D's Cafe Diner in Braintree

second time we have visited this cafe and yet again a very pleasant experience food was fantastic as was the staff would highly recommend

This used to be our ‘go to’ cafe for breakfast. While the food is still the same as it has always been, the waiting time for food has been excessive on the last couple of visits. After the first time, I hoped it had simply been a glitch or one off. However after the second time…… I don’t think I’ll be back. I popped in for breakfast and, although the cafe was busy, it wasn’t too bad. I ordered breakfast, was given my brew, and waited…. And waited…. It took 40 minutes for my order to be brought to the table, my brew was long gone, there was no apology, or offer of a complimentary brew to make up for the delay. I wasn’t the only one who had to endure a ridiculous wait, there was a table of workmen who were concerned they were going to run out of their allocated meal break time while waiting. It is a shame as I like to support local businesses, however a simple breakfast order shouldn’t take so long to prepare and serve.

Such a great cafe! It’s rough and ready, which I think adds to the charm, but the food is yumm and so reasonable. Staff are super friendly and there’s a good selection on the menu. Just wished it was open later as be perfect for a quick after school dinner with the kids :)

This diner is amazing, the food and the staff are excellent. I strongly recommend this awesome establishment.

We stopped off at D's on our way to Lakeside based upon the reviews of the cafe. It's a proper 'greasy spoon' cafe where they take your order upon arrival with all meals displayed on a huge board behind the counter. Our food arrived very quickly and both our breakfasts were excellent. The food was much better than 'greasy spoon cafe' food, with decent sized portions and good quality ingredients. The cafe was pretty full clearly being frequented by locals as well as passers by like us, and it has ample parking out the front. However the most impressive thing about the cafe is the speed at which tables are cleaned which is always something we like to see, there's nothing more off-putting than piles of dirty plates left on adjacent tables. All tables were cleared, sprayed and wiped clean within thirty seconds of people's departure. Would definitely visit again on our way to London.

Great breakfast. The omelette & bubble & squeak couldn't be faulted & the portions were huge. More veggie options would be good.

Visited D’s diner with my Son. The food was absolutely superb, freshly cooked, tasty, and piping hot. Will definitely visit again and would recommend to anyone

I've been looking for a proper Caff for some while - they are a dying breed. I read some of the reviews - especially the lower rated ones. I disagree with them all. Arrival was around 10.15. There was plenty of room in the car park and there were about twenty people already eating. From time of ordering to being served was less than five minutes. The staff friendly and the guy - who appeared to be the owner = stopped by for a chat was wasn't as described by an earlier reviewer. I chose the special number 1 because it offered bubble and a fried slice. This to accompany mushrooms, beans. tomatoes (tinned) and a fried egg. I added and extra egg. Also included was a mug of coffee and bread and butter. The eggs were properly cooked - not in oil that was too hot. The bubble was plentiful and the fried slice was perfect. My partner had a sausage and bacon baguette which was huge. She couldn't manage it all so my dog waiting patiently in the car had a special breakfast. Would a go back? You bet.

The owner is so rude, don’t know how the staff put up with him. Food was average but atmosphere was terrible. Wouldn’t dream of returning 👎

recommended for an a12 stop off ,suggest looking on google as bit tricky to find from the west. i had the cooked breakfast with quick service, missus had the eggs royale which she said was lovely.

A’Proper Greasy Spoon Cafe! Finally somewhere to go when you need a decent greasy spoon cafe breaky! Can’t beat it!

I have used this cafe for a number of years and have never been let down by the quality and price of the food. It's very clean and the staff well presented and very friendly. I could almost be described more as a roadside bistro that you find on the continent. there is very good off road parking and when the weather in fine the front of the cafe has a nice seated area. No doubt that it is as good as any you will find and better than most.

We had takeaway pie, mash and veg for lunch today. It was excellent and we would thoroughly recommend it.

