Franco's in Tendring

I had dinner there on the 5/8 with my daughter and granddaughter. We are fond of fish ,especially shellfish of which there was an excellent choice. The portions of all the dishes we ordered were large, plus all the fresh vegetables that came with the main course. So not cheap,but worth a visit!

This restaurant is superb, and well worth a five star review! I visited with my mum and my daughter and we had a lovely evening, the food was great, the staff were accommodating and attentive. Will definitely return again.

If you like fish then this is the restaurant for you. The ambiance of the restaurant is great with people nice dressed, eating and talking and having a nice time.In addition you can see your food being freshly cooked by the chefs.My partners first course was Aubergine balls in tomato sauce which were wonderful and mine was very large mussels in cream sauce which was very tasty.My partners main course was Dover sole which had been taken off the bone and mine was a very large Skate Wing. These were accompanied with 7 vegetables which had been perfectly cooked.All of the food served was delicious and nicely presented and the staff constantly check to insure that everything is OK.We regret that as we were so full that we did not have a dessert.Franco's is the best fish restaurant in Essex.

This was our very first visit as we were in the area celebrating our golden wedding anniversaryWe had researched this a while back and it certainly lived up to its excellent reviewsThe AMBIENCE /WAITING STAFF/FOOD /PRICE ALL FANTASTICWell done Franco's for making our weekend special Hoping to get the opportunity to return in the future

One of the best meals I have had foe a long time. Extensive fish menu. Excellent service. Worthy of being in London. Cooked by Franco himself with love and pride.

My wife and I walked up to Franco's expecting to have to wait or be turned away. As it was, they had a table for two available at 8pm on a Saturday evening in June we were seated without a booking. I do recommend booking, especially during "covid times".The menu was extensive with many Italian and Italian-ish favourites, as well as a lot of "specials" on blackboards. Pasta based dishes, gnocchi, meat, vegetable and fish are all well represented. We were served attentively by the waiting staff, all of whom wore masks apart from one lady who we assume was exempt. The layout was such that every table was more than 1m away and there were screens between tables that were less than 2m apart. There was also a lot of thorough cleaning once a table was vacated. Our starters arrived after a little wait, freshly cooked. We really don't mind waiting for good food especially when a restaurant is busy. My wife had a stuffed portobello mushroom which was divine. I had baked camembert which was equally lovely while we shared a generous portion of cheesy garlic bread. Those plates were all generous and well worth the asking price. For mains my wife had the gnocchi with broccoli and polenta while I had the skate wing with capers and brown butter. We also received fresh steamed broccoli, boiled potatoes, fried potatoes and ratatouille as side dishes. Every single mouthful was lovely, as was the presentation. The portions were generous - and we are big people used to big meals. Indeed we took a third of the gnocchi back with us in a box helpfully provided by the waiting staff. The other guests all seemed to be enjoying their food and we saw some wonderful shellfish, meat and pasta dishes coming out of the kitchen with accompanying aromas and satisfied diners. For us, this was truly one of the best restaurant dining experiences we have ever had. Just check my Trip Advisor profile to see I have been to restaurants in several countries at all price points. Very few, if any, would beat Franco's. If we visit Clacton again, we will be booking a table beforehand as a priority.

ExcellentWow. The food was just amazing. I had king prawns to start then the seafood linguine which was just huge and amazing. There would have been plenty for it to be shared Can’t wait to return. Huge thank you for making our evening so special

Being half Italian myself I can definitely rate this as one of the best Italian restaurants I have eaten in. The calamari were excellent - properly prepared and cooked. The sirloin steak was amazing and the Tia Maria tiramisu was lovely. Perspex screens between tables made us feel very safe. Service was fast and attentive.Definitely will go again!

Eaten at Franco's a few times now so probably enough to rate a comment. The food is consistently of a very high standard and served professionally.Mostly eaten fish/seafood and it has always been fresh and expertly cooked. (worth checking to see if Lobsters need to be ordered few days before......but well worth it)Franco's team work hard to ensure you have a great time We celebrated a family birthday last night and would have to say they nailed it !In our experience its hard to fault this place and would highly recommend it.Covid protection is in place and provides confidence without being intrusive.

We stumbled across this little gem - we were so lucky to get booked in on the day! Really friendly service and excellent covid measures in place. Lovely varied menu with beautiful fish choices. Buzzing atmosphere and good price for quality of food. Would highly recommend!!

