The Basilica in Southend-on-Sea

The city has a plethora of Italian restaurants and this one is but one of the many. The decor is pretentious as are the prices for what is a fairly ordinary middle of the road offering. The food is nice and well presented, but there are plenty of other places offering the same for less. We went on a Friday night and of the many tables we occupied the third. We were subjected to lift music which eventually we asked to be changed but the alternative was no better. The food was good but with everything considered I would not go back.

We wanted something to eat before going to the palace theatre and stumbled across this restaurant by chance. What a find it is beautifully decorated the staff are lovely and the food delicious highly recommend .

Attended a Birthday party for 30 people. The food was superb and plentiful although they were catering for a large amount everyone was extremely happy with their order. Myself and my husband had Salmon which was cooked to perfection. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Always a heavenly treat when dining here. Garlic bread and Bruschetta are perfect! The “Ham and Mozarella” is a must try. Fresh tuna for my main course. Simply, mouthwatering. My desert recommended and made by the owner himself is a must try. Looking forward to the next meal here!

A lovely relaxing restaurant with soft music playing. First class food and service. Definitely recommend.

Perfect service with amazing staff. The staff were very attentive. The food was cooked perfectly and well! Even left a momento. Joe and the Marini Family!

Great service exquisite food. Nothing seemed too much trouble for the attentive staff. Great wine list, the real deal.

Cannot rate this restaurant high enough food and service exceptional. We would recommend this lovely restaurant to anyone.

Lovely restaurant with great food & attentive waiting staff. Had set Christmas menu which was very generous in portions & excellent value. Can’t recommend it highly enough & will be back in the New Year!!

Booked a meal for my mums birthday. The food was outstanding. Service excellent and the staff friendly and very helpful. Fantastic family run restaurant. Will definitely return very soon.

Lovely meal & service before visiting the Cliff Pavilion. Would highly recommend & would go again if we are in the area.

We dined at this restaurant as part of our weekend away in Westcliff.We met our friends and we all chose from the set 3 course menu at £19.95. I had the mushrooms starter,seabream main course,and the chocolate tart for dessert. Very good value and very nice food.

The best for a pre theatre meal . Proper food and proper service . can’t say nothing more You should try yourself

Once again another wonderful meal at Basilica for my daughters 21st. Excellent service, delicious food and lovely atmosphere. Thank you so much for accommodating us with our party of 15. We will be back

Amazing king prawns & Tomahawk Great friendly staff & service Pleasant surroundings Great wine Spotlessly clean restaurant

A lovely and enjoyable three course meal for my wife and I. Great italian and european food and warm, friendly welcoming staff.

Was brought here for my birthday as a surprise. I had not been before and it was a pleasant surprise. We were greeted at the door and shown to the table. The restaurant is smart with tablecloths and all the decorations on the ceiling. We...

Had high expectations for this place but left deflated. I felt like they didn’t want us there upon arrival - It took us 45 mins to get served drinks and that was after asking the waitress… after she had finished lighting every candle on every...

We had my son’s birthday dinner here and a wonderful experience. The staff were extremely friendly and courteous and couldn’t do enough for us. There were many choices on the menu, also offering an extensive gluten-free menu which was important to us as our son...

Wee book the table 2 weeks on advance for 18 of us at basilica . I was very surprised the welcome wee have from the moment wee arrive very friendly and polite , as was Friday night and very busy wee told that is gonna...

Food and service outstanding. Such an authentic feel to the restaurant backed up by great Italian service and food. We will be back!

Visited this Italian on a Friday evening having read reviews on Tripadvisor. We enjoyed our evening and the food was tasty and well cooked, but would say average, for the price paid. Nothing stood out in particular and I wonder what it would be like...

I came here on Friday with my family and had a lovely dinner. The atmosphere was nice along with my fillet steak and pasta. The service was also very attentive and friendly and would definitely recommend if you are looking for somewhere to eat in...

Excellent traditional Italian restaurant in the small town of Westcliff (Southend). I was sitting at the "Mile and a Third" craft beer pub across the street and was getting peckish. Looked up this place on Google Maps, and it's got outstanding reviews. With only an...

Absolutely fab! Would 💯 recommend. First visit but we will certainly be going back! The food and service was excellent. I had linguine lobster and my husband had homemade lasagna - both were very tasty.

