Recess coffee shop in Chelmsford

Food ok. Used here a couple of times just recently and must say that we agree with the other reviewers, it's not as good as it used to be and found the counter staff not very friendly or welcoming, however our waitress was very nice as she always has been each time we has been. Shame as way back it was always a friendly venue, must of changed hands.

My bag was stolen from this cafe, they were so unhelpful, , they have cameras but they’re not working so be aware when you go in there and hold on to your bag

Went there yesterday with my family and had lunch. Good price food and drinks. Tap water was available. Really tasty sandwiches and coffee. The staff was really nice and helpful as one of my children is very fussy about his food. We will definitely be back.

Awful wrong food given rude staff weak coffee. As staff has food and drinks gone down hill. Use to be a lot better. Such a shame

Definitely 1 out of 10, running around like headless chicken, and not knowing where to put the food that was ordered. Don’t even look at the table numbers to make sure that the food is taken to the right table. Absolutely disgusting to the people not enough experience better staff. Waited far too long for our food and I was not hungry when it arrived. I asked my money back disgusting

I came in for a coffee and a jacket potato. I'm not sure why the reviews are saying no tap water as there's tap water to hand for us to serve ourselves! Just ask for a cup and we can have as much as we like. I was also asked if I wanted any butter in my jacket, so butter is there. I asked about the previous reviews and it's said we just need to ask if we wish to have any. Emily was very friendly when serving me and I saw that the owner cooked/prepped all food being served 😋 Absolutely delicious! The salad was tasty with a decent portion of tuna and sweetcorn provided too. I'll be back! ❤️

We had the same experience as some previous reviewers. A member of staff was very rude when ordering. When the food did arrive it was poor, dry and tasteless.

Staff very surly … won’t give tap water to anyone even a toddler … cheese sandwich very dry no butter… given children size sandwich but paid for adult…. I recon this has changed ownership

We’ve always liked Recess and visited again this morning, both having hot food and hot drinks. I then ordered a couple of cakes and asked if I could have a glass of tap water, only to be told ‘We don’t do tap water’ I thought this was greedy of them as we had already spent money on food and drinks in there. If they ‘don’t do tap water’ I wondered what they wash up with! We would think twice about going back there which is a shame as we liked the food.

A friendly and welcoming coffee shop. Staff were pleasant. Nice cup of coffee and toast in a basket. It feels nice atmosphere inside

Find your table then go up to order. I wanted a drop of tap water to take a tablet which I explained to the young girl taking my food and drinks order. She abruptly told me they don't give out tap water but to buy a bottle . I did not want to purchase a whole bottle as I only wanted a few sips . Very abrupt and uncaring attitude. Needless to say I won't be returning. Food served quickly and was very nice . But there are plenty of other places where they will give me a glass of tap water with a smile !

Everything good, (almost) especially on a warm sunny spring morning sitting beside the river. Really disappointed to be told no tap water which was a total surprise. First time ever anywhere we've ever been both home and abroad to be refused this essential for life commodity. Shame but true. Cannot understand why unless it's the temptation of profit on bottled from the one time use of the dreaded plastic bottle. Food, service and coffee excellent.

I love this place. I come in here on my own, the food is delicious and the ladies are always so friendly and nice, I always feel welcome here. My favourite place in Chelmsford.

Went here today for coffee and a jacket potatoe for lunch. Coffee, food and service were really good. There is a wide menu on the wall and there were a fair number of people in

I went into recesss today, it took a few mins for someone to acknowledge I was there. I was served by a very lovely lady and I asked for a Brie and Ham sandwich, I was asked if I wanted white or brown bread. I asked for brown. A few minutes later someone came from the back and dumped a carton on the counter and did not speak. I assumed as I was the only one waited I took it and called out thank you. I got no response. I got back to the office opposite the Market and opened said sandwich to find no butter, no marge just dry bread with ham and Brie and a few crisps. I feel cheated!! £4.95 that sandwich cost me!!!! I won't be returning that's for sure

Pop in here fairly often especially when meeting friends or family, it's always good food, staff always friendly and polite, it's well kept what more do you want?

I loved visiting Recess Coffee Shop! Keeley and her team are awesome, very friendly and helpful! The cappuccino here is definitely one of the best I had while staying in the UK. They have a great varietety of cakes, and different lunch options! Recess Coffee Shop is located close to the main shopping area, so it's perfect if you need a break after you've completed your shopping! Very clean and warm atmosphere. Perfect! A lot of local customers who frequent regularly - definitely a good sign!