We have visited Francos many times over the past 10 years and have never had a disappointing meal. The staff are super friendly and helpful and nothing is ever too much trouble. Due to popularity, booking is advance is usually required.

We visited for the first time in months due to the Pandemic. Missed it so much.As we walked in the door the familiar scent of beautifully cooked food reached us.Our favourite table was waiting and we were immediately at home.I started wit the Scallops and Bacon which tasted Divine.The Salt in the Bacon re.ally complemented the Scallops. My Wife had a bowl of mixed olives.I went for the Lobster Thermidor that was was delicious. My wife had a Fettuccine dish with Pancetta that she said was one of the best meals that she had ever had.All washed down with a lovely Chablis, a perfect meal a perfect night.The Staff are really friendly. Very efficient and welcoming. The Ambience is restful and really conducive to enjoying a wonderful meal.

As I had been recommended this restaurant I had high hopes for it, I knew the prices were quite high but wasn’t bothered as I believe you get what you pay for, unfortunately I was a little disappointed. The restaurant was nice and clean and Covid precautions are being followed well. There were 4 of us and we all had starters, main, dessert and drinks which overall were ok, however we asked for one of us to have a tomato and mozzarella salad to start, which I think £8.95 for 2 SLICES of tomato and 2 SLICES of mozzarella is a little over the top of even the best restaurant. The King prawns were a little rubbery and tough, and the sauce with the Veal loin was watery and had little flavour, the Veal parmigana was a very small portion as was the vegetables to accompany 2 main courses. The lemon meringue cheesecake was not a cheesecake more a lemon tart, which is ok if you want lemon tart. The restaurant was full which is good given the current climate however the head waitress (I believe that’s who she was) seemed very stressed and was obviously getting frustrated with the kitchen as she kept going up and banging her fists on the work counter and shouting at the kitchen staff, which seemed to make everyone a little nervous, therefore leading to an atmosphere a little rushed almost wanting you in and out as quickly as possible and very un Italian! Our bill £190 and there was no wine or anything like that on it, I feel unfortunately unjustified and not worth that amount. Maybe we would go back but probably when they weren’t so busy and rushed. Shame really.

Francos was recommended to us. The restaurant had pleasant decor. The first course was very nice and we had high hopes for the main course, however one of the meals was rather disappointing. The risotto was rather dry and although tasty was really just mushrooms and rice, no creaminess at all. The other main course had red peppers in which was not included in the description of the meal as I would have asked for them to be removed. We then both ordered the cheese board which stated on the menu as having two different blue cheeses and two different cheddars. They came with no blue cheese at all, Brie and I think three different cheddars. When we asked about the blue cheese we were told yes they did have the Stilton and two portions were brought out, plus another two portions of cheddar which we really didn’t want. I had a glass of the house red wine which was really quite rough and I could not drink it. All in all a rather disappointing meal which was meant as a birthday treat. The prosecco was a saving grace, although at nearly £30 a bottle it needed to be.

The restaurant was suggested to us by the owners of our B&B and it was superb - a very good recommendation. The restaurant is well-set up for distanced dining and the food and service were top-notch. Helpings are generous and well-presented.

We decided to take advantage of the Eat out and Help out scheme and chose Francos. We were definitely not disappointed. The Veal was amazing, beautifully cooked and vegetables were perfect.The desserts also lived up to expectations. Service was brilliant and very attentive.There were screens between tables which made you feel very safe. Highly recommend this restaurant and we will be back very soon.

First time coming here and definitely will not be the last, everything perfect, so much choice on the menu could eat here for a month and have something different every day. Service perfect, friendly, well looked after and not over intrusive.The food is the best of the best quality and you can see the chef knows and loves what he is doing. The portions are huge and If you love seafood this is the place to eat.Book early they are popular, I feel so lucky to have this restaurant in my town, thank you so much.

Luckily, I had booked a table or I doubt I would have been able to get in. The service was excellent without being over the top. My choice was a dustbin lid full of wonderful clam chowder, followed by Fillet of Halibut in a langoustine sauce, served with 3 giant langoustines and samphire. The three dishes of vegetables were excellent, although I prefer my carrots and mange tout over cooked (as my wife would say). The bread was also out of this world but having eaten all of it, there was no way I could even contemplate a dessert. Having finished cooking, the owner/chef Franco, went round each table to check with diners. Some were obviously well known.

