Le Talbooth in Colchester

a special friends surprise Birthday- the food is super and the vegan menu sensational. service exquisite. even when serving 25 people or so- faultless.

My partner and I spent Mother’s Day afternoon today here and we were blown away by the place. The food was absolutely amazing we had the roast rib of beef which was to die for ! Their wine selection is one of the best in the area I’ve found. Please keep this incredible standard up guys ! It was a pleasure to dine there :)

Excellent evening with super delicious food, tip top service and a cosy setting with lovely ambience. Couldn’t fault it.

Took my wife here for her birthday, we had such a fantastic evening. Food was amazing. Some of the best food I've ever had. Service matched the quality of the food

We were made to feel very special, the food was beautifully presented and tasty. There was just the right amount of food for each course . The Higham rosè wine was very nice and reasonably priced. I would like to thank the staff for impeccable service.

We went for dinner for my wife’s birthday on Friday 26th January. This is my honest review and myself and my wife are fortunate to eat out at some very nice restaurants. Our meal was excellent both the starters and main course. Would I recommend 100% Was it good value for money, in comparison to other fine dining restaurants we have been to it was very similar. If I was being picky I would say a couple off the staff were too formal,it’s nice to feel welcome and relaxed. That said it’s a lovey restaurant and I fail to believe anyone going, would be disappointed, we certainly will return. Simon j Warren

We had a large family Sunday lunch here to celebrate an 80th birthday. We were all very happy with everything, food, ambiance and staff.

We visited on a Sunday for my mum’s 70th birthday and had the fixed price Sunday menu. I cannot fault the service or the staff and the food was top notch, even more so considering the very reasonable price. The menu was a nice balance of traditional dishes and more adventurous options, all cooked to perfection and beautifully plated. They even brought a small additional dessert for my mum. The atmosphere is upscale, but welcoming rather than pretentious. We had a wonderful time.

Have to say we were very impressed with Le Talbooth, service was impeccable, food to die for and beautiful surroundings and ambience. Not cheap by any stretch but if you can afford it, a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the lap of luxury.

Service was great, venue awesome. The food was presented well but lacked a little in flavour.

Went with family for Christmas Eve lunch and was utterly blown away by the food. I haven't had such good food in many years. The service was exceptional and the atmosphere was just right. We all had a thoroughly good experience and look forward to going back again.

We went there for New Year’s Day lunch, it was fantastic, the staff were all smiles, and were very attentive, the food was sublime, everything was so delicious, everything was perfect, it is my favourite restaurant,can’t wait to return

After visiting Talbooth since I was around 8 with my family on a regular basis, 40 years later I am still returning and it is just prefect each time. The food, staff, ambience, location on point along with amazing prices to match. Looking forward to returning in February.

Visited for annual pre Xmas treat. Food was amazing as always and the setting is charming. Service was a little slow and waiting staff were very keen to take glasses and side plates from our table even though we were still using them . We thought this was to make more room on the table but there was really no need for it. Didn’t put us off too much though, and we will still be returning!

Lovely location on the river with nice staff

Four of us had lunch on Saturday for my brothers 70th birthday we have been before the setting and the staff were excellent as usual . I had the A la carte Menü steak tartare to start stone bass and prawns for main and Welsh rarebit for dessert the others had the fixed price Menü which was also excellent everyone enjoyed there meal we will be returning very soon.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Talbooth Restaurant in Dedham, and I must say, it was an absolutely delightful experience from start to finish. Everything about this restaurant, from the incredible food to the exceptional staff and the beautiful setting, exceeded my expectations. Let's start with the food. The culinary creations at Talbooth are nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavors that left my taste buds in a state of pure bliss. The menu offered a diverse range of options, catering to various tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you're a seafood lover, a fan of succulent meats, or a vegetarian seeking innovative and delicious options, Talbooth has something to satisfy every palate. But it wasn't just the food that impressed me. The staff at Talbooth was truly outstanding. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted with warm and genuine hospitality. The waitstaff was attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the dishes they served. They were more than happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions, ensuring that each guest felt valued and well taken care of. The service was impeccable throughout the entire evening, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall dining experience. Now, let's talk about the setting. Talbooth is nestled in a picturesque location in Dedham, surrounded by lush greenery and offering breathtaking views. The restaurant itself exudes elegance and charm, with a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. Whether you choose to dine indoors or take advantage of the outdoor seating, you're in for a treat. The beautiful setting enhances the dining experience, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere that is perfect for special occasions or simply enjoying a memorable meal. In summary, Talbooth Restaurant in Dedham is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise it receives. The food is exceptional, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the setting is simply stunning. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the area, I highly recommend treating yourself to a dining experience at Talbooth. You won't be disappointed!