Really lovely place to eat, Staff are so friendly and welcoming and the food is top quality. Would definitely recommend

Visited this cafe on a midday Saturday in November, was so lovely and the busy atmosphere shows how popular they are!! Was so relaxed to sit outside and watch over the river and see a bit of winter sun! Overall lovely staff and spotlessly clean, was very impressed and will 100% visit again

I stopped here for lunch with my family but was left really disappointed. Although my chicken baguette was nice, the sausage sandwiches my kids ordered looked dreadful. The sausages looked like they had been cooked in a microwave. Floppy and chewy, they didn’t eat them. My mother in law ordered a plain omelette and I have never seen anything like it in my life. It looked more like a pancake. Tiny and very thin. For £6 as well, I was really embarrassed having recommended we stop there. Total rip off. I know I should have complained at the time but didn’t want to ruin the day, so thought I would make up for it with a round of cakes. We were met by a very huffy girl with attitude when we asked what the cakes were. Perhaps if they were labelled, people wouldn’t have to keep asking. Overall it came to over £45 for some sandwiches, coffee and cake. Personally, I wouldn’t bother again. Plenty of other places in Chelmsford to eat.

Close to the stone bridge, but slightly tucked away from the High street the Recess coffee shop was a welcome break from the heat. There is outside seating overlooking the river, or inside which was nice and cool. Wheelchair and pushchair access through one door, the other meant a small step down to the toilet. The toilet was a lovely size and spotlessly clean. I liked the fact there was a separate changing area for nappies meaning others can still use the loo while you are doing it.Service was at the till and we were greeted with big smiles. There were a range of baked potatoes, baguettes, panini's etc to chose from, plus hot and cold drinks. Despite being busy it wasn't a long wait and food was delicious and a decent portion.I would have given it four stars but the lack of clearing away was really noticeable. Dirty plates were sitting around on empty tables for quite a while, we actually had to make space by putting ours on another table. I don't know if the young waitresses were inexperienced but it was a bit of a shame. All in all a nice place to venture for a bit of lunch.

You will be well received by a member of the staff. It is a well appointed cafe with a menu to suit all tastes. Clean and tidy throughout. Also has a nice selection of cakes.

Use to like going here for our coffee break and on occasions lunch. Service was good and the sandwich were good. However the coffee shop was sold and that’s when stopped using to to the main reason was because they started to use processed meats which we did not enjoy.

Absolutely love that I can choose any of the sandwich combos on the menu and have it in GF bread or as a toastie. I find that lunch is the hardest meal to do ad-hoc when you have a gluten intolerance and you usually have to select from a couple of lame options or you have to go into a proper full on restaurant to have any sort of bigger choice so it’s very refreshing to get to choose from the whole menu that’s quick, easy and you can also get it to go!

I don't often use coffee shops in my home town - but whenever I do I try to use Recess, which I have done twice in the last few days.

Visited late Saturday morning. Tables were left uncleared and this seemed to be given low priority by staff. We decided to sit outside rather than wait for our coffees at a table with previous occupants finished crockery. The coffee, even though one had a double shot was bland and weak.

Often go here for morning coffee and breakfast. The sausage baguette is very good, always freshly cooked. My husband says the coffee is good and there is decaf tea available which is a plus for me. There is a pleasant atmosphere and the staff are excellent and friendly.

great little place to get a quick bite to eat at a really good price. Nice staff and good coffee each time i have visited so well done

We visited with our four year old this very lovely and well looked after cafe by the canal. We had lunch there and the food was really good. The toasties has lots of cheese and the baguettes are also well made. The Rossi ice cream is a fantastic addition and not many cafes are doing them. We enjoyed our visit and will be back when in the area! Thanks!!

Visit this coffee shop few times. I like food , very filling and coffee nice. Staff needs a bit training how to approach customers!More attention to detail when taking order and don't argue with customer if you made mistake. In general is lovely place and I will come back because I like food and it is quite peaceful place but still can be very busy.

Perfect for a quick light lunch with good coffee and swift service and reasonably priced and close to centre of Chelmsford

Good range of food on offer at the Recess and a friendly ambience.

Called in here very recently and was pleasantly surprised by the food and drinks on offer, a very wide range is on offer for both food and coffee which is always good, and not forgetting the cakes of course, plus the staff were very friendly and helpful, ample seating some outside which is nice.