Fist time visiting Francos. An amazing lunch. Seafood was amazing. Large portions. Lovely ambience. Attentive staff. Highly recommend. Definately worth a visit.

We have known Franco's cooking for nearly thirty years and you have to wonder how he can keep such a high standard. His sea food is always interesting with my all time favourite Turbot on the menu accasionally. I cannot remember ever being unhappy with a dish from the master and we now drive a two hour round trip and think it worth the effort.Not really possible to find fault but maybe he could do more wine by the glass. Plenty of good bottles but for the driver that poses a problem.

Wow! The selection for each course was applaudable. Lots of choices for my partner and I. On the table to share was a basket of warm crusty bread for us to dip the olive and balsamic vinegar into. We both had the scallops for our starter. The scallops were enormous and sat pretty on their shells.For main I had the rack of lamb and my partner chose the rib-eye steak with an array of fresh season vegetables accompanied with new potatoes and sauteed too. The meat was cooked with passion the quality and flavours oozed out and was a delight for our palate. The portions were huge too much for us but what I can say is quality and quantity was 100% guaranteed.For dessert we both devoured the cheesecake and icecream.We were then served coffee with cream and two delicately fresh sweet smelling strawberries dipped in white and milk chocolate. I was then presented beautiful homemade chocolate truffles in a gift wrapped box.For this special occasion we drank a bottle of Francos recommended prosecco with our meal. This was a quality bottle of fizz.The waiters and waitresses were very attentive, polite and professional. Highly recommend

First visit to Francos for a special 90th.birthday and wasn’t disappointed great service great food and pleasant surroundings we will be back

My wife and I have been to Franco's many times. The food choice and quality is always excellent, you can see why it has been around for so long. It is always busy which is another good sign.This is one of our favourite eating venues and we would recommend it to everyone.

Fair selection of dishes with a very friendly service from the staff. We were seated promptly as we mentioned we needed to get to an anniversary party to go to. Our waitress was smart and helpful. I selected the salmon dish while my guests had the chicken and sea bass. All meals were served piping hot and well cooked with ample vegetables and my requested chips were superb. Some of the fish dishes did seem slightly overpriced but our meals were well priced and within our budget. Should we ever return to the area Franco’s will be selected!

Service was excellent and staff very friendly. The food was very tasty and well cooked, plenty of vegetables, bit on the pricey side but for the amount you get well worth it. Nothing was rushed all in all,a very pleasant evening.

As a family we regularly visit here for family birthdays and celebrations. It isn’t the cheapest restaurant in Clacton but the quality is fantastic. Friendly owners and staff, and a good selection on the menu. Although I do have one request, please bring back the actual menus, having everything displayed on the wall is a bit of a pain when deciding what to have, and having to walk around the restaurant to pick your dinner isn’t great. You have an excellent selection on your menu, so actual menus are a better idea. Definitely worth a visit if you are visiting or local.

Some what disappointing considering the reviews already posted.Expensive Food, small portion of potatoes and vegetables between two and not tasty like we've experienced before. We would not return, better value elsewhere, definitely.

We visited Clacton-on-Sea to see Gilbert O’Sullivan in concert at the West Theatre and booked Franco’s as a pre-concert treat.And what a treat.We had the scallops and bacon to start and Dover sole and linguini with salmon in a rich creamy sauce as mains. All exceptionally high quality with quick and cheerful service. A decent wine list as well.Desserts were traditional Italian - tiramisu and panna cotta, both great and home made.Expectations were very pleasantly exceeded, the concert was good as well!

If your in clacton you must visit francos, been twice now and both times excellent service, amazing food and very large portions. The service is brilliant and the staff are so helpful nothing is too much trouble !! Highly highly reccomend !!

What an amazing place - always quality food, generous portion sizes and lovely friendly & efficient service. There were 18 of us - most having completely different main courses and Franco and his assistant chef managed to get all meals out at the same tine - I don’t know how he does it. I was just reading the other reviews and the one where ‘they must pay locals to write good reviews’ made me laugh out loud - the place is an institution for great food in clacton - Francos reputation speaks for itself!

