The Britannia/Gurkha Restaurant and bar in Colchester

What a fabulous retirement dinner I had here last night with 25 of my work friends. It was the perfect environment for a relaxed evening and the food was delicious. The set menu and price stopped all the faffing during the evening. The staff were amazing, attentive and friendly. Will definitely be back.

WOW what an interesting place. Authentic flavoursome food and staff who went above and beyond ( including sorting a lift when we couldn’t get a taxi). There is no long menu with multiple choices - it is a set 3 course menu with choice of starter 2 meat main courses a vegetable curry and a paneer dish for the vegetarian!!! The naan bread was delicious hot and buttery and the rice fluffy. The food wasn’t overpoweringly hot but the flavours were delicious and not artificial. Wish we lived closer!!

Our 11 family members had a great evening at this pub and restaurant It has a welcoming environment. The drinks are served at the modest price though the inflation are sky rocketing. The Gurkha curry (lamb,chicken) was iof O grade. Would always go to this pub whever visiting Colchester.

Came for an evening dinner and food was great. Plentiful mixture of dishes to please all. We were given a mixed starter of onion Bhaji and Bombay potato style dish. For main there was a chicken, beef and veg curry alongside a lentil Dahl. All came with rice and naan bread. Food was fantastic. Only negative was service was slow and inattentive. Tables not cleared particularly quickly and some left with mess on them for a long time despite customers having left. Just made for a messy dining environment. Wouldn’t put us off returning again as the food was great!

Amazing food, amazing atmsosphere, great drink, awesome service. THE best food ever and loads of it. Couldn't recommend it more highly. THey even made me a special dish because I'd just had dental treatment and had to avoid Turmeric. Friendly, happy service with lovely smiles. You must go there - Book first to avoid disappointment!

Amazing family restaurant and bar with the most friendly and great service. Fantastic food 👍. The food is great value and delicious, a must to visit 👍

First visit to the Britannia Ghurka restaurant. Was recommended by a friend. Food was very nice with excellent, friendly service. Ghurka beer is a must. Food came quick and each dish was explained. Price was very reasonable. Will certainly be going back again. Recommend to anyone who is considering a visit, you won't be disappointed. Thank you Brittania for a lovely experience.

Amazing food and a unique experience. The food is brought to you as a set menu, with poppadum, breads, various curries and a dessert, all of which were delicious. The service was impeccable and very quick. One of my favorite restaurants in Colchester.

Around 50 of us from work booked this restaurant, there was only 2 waiting staff who seemed very busy but they were attentive to every table and each of us. They quickly brought out our starters which went down a treat shortly followed by the mains. They kept bringing more and asking if you needed anything. The food was amazing and very morish! Couldn't find any fault with the venue, service or food. We were all very happy and would love to come again.

I attend The Gurkha last night with large group of work colleagues (about 45 of us), we had such a great meal and the staff were amazing. The food was delicious, we were allowed to ask for more of any of the dishes on our table and they catered wonderfully for those with dietary requirements (Gluten free, Lactose free, Vegetarian). The staff were so attentive and were working extremely hard to make sure everyone had what they needed. Couldn't recommend more, and can't wait to go back again. Lovely atmosphere too.

Had a wonderful evening with my work colleagues! A lovely relaxed atmosphere with fantastic food in plentiful supply. As a bonus, the majority of was suitable for a gluten intolerant diet. Not particularly local to me but will definitely return with my family, worth travelling a bit further for such a lovely place. The public bar was also very enjoyable - nice to visit a bar that has the proper feel of a traditional pub. Perfect!

What a wonderful place for food, best curries we've ever eaten. Flavours are completely different to any curry I've eaten. Now my new favourite cuisine. Generous portions, good variety and the friendliest staff

Knowing the Gurkhas are stationed at Colchester barracks I figured any local Gurkha food would be authentic. I don't know whether this is authentic (I'm pretty sure it is) but it sure is good! Great food, great service and with a smile. A set menu format for a reasonable price, set in a lovely old pub in the military quarter of the town. 5 stars from me!