Called in for breakfast absolutely outstanding food and service from staff 5 star food was cooked to perfection

Looking for a place for a Saturday breakfast which was on our way out shopping.After going through a list of places we had remembered d’s diner from years ago. Decided to give it a try. Got there at 10am and very busy which was good sign. Chose a table and ordered breakfast from the choices at the counter. Food came in good time , absolutely lovely and really hot, great value for money and efficient friendly staff. Will definitely be visiting again soon.

My parents had breakfast here this morning and absolutely loved it! Great quality and service. Just what they were looking for.

This place is great and the food is fantastic, very yummy and great value for money, Staff are fantastic too as this place can get Very busy @ times.

Take the kids here regularly for there usual order of a Ham sandwich and Oreo milkshake. Lovely fresh cooked food. They do a great chilli jacket potato and don't get me started on the breakfast and burger challenge. The only downside for me is it's not open for dinner lol. One night a week would be lovely.

Just off the A12 with a large side car park. First thought don't let the vans and commercial vehicles put you off.It is a transport style cafe, opening at 6.30 and closing at just after 2pm.Its clean and tidy inside.Service is quick and staff friendly.Good menu and food is great Excellent place for your cooked breakfast its not fine dining but doesn't prepend to be.Highly recommended

Proper east end grub best pie mash & liquor I've had in years the chilli vinegar was just perfect. I will be back

A great place for lunch the baguette are fantastic always great a great welcome from the friendly staff

done sorted and delivered no problem, ordered via email paid over phone and they delivered bang on time enough to feed 35 people on a Saturday morning

Delicious fry up helping me to recover from a 3 day business trip where far too much alcohol had been consumed not much sleep and set me up for the day ahead. Great food, great price, quick & friendly service. Eaten here a few times before and never had a bad meal. Good size portions.

Me and a friend popped in this morning, service was good just we both had the sausages and have both beenin bed and sick all afternoon which has been rather annoying haha

You will definitely need a coat to eat here in the winter, huge radiator along one wall, unfortunately it was either broken or not turned on.

My first visit and very impressed. Had the breakfast wrap: egg, sausage, bacon, hash brown and a cheese slice..... tasted sooo good! Definitely recommend

Always stop here when passing and am never disappointed,I have tried most things on the menu over the years and all are good.Would recommend the smoked haddock for a different breakfast! If only more places had chips like they do here ,thick cut crispy on the outside and delightfully fluffy on the inside - superb!! And the milkshakes are great - as good as in any pretentious American diner and half the price.Great food at a reasonable price - a great traditional roadside café all round..

Come here regularly for breakfast as I live in Hatfield Peverel. Always have the same thing, does the job everytime. Food is always perfect. And always service with a smile!

Hi guys stopped here when doing the air ambulance run,food is fantastic,very very good value and happy staff.very busy the day we came but didn’t have to wait to long for food excellent,we’ve also been back again for lunch again fantastic value,the food is delicious and freshly made think we going to become regulars here saves me cooking grrreat .

You certainly get value for the money. The baguettes are huge! The milkshakes are definitely recommended. This is now one of my go to places

I visited this great little place when doing vehicle training and certainly couldn’t fault the breakfast served the price was good the food super and the staff were very pleasant and ready to serve would certainly use again

"Tony" buy the field next door for lorries we need more places like this not fast food profanity! Breakfasts r lovely( can.t beat them sausages) and u can swap items around and they never moan!!! good service to.

I visit on a regular basis, can't fault the food and great value, breakfast and omelettes are to die for!!! :-)

I went to this cafe for the 1st time at about 1.30 pm and had the distinct impression the staff were in a rush to finish, one member of staff asked me whether I'd finished when I'd only got halfway through eating? The second time I visited this cafe I simply asked for eggs benedict after clearing a table for the staff and waited at least 20 minutes and noticed people came in after me were being served full breakfasts, I decided enough was enough and walked out, not bothering to ask for a refund as I'd ran out of time due to a busy schedule. Next time I'll go to my regular cafe instead. Simply putting pictures up of Marlon Brando as 'The Godfather' and other American icons does not make an American style diner if you don't have the American style service and this out of date culture of wanting to close early

This is a proper roadside cafe, it has a good size dining are with TVs.