First time at the restaurant. Welcome excellent. Food choice - TOO much to choose from !! Service 10/10. The mussels, scallops & mozzarella starters were perfect. The prawn & lobster risotto, fillet steak & mushroom & chicken risotto were served piping hot & tasted first class. Not the last time we will be at this restaurant - can’t wait - the Italian restaurant we have been looking for !!

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, from the warm and welcoming smile from the waitress, to the exquisitely cooked and prepared meals. Excellent service, a wide and varied menu ( this is cleverly done on chalk boards on the wall and I thought that this was a really clever way of showing what was on menu instead of having a menu on the table), and very generous portions. This was our second time of visiting, we loved it the first time, and this time it was as good, if not even better.

Enjoyed dinner at Franco’s. dinner menu was on a blackboard and I thought fairly limited, however the food was very tasty. The chicken and porcini mushroom risotto was delicious. Staff were very helpful and friendly. An ideal location for a special meal. Would return again if ever in Clacton.

Good atmosphere, great service. Friends & I go here for special occasions and have never been disappointed. Food is always 1st class.

This was our first time dining at Franco’s and will definitely be going back! The food was delicious, the staff was great and was lovely settings Thankyou very much!

Visited franco's on my birthday wow I forgot just how good his food is totally first class the man's a genius and a friend .thankyou franco

Favourite restaurant for friends and family. Always have a great selection of food, and very obliging if you want something slightly different. Great selection of fish as well as other dishes.

Wonderful food very extensive menue . The food comes up piping hot and well presented. There is a great selection of meat and fish . The mussels are to die for. The staff are helpful and pleasant . Will certainly go there again .

Came here with a business group of people. I love Gnocchi and Franco's did not disappoint. The calamari for entree's was cooked perfectly in a light breadcrumb. Service was excellent and we all enjoyed our food with no complaints.

Went here on 8th August for friends birthday meal , staff were very welcoming lovely atmosphere food was amazing,have been several times and never disappoints.

We visited here whilst away for the weekend and were very pleased with the atmosphere and the service.

I chose the skate wing special, which I was told would come with vegetables and sautéd potatoes. I was given cauliflower cheese, a mix of vegetables cooked with bacon and boiled and sautéd potatoes along with double the amount of skate I could eat (I didn't realise there'd be so much on a skate wing) so I was impressed with how much I got for my money. It was cooked perfectly and all for ~£16.

Both starters and main meals were so tasty, fresh perfectly cooked ingredients. My main was Franco's seafood spaghetti, oh wow, so much to eat I couldn't manage it all!! My husband had fillet steak, cooked to perfection with so many vegetables. We've visited before for special occasions and the service is always very good, always consistent, as is Franco's cooking! My husband had dessert, again delicious he tells me. I was too full to eat anything else as tempting as it was.

We had been here about 4 years ago and didn’t have the best experience but tonight was so different...

Terrible place - awful food quality tinned mushrooms.... REALLY!!) and over-priced. NEVER AGAIN. I cannot believe the reviews preceding mine. All I can say is they must have been paid, or have limited experience of restaurants to actually think this is as place for special occasions! My own meal was just awful, and none of the other meals I saw on offer looked at all appealing. The food quality was appalling, I'm afraid I have nothing good to say about this shabby, run down place serving over priced poor quality food. Even our waitress was chewing gum as she served. I wish we had gone to the Toby up the road, even that would have been better!!

We were staying in Clacton for one night,looking for a nice place to eat. We were looking at the menu outside when some locals arrived and recommended to try it. We were glad we did! Delicious food and very friendly staff. Nice variety of food and I liked the specials that change often. We will return!

We live locally and have done for many years (long before Franco’s was there) but somehow we hadn’t been to the restaurant before. We had only ever heard good things about the place so we decided to book a random Saturday night out without the kids.

Visited for the first time and found the restaurant was all I expected it to be and more. The food was freshly prepared and was delicious. The service was very good and all were friendly and very helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Will definitely visit again soon.

Lovely Italian food, nice light interior, good choice of food and specials boards on the walls, the white chocolate creme brûlée was the best I’ve ever had and to die for. Nice to find a more traditional Italian with real food. Recommended.

Very good food, and plenty to choose from. The service was excellent too. A busy restaurant, so you need to book . We all enjoyed the meal and would highly recommend. Can’t wait to go back!