I've been wanting to go here for a while. Last minute decision on a Friday night to go here. Just perfect 2 adults 1 child. Great atmosphere, No menu but the food they gave was so so good. Starter, main and desert all perfect. The only tiny negative is the cheap plates and desert dishes. Meat curry excellent Chicken curry really good Veggy curry really good Side dishes really good I will keep.going and trying different dishes and keep updating TripAdvisor. This was not and expensive meal. I'm not going to tell you how much BUT what a bargain

Although the price has gone up over the years the food stays at high level with three course and as much as you can eat. On this occasion buffalo curry was the star. Gurkha good is exceptional and if you like curry this is a must eat there place. Can’t wait to go back

The best restaurant in Colchester, efficient and friendly service with amazing food and as much of it as you want.

Go here every time I'm in Colchester, honestly the best curry I've had. End of. Its so good that me and my friends genuinely get manic.

Visited for a friends birthday and was not disappointed one bit. Very friendly service and delicious curries. There is no menu so you eat what you are given but that’s no problem because it’s all so tasty. Came out with a very full belly at...

This was the first time my husband and I have visited this restaurant. We fancied something different for our anniversary meal so booked a table. We were both slightly nervous of the set menu idea but we had no need to be. The food was...

Came here with my friend as have just moved locally and wanted to give this restaurant a try. We both thoroughly enjoyed it; the food; the ambiance and service was amazing. We were served a starter , main dishes and pudding. All was delicious and...

Visited with family, on 28th May 2022, a party of 8 for my Dad's 80th and my Uncles 75th Birthdays, we were made to feel very welcome a proper pub to have a drink in before we went through to the restaurant. Service was excellent...

My daughter has been working in Essex for the last year and so when my husband and I went down to visit Colchester for a couple of nights we asked for her top two recommendations - and the Britannia and Gurkha was one of them....

hi just thought I would say last night was my 1st experience of you food. and I got to say it was AMAZING. not only did you fit us in but was so welcoming. it was strange not having a menu but the dishes you...

I had a great meal at Ghurka and despite all my special dietary requirements the staff was very accommodating and helpful and they served me very tasty food I could eat. I will definitely go back.

Amazing place. It’s a very different restaurant because of the way it functions. There is no menu and you can eat as much as you want. Also the other half of the building is a pub. Curries were fantastic and the staff were extremely polite...

We had a nice time but for the prices we did expect a little more than what we got service wise, that being said the food was good

We took our fussy Daughter with us last night and she's fussy no more! The food is delicious and freshly cooked. There's no menu, you just go with it, never been disappointed. The service is outstanding too. She ate everything and even asked for more...

Despite living very close to this restaurant I have never been here before so we decided to have an evening meal here. This is the first restaurant I have been to where there is no menu, the meal is set the same for everyone. They...

Went for a pint and stayed for tea! Some excellent draught beers on tap, had a few of them and then we realised it was also a restaurant! The set menu was great, food was very good, everyone got something they liked and it was...

First time visit in this lovely restaurant. Tonight’s main dishes included a chicken, pork and a vegetarian curry served with dhal, bread, rice and two starters. Amazing food and friendly service.

We sat down, ordered drinks, then the waitress asked us if we had any dietary requirements, we had one veggie with us. Starters came out and were very nice, the mains were a big bowl of rice and several bowls of curry (mostly veggie) came...

New to Colchester and with family visiting I seen the local pub was serving food. The service was brilliant and the food was even better. I liked that they had a set menu with different varieties and offered more if we wanted. I would definitely...

We have never been in the restaurant, we use the takeaway service. The food is always excellent and the flavours are truly amazing. Making the whole experience totally brilliant. Excellent value for money.

Hands down the best place for curry in Colchester. Great atmosphere and brilliant service, never waiting too long for food as the waiters and are attentive and quick. With all that on top of regular curry refills and unlimited naan at no extra cost. Great...

The food, service and hospitality at the Brittania makes it by far my favourite restaurant in Colchester. Whenever I’m back there and not at uni the first order of business is ALWAYS to organise to trip here with my mates or with family. I have...