First time trying this restaurant after I’d seen the previous reviews on here. Went Sunday 28th May 2023 for an evening meal, welcomed by the staff on arrival, great setting inside and immaculate. I had the whitebait for starters which was spot on followed by...

My family and I recently visited as a group of 6. To start, I had the octopus and for my main, I had the red mullet from the specials. Both courses were absolutely delicious and my family were all in agreement the calibre of food...

Family reunion tonight we had a beautiful time I start with some beautiful starter of antipasto di carne followed by Red mullet .my wife had a Octopus piccante and variety of food around with family. Was all delicious and I have to say that I...

Wee come today with friends I had s lovely kings prowls and scallops for starter follow by again king prawns diavola as I’m a lover of a fish . I decide to order a starter of a Red mullet after of the food I had...

I really like Italian food and is so hard to find a good spot .thank you to a friend of mine who recommended to me and I have to said that I wasn't disappointed at all. The food is excellent,service is on spot as the...

One customer complained for a 16 months old baby in the restaurant. We were a regular customer and all the staff knows our daughter. Suddenly the owner said a customer complained. We were made to feel unwelcome so we left. Will never go back.

My wife and I decided to visit Southend, neither of us having been there for 50 years. We chose to eat Italian and settled on The Basilica because of it's excellent reviews, the menu, and the photos of the restaurant. Well those reviews were certainly...

This place has everything you could want from a restaurant - good food, good atmosphere, good service, good selection of food, nice staff.

Superb food and laid back atmosphere. Italian at its best with quality service.. We came for an anniversary celebration and we were impressed with our first time visit.

A fantastic experience of true Italian cuisine. Every dish ordered was outstanding service was excellent very relaxed and great atmosphere

The staff had very poor interpersonal skills, when I informed them, that my food was overcooked and tough.(risotto).It was really inedible.They had no reaction to my not having eaten anything! I was very disappointed.Never again.

Lovely Wednesday evening dinner. Excellent service and tasty food. Me and my partner came here pre show and had a lovely experience.

Excellent service by Cornelia - I think this is how you spell it - she provided us with great service, the food was delicious. We will definitely return!

This place is elegant with awesome vibe , absolutely amazing place to eat . Lovely staff , we felt welcomed and well looked from Cornelia ten out of ten , will be coming again and would recommend.

We have been to this restaurant once before when we had done a day trip to Southend with our kids. The food was amazing back then which is why we came back and it didn’t disappoint this time either. Our children are small, 5 and...

We love eating here and tonight will be our third time this month. The atmosphere is perfect, staff so friendly with decent room between tables so not crammed together. Saturday nights extremely busy & tables all full, last weekend enjoyed Lauren singing in the background....

My first visit to this beautiful Italian restaurant I was sorprese the decor was so beautiful. The moment wee is walk in the service was so warm and welcoming they take as to our table as we were booked for 7:30 restaurant was very busy...

I book Saturday 6 of us it was my second visit and I wasn’t disappointed food and service on spot restaurant was pretty busy but we got our food on time ! I recommend to try gamberoni diavola was cook to perfection and beautiful refreshing...

This is the 3rd time we have gone here. The first time was just two of us, food was excellent and service. 2nd time, food was hit and miss with a table of 8, some dishes being better than others. This time table of 4...

This meal, restaurant and staff were amazing! We came for Mother’s Day as a group of 7 and could not fault a thing. They were attentive, helpful with special requests and so friendly. We had starters, mains and dessert and we’re all so yummy. If...

Really nice family owned restaurant. We booked last minute before going to the Pavilion theatre - only about 10 mins away. Decided (correctly!) that the few restaurants right next to the theatre would be rammed - so selected this restaurant only a short walk away....

Knowing from experience how good this restaurant was, we decided to have my mother in laws 90the birthday party here. It paid off, it was perfect. The food was amazing, and although there were 23 of us, our dishes all came out at the same...

wonderful dover sole, who has not tried it must do! ! Everybody will find something for themselves...

I found this restaurant while I was on a walk with my girlfriend and we decided to stop to grab a bite, it was a great decision. Great starters and mains, good prices and amazing staff. Would definitely recommend and will come again.

The service was great, the waitress are very nice. The food was delicious, really best Italian food me and my boyfriend ever had. I love everything about that place and can’t wait to go there again!!

Excellent traditional Italian restaurant in the small town of Westcliff (Southend). I was sitting at the "Mile and a Third" craft beer pub across the street and was getting peckish. Looked up this place on Google Maps, and it's got outstanding reviews. With only an...