My friend and I visited before going to the theatre. Staff were very helpful and accommodating when we mentioned we were on a time limit. Food arrived quickly and was delicious. Pasta dish freshly made and garlic bread to die for. Thoroughly recommend. Great food.

We went tonight for a birthday everything was great from start to finish..admittedly we are mega fussy as we have been in the catering trade ...the food was very tasty , excellent quality ingredients ..the staff were very attentive and service was prompt. Great ...lots of choice fab deserts best cheesecake i have ever tasted.....cant wait to go back

We went there a family visit and right from the start the staff made ou so deeply welcome. The menu had plenty on it, with lots of options

We had 2x starters each, didn't go for mains, as they are quite generous portions. Scallops, calamari rings and mussels - just fresh, perfectly cooked and served by very nice staff members. Head chef approached before desert was served and checked if we were pleased with everything. Best sea food in the area. Will go back.

This was our first visit & we were celebrating our wedding anniversary.

It's exterior is a typical sea side hotel facade. But once inside the white table cloths and shining glasses, puts you in the mood to eat.

Our first visit to Franco’s in Clacton for a special 60th birthday lunch.From our arrival we were made to feel most welcome *& the pre-ordered lunch was served promptly &/hot.

We were advised to try this Italian when we move here almost 4 years ago.

This is a lovely little restaurant, good food, friendly atmosphere and smartly dressed guests. Staff were so attentive and sweet and we felt we could have been the only ones in there from the service we had, despite it actually being almost fully booked. Would definitely recommend for fresh food and a relaxed meal! Old fashioned, but very endearing. Thankyou for having us!

This clearly has got to be the best restaurant I've ever been to I worked in Knightsbridge for years and it knocks spots off of any top London Restaurant.......................Amazing Food..........Amazing Staff.................Amazing Venue.

Fantastic meal from beginning to end. We were attended to by lovely staff who made us welcome in the bar area and served us an aperitif before our amazing dinner. All the food was beautifully cooked and the portion sizes are astonishing. Felt like we were in Italy, it was that good! Great atmosphere in the restaurant too. We will remember this as one of the best meals we have ever had. Well done Clacton and Franco & team!

We have been to Franco’s many times , through Colchester and lately Clacton although time does fly. Franco & Jill’s enthusiasm and appetite for producing spectacular food and service is first class every time and supported by the lovely staff . Always a special treat to behold and been left very satisfied customers over many years Had an amazing birthday supper with my wife , always our first choice . If you love great food, you won’t be disappointed

This lovely restaurant never fails to impress us. We are nearly always a larger than normal party but nothing is too small for Gill and Franco to pull out all the stops. The food is absolutely spot on whatever you order and the Menu is very varied so there's something for everyone's palate. The service is excellent and children are made more than welcome

This place has definitely gone down the pan in recent years. Used to be good by Clacton’s standards but my most recent visit was incredibly poor. Coming from an Italian family I can tell you that this is as far away from authentic Italian cooking as you can get, an embarrassment.

We didn't know the area when we arrived at Franco's, but I saw online that they opened at 6pm and was round the corner from the Pantomime we were due to see.

Was quite looking forward to this meal as had read all the good reviews online, but was left really disappointed with my meal at Franco’s. To start things off we were put in a waiting area for about half an hour where we were actually given menus and had to order our entire meal from there, this seemed bizarre as I could see that there were tables free for people to sit at? The wine I ordered in the waiting area was very vinegary. 15 minutes after our booked reservation time we were sat down at our table where we saw the specials menu which we both would of preferred dishes from there had we not been rushed to order from the waiting area. Our starters came out, the soup was very watery and I felt it had been microwaved. The beef cheek by boyfriend said was lovely but the mash was lumpy and bland, much like my steak and chips. We also ordered ricotta pasta to share, which again felt to me like it had been microwaved as was pipping hot in the middle and hard on the outside. To me everything seemed to lack any seasoning or flavour. I don’t usually complain, but when your about to pay £100+ for a meal you don’t feel is worth anything over £40 I made the staff aware that I felt unhappy and the manager was very defensive at first which made things more even more awkward for me.

Six friends went for a pre Christmas meal. We were seated at a round table which was great as it made it easy for us to chat.

GOod Italian restaurant good service,good food Definitely I will come back the spaghetti pasta the are the best.