I had my wedding ceremony and my wedding lunch here, and it was just perfect. The staff were just wonderful and so professional, they made our day so special. I cannot thank them enough.

Booked a table for two for Sunday lunch and l have to say we left Le Talbooth feeling disappointed. We were regular visitors here in the nineties when in my opinion the food quality and service were far better. Most of the waiters and waitresses found it difficult to raise a smile and all three dishes on the Sunday lunch menu were pretty average and not really worth the £55 per head charge. Even though the setting is fantastic I know for sure I could get a better value for money lunch elsewhere that would be far less expensive.

Perfect service, delicious food, many wine variations

Perfect! The food was absolutely delicious and the staff were just so lovely and all in such a lovely setting. What a wonderful afternoon. Thank you. We will be back!

Gourmet food from an imaginative menu, beautifully presented and expertly and pleasantly served in gorgeous surroundings. I'm not sure how you would top this anywhere. Quite superb.

Talbooth Restaurant was fantastic! Beautiful venue, impeccable service, and delicious food. We'll be back in summer to enjoy the riverside view. The surprise birthday dessert was a lovely touch.

Absolutely fantastic. This was THE best meal we have had out for a long time. From the super friendly and attentive staff to the wonderful food NOTHING could be faulted. We went for Saturday lunch. The bread before the meal was gorgeous. We almost asked for some to bring home. The starters, black pudding scotch egg and wood pigeon, were excellent and just the right size. For mains we had veal and guinea fowl. The veal was huge and as soft as butter. The guinea foul was equally good. For dessert we had Jamaican banana pudding and mille feuille. They were faultless. The ambience was perfect and we will definitely be back soon. Overall an extremely enjoyable experience at a reasonable price. Highly, highly recommended.

A delightful evening with great food and attentive staff

Nice food friendly A little formal

Perfect celebratory meal. Plenty of choice and exemplary service with no rushing - thank you

The terrace by the river is an absolutely beautiful spot for lunch on a sunny day (just ignore the sound of traffic from the busy road just behind the trees!). The service was wonderful and the food looks and tasted amazing. Would thoroughly recommend for a special meal out.

Excellent food and service just does not warrant the highest of prices.

Wonderful location, wonderful service, beautifully presented food. In our opinion very heavy on the salt which we did not like

We came here to have our anniversary meal and everything was perfect as expected! Friendly and very polite staff who work very hard to make everyone around them happy. Food was nice and on time and reasonably priced. We love the outdoor tables as the scenery is to die for but as it was a bit chilly for us so we asked to be moved inside, they were very accommodating. My only recommendation would be to broaden then menu a bit as the choices are a little limited.

This was our first visit. Initial impression on arrival was very good. Beautiful environs. We loved the terrace table with river view and with French style canopy and gas heaters. The temperature was great. The food was top class. We both had a delicious smoked haddock and poached egg tart with the thinnest and lightest pastry. My wife had lamb and I had ribs of beef. The meat was top class and the vegetables were really good especially the cauliflower cheese. I had a very good plate of cheese and my wife had what she described as the best ever sticky toffee pudding. The staff were plentiful and well trained but not intrusive. All in all a first rate five star experience.