My husband and I enjoyed our lunch any this lovely coffee shop. The food was delicious, plenty of choice, we both had cold drinks so cannot comment on that, but overall a really nice place for lunch, good prices too.

We hadn't visited Recess lately but popped in on Saturday afternoon for a cold drink and a cake. As the weather was so nice (plus the floor was being washed) we sat outside. What a difference a year makes! The lovely baskets on the railings by the river were just an ugly mess and obviously hadn't been replanted this year. The previous owner prided herself on having a better display than the Council's - no competition from Recess this year though! Please Recess, buy a few geraniums and polish up your act! Happy with the food and drink but very disappointed with the view.

I ordered ham and cheese croissant. And I received soft microwaved piece of the cheapest cheese with oil on top! So greasy and awful.

Popped in here for two 'icecream milkshakes ' as they were described. £2.65 each, no ice cream im them at all as were not cold. Far too sweet too so won't visit again. Had some lunch there once before and wasn't great either.

Have been frequenting this coffe shop for many years now. Keeping going back because there is always a friendly welcome, and good atmosphere. Good quality coffee with well prepared food. You will never leave Recess feeling hungry as there portions are always on the generous size.

Large selection of sandwiches and drinks which are all very reasonably priced. I chose a BLT baguette; it was made with smoked bacon (which is my favourite), tomatoes were tasty, ice-burg lettuce gave moisture to the baguette (though I prefer other lettuce), but for some reason the baguette wasn't buttered nor had mayonnaise. I should've mentioned something before eating it, but I was so hungry I just hogged it down. With the ice-burg lettuce it meant the bread wasn't dry, so was still ok; and there was plenty of filling which was great.

Visited with friends for a drink and early lunch and catch up. The three of us all had a Panini of various types and were all very good. I am a fussy eater but there was no problem here as staff were happy to change your order to what you wanted. Was not packed the day we went but busy and yet was still fairly quiet which meant catching up and chatting was easy which is not always easy in some establishments. My only criticism if you can call it that is that the chairs are a bit low and tables a bit high which meant you had to sit up straight so was good for my posture!

A good reasonable coffee bar/café. Nice atmosphere reasonable prices and good food . In th summer I'm sure the outside is excellent

I like Recess. It's a lovely little coffe shop tucked away by the river where the staff always greet you with courtesy and a smile. Good prices for good food in comfortable surroundings!

Although this is a lovely, family run coffee shop, it is let down by the dirty toilet. It is the best coffee in town and I have recommended the cafe to many people but I can't now. I won't be returning.

I have been to this cafe many times and it is always good. The staff are friendly and efficient and the food is always as expected. The list of baguettes and paninis are extensive and they don't mind if you mix and match fillings. There are only ever 2/3 empty tables which i think says it all.

Just off the hight street this small but attractive coffee shop/cafe offers good breakfast and lunch options with sweet treats as an extra. They cater well for the allergy sufferers and their prices are fair.

I visit this shop on a daily basis, excellent coffee, great service and good value food. The proprietor and her team, are a pleasure to do business with

My son and I visited today , I ordered cheese & onion toasted sandwich, which is exactly what I got with a few crisps added . No Salad or even a few slices of tomato. Looked insipid sitting on the plate. My son had bacon and Stilton baguette, again just a baguette sitting in a plate, and no crisps. Waitress laid plates on table without saying a word. However coffee was good and food was tasty, but a few additions would have better for the price it was. And please smile girls !!!

Me my nan and cousin often come here as it is one of our regulars we all had a coffee and salad each and it was beautiful it was to die for the coronation chicken is the best I've ever tasted..the staff are brill and so sociable and the owner is a lovely lady and her husband we love it here and it's never seems to disappoint us ever definitely reccomed to everyone as it is a family run buisness aswell

I love to lunch here with my girlfriends, there are lots of choices & all fresh & delicious, with generous potions, served by very friendly staff in a relaxed atmosphere

Lovely ladies, great jacket potatoes and fantastic cakes. Really enjoy sneaking off here on my lunch break.

Very friendly service and very kind. They also very kindly donated a few of their delicious scones for Brentwood Gingerbread who used them for a cake sale where we raised £98.51 for Variety Club in their 50th year. Thank you so much :-)

The new management have turned this coffee shop around.