Went last week for a birthday meal . Asked one round of drinks forgot my sons 3 times .a small basket of bread given one small slice each .. Had to send my steak back 4 times and tbh plate. Was hot and steak not cooked , it was like reheated in a microwave never cooked and no sorry nothing from staff .. My. Family began to eat but no veg on table my dad had to ask and was brought out one by one and they had almost eaten all the food with no veg .... Never a sorry nothing , staff rude ..... We had to ask. For a menu and that was ok but again felt it was a microwave pudding... No coffee tea offered nothing .. Had to chase for the bill .... Over £200 and I've had a better meal in a low budget restaurant , I've been here a few times and my parents go often but none of us will return . One service of drinks in over 2 hours and terrible terrible service .. Still charged for the steak meal too.... A place that was good but with so many Turkish restaurants opening up this will lose trade ...

Had a meal here last night with friends. The food was excellent as was the service and the atmosphere. Yes, it is pricey but the quality is superb.

We had a lovely mid week lunch. The staff are so so very friendly and service perfect. Very attentive when we needed it. Food was AMAZING. Portions generous and so tasty. YOU MUST TRY THE LEMON MERINGUE CHEESECAKE YUM YUM YUM. Will go back!!!

Having read previous reviews regarding this restaurant and being in Clacton for the bank Holiday period.I booked ahead to guarantee a table.I am so glad that I did.This is how a restaurant should be run,from the service provided when you arrive,to the food itself which was both fulfilling in portion size and cooked with a passion.No wonder Franco's is the number one in Clacton,and is frequented not only by visitors but by the local community.Franco even come out at the end of the evening to ask how everything had been,and I certainly had the pleasure of informing him how much my partner and I had enjoyed our evening.If you are ever in Clacton this has to be one on your list of restaurants to dine at.Word of advice if you do decide to eat on a Friday /Saturday evening book your table as this restaurant gets full.

Fantastic food, great service and the girls don't change which is always an indication of a well run establishment. Cannot wait to return.

Another perfect meal.You can never be disappointed with the food you just now that the flavours are going to be fantastic.Fish is so fresh and cooked to perfection best restaurant for miles.Always made welcome by Gill and Franco don't take my word for this try it out yourselves.

I have visited this restaurant on numerous occasions and never had cause to complain . They catered well for a party of 23 people. Lovely food served at a good pace. No hanging about waiting for others to get their food although we all chose from an a la carte menu. Very nice touch that we were all given a free glass of Prosecco to toast the birthday girls at the end of the meal. Staff were efficient and friendly. The restaurant was full so it had a good atmosphere.

Very good food!!!! If u wanna eat a nice and well cooked meal come to Francos!!!! The dishes at first sight they fill your eyes....and then your belly!!!!

Lovely seafish dishes, steak was nothing special sadly on this occasion and overcooked (I ordered it rare) .Fantastic selection of fresh fish dishes, all beautifully presented Good sized portions so sadly couldn't manage a dessert.

We managed to book a table very short notice for last Saturday. Hottest day of the year and height of the season.

Had a very enjoyable meal, my wife and I with a bottle of house red. Very enjoyable and a good chat with "Mr and Mrs Franco". Not the cheapest but not too expensive and my Lasagna was superb. Would certainly recommend!

I had never spotted Franco's before on my visits to Clacton over the years.

Been using this restaurant since they first opened in Clacton and they used to be excellent. On this occasion it was a meal for four as a birthday treat. Wine was vinegar at over £30 and was exchanged as owner's wife agreed with us. Second bottle the same so took the recommended wine. This was like vinegar as well. The Chef (Owner?) came to the table with a bottle of the original wine ordered and was aggressive. Said that was it for the wine, we weren't having any more!! That's even though his wife agreed the wine was off. Boiled potatoes are re heated and taste pretty awful. Shame on you. Serving staff are very good by the way. Won't be returning and nor will those with us.

Franco's is still the best restaurant in Clacton, staff are always friendly and Franco himself comes around the tables to see that you are enjoying your meal. Generous portions well presented.

We were a party of 15. We enjoyed an absolutely fabulous lunch at Franco’s on Saturday. I rarely write reviews but felt the need to write one regarding this place. The food was absolutely delicious. The service was seamless. Try the monkfish and prawn provencale stew. We had Italians in our family group who thought the food was first rate and enjoyed a lovely chat with the Italian chef at the end. The calamari was perfect! Thank you. We will be back.