We had a wonderful meal, no menu, just freshly cooked food, the flavours were amazing. The owners were friendly and it was interesting to hear their stories. Highly recommended

My first time here and went on the recommendation of my girlfriend, who had been before. The staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. The service was quick. The food, and range of different dishes brought out to us was second to none and catered for...

We frequently visit here and the food is always excellent. It is a set menu of 3 tasty courses. The flavoursome meat is always tender, the veggie options are delicious and the bread is out of this world! The staff are attentive and always really...

The britana pub is bar far the best pub and restaurant in Colchester I have been here so manny times the staff and service are amazing, and the selection off drinks is superb😊😊

Love this restaurant. It’s a set menu but always tasty and if you like more, it’s never any trouble. Really tasty food and fantastic service. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Ordered Pork and Chicken Momo plus lentils and rice , Good value tasted great, subtle spice and decent wrapping. 10/10

Me and my beloved had the pleasure of enjoying an evening at this fine establishment. The food was divine, we opted for the set menu accompanied by a luxurious bottle of Argentinian rose. The charge was reasonable for the three delicate courses. Overall a rather...

After having eaten here on 2 previous occasions last year and submitting positive reviews I recommend to eat here to my family that we should visit as the food had been excellent. To say I was disappointed is such an understatement. The food was bland....

Known about this place for ages and always wanted to go. Phoned up last minute and was able to visit within the next half hour, was able to sit outside. Very friendly and attentive staff (masks worn). Poppadoms, followed by bombay potato and samosa, followed...

14 of us ate here on a Friday Night.p for a birthday celebration. It is a set menu, usual puppadoms and dips starters then A chicken curry, a lamb curry, a veggie curry, a lentil Dahl and rice. They check if there are any veggies...

Didn’t know what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised with home cooked tasty food.Being a bit fussy I was a little concerned as to what would be served up but trusted my friends who recommended the restaurant.Friendly service...plenty of food and seconds if wanted (you will want more even though already full!!).

Good food and friendly staff. No menu - you get what is cooked which was a chicken, vegetable and a beef curry. Recommended.

So having lived in Colchester for 37 years (and still counting) I have always wanted to try this place, just never got around to it. On Saturday night we were visiting friends who are walking distance, so when they suggested it, I did not hesitate in saying yes.The staff are very welcoming, the food was FANTASIC, loved the fact there is no menu, they just let you know the dishes of the day and if you want / need more you just ask for it.I was slightly concerned the dishes may have been too hot for me, as I tend to choose mild/medium dishes, but they were spot on. Not to hot and enough kick to know it was there.Flavours were incredible and I will 100% return.It felt a bit like going around a friend’s house for dinner, but with a bill at the end. :)) Love this place.

Fantastic food fabulous idea with the menus service superb and so friendly will definitely go agin and highly recommended

been here several times now. Food always good & plentiful. Coupled with great beer on tap, you really can't go wrong!

Visited with family on a weekend visit. Menu is fixed. You have what the kitchen has prepared. We had goat, chicken and vegetable curries with steamed rice and naan bread. We enjoyed all. There was also a starter of spring rolls and Bombay potatoes. The dessert was not to our liking ( but not complaining). Service was good. We found it a little noisy but there was a soccer game on in the bar ( on the tele ). There is also much to read around the walls in the bar about the Gurkha Regiment. Very enjoyable evening.

Recently visited this restaurant/pub for the first time with friends and having read and heard good reports they proved to be true. The set menu food - with a vegetarian option - is very reasonably priced and extra portions are available if required. Added to this we found the service was excellent and had a most enjoyable evening. Will definitely be making a return and is an easy recommendation.

I came for a visit with work colleagues, I hadn’t heard of the establishment and therefore had never been before. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the experience overall. The food was really good, very flavoursome and very reasonably priced. In fact it was quite cheap. The rest of my large party agreed.Very friendly staff, who also catered well to my dietary needs. I’m not too keen on having to keep the same cutlery throughout the meal. I’m sure it saves washing twice as many at the end of the night but I do prefer having starter cutlery and then main cutlery. I would have also preferred to not be leant over each time a dish was changed or the table was cleared. I think going around to each person is more comfortable as a guest. Alternatively, I don’t mind passing my plate if asked, sometimes it’s difficult to get everything on the table. The history over the walls is also very interesting but I think the restaurant itself is slightly dated, such as the tables and chairs. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening, very pleasant and I would come again.