Keep it simple. There's been a cafe here as long as I can remember, & in its present ownership hard to beat. Ideal social meet up cafe serving a full range you'd expect. Gets busy & rightly so.

Went here for Sunday breakfast. They have set breakfasts but you can mix and match without a problem. Everything is cooked to order and gets busy so be patient for your food. Highly recommended.

No matter how busy, there’s never more than a few minutes wait for food. The breakfasts are cracking and well priced. Plenty of parking as well and a great place for bike clubs /owners groups to meet for breakfast. Must get round to trying the lunch menu soon

In live in Hatfield Peverel and have to say I rarely ever cook breakfast at home anymore. Great food , great service and exactly what you want for a nice full English, perfect.

Drove nearly 100 miles salivating at the thought of English cooked breakfast at D’s Diner. When arrived at 9.20am found more than 100 people had ordered breakfast that morning since it opened at 6 o’clock. Special2 arrived very soon, 2 bacon, 2 egg, sausage, hash brown, sausage, baked beans and slice of bread, and tasted better than ever. In business it is reassuring when there is a direct correlation between D’s present success and the amount of drive and hard work which has been put into it in recent years, all the while keeping onboard their original, demanding clients, who wanted a quick traditional hot breakfast for not much money. This success means there are now, as well, food and drinks to take away, meals for kids and healthy options, all of which should lead to more success. Fish, next time.

We had visited D’s a few weeks ago for breakfast but on this occasion decided to go for lunch. The home made cottage pie and beef stew with dumpling were delicious in fact I pride myself on both these meals and they were as good as mine. There was plenty of potatoes, fresh veg and the dumpling was good. I would call them ‘man sizes’ - my husband had to ‘assist’ me with my stew as it was so so good. Now we have got to return as husband wants the beef stew for himself (feel there won’t be any sharing though). Try D’s you definitely won’t be disappointed.

Really really good food. Went in at lunchtime mid house move. I was gutted when one of the people I was with was served their breakfast baguette looked amazing ! That was till I received my liver, bacon, onions, gravy and mash ! OMG ! it was absolutely fantastic - I can honestly say it was one of the best meals I had ever had. Looking around at other people's dinners - everything looked great. I am a tradesman who works in the local area and as of now will be dropping in on a very regular basis. All portion sizes were good and very good value for money. I have driven past many times and never been tempted, now feel like I've been really been missing out.

Decided to stop and have breakfast on the way to Chelmsford. Never visited before but will definitely do say again. The all day breakfast was really good. The staff were excellent, very courteous and helpful, the food was hot and good quality. Had fried bread, something we haven’t had for years and had forgotten how tasty it was great. Menu was really extensive. Going again this weekend.

Very extensive menu, staff are really friendly and the food has always been great. I have tried many things from the menu and they have all been very nice. A favourite of mine is the Chinese Chicken Curry.

Stopped here for a breakfast on a Sunday morning on our way to Colchester was able to order exactly what I wanted food was good well cooked and decent ingredient’s will defiantly use again next time we are passing

Visited here last month for breakfast having driven by on many an occasion. You can order a set breakfast or tailor it to your liking. Everything is cooked fresh so be prepared to wait a little. The wait is well worth it however as the breakfast is superb. Can't wait to visit again soon.

First time here came for a classic car meet & breakfast. Took on the food challenge - failed ! Massive portion well cooked fresh food with great service. the staff were friendly & helpful will eat here again as clean , friendly , great food and great service !

We have eaten here many times. It's a typical cafe but has a large menu to cater for everyone. Choose set meals or make up your own they all arrive in record time freshly cooked with great service.