The Star in Brentwood

I have visited and eaten at the Star Inn 4-5 times for lunch over the last 4 months. I commute between Colchester and West London and like to stop at the Star Inn whenever possible. Fantastic decor, fantastic staff, fantastic service and fantastic food. Great value for money. The chef knows his stuff. Would highly recommend. Restaurant manager is always very professional and friendly. Ps. Please bring back the pork belly and dauphinoise. It was excellent.

Visited here today for Sunday lunch. It’s the second time we’ve visited and the second time the food and service has been outstanding; and now feel we need to thank the staff with a review! It’s hard to find somewhere that does an amazing roast these days, that isn’t mass produced and clearly just kept warm all day or reheated in a microwave! Food was fresh and plentiful. We had a sharing platter for four people and there was plenty. The staff are really friendly and made a fuss of our baby which made her feel welcome! Cannot fault this place. Inside decor is nice, reasonably priced and faultless. We are fussy, but would highly recommend this place to others. Thanks for another nice meal!

As soon as we arrived we were met with a warm welcome by the bar staff. The restaurant area is well set out and comfortable, creating a friendly atmosphere. The food was outstanding and we both enjoyed all of the three courses we had. I found the bill very reasonably priced and all in all we had a very pleasant evening. We will return

Had a family celebration here today. Food was amazing. Staff all lovely and extremely helpful.

Meeting my Niece and Husband at this great little restaurant, we were not disappointed.. Good food, superb atmosphere, knowledgeable and friendly staff.. well worth a visit. Recommend the specials, we had a selection!! Complimented by a good wine list..& desserts to die for… enjoy

The first time in The Star Inn & it will definitely will not be our last, I was only to have the Sunday Roast & dessert, then the waitress told us about the specials, well that put the spanner in the works, I had the most amazing liver & bacon on a Caesar salad with nuts, OMG!!!! beautiful, then came the most beautiful Sunday roast, crispy Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes had a crisp to them as well, & the beef just melted, & of course I had to have a dessert, even that was amazing, So 5/5 for everything, service, food & price, THANK YOU ALL

Our first and certainly not the last time eating in The Star. We had a delicious, excellent value lunch. Described as light lunch items, but more than satisfying. I had the posh ploughman's, the star was a fantastic ham hock scotch egg with proper piccalilli. The other items were delicious as well. My wife had the tart, a gorgeous dish.unlike many restaurants there were many menu items I would have ordered, especially now knowing how fabulous the food is. Great surroundings and really convenient location.

Lovely pub with great roasts on Sundays!

We had a loverly lunch celebrating my mums birthday, with the wonderful surprise we arranged for her sister and brother in law to join us. The food was really good, and catered for myself and mum who are gluten free coeliacs. Thank you to Djamel, our waiter who was very hospitable, without being all over us. He looked after us throughout the lunch which made it a most enjoyable lunch.

This charming establishment has a chef who plans an imaginative seasonal menu. The quality and presentation of the offerings is unexpected in the village. Exceptional efficient service from Djamel, as usual....thank you from your Canadian friends

Fabulous service, food and presentation

Visited The Star last Friday for the tapas night and as usual the food was outstanding. The menu is varied for every week so there is always something different to try. This week it was Mosaka and it was amazing!! The staff were as usual polite and efficient and went out of their way to make our evening special. The icing on the cake was the effort they went to for my sons desert. He has recently got married and the staff noticed us looking at wedding photo's on our phone and without any fuss brought his desert out on a platter with a congratulations message on the board.

Clean, well presented place, food good with big portions. Tables too close to one another. I found the manageress to be rude and unprofessional.

Very nice indeed. We have passed this pub many times on the way to Chelmsford but today we wanted lunch and couldn't be bothered to go to our normal gastro pubs further afield. Wow. Great interior but the food is the star at the Star Inn! Can not fault a thing. The ham hock scotch egg is a wonder and they don't say the chips are born from a fairy and tripple fried but they are. The service was excellent. 2 courses for 2 with drinks for £60. We will be back again and again if they keep this up.

Had a wonderful lunch for 10 friends at The Star today. Delicious food and excellent service. Our waiter, I think his name was Jamal, could not do enough for us, and was happy to move us from the beautiful garden to the restaurant, and back again, to enjoy our food in both locations. Thank you for a lovely afternoon, we will be back.

Loved my first meal here. Service was brilliant and the food was great. Highly recommend.

A great friendly local bar and restaurant with excellent choice of food and wine!

A beautiful pub with a gorgeous outdoor garden to enjoy some alfresco dinning. The service was superb and food 10/10. I’ll definitely be returning to sample more food delights

Delicious food, a warm welcome, and wonderful place to dine.

Just popped in with the family for a quick bite and we were all so impressed! Great tasty food and the staff are so friendly and welcoming. Can’t wait to go back and try the Sunday lunch.