Evening meal on a Friday to celebrate my wife's birthday. We have eaten here and The Pier restaurant many times before and the food has always been of a similar excellent standard. What let the evening down for us was very slow and robotic service (It was busy but we expected better) with waits of between 30 and 40 minutes between ordering and our starter arriving and a similar wait after our main course before our desert order was taken( I think we had been forgotten if I am being honest).Odd and inconvenient that we had to share an ice bucket for the wine with another table some distance away ! What was most annoying however was the continual and unwanted background of some indistinguishable Music (bass sounds thumping away as we eat) from a wedding reception in an adjoining building adjacent to the restaurant. Not something we expected or wanted when spending £200+ on a Special celebratory meal. With the negatives outweighing the positives I am not sure we will be returning to the Talbooth any time soon.

I was lucky enough to be taken for my birthday. We had the most wonderful experience and the food was delicious. A lovely menu to choose from and extensive wine list. We were lucky enough to be able to sit outside and this was really nice. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend here for a lovely birthday/celebration meal. This was our first visit but it won't be our last.

Perfect evening for our daughters 18th b’day meal. As such a beautiful eve we were offered the terrace for our dining experience. It was our first time visiting and would defiantly recommend. Great service, delicious food, beautiful location. Thoughtful touch from the kitchen with a surprise little b’day sweet treat for my daughter. Also rather enjoyed the wonderful chocolate box choice with the coffee. Thank you to all the staff for a wonderful dining experience.

Very old and interesting building. Hotel and bar. Holds events and is very popular.

HAVE BEEN TO THE TALBOOTH MANY TIMES. FOOD IS EXCELLENT. TOOK FRIENDS FOR LUNCH ON SUNDAY AND SERVICE WAS VERY SLOW AND THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE SMOKING OUTSIDE THAT IT SPOILT THE MEAL. I KNOW SMOKING IS PERMITTED IN THE FAR CORNER BUT THEY WERE ALSO SMOKING ON THE TABLES DOWN BY THE RIVER. THERE WAS ALSO SOMEONE VAPING ON THE NEXT TABLE TO US. BECAUSE OF THIS I WON'T BE RUSHING BACK!

Fantastic place where dreams are made real

Our first visit today. Fabulous food, comfort wind and Outlook. I knocked a star off because we were approached upon leaving to pay our bill that had already been paid. I didn't appreciate that mistake. But, we will be back as everything else was superb.

A fantastic restaurant with an excellent level of service and great food. We enjoyed a 3-course, second sitting Sunday lunch in September, having booked in January.

Four of us enjoyed a fabulous meal at Talbooth to celebrate our daughter’s 40th birthday. This was our first visit to the restaurant and we were shown to a table in a stunning position overlooking the river. The staff were lovely, friendly, helpful and very professional. We all managed three courses and the food was perfect, all matched with some very nice wines. An unforgettable evening!

Amazing place, nothing else to say 😍

Fantastic location next to the river. Great on a summers evening for drinks outside before dinner Food was amazing and well worth the cost. You get what you pay for! I have been a number of times over the years and it continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in the south of England

We had a wonderful lunch here today, sitting on the patio by the river. Although it was a little overcast, there were large patio heaters under a gazebo and it was therefore warm enough to sit outside. The restaurant seemed to become quite busy from 1pm onwards but luckily my husband and I had booked a table for 12.30pm. The riverside setting is really pretty and we experienced excellent, attentive service from our waiters/ waitresses. As we had visited the restaurant a few times before, we had high expectations for our lunch today. The set menu definitely offers great value for money - we had 3 courses for just under £50 each. You can opt for 2 courses which is about £39pp and whilst we felt fairly full up after 2 courses the temptation of the dessert menu meant we opted for 3 courses in the end! There is also an à la carte menu so plenty of things to choose from. I also saw the vegan and vegetarian menu so all people’s tastes appear to be catered for. We were not disappointed - the food was beautifully presented and flavours were superb. It’s so nice to go out for a meal and come away reflecting on how good it was talking about it on our journey home. If you are visiting the Dedham area or live nearby, we would highly recommend the restaurant. We have already booked to visit again as this is our favourite restaurant and well worth the hour’s journey for us to get there. Thank you to everyone at La Maison Talbooth.