You never know exactly what you will get but the food is varied, the atmosphere lovely. It is well priced, the family that run the place are lovely and I love the food. They will give you extra if you ask for it. Can't get a better meal for the price

Following a day in Colchester we found Gurkha Restaurant & Bar in the old Britannia inn. The gentleman serving in the bar was very polite and spoke with us about our recent trip to Nepal. He informed us that the restaurant opened at 6pm. We stayed for dinner -Delicious -it was a set meal and each course was well prepared and tasty the staff were helpful. I would recommend a visit. The bar & restaurant was well supported by locals .

Everything about this restaurant was spot on. There is a set menu each night, which seems to vary with each visit. To start some popadoms, then a couple of different starters, a few currys and dhal followed by a dessert. Each dish was delicious, we particularly enjoyed the dhal and beef curry. Great service and overall nice atmosphere. Also free car parking next door which is handy. Would highly recommend.

Location is easy to find and parking was plentiful although it wasn't too busy when we went for a post work meal.

Had a delightful evening here, with friends. The food is excellent, portion size just right as they will bring more if you particularly like some things. Good vege and meat choices, however do mention when you're going if you are vege as they will do an extra dish for you. 3 courses for £15 is very good value, nice wines also reasonably priced, will def return. Staff very nice and helpful

Visited again recently, food lovely as always but need more variety when it comes to desserts . I think they only have about three or four which they serve and they can be very bland and boring . That’s my only criticism.

Living in the same street I’ve been wanting to visit Gurkha pub for ages and finally we did.. people so love their curry and so did we! First time ever I loved even the mint sauce, their chicken curry was lovely and our favorites were the bhajis and potatoes. What would we appreciate would be maybe better introduction to the food ahead as with the set menu you don’t know what you get and we all got things we don’t really like that much.. also the set menu and two drinks cost us about £36 so we found that quite expensive.. the staff was amazing and very attentive also you can grab a drink and play pool at the bar on the other side:-)

Visited here for first time with my wife and had a quick pint in pub side first.

Really enjoyed not having to choose and the set menu is generous. All curries were delicious, soft fresh naan and loved the little dessert. Good fast service and very cheap! Was my first visit and will be visiting again.

we visited the Britannia restaurant for a mothers day meal, and we weren't disappointed.It Is run by 3 ex-Gurkha's who are all very friendly

Really lovely food and brilliant customer service! Highly recommend. Feel very lucky to have authentic Gurkha food nearby.

our sports club organised a Friday night meal for 40+, almost the complete restaurant .

Our good friends R & T invited us out for dinner and said that we are going to try a new experience, so this place was the destination, the new experience was that there is not a menu, you eat what the kitchen has cooked, a very new concept for us, but a great idea, the food was delicious and the service perfect, more food was brought as the dishes were emptied, so you could not leave hungry, a great place and really good Nepalese food, looking forward to visiting again!!

A great little restaurant off the beaten track. Authentic, traditional Nepalese food. Home cooked & perfectly cooked. We had chilli chicken & samosas to start, followed by lamb curries with special rice & butter naan. Really tasty, excellent food. Friendly, attentive service & good value for money.

Great food for a great price. Just being given food that you haven’t ordered is amazing as it’s makes you taste things you may never necessarily order, the food tastes amazing and the beer is great!

Upon stumbling upon the restaurant, I sat and had a drink at the bar with the owner who told me about the Rich history of the pub and the Gurkhas. I asked about the restaurant and it's a unique concept where you are just fed! They ask if you have any dietary requirements and then proceed to bring out poppadums, starter main and dessert. And if you want more you can do, all for the same price! There's no choice and it makes sense as the owner quite simply put it; if I walked into a Nepalese restaurant I wouldn't recognise the names of any meal and I would probably end up going safe for a chicken tikka Masala. But I tried 3 excellent curries last night and really enjoyed the meal.

