast.

Dreadful service and food. My jacket potato arrived after everyone else had finished. It was microwaved dry and not edible. Avoid

Enjoyed my fish finger roll and cup of tea.

Good grub. Disappointing set menu. No chips included. Rasher rating 4/5.

Worst lasagne I have ever tasted. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the cheapest ready meal they could buy and then microwave. I had one bite and didn’t touch it again. None of the staff asked how our meals were and I think it was a good thing they didn’t ask as I had nothing good to say. Not sure what has happened as I’m sure I had lasagne here before and it was nice so if they are cutting costs then it has seriously affected the quality of food. My sons sausage kids meal looked like it was the cheapest sausage I have ever seen and the potato smilies were so greasy. Will not be returning.

Disgusting service, rude and absolutely no manners. Went in to chelmsford city diner for a few milkshakes, the milkshakes were vile and the customer service was even worse. Woman at till snatched my money then dropping it all over the floor. Other servers laughing and staring at my friend with a disability. Outrageous never going to return.

Disgusting service, rude and no manners. Went to chelmsford city diner for a few milkshakes with my friends only to be greeted with ill mannered servers. Went to pay and she grabbed my money and dropped it all over the floor. the milkshakes were vile and the customer service was even worse. When we got our milkshakes the waitresses were stood staring and laughing and my friend with a disability. I wish to never return there.

Love this place. Great when your hungry and just want a quick something to eat. Brilliant.

Food was over priced service was a joke would not bother eating here again

Went in here whilst on shopping trip, friendly staff, good food and service

We went into the diner today(Wednesday June 7th @2pm) yet again the food was freshly cooked, pipping hot and absolutely delicious. The service is as always first class. I would thoroughly recommend the diner. Ten out of ten. Well done to all the staff. Thankyou.

Horrible very greasy burgers dripping everywhere with soggy roll and greasy salad. I have ask them to do it again but still no good. City Diner is unprofessional chefs. The manager is insane. WE ATE NOT TO COME BACK AGAIN !!!!

Very nice food will definitely be getting food there again 👌👌👌👌

Was delicious as always been going here for yrs

Basic food served there was of unsatisfactory quality. All but chips (French fries) was overcooked with beef liver being burnt on the sides and hard to chew. Staff was friendly but the table was not cleaned after previous guest. Would not recommend.

This is by far the most horrible cooked breakfast I've ever had. Very cheap produce. Check out them deep fried frozen sausages over priced to. £8.25 and even have to pay an extra £2.10 for a cup if Rola Cola. I will be going in Greggs opposite next time 👍

Am farely regular customer so that says it all about the place and its standard of food and staff attitude to customers

I absolutely adore City Diner. Me and my mum frequent here regularly and the staff are friendly and the food is always delicious.

It's exactly what you want from a diner, you can pick loads of different breakfasts which is what I go there for. They do roasts etc too which my friend had and loved. I go there very occasionally over the years and its got a nice enough atmosphere and is always consistent in its quality.

Lovely huge breakfast that set me and my man up for the day!

I had chicken, salad and rice and it was delicious

Lovely food , great staff, excellent alltogether

Normally pretty good service in 30 plus years I have been going in, however today Sunday 26th June I was either the invisible man or the 2 girls taking orders should have gone to specsavers. I never want to be the centre of any attention but if you ignore me or don't notice me when I have sat down for 15 minutes on an afternoon that was not particularly busy at the time I was there then I wonder how an establishment is going to weather the storm of an incoming recession that this coming winter is going to cause abject misery for a great deal of people.Only the fittest will survive this so this diner needs to get into training now starting with eye tests for the staff

Full breakfast, excellent and quick service. You do have to make it clear if you wants your eggs soft.

Great cafe. First time visitor and thought the food was good and the prices reasonable. Will be back!

Food was good, love a full English but service wasn't great and I felt others were getting looked after much better then I was as I saw a lot of check backs and asking how food was but I wasn't asked anything apart from if I wanted to pay by card. As a restaurant manager myself I look for a minimum standard with customer service and it wasn't there but I'll probably go again as when you need a full English you need a full English and yes I am full English.

