The Watermill in Basildon

We stayed at the adjoining Premier Inn so had breakfast here. We stay typically a couple of times a year when visiting family and the breakfasts here used be ok until a couple of years ago but it’s definitely as if the management just doesn’t care about their customers anymore. I kinda feel like I’m being treated with contempt. We were greeted by a sign saying that the so called unlimited breakfast would be limited to two of any one item per person due to supply shortages. We saw exactly this when we stayed in June this year. Good grief for us that’s not a problem at all, as typically we’re eating later in the day, but for crying out loud there’s several supermarkets within a couple of miles radius put a little bit more effort into it go out and buy some eggs, bacon, sausages etc stop being so lazy 🤷‍♂️ One time we visited and were told the only eggs on offer would be scrambled eggs, honestly this is beyond ridiculous! Sort of like the Little Chef experience of sorry we haven’t had any omelettes delivered yet today! Anyway our breakfast turned up on cold plates and the items were well cooked and tasty enough but all but tepid or cold. I’m not a toddler for crying out loud I can eat hot foods! I really don’t know how an eatery like this could possibly be so incapable of making a half decent breakfast, I could do a far better job myself and I don’t have a Scooby about catering. Sadly though there is no alternative locally so I expect we’ll be doing the exact same thing in a few months time.

Came here after having a bad experience in another beefeater not expecting much but the waitress Gemma was amazing explaining all menu items etc and all alternatives available. The chef john cooked the food beautifully steak spot on for myself and friend Food was faultless

Booked for unlimited breakfast, when we arrived a sign in door said they were having supply issues so only 2 of each item allowed ( not a problem for us ) we were seated and waited for over 30 minutes for them to rake our order ( people seated after us were served befor us ). We went to have some of the continental items 1/2 of which had run out already ( no bread out, no yoghurt, no pancakes and croissants had been cut into pieces. Then when cooked breakfast came out for the table next to us they were telling people that they had run out of the items they had ordered, at this point we complained and left. We had been in there over an hour and still no cooked breakfast. Service was so slow despite plenty of staff. Will not be returning again.

This has to be the MOST disorganised restaurant in Essex. We had dinner which was ‘ok’. But breakfast. They had food restrictions and the cooked took a ling time to arrive. When it did the portions were small, eggs overcooked and it looked line the plate was rushing under the food when it was put on. All the serving staff had a twitch in their eye which told me there was a knowledge things weren’t right. There was no cohesion to the service. Solutions: 1. Split staff between table sitting, orders and clearing. 2. Get some food (bacon, sausages, tomatoes etc) in the oven so you only do eggs fresh. 3. Get a second coffee machine in the restaurant to ease the pressure in the buffet.

60% of options on the menu unavailable. Waited 90 mins for food. Steak overdone & cold when finally received.

Not the restaurant fault but half the bits were unavailable. I ordered crispy chicken which was nice but small amount of chicken in there, chips ok coleslaw was amazing thank you. I thought the price of this is expensive £16.99.

Went today for breakfast, was served by Alex and Andy, they were busy but the service was great.

They didn't have a table for us, but we're told we were welcome to sit at the bar area. We ordered our food and drinks and they came relatively soon, apart from one of the meals that wouldn't arrive because the girl that took the order didn't hear/ took not of it properly. But then we ordered desserts, were told coffees would arrive earlier than the sundaes, but these didn't arrive at all. After half an hour, we went to the bar twice, asked about our desserts and it took in the end more than 45 minutes. Desserts that may take about a couple of minutes to prepare. Their excuse, that we were not sitting at the restaurant and orders from the restaurant come first. This is something that they didn't tell us when we were told we were welcome at the bar. If they would've told us that we could have chosen to not stay. But no, they didn't and everything was paid in advance so there was no excuse from them not to serve us. It was just bad hospitality.

Meal was awful toilets awful carpets minging will never go again.need to complain to management no phon number.also need decent cleaners in conservatory cobwebs.food was cold worse meal ever.

We went because we had heard it had had some changes , Food, forgotten egg and tomato off mixed grill, rectified once spoke to waiter (bar kid) . Upgraded fries were barely warm and no spring onion. Poor staff were run off their feet desperately understaffed the poor waitress who served us advised she was covering all of tables with young lad popping out from behind bar periodically. Didn't realise till we got home the 50% discount on food didn't apply properly so paid full price pretty much on a distinctly average meal.