I do not remember the last time we We walked out of a restaurant, the staff were concerned & tried to get us to stay but there was no way we were going to put up with what was going on, There was a children party going on, well they were running every where, the level of screaming made my ears ring (Ok i have tinnitus) we had gone out for a nice evening meal not being able to talk, ok so it is a kids party place so market as that. We will never be going back, we past another couple on the way out I did not say a word, but they turned around and came out as well.

A small restaurant with no "airs and graces" serving excellent food at a good price, seating is arranged where if the restaurant is busy you may find yourself sharing a larger table with other diners, which only adds to the atmosphere, there is no menu you just get what has been prepared, served by friendly staff who go the extra mile to make your evening memorable, visited twice already and will keep returning, suggest you ring to book, as the restaurant is popular

Again, plenty of fatastic food. One of the best restaurants in Colchester. Service was first class and a big shout out to our waitress Viji. Attentive, a big smile and made us all feel special.

Beautifully tasty food. Expect the unexpected as you get what they are cooking. There is plenty of it, it's very tasty and the prices are unbelievably reasonable. Try the Gurkha beer.

It was a surprise to find this is a proper pub but which serves the loveliest home made curry, we ate in the bar so the dog could stay with us but you can eat in the restaurant without furry friends. The food was delicious and the service was perfect, not your run of the mill curry, authentic and plentiful,really well balanced flavours and very reasonably priced, 3 courses for £15. We'll be back.

Only half a popadom each which was mean and only one dip which was disappointing.

Went with friends but had been before.Food very tasty and different to your normal Indian meal.Staff all very helpful and altogether a wonderful experience

First time visit last night. Lovely food, tasty but not hot and spicy. For those that love authentic curry without the kick it was perfect. Very friendly staff, we will definitely visit again.

First time and thoroughly enjoyed everything. It was a set menu and we simply ordered for the number of adults and children at our table plus the drinks.

An excellent place to eat interesting curry food. The food is a set three course menu and when we were there the main courses were chicken, beef, and vegetable currys, dhal and rice and naan bread; these were shared between the four of us. All the dishes were excellent and we would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. The venue is also a pub serving a good selection of real ales. Service could not have been better, efficient, helpful and friendly. The restaurant is furnished simply but effectively and is very pleasant.

Been here a couple of times now and will be back regularly. I eat out a lot and enjoy good food but always looking for somewhere to go that's different. First you need to know there is no particular menu, you have what's on offer at the time you go. I thought that was great as it saved me the trouble of deciding ...and frankly it's my experience that the more choice on the menu, the more likely it's going to be a Brake Brothers boil in the microwave job... But the more fussy out there may moan at that.... best you stay away and leave me a chance to get in. That said it really doesn't matter anyway because the food is lovely, varied and plenty of it... you can ask for more if you fancy more of the many dishes brought out in four or five courses. The bonus is that it's great honest value, none of the smiley face leafs in joux nonsense except genuine smiles on the faces of the lovely Guys and Girls that serve and run the place. If you love good food, give it a go.

This was about my fifth or sixth visit to the Britannia Gurkha Restaurant. As usual, the food was tasty and the service fast and friendly. The three-course set menu, which varies each night, costs just £15 per head. On this occasion, we had some poppadoms, then delicious onion bahjis with spicy potatoes, followed by chicken curry, lamb curry, vegetables, green lentil dahl, rice and chapattis, and lastly a small sponge pudding. With two pints of ale and a bottle of Gurkha beer, the bill came to just over £55 for three people. And all of us were very full by the time we left!

Visited this restaurant with family, and we all absolutely loved it! The food was fantastic and was only outshone by the fabulous service and hospitality. Love the idea of the fixed menu as we all tried dishes we might never have ordered and we were delighted with the result, will definitely be heading back!

Fantastic service and incredible food. I am new to this type of food and I thought it was delicious.

No menu.. You get a three course meal of what they are cooking on the day for £15. Food was fantastic... Will be back.