Just been shopping in Chelmsford and popped into this coffee shop for a bite to eat, I had a cheese and ham toastie it was absolutely delicious and I'm a really fussy Eater. It came with some lovely crisps was really enjoyable. Lovely staff, very friendly, good atmosphere, great hygiene! Would recommend this to anyone who visits Chelmsford. I will definitely be a returning customer!

The new management here look as though they've been handed a jail sentence.not at all friendly.food gone downhill...I ordered a toastie which came as if they'd slapped a piece of ham in a barely toasted piece of limp bread.i asked for salad cream on the side and they hardly had any I was told....not great for a salad/sandwich place.

We visited for a small bite to eat and a hot drink on a cold day and this came through with flying colours.

Popped in for lunch after reading the good reviews already on here. I wasn't disappointed!

I've been going to recess for a few years now, it is a family run business with the most friendly of staff and owner, the coffee and food is amazing, I would definitely recommend this it is so much better than all the chain shops and they also make all there food freshly and the homemade scones are to die for !!!

Very pleasant place to meet up with friends for tea, coffee and snacks. Clean, good service and food.

I always come here for coffee, panini and the papers - easily the best place in town and such a welcome change from all the chains. Recently changed owners but still very good. Main clientele is older couples but a friendly welcome is extended to all. Probably not the cheapest either but definitely worth paying a little bit more for the relaxing environment and great food and drink.

What better than a proper hot English pudding with custard to keep you warm on a cold winter's day? Only £2.45 - such good value. Need I say more ?

We were finding it very hard to find a non-chain coffee shop in the Town Centre and we stumbled across this place. The coffee is outstanding and the sandwich selection was very good. Freshly made and a decent size. Less than £20 for lunch for 3 - drinks and panninis - very good value.

We went late afternoon so it was quiet. Although we didn't eat there was a good selection of cakes and other food

Popped in for a coffee and Sandwich on Saturday. Really nice lattes and my friend had a "small roll" which was quite large, filled with tuna. Nice staff, good value. Would recommend.

We use this venue regularly for lunch and coffee meets. There has been a management change recently and we felt that it wasn't quite up to the previous owner's standards. However, it is friendly and offers and comfortable coffee break and meet up with friends. It does get busy and sometimes tables are hard to find.

We went for a quick Sunday lunch. Very good service and clearly a family run business which is a nice change in this day and age. I had a bacon and Stilton toasted baguette which was enormous. I think they used a whole packet of bacon and Stilton so I'm not complaining. Would have been enough for 2 people and was delicious. I would rather come here than a chain coffee shop especially to support local businesses. This is far better than acanteen down the road.

We have been here a few times and they never seem to disappoint us, they have a wide range of menu and everything is freshly made. The staff whcih work there are extremely friendly and efficient and are really welcoming. Well worth a visit, perhaps not if you are going during your lunch hour as sometimes can be waiting around if there are lots of other customers.

We used to go here some time ago, but whilst in central Chelmsford nothing beats PRET for quality and speed.

The coffee is always good. The homemade scones delicious. My husband always has a BLT baguette and they are freshly made.

Really friendly and efficient staff. Visited there for the coffee reviews. Coffee was not good and the place a little clinical for me bit like an old service station. Shame cause their in a great spot

Went here for tea and cake, the shortbread was absolutely delicious. A friend told me they were breast feeding friendly, which was great, but was rather disappointed there was no nappy changing facilities, I had to take my baby to Marks to do it, which a bit of a nuisance.

Always good food and delicious cakes. A good place to catch up with friends as it is not too noisy. Nice staff

....... and they even sell Byron Bay cookies (that Sainsburys stoppped stocking)! Food and service cannot be faulted, decor leaves a little to be desired (feels like a half stocked gift shop) but that can be overlooked as never fails to deliver on the gluten free toasties and panini's. We have always managed to grab a paper to read too! Overall good value!

This is the place to go when you want personal service. The owner and her staff treat you as individuals and unlike the big chains you actually mean something to them.

Really nice coffee shop, sandwiches are very generously filled. Nice to go somewhere with decent good sized gluten free sandwiches also. The thing that would make it perfect is to have at least one Gluten free cake as one can become envious looking at all the other scrumptious looking delights!

Fantastic coffee shop run by the loveliest lady Tracey. No where else compares! Fantastic coffee and delicious cakes and baguettes!

My friend visited me today and felt like checking out an independent cafe for a drink. I'd seen Recess a few times, but never been inside, so this seemed as good a time as ever to try it out.