Mixed grill was excellent, really one of the best I've ever had. Shame it took over an hour to get it from ordering. New 3 hour parking restrictions mean that I physically didn't have time to order a dessert. Ordered a refill and didn't get it. Not sure if they were short staffed or just really busy but our server didn't stop running around. Food was great and really well cooked, but I'm not going back with that parking restriction in place.

Normally come here about once a week Really enjoy the food and such amazing options Steak is always fantastic and breakfast is definitely our go to 🤪

Good food for reasonable prices and a chill atmosphere. Service is friendly. Very good place to go out for a few drinks with mates.

Great value for money over all for a family of 5 we had no starters but had mains drink and dessert and cost £72 in total so great value. We had fish and chips for mains which taste wise it was great the chips was of good quality how ever the fish was a bit small and was more batter than fish. The gravy was very tasty the corn on cob was part cooked and was nice. The kids starter which was pigs in blanket and tortilla chips with a mint and mayonnaise sauce and cherry tomatoes the pigs in blankets was a good size and of a good quality. The kids mains which was sausage mash and beans was a good size but sausages was quite thin and could of been alot thicker but my daughter cleared the plate The other kids meal was burger and chips the burger was a good size but dry but again plate was cleared. The desserts was delicious

Terrible , booked for 6 people got told no table until 3 but could sit at bar. Went to get drink 1 staff , so we left. Won't be spending time and money in the fyture

Cannot answer concerning food or drinks had table booked for 1.e0. Was informed on arrival cannor be seated till 3pm or we could order bar food so my group decided to have bar food. Waited 20 mins at bar area waiting to be served through no fault if bar staff gave up and left. Abs disgusted no prior warning via email or phone call. Will definitely not return bye bye

Food i ordered washing the food they bought out lucky it was still gluten free

Beautiful food from chef michael hot and delicious. Very quick service with friendly waitress Katie. Absolutely amazing service from beefeater Basildon!

Brilliant food, excellent service, Katie was fantastic and bubbly and Chef Michael cooked my steak to perfection, as a Kitchen Manager myself I can honestly say I would be very proud I was Michael's Manager.. Fantastic can't stop talking about the meal!! Well done to you all.

Ordered fish and chips. Mushy peas were dry and hard. Chips not tasty.place could do with a clean.

Steak was overdone, no ribs and only two options for burgers.

A very disappointing experience with nothing really good to say about the food. The breakfast is unlimited, but you really wouldn't want to eat more than you had to. Service was great and attentive. Good place for families.

My waitress Vicky was superb. Loved the meal and the enthusiasm put in to the work.

Lovely food with excellent service.

My favourite place to go on a chill night. The bar staff are really nice, Izzy is always really helpful and a great laugh.

We went on 26th Oct and it was dreadful, my prawn cocktail had less than a teaspoon of sauce on it, my beef lasagne wasn't it was slop which apparently was the veg one so the kind waitress took it back to the kitchen. I waited ages for the beef one only to find my flat bread was absolutely cold as they had left the original one onvthe side to go cold. Our daughters ribs were dry, my husbands gammon steak was shrivelled up and our daughter friends rare steak was so dry. Wouldn't go back

Want to say a big thank you to izzy and Heidi on the bar very polite

Breakfast was great was served by Andy who was very nice

Heidi and Lynn was amazing very kind and lovely food

Absolutely atrocious time. Pre-booked for 5pm looking forward to a roast dinner to then be told they’ve sold out. Fine no probs. Takes waitress nearly 20’mins to order our drinks, by which time we stated we were ready for food. Well if eye rolling was a sport this lass would win!!! All ordered lovely. After waiting another 15-20 mins for cokes - flat as a pancake, finally get our drinks. Slowly but surely every table around us was sending their plates back for either being over cooked - rare steak like a slab of concrete, or chicken pink as you like. Gave it a good hour after we arrived but then finally stated cancel our order. To be fair the earlier rude waitress could not be more helpful. Will definitely not be returning. The haywain is the same chain and the service and food is 200% better.

Staff are very friendly and helpful make sure you register your car as you will get a parking fine

This is in the premier in hotel. It is a good cozy place but i believe they can have more better food options specially in breakfast. I would suggest them to add vegetarian options as well. Also spray some room fresher. The lady currently who helps in breakfast is really good.