Very good value staff friendly only one downfall they only use blue top milk

Decent enough food, tidy enough, service ok. Decent local cafe serving cafe grub.

This place is terrible I went in here with my mum to have tea and something to eat. When we walked in we wasn't greeted at all. Once we did sit down no one came over to greet us we wasn't sure if we needed to pace an order at the till or if someone would come and serve us. Finally a man came and asked what we wanted. We ordered 2 breakfast and 2 teas. The sausage was awful it tasted out of date I'm assuming it was a very very low % pork. The bacon was raw the egg was raw and snotty there was beans taking up half the plate. I think they do that so it looks like a full meal. The only thing that was OK was the tea but all they had to do was put hot water and a teabag in a cup. We left both plates full and went to the till the girl was rude my mum said the food was terrible and the girl didn't apologise or even try to deal with the issue. She said how much it was gave us dirty looks and slammed the card machine on the side. I would NEVER go in here again not even to use the toilet.

We went for lunch and we were not greeted by the staff on our sitdown and no one bothered to attend our table as they were all too busy talking we felt it was too much to destebe them. so we walked out and Went elsewhere, explains why the shop had no customers in it we will not be going back or recommending it to any one soon 😡

Absolutely disgusting service at the café. If you have a child with allergies do not touch this café with a barge pole. Refused to cook a sausage differently because it takes to long! They are cooking sausages, fish and chicken nuggets in the same oil! Instead my daughter had to have something that she didn't enjoy for her lunch. When I asked to speak to the manager he was rude and dismissive telling me he didn't have time to talk to me as a customer. Had the cheek to say that I can't go into a cafe and ask for something to be cooked a different way. This is complete and utter discrimation against my daughter because he wants to cook it cheaply and nastily. Do not touch this café at all and especially if you have any food allergies.

A bit dingy and dated. The food is basic quality but the staff are nice.

Lovely staff and lovely food I would highly recommend going there.

Typical small coffe restaurant, nothing special. Greasy smell

Excellent service, served very quickly

Always friendly staff and good food

Very clean lovely friendly staff and the food is very good. And you don't have to wait for long for your food.

Nice little cafe, been going there for years

Not as good as it used to be. I found that the menus were set so that to get the right breakfast u needed to add items and therefore increase what would of been a reasonable price

Good food at reasonable prices. Friendly staff.

Great food, great service and reasonably priced.

Really good food, service is friendly. Good variety of food and breakfast is lovely.

Good quick service, good sized portions, tasty and good prices.

Nice place with friendly staff and affordable food. Will definitely be going again.

Great service and good value meals as always

Regularly customer for 21 years Always use this café for dinner and tea, sometime milkshake. The boss-man of City Diner is very kind guy and there never have any problem. 10/10

A little cramped but staff are brilliant and good is great. Toilets upstairs though which is a little tricky but all in all happy with my experience

Friendly staff lovely food served

This place is amazing.My wife and I love to eat here.The staffs are friendly and the food is really delicious.We love it .My wife hardly gets impressed by someone else food but this place impressed her and we started visiting a lot .Food is worth every penny and it’s filling .No complains at all.It has easy access,covid secure,good place for family as well.They have a lot items on the menu to choose from including kid’s menu .Its also affordable .

Me and my son both the food was good the service was brilliant really friendly staff young girl was funny 10/10

I'm as much a fan of old school diners as the next man. It doesn't get much more OLD school than this place, the drinks predate the invention of coca cola. The bread prehistoric. I would avoid unless you are archeological inclined 🤢

Very covid friendly the best I've experienced food good my favourite place to eat in Chelmsford

Clean, fantastic staff and excellent quality food. Always eat here when in or near Chelmsford

I love this place, the food is great, the service is fast, I only have one complaint, they have a sign up about allergy and intolerance, but they don't have dairy free milk, I have a problem with dairy.

Breakfast 5 liver bacon onions lovely

I was at the city dinner today .i was disappointed with there pricing strategy. I ordered the shepherd's pie without the mash peas and carrots i wanted just chips and beans .the lady put 7.55 for the shep pie and 2.30 for my chips and beans so 9.85 for 3 items its getting a bit pricey for what you get .the food is also a bit touch and go depending on who is cooking.