Service was impeccable. Four of us all chose a different dish and everyone highly rated their meal. Quiet as it was early and a Tuesday evening but will definitely go back

Came here recently for a special evening with a group of friends. The lobster I had was delicious and the staff were very polite and attentive. The restaurant itself had a very pleasant atmosphere; my friends and I had a lovely evening and we will...

Had a lovely evening with friends and family the food was top quality as always and all the staff were friendly, highly recommended.

Visited with family prior to going the the theatre, a wonderful restaurant with wonderful staff and a great selection of wines. Will definitely return

I went here for dinner before I went to see a show, we told them this & our food was made quickly & was superb. I will definitely be going again, delicious. The staff were very attentive.

Beautiful authentic feeling restaurant with real, Italian, friendly staff. Octopus was fresh and tasty! Will come again

We were a table of friends who booked a Celebration lunch today and chose this beautiful venue because of the decor and classy atmosphere . We had a lovely meal and would like to compliment the chef as on such a cold day we really...

It was not the first time that my friends and I had been to the Basilica, and every time we had a very friendly warm evening and always ate delicious food. My favorite is spaghetti Bolognese, the desserts are divine, I highly recommend everyone to...

Delicious and generous servings of authentic Italian cuisine. The pizza was great as usual. Must try the mixed grilled meat. It was a lovely evening with soft relaxing music at the background. Excellent.

Excellent meal before our show at the Westcliff Pavilion, due to heavy traffic we were very late for our table, luckily it was a Wednesday evening, we offered our apologies and vere shown to our table and explained that we had to be out in...

We had an incredible time at this restaurant the fillet steak was sublime! the food arrived on time for a large party of 8 of us. The service from all the staff here was excellent, who were so warm and friendly. Nothing was too much...

Got to the restaurant for a meal prior to seeing Harry Hill. Turned up on time to be met (not greeted) at the door by an older waiter that couldn’t find our reservation. Instead of assisting, chose to walk off and completely ignore us. Other...

6 of us, two families went for a lovely meal after vising Cliffs Pavillion. The menu and choices were extensive. Every item was excellent, and we loved all the food. From the Octopus special for starter, prawns and scallops and the variety of garlic breads...

The customer service was first rate. Very friendly and attentive. Tastefully furnished with lovely white tablecloths. Some of us had the set menu, which was great value. Good choices on the menu. It was all freshly cooked and a lot was homemade. I had the...

We came here for a friends catch up and boy it didn’t disappoint. Staff were friendly and attentive and decor was amazing! The food, well - delicious and it came to our table piping hot, which you don’t get too often anymore! Highly recommend and...

Looking for a nearby italian and inde ed foruncolo One good food good service cannot ask Fit much more. Highly reccomend

Second visit with the family (party of 7) to one of the best Italian restaurants in Essex and again not disappointed. Whilst the food and drinks cannot be faulted the highlight must be the service. As soon as you enter you are treated as a...

Lovely restaurant, friendly staff and amazing big portions of good food! Sunday lunch was a filling choice 🍝 Will definitely visit again!

Food was lovely, beautiful restaurant and service exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble. Can't recommend highly enough.

My husband and I came here for the first time yesterday prior to a show at the Cliffs. Was so impressed with everything and I am not easy to please. Was given a very warm welcome and made to feel your custom was appreciated which...

My son and I popped in for an early dinner and it was just so lovely. The waiter was attentive and funny too. The paintings and the decoration is very impressive. My son had margarita pizza and I had a delicious penne with Spinach and...

Went last Saturday for a quick bite before a show at the cliffs . The restaurant is done up lovely and authentic Italian. I am gluten free and they done pizzas and pasta for me, it it was lovely and reasonably priced would recommend

I have been visited the first time at basilica in a busy Saturday night , the welcoming was so worming from the staff. The service is exactly the way what an proper restaurant should be . The food is to die for it I had...

Have to be honest, we were only here by accident as in the greet bar across the road and saw this place and it had great reviews and we can see why. Inside it's such a surprise, very old style and traditional with great Sistine...

I came here with my Nan and grandad for a birthday meal. I had one of the specials, mushroom ravioli and it was fresh and tasty and a huge portion. Spaghetti bolognese and pizza also very good. Very accommodating hosts, felt very welcome. Excellent restaurant,...