Visited here as included with our hotel stay for a mini moon superb staff and service food was out of this world, amazing views of the river, yes it’s expensive but you pay for what you get a luxury experience.

We had a lovely Sunday afternoon lunch for our family to celebrate the retirement of “Mum! “ All was well - beautiful setting, good if not perfect service, excellent food. We could not fault it. Until it came to the coffee. Two of our party of five ordered coffee - the rest didn’t. Having spent close to £500 on the lunch (including beverages) to be told that the rest of our party could not have a chocolate with the two who had ordered coffee, seems both mean spirited and more than a little short-sighted. The waitress, who was probably following instruction, said the chocolates were only available to those who had coffee. Come on! Really?

Excellent meal sat alongside the river in a picturesque setting

Had Sunday lunch here on the terrace ! Absolutely fabulous

Lovely evening w delicious food. We did get a bit cold as evening wore on and the terrace heaters don't really help the tables on the periphery. Also the wedding constant disco drum beat wouldn't be my preference for a sound track to an otherwise lovely meal with my late 80 something year old in laws.

Excellent meal and service in a gorgeous setting. Nice vegetarian and vegan menu.

Enjoyed a wonderful evening here with my husband. Have wanted to have dinner here for so long but never got round to it - was certainly worth the wait. The menu was amazing……made it a little hard to choose what to have!! Each course was wonderful and presented beautifully. Service was excellent. Will definitely return.

4 of us had a wonderful evening there on Saturday, sat by the river and as always had delicious food, served by some wonderful staff, it is as near to perfect as you can get . 😋

AMAZING AS ALWAYS - Royal Ascot Ladies Day event plus dinner night before Belatedly I am writing this review for the most excellent event we attended with our friends at this fabulous location Upon walking into the grounds for the champagne reception the gardens were meticulously maintained and the most stunning location alongside the river bank Beautiful day so able to enjoy the champagne reception before going and sitting for the wonderful lunch inside the marquee - lunch was exquisite We will definitely book again next year - p

We got married at Le Talbooth in July 2003 and over the years have gone back for steel band bbqs, 60th birthday celebrations and special occasions along with a few of our wedding anniversaries. Sadly we haven’t visited for a number of years so we were apprehensive about visiting for our 20th wedding anniversary, but we had a lovely evening. The ambiance was lovely and the food outstanding. The staff were attentive and friendly. Sadly the rain that evening prevented us from getting a photo on the lawn to replicate the one from 20 years ago when the weather was very different, a scorching hot one as opposed to the torrential rain on the 22nd July this year. Can’t wait to return.

I chose this place to celebrate our anniversary because my wife deserves the best and boy did we score in trumps! We arrived a bit early but were met with overwhelming courtesy and staff looking so happy to help and who enjoyed their workplace. We...

As always, a splendid dining experience. Lovely to see well trained young people maintaining a long-term reputation.

We were here with friends for a late Sunday lunch. The food was generally good (shout out to the rib of beef), cheese was bit boring and without any explanation of what they were. The setting was lovely - we were in the garden, situated...

Attended my nephews wedding on Saturday 29th July. Obviously the setting, building is stunning. But the service from start to finish and the food was beyond outstanding to. An amazing team. Thankyou

Having been to the Talbooth several times before, it was great to be back there again. Marvellous food and service.

Absolutely amazing. Lovely old building with gorgeous grounds. Parking available on site. The food was very tasty. Good customer service. Highly recommend.

My boyfriend and I have been here before (for our anniversary dinner in Jan 2023 - we loved it) However, we are visiting Dedham again in July 2023 and we were overly disappointed. We’d just been to Milsoms just around the corner (the sister restaurant...

This is fine dining with excellent food cooked perfectly. We ate on the terrace next to the beautiful river, which was ideal on a warm evening. The service was very good, For example, we ordered the Chateaubriand, which comes for two people. The Maitre D asked us how we would like it cooked as we usually have steak cooked differently. He carved and served it for us so that each person had the slices they preferred. All this with no fuss at all. My only feedback was that the tables were quite close together so you could hear the conversations everyone was having. Overall, a very enjoyable fine dining experience.