Fantastic spot to eat food and menu outstanding. Djamel was a great host providing a warm atmosphere and top menu tips . Coming from Cornwall it was a nice place to take family and all were very happy and we will definitely be back.

Lovely food and our waiter Djamel was very friendly and went out of his way to accommodate our needs

Cosy, upmarket local restaurant. Personally I didn’t dine there on this occasion, had a few drinks at the bar. I will definitely revisit and sample the food as from what I could see, it all looked delicious. 100% Recommended, next time I will be dining out 👍

First visit and thoroughly enjoyed it with my friend and both of our daughters….. food, setting and service was excellent, will definitely be returning

Had a lovely lunch at The Star with friends. Food as always very good. Service by Djamel was friendly and excellent. Have been many times and hope to go many more times. Thank you.

Had a lovely lunch here on a sunny day. Garden area is beautiful. Atmosphere was great and food really tasty. Service from Djamel was fantastic.

We live locally and had family over to stay, we took them to the Star for a 2 hour lunch and left after 5 hours. Atmosphere and welcome absolutely great, service throughout was impeccable and Jamel was very friendly and did a great job. Food was all 5 star except for the rib eye that was disappointing. Thanks everyone, especially Jamal.

The Star really is the star of Ingatestone. It’s my favourite local pub. The food is always outstanding and the staff here are very warm, welcoming and accommodating. Djamel at the front of house runs everything seamlessly and is a real credit to The Star.

Had a lovely Sunday lunch with friends. Ordered the roast platter which was very good, with plenty of food. The service is very good, thank you Archie! Will definitely return.

We had a fantastic meal with large family group on Saturday. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and good food.

By far the best Sunday roast I have ever had! And served up by exceedingly friendly and welcoming staff (especially D Jamel). Many thanks for a lovely family celebratory Sunday lunch.

Great homemade vegan burgers. Yummy hand cut chips and friendly service. Great atmosphere and clean bathrooms. Lovely decor. Pricey but good quality.

We really enjoyed our meal at this attractive wine bar like pub. The food was really well thought out with several different flavours making up the dishes. I had the kedgeree scotch egg and the monkfish curry, both lovely and original. Staff were friendly and attentive but nicely informal. We will definitely return.

What a lovely pub on ingatestone high street. We have been a few times a the staff and food have been excellent. Nice to go into a pub with a lovely atmosphere

This didn't use to be silly food place like this? It was a lovely working man's and family drinking pup? What the hell has happened to it Omg 😱 is Roger still here?

Managed to fit us in at the last minute which was a miracle as they’re always busy. Great friendly service, lovely food, Sunday lunch was really great. Nice beer selection and wine menu.

Just had a lovely lunch with friends very good food and service would definitely recommend it and return soon

Food was good but dining experience was let down by the service on our table which is a shame as we were looking forward to dining here having had a previously good experience. The waiter seemed disinclined to take half our tables drink order, the specials were rambled off without a pause / clarity, our food orders were not noted down which resulted in one coming back incorrect to which the waiter tried to argue the mixup being our fault (requesting chips rather than mash is fairly clear) and to top it off the toffee pudding dessert was found to have a date stone hidden inside which nearly cracked a tooth…on highlighting this to the waiter we received no further communication on the matter and a bill for the full amount. Service could have been a lot better.

Wow, this place packs a punch! Service presentation of food but most importantly flavoursome ! Hubs and I went for a lunch date and both sat smiling, we enjoyed every single course and every bite. Usually we’d prefer the starter or main but it was honestly all equally awesome! We’ve already planned to revisit with the rest of the family for our daughter’s birthday. Thank you Djamel for looking after us today :-)

a delicious lunch in a lovely setting. The seafood Risotto starter was stunning and plentiful. Service was very good. Only space for 3 cars in the small car park at the rear but parking is available in the high street. Loved it so much I’m going back again 3 days later!

Came on Saturday 23rd September 2023 for a birthday meal. My friend had booked and initially, we were placed at a table next to the bar, but it was a cacophony of noise so we asked to be moved and they were able to swap our table with a table reserved for diners arriving after us. Service was quite slow and food was pretty standard and the staff were apologetic. May have been a bad night, but maybe better to book midweek.

Best roast around and great service with friendly staff. Highly recommend!

Walking into The Star Inn, you feel right at home. The place has a cozy British vibe, complete with a wooden fire, making you feel welcomed right away. It’s a comfy spot for any group, big or small. They’re great with kids too, offering a flexible menu and making sure everyone’s comfy. The staff are friendly and know their stuff, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. The food is the highlight – always good, which is impressive considering how often we’ve eaten here. It’s the kind of place you can bring friends and know they’ll leave happy. The Star Inn is our go-to in the village, perfect for a laid-back dinner or catching up with friends.