Eight of us dinned there and all agreed it was very good and would go again without any hesitation. While not cheap the portions were large ,tasty and we couldn’t fault anything and the service was exerlant .

Stopped in for a quick bite before a family wedding, lovely building, lovely service, lovely food, hot and tasty with an authentic feel

The welcome was lovely, the restaurant is nicely decorated with very white table cloths and napkins, the service was really good, the food was exquisite and a really well made Aperol spritz too! We all thoroughly enjoyed our food! We will definitely be returning!!

Service was superb, but food could be better. I had buratta as a starter and it was literally just buratta with 1 cut in half cherry tomato. I expected more to be honest

We visited the Basilica for the very first time recently, belatedly to celebrate our anniversary. We were impressed (and maybe a little sceptical) about all the fantastic reviews. However, this lovely restaurant really does deserve all the praise and accolades reviewers give it. We visited...

We went for lunch on Sunday. The restaurant has lovely decor including paintings on the ceilings which give it a nice ambience. The food was excellent and the staff very attentive without rushing us. All in all a great lunch. There were one or two...

Went for a day out and decided to book the bascillica for lunch One of the best decisions I have made . The menu was nice and the prices reasonable. When the food arrived it was superb. the starters were great and the mains even...

We had a superb meal here pre theatre at the Cliffs Pavillon, the restaurant is charming, as are the staff! This place has a really lovely family feel to it & we loved being part of it for an evening. The food was excellent, the...

The service and food were supurb I highly recommend it only 10 walk from cliffs pavilion. Myself and my friend thought we would try somewhere new and struck gold

Chose the Basilica based on reviews for a family meal on Saturday evening to celebrate my wifes birthday. There were 6 of us with 2 fussy eaters so we needed to find a place that did pizza as well as a more expansive menu. The...

Needed to find a restaurant after a local theatre show and happened upon this gem. The food and wine were excellent BUT Even better was the excellent service. From the moment we entered it felt Like home . Thank you guys a really special experience

Excellent Restaurant with excellent food! The ambiance is great too! Also a great compliment for the people who work there.. They are really professional and make you feel like a special guest… Thankyou again!

Excellent service and excellent home cooked Italian. Spoilt for choice with the specials and the menu. Very close to the Cliffs Pavilion, ideal to combine a pre show meal. Very clean and pristine restaurant. Much enjoyed our experience. Portions are more than generous and a...

My husband and I visited Basilica Restaurant on Thursday before going to Cliffs Pavilion and what a lovely restaurant. Beautifully decorated. Lovely welcome. Food absolutely delicious. So many dishes to choose from. Thank you.

Such a wonderful reception on arrival from the lovely staff working there and beautifully decorated restaurant , but sadly the food was disappointing. The arancini balls were completely tasteless even with the garlic Mayo that didn’t taste of anything? Steak was fine as was the...

My husband and I together with our 10-month old visited The Basilica Restaurant for the first time yesterday to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time. The staff are extremely friendly and there was an air of contentment; the atmosphere was very welcoming....

My husband and I visited here for a date night. We've visited several times in the past for different occasions but we haven't visited as a couple for about a year and it was just so lovely and relaxed. A perfect date night. The atmosphere...

Amazing , service, staff, ambiance, food. Really recommend. We ordered as a starters Mussels and Scallops with king prawns, big portions for the starters and taste was heavenly! As a main course we had salmone piccante and gamberoni diavola. Same story , everything tasty and...

Today we had the 'grande piacere' of a most enjoyable and leisurely lunch at the Basilica restaurant in the Westcliff area of Southend. I don't believe it is possible to speak too highly of both the welcome and the service we received from Salvatore and...

First visit. And will go back again. Beautifully styled restaurant, matched by fantastic food and super staff and a cocktail too.

The food was really tasty and plentiful . The fillet was so tender, and the Rossini sauce was rich and lovely, the service was amazing

After reading all the reviews on here we thought we would give this lovely looking restaurant a try . Beautifully presented on arrival , the staff couldn’t be more polite. BUT the food was absolutely shocking. Prawns were chewy and hard to cut , scallops...

I visited the Basilica with friends to have a night out. I was very impressed about the devote,service and friendly atmosphere. We were impressed about the food presentation and quality, cooked to a perfection. Thanks for everything, I will be back very soon.

Another great meal at this restaurant. First class food, service, surroundings and wine. We never fail to be impressed with every visit to this fantastic restaurant. I can strongly recommend a visit without any hesitation at all.