We were taking some business friends for a meal . They arrived before us and ordered drinks and were given drink snacks , we arrived and then ordered cocktails for all of us which took ages and they delivered 3 and we waited ages for...

For a restaurant that advertises its award winning food and service I am afraid to say that my visit didn’t demonstrate that. I booked a table to bring my parents to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary (3:15 pm booking) and from the outset I was...

Lovely Food, good service, pricey but ideal for a special occasion, wine very expensive. Fantastic views! 😊 Gx

We had a very poor experience for the third time this year when visiting Le Talbooth for a special occasion. Previously we had thought it was a blip but clearly now standards have fallen. The service was absolutely dreadful.. we had to ask repeatedly for...

Terrible service. Average expensive food. Save money go to miller and carter .

Passing by the restaurant by car and being amazed by the picturesque scenery, we spontaneously decided to have lunch. Unfortunately, we didn't receive the warm welcome we had hoped for, leaving us uncertain about the reason. We wondered if it was because of our age or if we were underdressed, as we have never encountered a similar feeling in the fine dining restaurants we frequent in London. While the food was good, it didn't quite reach the level of excellence we were expecting.

Le Talbooth boasts that it is an upmarket, award-winning restaurant but in reality it isn’t half as good as it thinks it is. There were six of us for lunch and thank goodness we had a few things to talk about. We waited 40 minutes...

Still going there for lunch after 40 years that says it all

Lunch at Le Talbooth is a treat; beautiful location and great food. The question is do they grow their potatoes in the dirty fingernails of the server who was serving us. When a slice of bread fell of the plate he was serving us and...

Lovely location and building. We sat outside on the terrace next to the river for dinner. It as a birthday dinner so very much looking forward to sampling the delights of the Talbooth restaurant. The salmon to start with was extremely nice and well presented....

Absolutely beautiful. We go once a year and the staff are always friendly and the food is just incredible. Beautiful location with old Tudor houses right on the river. Stunning, definitely recommend.

Beautiful location, and excellent service. I had high expectations for the food but it did disappoint me for the price. On arrival there were olives and nuts on the table to graze. Some bread was served which was really good though the butter was a little hard. I had the guinea fowl press to start which was under seasoned and quite bland, though the presentation was lovely. For main I had the steak which was just okay. The sauce was very rich and in comparison slightly over seasoned. For dessert I had the rhubarb and custard tart. The pastry was light and crispy and delicious. I did not get much rhubarb flavour which is a shame. There were lots of jelly bits on top which were also underwhelming . My least favourite course. You have to pay a £25pp deposit which is taken off the bill automatically. There is parking and I wheelchair accessible to the main restaurant. There were vegan and vegetarian. Our bill was about £190 for 3 courses for 2 people, 2 glasses of wine, 2 orange and lemonades, a pint of ale and some sparkling water.

Great food and lovely location.

Great experience. Service and food both excellent. Seems to have upped their Sunday Lunch game, although the classic rib of beef, a staple for many, is still on the menu. The added bonus of riverside dinning on a beautiful day.

I made a reservation to celebrate my girlfriends birthday and I mentioned that at the time of booking. I even paid a 50£ deposit. When we arrived, we were placed at a table that seemed like it was improvised and we felt like outcasts, although...

£10 for a shandy… The bar manager Charged me £10 for a shandy! Didn’t realise the incredible price hike until after I’d finished the drink, When I questioned the price I was rudely told that that is what they charge. All in all a great shame.

18th wedding anniversary and as they caterer for our wedding it seemed an appropriate place to celebrate, so made a weekend of it. Lovely room, very helpful staff and excellent meal 😋 highly recommend. We were even lucky with the weather too!

The bar manager Charged me £10 for a shandy! Didn’t realise the incredible price hike until after I’d finished the drink, When I questioned the price I was rudely told that that is what they charge. All in all a great shame.