Went in for a meal after a day on the beach. Staff were welcoming. I ordered boratta to start.

Family outing - grown ups only celebrating a birthday - been a few times before as In-Laws laws here and we take them as a treat - not such a treat this time. 3 portions of Dover Sole were very disappointing which we mentioned and they very reasonably took 2 off the bill but it did spoil the evening. This place has been really good in the past but I think the last few times we've been it's lacked something and it's quite expensive for what it is.. Not much atmosphere, average service just nothing special about it anymore. Doubt if we'll go again, a few decent little pubs springing up at far better value

Good food and service. Relaxed atmosphere. Plenty of choice on menu and lots of specials. Have been several times and always been excellent.

I have been going to Francos restaurants for many years and this one doesn’t disappoint. Matches the best food and wine you can buy anywhere. Perfect for a special night out

Excellent and very attentive service Food excellent all perfectly cooked and well presented will be back

My Son Andrew and I simply had ‘given up’, when it comes to quality food, cooked expertly, in Clacton. Franco’s is tucked away you can easily miss it. I have lived here since 1972 and never been, also only open 4 days a week, not Sunday, when my Children mostly take me out. Anyhow, nice greeting and very inviting Bar area. Had a glass of draught Peroni, delicious. We shared a starter of Caramalli , but they served it deliciously on 2 plates, quite superb, perfect texture and lovely salad, had a Peroni with it, main course was Veal parigianni with sautéed potatoes and Frano’s Salad, outstanding, had a large glass of suggested white wine, nice texture and full soft flavour, delicious, then had the baked Lemon merangue cheesecake, which had a lovely crisp outer pastry, not cut from a slab, an individual pastry. The food on par with the best London food I have enjoyed. Finished off with fresh coffee, me a Latte. A lot going on, and plenty of quality beverages £92 for the two of us. A real treat of top quality food.

It was such a lovely thing to be able to offer a really good Italian meal to my family today. We were a large group of very mixed backgrounds and Franco and his team delivered a fabulous meal with great service to us all. The food was hot, tasty and enjoyed by all. The service was spot on and just what was needed. Thank you, you made the day very special indeed.

Always been on my mind to try, and so impressed.

We had heard good reports of this restaurant so thought we would give it a try. Food was excellent steaks cooked just right. This is an extremely busy restaurant so a good atmosphere. The only negative for me would be that I felt slightly rushed. I would prefer more time between courses especially at these prices. So to some it up excellent food, service rushed expensive but worth it for a special occasion.

Lovely evening with family, very friendly fine surroundings nothing is to much trouble very good menu, pasta dishes as you would expect for Italian, but also a full menu of other dishes plus large specials menu with a lot of fish dishes you would be hard pressed not to find something You liked. Our six year old grandson decided he wanted chicken nuggets which was not on the menu but the waitress asked if the chef would do some special for him, that is more than we could have expected very nice they were to.

Without doubt, the best restaurant in the area Brilliant service and brilliant food - there is really nothing more that can be said!

We ate here on Saturday evening. There was a warm welcome from the staff. The food was of a high quality and the warm potted crab salad highly recommended. Although the main courses were very good the highlight for me was the cheese board with a glass of vintage port. There was a good selection of tasty cheese served with a chutney and crackers. The vintage port was a perfect end to the meal.

Franco's is definitely a civilised oasis in a land of fast food and convenience. From being seated at the bar before being led to the table, pre-ordering the appetisers so they appeared as we sat at the table, to the freshly made food, to the desserts and coffee,with Franco coming into the restaurant to chat with the clients. All from a time lamentably passed.

As always it is a treat to visit Franco's the staff are very attentative and the quality of the food top notch and the generous potrions are an added bonus!! Thank you for a first class meal, see you soon

Booked a table here on a Saturday night (13/1/18) for 2, I have been here before so know the food is good.

We were a party of 4 adults and this was our first visit to this Restaurant, although our friends had been many times before. It is essential to book.

Came here for New Year’s Eve with daughter and soninlaw, for the second year running. Could not fault the atmosphere, the welcome, the service or the food. Every course was superb, well cooked and plenty of it. Thoroughly enjoyed the night, including the bagpipes!