Stood at the front of house for almost 15 minutes waiting to be seated. Once seated, it was another 20 minutes or so before someone came to take my order. 45 minutes later, my food arrived and it was NOT worth the wait. I’m had the mixed grill and I was really disappointed. The chicken breast was almost non existent, more like a budgie breast. Steak was overcooked and very dry. Sausages were thin and tasteless and the triple cooked chips were somehow undercooked.

Went in today and asked for a table for 2, was told there are no tables at all for tonight and can't book anything. Left the restaurant and checkeeld the website to find that there was lots of availability starting from a 40 mins wait.- yet the number of staff said, there was nothing! From the second I walked in, I believe I was treated differently. All the staff stared at me and left me waiting there for ages before even coming over to me. I feel the establishment treated me differently due to the colour of my skin!

We came to celebrate our anniversary. We had 3 courses and were absolutely stuffed after. Our server, Lyn was very friendly and polite.

Had to wait a long time for food to be served. When the food arrived it was cold. We couldn't get the waitresses attention to get drink refill. In the end we had to go downstairs looking for a waitress.

Food was lovely and Lyn the server was kind. Little mix up with drinks but nothing that wasn't resolved. Always a nice visit and set menu was good price

All I can say is that it was all average. The moral of the staff seemed very low.

As a beefeater goes the food was nice, shame about the endless chips being taken off the menu... But I digress Would like to give our waitress Nicola a massive shout out, as much as we where only there 2 days she went above and beyond each and every time we where in, from squeezing us in to tables when there was over an hour wait, to literally running around taking drink and sides orders from us, she deserves any recognition possible for her amazing service Would 100% recommend and if back in the area will be back again based on the service alone

A pleasent meal. Great service from Lyn. An ideal birthday treat. Thanks Beefeater

Staff nice food poor really grufty dirty everything sticky needs a lot of work smarting up. Area manager needs to get a grip

The food was perfection and the staff were so nice

Been there quite a few times. Seem to not have a few things on the menu. Rib's were good but have gone downhill recently we have mentioned it and were told that they have a new supplier. It's part of a pub chain so I suppose that is to be expected. Seems to gone down hill a bit. Staff still good but being let down badly by the company. . This is edited on from previous review. Pie was expensive for what it was. Spoon full of peas and small portion of chips. Company needs to sort out portion sizes as this seems to be the norm.

Amazing service from Lyn today for lunch. Customer service was 10/10. Was very helpful and polite. Will definitely be returning also manager peter is always a pleasure and we look faward to coming back x

After waiting 50 mins after eating starter main meal arrived. Chips cold, medium rare sirloin that was ordered came up well done. Food sent back and following steak was closer to rare an chewy. Would not eat there again

Sunday Lunch - arrived a 2pm - restaurant seemed relatively quiet. Asked the waitress for the sunday lunch menu as we only received the main menu. Waitress said only roast beef left - we ordered 2 roast beef which arrived luke warm. Two other diners were seated next to us and asked for the sunday lunch menu only to be told they had run out, they got up and left. Seems as though you need to get there at mid-day for a roast!

Food was only warm and not great quality, dirty tables everywhere, took awhile to be seated even after being noticed by staff

Very helpful and polite great staff and food will come back Time and time again

The place is first class the young guy that see us at desk and see us to our seats was outstanding never got his name but I gave him a £50 pound note to change up for the meal and he said he ain't seen one but the guy was outstanding I've seen him there before but an ambassador for your company so helpful and genuine and good at his job the breakfast was first class everything was hit or cold as it should be well done staff from the reception staff and cooks fabulous place and clean well recommend it

Alex was so lovely Stopped coming 2 years ago due to poor service. Today Alex put everyone to shame Brilliant young man. Great service, so polite. Will be back now. Thank god that horrible Karen isn't there any more

Visited yesterday early evening having not been there for 15 years. All the usual fayre in pleasant surroundings. Good size car park with access to the restaurant via a lift for disabled or less able bodied patrons. Friendly staff and prompt service. Several items (particularly desserts) had sold out, but this didn't spoil our experience. Would certainly visit again.

Quieter location, lovely tasty food, Great desserts - sundae is amazing!! Only negative is could do with more staffing.

Posting on behalf of my mother who had a poor experience here. She tried to contact Beefeater with her feedback as it could potentially be an allergy issue for other customers and her email went unanswered. She then tried to phone Whitbread to discuss, waited on hold for 30 minutes and when she finally got through the member of staff on the phone complained that the connection was poor, made excuses so as not to find the email and, when she did eventually find it, said that the phone connection was so bad that she had to terminate the call despite my mum being able to hear every word. Appalling service from the head office.