This used to be a favourite venue but haven't visited in a while. I can't think why I've left it so long as it is just as good as it always was. Recess serves Lavazza coffee which is a delicious blend. I ordered a Stilton and bacon baguette & offered the option of having the bacon hot. The baguette was made to order and the filling was very generous. Delicious! Recess is definitely back on my favourites list.

Have visited this Coffee shop several times mid-morning for coffee and have always enjoyed the experience. Great coffee, lots of seating and not too busy making for an excellent short break from the hustle and bustle of Chelmsford!

Excellent coffee, excellent service and an extensive range of lunchtime favourites. I highly recommend this coffee shop.

They are very friendly and stock Coeliac Rolls and use butter from the little packets. They also sell pre wrapped branded cake bars etc. Lovely coffee too and always busy with a welcoming atmosphere.

A great alternative to the major coffee chains. Tracey and team are friendly and there is a good range of baguettes. Lemon prawn is my favourite!

This really is a family friendly gem from kids to nan we all love it. Staff pleasant, food fresh - portions huge and an amazing child friendly ethos which makes it affordable for extra visits rather than a one off treat. Thank you to the owners/management.

I have been coming here for 10 years or so for lunch, it's always yummy. Always busy! Service is lovely. Only down side is they always seem to run out of my filling!! Maybe because it's so yummy!

Staff are always very pleasant and helpful. It is nearly always full, particularly around lunchtime. Tracey and her team are so anxious to please as well as pass the time of day with the customers old and new. Very friendly and would recommend to everyone.

Cafe tends to be smoky on a Sunday morning, perhaps their extractor fan isn't working. My clothes smelt of smoke.

when you're shopping its worth giving Recess cafe a look instead of all the chain coffee shops in town, they have plenty of seating and food is prepared freshly and served by friendly staff.

In the centre of Chelmsford so quite handily placed when shopping, this is a nice place to go to recharge the batteries mid shopping.

Conveniently situated on the riverside walk between High Street/Moulsham Street and New London Road this is a good place to stop for a break while shopping. Tea, coffee, cakes etc all good..

Have visited here whilst shopping in town a few times as my mum loves it!

Got to be one of my favourite places in town to go to have a coffee or snacks, hot and cold food. Staff all so friendly and helpful. Recommend this place to anyone rather than the big chain coffee shops.

So nice to have your coffee via waitress service unlike the other coffee shops where you end up queuing

Recess's staff are just lovely. Their coffee super and the food great. Well done. It's so nice to sit in a coffee shop not part of a large chain.

One of my favourites a nice independent cafe in an incressingly chain packed high street. Recommend ed good food and coffee.

They have Gluten free rolls, use packet butter and are very careful. Also sell some gluten free snacks in packets. The coffee's and hot chocolates are wonderful. Lovely and relaxing atmosphere :-) Children are welcome, although you would not notice as the children that are there are generally well behaved.

had a few lunch dates in here and everytime i order a different pannini there divine! i highly recommend the hot chocolate aswell lovely jubbily!

Excellent place to recharge whilst shopping, always friendly happy staff. Very good value. Well filled sandwich or baguette. No skimping. Great

This is such a warm, friendly place with excellent coffee and great service. Love the cheese and ham croissants and the cakes are delicious too. It's good to support independent businesses rather than the huge chains.

been going here for years, great coffee and food always good, can be too busy in peak times, better then going to a starbucks or costa

I have never been to this coffee shop but I went for lunch recently and had the best coffee by far!! My panini (tuna and mozzarella) was brought promptly. My fellow diner had a cheddar and chutney panini which she raved about! Nice and friendly and reasonably priced for lunch.

We always go here when we're in town and want to stop for coffee or lunch, it's our favourite place. I'm nervous to recommend it so highly because I don't want it to get even busier! But they deserve the good rating! It is run by Tracy and her family (including mum Rose) and young but very capable staff. They are always friendly and welcoming. We have 4 young children and there is space for pushchairs (you can open both sets of doors or eat outside if need be). They also give free little sandwiches for young children and do nice milkshakes! Sadly there is no changing mat in the toilet but they are not far from Mothercare. The clientelle covers all age groups. Their menu is great, we always go for paninis and they do nice cakes and coffees too. Such a unique, independent cafe makes a refreshing change from the usual Costa, Starbucks etc. It's a nice location, just off the main shopping street but on the river and quite near the park too if you're walking in or out of town.