Amazing Sunday roast! Appetiser, mains and puddings were gorgeous. Staff were friendly and very welcoming, although a bit stretched. Interior design was beautiful. Overall a lovely Sunday dinner.

Great food great service just a little bit tight for room

Just spent a wonderful evening at The Star, food was exceptional. Staff, friendly and attentive. Cannot recommend this amazing place enough. Will definitely be back!

Had dinner at The Star yesterday and the food was impeccable! Also fantastic service from Tabitha really made the visit 5 star :)

Amazing quality tasty food, with a cosy English quaint pub setting. A roaring fire and beautiful wine. Service is amazing with friendly approachable staff who look after you exceptionally.

Great food, great staff great atmosphere

Had a very lovely evening. Archie G did an amazing job, very friendly very helpful. The drinks were top draw and the food was even better. 100% recommend to anyone in the area. As an ex hospitality manager I very much enjoyed the service from all the staff, they were all so lovely. Even if ur not in Ingy… still a great destination to visit with top vibes and a fantastic Sunday roast

Brilliant service, lovely food and a great atmosphere

Had an evening meal here. Can't fault it. Nice pub with a friendly atmosphere, well-kept real ales, delicious food that was well priced

Great place to eat in a pretty Essex village, decor, atmosphere and food was amazing although the service was a little slow, hence 4*

Fantastic roast dinner, with huge Yorkshire puddings and delicious gravy!! Cauliflower cheese and pigs in blankets. Why bother cooking at home, an absolute must!

Some buddies and I enjoyed a fabulous Sunday roast dinner here. The beef was excellent - probably the best I’ve ever eaten, and we were reliably informed that it is locally sourced. The vegetables were plentiful and varied. All in all, it was a lovely dinner with great waiting-staff and service, and reasonably priced. I would have no hesitation in recommending The Star Inn to anybody who enjoys good food in a comfortable setting. There is a lovely, welcoming ambience, and to have pre-dinner cocktails in a cute garden with its very own cocktail-van was an added treat. I can’t wait to come back! 😀

Chef thank you for a wonderful roast dinner yesterday. All fresh vegetables (not frozen) meat soft and delicious

Another fantastic evening at this lovely pub - a great selection of spirits, beers and wines. You won’t find anywhere that serves better in the area. As for the food, the chefs food is amazing - beautifully presented, imaginative and tastes fantastic. The Friday night tapas menu is just delicious. We also went a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday - managed to fit us in as we hadn’t booked and the roast was the best I have had (don’t tell the OH as he does a pretty good one! ). Quality of the meat was just wonderful and on both occasions the service was excellent - if you haven’t been you should try it - can’t be beaten in the area!

Been here a number of times now and every time the service, food and drink has been impeccable. We’ve been tapas nights, Sunday lunches and the odd midweek dinner; each time we have been greeted with warm hospitality and cold pints. Can’t get enough of Chris’ roasts so will be coming back for plenty more. By far the best pub in Ingatestone and could even argue Essex.

The last few reviews are a load of rubbish, food is always fab as is the staff and an unmatched atmosphere! The best pub in the area for food and drink perfect for any social occasion with friends or family! Amazing pub you couldn’t ask for any more from your local ❤️

Don't bother, service was awful and the food came up completely wrong and after it was corrected it was average at best

This is the place to eat in Ingatestone for sure. I have had a couple of Sunday roasts here with roast vegetables and were both beautiful with homemade Yorkshire puddings and gravy. The prices compare to other eateries in this lovely village but the food is a cut above but that's not to say the others are bad. Top food and service, well done people of The Star 🌟 🤩 👏

I was really disappointed today. I have given a 2 because I usually go with a group of girlfriends and have a really good experience. Today was absolutely terrible and deserves a 1. We arrived with an infant and instantly felt unwelcome. She’s quiet, tidy and well behaved but I think the person seating us expected otherwise. He sat us down, put the menus on the table and walked off. We heard another table order a child’s meal which wasn’t on the menu, we tracked him down and asked the question, he mentioned two items. We looked at the menu and it was fairly limited and we ordered the burger. It was finely ground, hard and cooked right through. I have to assume it was frozen. It was really truly awful. As we were sitting there waiting for someone to clear our table we heard the man who seated us telling another table all of the specials available, he didn’t mention anything about these to us. It was so frustrating and disappointing, their meals looked lovely when they came! My husband had to go to the bar to pay because we were left for ages. We then went to ravens for a dessert instead. So disappointing! A completely different experience as a family than a trip there with adults only. If families or young children aren’t welcome then this should be made clearer!