Good place for food, nice outdoor space

Food was lovely little bit of waiting but we’ll worth it will most definitely be back

It is shocking in here. Everytime we attempt to come here, the staff are miserable, the service is poor and the place is dirty. Highly recommend avoiding. Today was the final straw for us, we have given this restaurant numerous opportunities over the years as we live local but it has never improved. Today we booked for a 10:15am breakfast. We got to the restaurant and waited to be seated for 15 minutes. Even once the host met us, he was huffing and puffing, not making any form of eye contact and looked very miserable. We got sat at the back of the restaurant, surrounded by tables with buckets full of dirty plates and cutlery where they hadn't been clearing things properly. We was given a highchair for our youngest and it hadn't even been cleaned. It was full of wet disgusting food. Absolutely vile. My partner went to the continental breakfast section for our two children to get them some food and there was virtually nothing there. No pastry's of any kind left, only crumpets and some hard stale pieces of bread. We just left and didn't even eat. Never going to return. We went somewhere else and had a much better experience all round.

Even with a discount code, the food at this place really isn't that good. The food was bland, service was good, but didn't make up for the overall experience.

Food was really nice and enjoyable. Staff was lovely and very help regarding allergies and was a nice atmosphere

We have eaten here a few times now, they cater very well for intorlences and allergies and you feel relaxed about it there, the staff goes out of their way to help. Service is good, staff are lovely. The food is good too.

Excellent service and food,never been disappointed ,full marks to alex for his manor and great service ,and also the rest of the staff too

Been hear twice before and it was horrible the food was discusting and the place was filth....however....this recent trip. I dont know what has changed but the place was lovely and clean and the food was on point and the service was faultless. i woulf deffinatly give them another go and look forward to the next meal

We ate their breakfast buffet which included everything. There was hot cooked food and I ordered the mushroom, tomato and egg which was fantastically good. At the continental breakfast I had their pancakes, Greek yogurt but there was plenty to choose from and everything looked really good. Then there were plenty to drink. For the price and the fact that you could eat as much as you wanted, but the fact that the children ate for free made it even cheaper :) We were 4 adults and 4 children. The staff were very nice

Fantastic breakfast and no rushing about just taking our time and enjoying it

Vicky was very kind and served me quickly and even offered to let me try their vegan ice cream before committing to it and paying (as the regular ice cream was out)

spiders everywhere, food took too long, had rude customer service it’s just not on for told we were going to be sat down and weren’t we had to find ourselves a table apparently have a look at the pictures of the spiders, had to wait bloody ages to get our drinks at the bar aswell not happy at all

Called in for a coffee, service was great, served with a smile...

Good value food. Sometimes menu limited, food unavailable. Seating good. Plenty of room, not squashed in. Service good, not rushed.

Run down dirty beefeater, would probably never eat here again.

The food was beautifully cooked and piping hot when our waitress, Lyn, bought it to the table. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming and helped by Lyn, for who nothing was too much trouble. Wall to wall service and very good food, top job!

Had the steak was cooked perfectly 👌

Waited ages to be seated when there was hardly anyone there. Food was probably thr worst I've ever had. Dry as ghandis flipflop. 2 of us Violently Ill the next day. What a waste of £100. Staff were decent and polite however chef lacking any chef skills . Do not recommend.

Went here for ‘unlimited’ breakfast , but you have to order your fry up and it takes 40 minutes to get your 1 plate of food. So you’re meant to let the waitress know if you want more after but time you get your first plate and eat it there’s no time to order a second plate because breakfast will be finished! Scrambled egg was like rubber, portion was small. Not worth £10.99, stick to Toby!!

We stayed at the Premiere Inn next to this restaurant. The food was excellent. Not one complaint about the food from any of us. The waitress was helpful and kept our drinks topped up. Definitely recommend the place. We also had breakfast. The full English was fresh and well presented. You could also help yourself to cereal, Toast and crumpets, fruit and juices, yoghurts. Spot on!

This is no ordinary Beefeater, the food was excellent.

Enjoyed breakfast no complaints exceptional service from Tom despite card machine not working. Will definitely return.