Just what you want good service

Excellent as always, fast efficient staff and good social distancing between seating - Welldone to all

Great food and a wonderful service.

Great simple food. They are not shy with their portions either. Service is also great. We will visit them more often.

Great food and very friendly atmosphere.

Went here on recommendation of work colleague, had Sausage Egg and Chips, generous portion, service was very quick and pleasant waitress, obviously the lady most people complained about on all the reviews is no longer working there, can't fault it for a good lunch out!

Great place, reasonably priced, staff were friendly and nice. Food was brilliant, cant complain 🙂

The 'Diner' is a great place to eat. The food is quite good and well presented and at reasonable prices. It is one of the few places in the City where you can get a decent plate full. It does get busy at times, though. Visit them, it's worth it!

Good diner, been going there for many years on and off. Remains the same, staff consistent and friendly.

It’s alright. The staff are pretty rushed and one in particular is very demeaning, being very blasé about the food, telling my sister that ‘many people come back for the Bolognese and it’s not that bad’. DO NOT GET THE SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE! The bolognese smelt like it was 54 years old, tasted like how it smelt and was so refined and so opposite to what mince looks like, it looked like it was from a can. It was horrible, I wouldn’t even feed it to a dog. The spaghetti was cold and rock hard. The vegetarian stuff’s ok though.

Very friendly and food reasonably priced

Meals are OK,but the cups of tea are too milky, I like to put my own milk in, because I like it strong without sugar and a few drops of milk

Lovely food always had a good fry up yum yum

Best burger in the city with great prices

This diner can be found near the Cathedral in the pedestrian area opposite Greggs. They have a nice menu with plenty to choose from, they can also provide you with a good cup of coffee & all for a very reasonable price.

Went in never seen or heard of it before, four of us went in one ordered a salad, fried breakfast, chicken skewers, jacket pot with bol ... gotta be honest it was good price good portions, the quality of the mince was ok everything was above expectation. Staff pleasant enough its a quick turn over simple location. Good find

Friendly staff, decent food at fair price,

Once again I popped in to have some lunch with friends. The awful older lady walked straight past us moaning about the girl who was making drinks. I truly am shocked that this old lady ( judy ) still works there

The food here is amazing. The cooks do a banging job. All the waitresses in this facility were lovely and exceeded my expectations. One however, I think her name was Judie, was exceptionally rude and would be disrespectful to other members of staff. Apart from this I had a great tike and enjoyed my food and coffee there. Will be coming again soon😉

Very quickly served and order taken. A clean, nice pleasant experience. Food was delivered quickly and very, very tasty. Happy to give 5*.

City diner... This is a review that I thought I'd never make. I've been going to City Diner, way back when it was called "Starburst" when Chelmsford was a mere Town! The food was great for value. However, since becoming a City and the name change, the owner Ali; has been increasing the prices every year to the point that the food isn't worth the price anymore, which is a real shame. The staff are always lovely and always welcoming to new and existing customers with joy, fun and wholesomeness. If the prices were to drop again, I would be more then happy to raise my review up to a solid 4*, because this is a good greasy spoon current with the current prices; it isn't worth what you get served. - not that I'm implying their food is terrible because when it's actually cooked properly it is actually really nice! But there is zero consistency with the food being served to customers. It's either overcooked, undercooked or burnt.

Fast service, friendly...good food good price....also ok for just mug of tea...

Classic diner, good cheap food. Good service, friendly staff.

Good place nice food and enjoyable

Toilets disgusting.... didn't bother with food walked out wasn't clean

Nice hot drink, didn't eat this time but will go back as menu looked good.

We have always enjoyed coming here in the past good wholesome basic food. Popped in today what a change! Disgusted my daughter ordered burger and chips, Burger was very oily. My husband & myself had jacket potatoes with different topping Mine tasted vinergary I thought it was the butter so tried some without still the same, my husband said his tasted the same so needless to say we refused to eat it. When it was time to clear the tables the waitress didn't even bat an eyelid as to why we hadn't eaten our lunch, when asked was everything ok she looked a little shocked when I said no! Didn't offer any money off just said oh sorry.