Excellent meal and good service

Just came home from a lovely evening, great food, lovely staff, very welcoming very friendly, was made so welcome and comfortable, we had a great time, will be back soon 🩷

Great local pub .. 👍 recommend this gem Amazing food and great service

Fantastic lunch (as always). Best starter - burrata & heritage tomatoes with pesto and Parma ham - I’ve had in a long time. Thoroughly recommend this beautiful gastro-pub for lunch, dinner, or just drinks. Setting is wonderful, food amazing and staff very attentive.

Lovely pub/restaurant, decor is grwat and also nice outdoor area. Went on a sunday and had a roast which was great. They had a good menu and also a specials menu. Children welcome and offered anything on the menu in smaller portions. Well worth a visit.

Excellent night out for family birthdays, food was superb and a very relaxed atmosphere. Our party of six was well looked after by the attentive staff.

Incredibly good food, reasonable price, great staff, would eat there every time.

Great pub. Fantastic friendly and helpful staff. Food is exceptionally good. Locals were so pleased to help. Worth a detour to visit.

A nice local pub in the heart of Ingatestone. The food is good here.

We had a lovely evening in the Star, we tried the Friday Steak and Tapas night menu, lovely food served by friendly welcoming staff, albeit very busy and quite noisy, but better that than quiet and unwelcoming..check the menus/ prices before you go..

Food was lovely. Staff were good and helpful

Food was good, staff were excellent 👌🏽

Best roast dinner around. The food was amazing and a really good selection of delicious wines. Service was brilliant, staff all friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend a visit.

I love this pub, i've been a few times now, the last time for sunday dinner, it one of the best roast dinners at a pub ive ever had, great staff, food and atmosphere.

Nice setting and very good food

Had a really lovely evening. Good good and the service was excellent. I must thank Jahmal in particular for helping me out when it looked like there was a mix up with my booking- he saved the day! Will definitely return.

Excellent food. Recommend the fish, chips and peas - a very good size quality fish. When arriving allow time for parking as unfortunately there ISN'T A CAR PARK. There's a small car park up the road opposite but its often full. Parking in bays on the main road are 1 hour max and up side roads are 2 hour max. Despite the parking difficulties it's worth visiting for great food and service.

The word is spreading. Four school chums of a certain age, one from as far afield as Surrey, joined me for a great weekend-launching long lunch today. Jamal, Beth and Karen in the kitchen well up to their excellent, reliable best. The gnocchi topped with poached egg was as delicious as Jamal described, my cod was luscious. The skate wing arancini was lovely. Here's to my next week of dog-minding, bringing me within walking distance of the Star Inn!

Great place for a romantic meal or family roast.

1st time here! Excellent, all round! Busy, week up to Christmas! But smiles, device, food, all superb. WILL DEFINITELY GO AGAIN! Great stuff!

A very nice place to be. Good food excellent staff and service.

Very good pub , more a restaurant than a drinking hole

Birthday lunch today - 3 close family birthdays over last 3 days - for 9 of us. Food quantity and quality excellent, service truly wonderful, atmosphere great. All at a very very reasonable price. We - the close family at least - will certainly be back often.

Good service, fork had a rough edge and they took it seriously, wine very nice, difficult to get that extra star but very close

Friendly and efficient staff. Lovely old pub and nicely updated with good food.

Lovely pub with a great menu - and a cute beer garden hiding out the back!

Lovely ambience but very expensive

Lovely food, lovely staff. It isn't the cheapest dinner out but the menu won't break the bank either... worth the expense. We had to find a local street to park in, then walk.

Tapas on a Friday night, amazing food, amazing price. Can't wait to go again

Superb service and roast beef so tender , all meals lovely and not run of the mill menu

Very good, cozy friendly Gastro pub, where staff try really hard to assist. Food is good but there’s lots of competition in the area now; maybe it’s time to step up a notch.

Had a lovely meal last evening. Staff were very attentive

Cosy gastropub, the food is always a delight, even simple dishes have a wealth of taste and intricacy to them. Unfortunately it is slightly let down by the service which is often on the slow side and seems more akin to a local pub than the more refined experience the star is going for. Would still recommend though.

The food was delicious and the staff were so accommodating. Such a warm, cozy ambiance.

The chef here is incredible at her craft, I went for a boring old roast chicken dinner, how wrong I was, there was nothing boring about it, the chicken was stuffed and succulent. The veg was cooked to perfection and the accompanying gravy was not from powder but from dripping and scraping. Wish I'd taken some pictures but my eyes made me eat before I could even think of doing anything other! Can't wait to bring the family back for round 2! Don't forget to order a side of piggies in blankets, they're amazing!!!

We consider this our local pub. The food and service is always wonderful. Highly recommend. There's a lovely outdoor seating area.

Lovely staff. Good choice of drink. Shame it closes at 10 even with a good number of customers still drinking

Fantastic place, amazing service, amazing food