Beautiful place, excellent staff but very expensive

Was really looking forward to this, but was disappointed! We didn't have a reservation but popped by on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. Unfortunately, we were not made feel welcome and treated a bit out of place, even though we complied with the dress code. Still, it seemed like we didn't fit a certain image or meet their predetermined standards, even though we go to fine dining restaurants on a regular basis. Moving on to the food, it was a letdown for us. The dishes were mediocre, lacking the finesse and attention to detail that elevate a dining experience. My starter (asparagus with hollandaise), in particular, lacked flavor, and the presentation left much to be desired, as you can see from the picture. For the price we paid, we had anticipated a much more remarkable culinary journey. On the upside, the location of the restaurant is beautiful, especially on a sunny day.

Food, service and over all experience was fantastic.. My partner is GF and chef/waiter catered for her needs so she didn't go without. Drove over an hour to get there and was most definitely worth it.. will be going again.

Really beautiful place with well trained staff!

Went for a meal for my birthday, everyone from the two colleagues who treated us on the doors, the young man at the bar to the waiters were great so polite and didn’t miss a thing. As expected the food was delicious and the presentation...

Food was amazing. Service good but coffee order forgotten so have awarded 4/5 stars.

We had dinner at the Talbooth whilst staying as part of a package at the La Talbooth House and Spa for my wife's Landmark Birthday treat. The whole experience was amazing, the food was so very good and the service exceptional. The Chateaubriand was a...

Wonderful restaurant.. very friendly staff.. food was good, we had a qonderful time. Great option for a classy evening in and around colchester. Would recommend.

I wonderful experience. Fantastic food, excellent service lovely atmosphere and place. Looks out onto the river. A real treat.

Food was delicious, the staff were polite but the service wasn’t great. During our meal one of the servers took a finished plate away while we were still eating - I don’t expect that at a pub let alone here! Afterwards we had drinks in the bar and were practically told to hurry up and leave at 10:15 (having already told us at 9:40 that they closed at 10:30) Seeing as there were three of us and it was an occasion meal that evening, you would have thought they would’ve let us drink in peace for another quarter of an hour! As I said, the food was delicious but the service was not the standard I expected.

Spent a fantastic Sunday afternoon tea and music from Sarah Mai - food was exceptional and a mix of people, nice riverboat ride included. Music top class Sarah Mai really is fantastic - all in all a great great time had

All very posh and nice. Very pricey but you can't complain on the 3 factors above. If any of them was less than a 5 then the prices would be criminal

Always a fabulous meal, good quality, attention to detail, and attentive service

Chosen because still open at 21:00 on a Tuesday. Found it difficult to believe in this day and age that there wasn't one vegetarian (let alone vegan) dish as either a starter or a main course. The faintly disgusting smell from the distinctly unfresh sole...

I owed a friend a favor's so took him for lunch; we both had al a carte. I hesitate to have a heavy dinner here, then go home to bed. So, I usual go here for Sunday lunch, which is always terrific. My lunch here...

Fantastic wedding venue! Highly recommended

It wasn’t too busy and staff most attentive. Food was wonderful and perfectly sized. Had to pre-book with deposit but made paying the final bill more palatable. Pardon the pun. Fabulous location but must get rammed in the summer.

The food is amazing as well as the servers. I definitely recommend going there. FIVE STARS 🎉

I really expected more for the eye-watering prices. Had soft-shell crab to start. The batter didn’t add anything and the accompaniments were virtually tasteless. The description sounded full of flavour but I barely got any. This starter cost about £19. Then I had the lemon...

The food is excellent, as is the service. The setting is fabulous set right on the river. On a sunny day you can sit outside (depending on availability). We went for lunch this time, and chose from the lunch menu. Don't be put off by a pea soup - the Pea Veloute is far from that, simply gorgeous. I had the belly pork for main and it just melted in the mouth. Only slight complaint was the dirty napkin that arrived with the Veloute, but I have been many times and not had that before, hopefully just an oversight. It is not cheap but the quality of the food is worth it, added to that, the setting makes it a restaurant to put on your list.