Staying at the Premier Inn, and booked the all-inclusive breakfast. Greeted at the door with “have you booked?”, which we haven’t, then “I’m sure it’ll be ok, pick anywhere to sit. Tables strewn with uncleared plates and food. Sat down at a free table, and helped ourselves to tea and fruit juice from a messy breakfast area. Nothing cleared or wiped. Coffee machine not working. Employee came along reached across customers and pulled something out of the top. Literally 3 teabags left. Eventually a guy came to table, no sorry for the wait, just blunt. Same guy a few minutes late clearing tables of plates into a plastic container making a racket with zero regard for customers trying to eat their breakfast. Utter shambles. The place has seen better days.

We go for breakfast Saturday morning usually the same two chaps waiting. They are always good, helpful and quick

I hadn’t eaten here for years but thought I would give it another shot. Had to wait a while to be acknowledged but when we were the staff were friendly and helpful (particularly Gemma &Tom). Steak, salad and fish & chips were all tasty. Good value with Meerkat Movies discount. There’s a lift for disabled access and it says to ring the bell for assistance, but no one came and so my disabled friend had to struggle up the stairs. One toilet was broken and the place in general needs a refurb. Saying that, I would probably return for good value classic British pub grub.

Ladies toilets were a problem as in only one out of three working. Also for the size of the restaurant I would question if there are enough of them.

Good food but the restaurant needs a facelift

Food was tasty Gemma our waitress was os good. Checking everything was OK. Food delivered quickly. Thank you Gemma for excellent service

Gemma was an amazing hostess. She was attentive but left us alone to enjoy our experience. Nothing was too much trouble. Great food, great service. Thank you Gemma!

Had a great experience. Lynn, our waitress couldn't go out of her way enough to help us. Thank you so much

Food was very good.Sadly Minus 3 for the sloppy unprofessional staff. That need to be trained in hospitality. even the chef felt the need to apologize for there behavior. Our family night ruined by tardy staff.

They had run out of most things 3 or 4 chips on plate so waitress bought us more Steak was really chard suppose to be medium to rare no mushroom Just small chip 1/2 Tomatoe steak and not cheap

Our second visit to meet up for a meal with friends and yet again, we were really happy. The food is delicious and the prices reasonable. We would like to say a particular thank you to Karen D who was fantastically consistent as she was professional and cheery on both occasions.

Jane was absolutely lovely. We had several issues with the food, but Jane had sorted it out each time. The restaurant was a little loud and the tables could be spread out a little more.

Went for breakfast after staying in the hotel. Poor slow service, that had to be encouraged by the hotel PR team. Hot food was cold, and poor selection of continental breakfast food, no plates, no cups etc

Really nice friendly service from Alex at breakfast and from Jade at dinner. Thanks both

Great food, could of done with a little more on the plate, even if it was some salad to fill the plate but food quality was excellent

So visit - overnight stay with work. I received excellent service- quick and efficient with friendly welcoming staff. Lynn was great! I had a good steak and calamari but the salad was a bit soggy!

Dreadful meal for a Beefeater. Steak overcooked, prawns overcooked and brown limp lettuce, along with a over oiled, over cooked chip. Sent it all back and left. Went hungry, but put us off ordering another dish

Always have a great breakfast here and it's always made better when Alex is on shift. I've seen him deal with some grumpy customers to say the least and it's water off a ducks back, he is always so positive, cheerful and helpful.

Went for breakfast here. Was ok but nothing special

Had a lovely birthday lunch today our server Lyn D.was a lovely lady very attentive and helpful.She's and asset for the company.Thank you Beefeater for my birthday mains it was lovely. I would highly recommend this venue and company.

very warm friendly welcome with no rush to sit down at the table. Our waitress was lynn was very friendly and with a great sense of humour and gave us fantastic service. Food was lovely and we enjoyed a great night thanks again

Went along to the Beefeater in Basildon and I can honestly say that the waitress, Karen D, was absolutely marvellous. That were short staffed and I could see she was rushing about, trying to do her utmost, so we had a great evening with friends. Thank you so much.

We have visited numerous times for breakfast. Selection is amazing, service is fast and the staff are always extremely friendly and helpful

Love this place ,it like going to meet your family. Very warm and welcoming all good polite staff.serving staff goes a extra mile has to be karen and tom. Well done . I think if it had a free salad bar it would increase foot traffic. We come here offen yes they can be a wait for food. Breakfast is brill kitchen manager does the best fried eggs. Lunch is great too ,but we love the sunday roast yummy.

Went to their watermill on Monday with my wife. We were served by Lynn. She was very friendly and her service was excellent, nothing too much trouble. Thank you Lynn .