The set menu is such a good idea.the starters were lovely and all 4 mains were bursting with flavour.the gurkha beer was very good.all in all very good . I wish I lived near here

Amazing place, staff polite, this was my 3rd visit. Excellent service.They do amazing curry that suits all ages.

Absolutely superb beer and curry at this pub tucked away near colchester garrison. Run by two Gurkha's it is absolutely worth a visit. Simple food served well and very friendly staff

This Gurkha restaurant has been open for a few years, and has survived where others have come and gone. Not surprisingly: it has a winning formula, great food, courteous staff, and is very reasonable. (Oh and it has Gurkha beer, which is an excellent lager.)

We tried the restaurant out on a Sunday night after arriving home from holiday and was gagging for a curry. We had a drink in the lively noisy bar while we waitied for restaurant to open. The restaurant is basic and clean with Nepalise decoration. Our waiter advised there was no menu and it was 15.00 per person. Poppadoms arrived first, then chicken pakora with their version of Bombay potatoes. Then the main meal arrived, lamb curry, chicken and vegetable curry’s, with rice and anther dish and Nan bread. Menu changes so you may not get the same as us. All dishes were freshly cooked and so tasty. You also got dips with all courses. By now we was stuffed and could not eat any more, so we sadly had to decline the desert. However we was still billed 15.00. If you get a takeaway ( they don’t deliver, you have to collect) it’s 10.00 a head. They are open 6-9 every evening except Tuesday. Give it a go you will not be disappointed.

Does exactly what it says on the tin!

So nice to be served amazing food without the decision when two are meat eaters and the others vegetarian......and if you needed seconds it kept coming 😁

...because it makes a nice change not to have to make a decision on what to eat with the set 3 courses offered here. The day we visited we were served poppadoms followed by lamb kebabs and dum aloo to start, then chicken, beef and veg curries, daal, rice and rotis, rounded off with a chocolate dessert. Vegetarians are catered for, there were three in our group and their dishes included a tasty paneer curry. The curries are very very mild, so do ask for a side order of chilli sauce if you prefer a bit of heat. The dessert was a little disappointing, otherwise would have given 5 stars (I’ve had gulab jamuns here before which hit the spot).

First time visit to the Gurkha Restaurant for my auntie and uncle for a family dinner with my Cousins. A very warm welcome as we are shown our table. Set three course menu that changes every day, absolutely superb, excellent value

What a great place. Popped in on the off chance for a meal during a trip to Colchester to visit the University. There was no menu just a set meal of whatever has been cooked that day.....what a great idea. Starter was somosas, then a main consisting of 2 meat and 1 veg curry, rice, dal and some of the lightest, tastiest naans I've ever had. Followed by a traditional sweet dish....was a bit like a rumbaba, also gorgeous. I had a gurkha beer and the chief of staff had a white wine. Lovely food, great staff and all for under £40....bargain. Trying in vain to now fing a Gurkha beer stockists...

A large group of us came here to celebrate my mums birthday- wasn’t sure what to expect as we’d never been somewhere without a menu before. However we were all pleasantly surprised with the variety of food that we were given. There was a range of 3 different curries for the main, and the potato and chicken starter was lovely! The staff were very quick to serve our food and the service was great. Some of us aren’t very good with spicey food however all the curries were mild and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Between 10 of us there were no complaints and everyone was well fed! Would definitely recommend as it’s something different and good value for money

Prompt and friendly service, food in abundance with second helpings offered. Excellent value for money. But - spring rolls were pretty tasteless and the mains would have benefited from some extra spicing. Nevertheless, well worth an occasional visit.

booked a table for 10, one of whom had a birthday. No menu, they choose but the food was wonderful, the service excellent and the cost very reasonable. No shortage of food, delicately spiced and delicious. They even bought a little pudding out with a...

Very warm friendly welcome. Relaxed atmosphere. Food tasty and plenty of it. Very good value for money. Will definitely visit again

Our third visit and the Britannia Gurkha restaurant did not disappoint. Beautifully cooked set meal, with seconds offered on the...

It was my first time visiting the Britannia but it won't be my last. A warm welcome, good food and...