Toulouse Restaurant in Southend-on-Sea

Daughter insisted on taking us to see how much she rated it!! She was right! Window by the sea, first class service, fantastic food at a very reasonable price! 3 courses of £30!! My absolute favourite Calfs Liver,,,,👍see photos

Great food, lovely atmosphere, just left a bit too long to take orders.

Very rude manager when asked for a veggie gravy to go with the vegetarian nut roast. Apparently there's no such thing 🤔 Only beef gravy for the veggies and vegans. He also raised his voice and tried charging us for a dinner that wasn't touched. And told us never to go back again,😂 as if we would. I was left hungry after having the Sea bass, because it was so small , very disappointing

Where do I begin? DO NOT GO HERE!! The manager is a vile human being and after reading other reviews I’m baffled as to how he is still running this business. Myself and 9 other family members visited for a Sunday lunch. I am a vegetarian and ordered the vegan nut roast which once arrived was full of rice which was disgusting and the whole meal was bone dry. This was also served with tomato pasta sauce on the side which seemed like a very odd thing to serve a roast dinner. I asked for some gravy with no meat in, and this is where the problems began. He raised his voice at me, telling me all gravy has beef stock in (incorrect). He then put the menu in my face and raised his voice telling me it says it comes with the tomato sauce and that I shouldn’t have ordered it…. Ignoring the fact it was disgusting and dry. I asked for my food to be taken away as I couldn’t eat the dry meal as it was not edible. Another family member had the same meal and issue but after the managers outburst, did not feel comfortable expressing so had 3 bites and left the rest. When the bill came, he charged us for my meal regardless of the above and refused to take it off. I have never experience anything like this in a restaurant and I’m embarrassed for the business owner, if it is not himself. We told him because of the above, we would not be paying for my meal and it should have been deducted from the bill. His violent and disgusting manor then presented itself even more, he shouted at every member of my family and got into my uncles face after he told him to stop speak to me in such an aggressive way. Not that it should make a difference on how you speak to customers or people in general but I am pregnant and this experience left me extremely distressed and I don’t know how this man sleeps at night. We eventually paid for what we had, a total bill cost of almost £300, minus my meal and got up to leave. Once he realised, he begun to say ‘ this is a small price to never have to see your faces in here again ‘ and the abuse continued for several minutes as we was leaving. He also refused to tell us his name because it was irrelevant…just like his existence in my opinion. I wish I had recorded the whole thing to be able to show just how hideous this man was to me and my family, instead I write this review to warn others about visiting this restaurants. After reading some other recent reviews, Apparently violence and abuse comes free with every meal ordered! How is this ok…? This small man is a bully, potentially suffering from little man syndrome and I’m still in shock by our experience a week later. The other staff members were lovely, polite but also look completley terrified of their manager.

A great location on the front, in converted toilet block. Hence the name. Friendly staff and a tasty Sunday roast.

Fantastic evening here. The food and service was top notch Thoroughly recommend a visit.

My wife and I have been to Toulouse on a number of occasions over the last 5 years with friends and family, and we have never been disappointed. The food has always been enjoyable and the service very good. Thoroughly recommended.

Great good portions can be a bit noisy

lovely staff, very polite, calm place for quiet dinner. Good range of food options. Makes a change from London or New York! Even saw the sea and view. Will go again

Great choice on menu for vegetarians. Tasty food. Very well presented and plenty of it. Staff are lovely. Helpful, attentive and smiley. Love this restaurant.

Really great, first time for me, but will definitely, go again, beautiful roast beef , thank you 😋

Called Toulouse,because it used to be 'two loos'!! We had coffees but not food. Which were really good. The thing about this place is that it's more formal than most establishments on the seafront,so no beachwear,vests,sandals or sandy bodies. Hence if you want a higher quality restaurant meal and drinks,this is where you want to be!

Great helpful service. Food delivered in a timely fashion. Would definitely go again, works well with my inlaws!

We took advantage of their early bird special. Wonderful value, good choices, and lovely food.

Exceeded our expectations: great service, fantastic food two of us had the calves liver which was Cooked to perfection and the other had the steak and ale pie - which was also delicious. Outstanding desert of frangipani strudel. Throughly recommend

Great first visit. Lunch for party of 6 and everything was lovely. Good value for quality well presented dishes. Look forward to visiting again.

Excellent all round 12 in our pre booked party. Food was served hot and in good time. Would recommend

The owner a idiot lucky he not got broken jaw

We went for the "early bird", good choice of starters and mains. Freshly cooked, good portion size, attentive service.

We are don’t mind paying if something is good. Very cold and odd welcoming from the staff. The food was salty. From the onions soup starter to the sea-bass for the main. We couldn’t add hot water into a teapot. If we do, they will charge us for another pot. Also, we got charged for “open drink” for £1. Open drink was a cup of hot water. I never knew you would get charged for a cup of hot water. Overall, poor.

Absolutely amazing meal Very reasonable as well

Great food and service and friendly staff

Went for the first time as was recommended. It was a fantastic restaurant. Staff are friendly and attentive and the food delicious. Definitely will be returning when we are next in Southend.

Where's th Toulouse Restaurant?

Nice place on the front, prices are high but the quality is reflected in that, they do a early bird menu which is cheaper and I would recommend. Deserts are particularly good.

Very rude staff! A woman started shouting at my child for touching the curtain rails (I didn’t see it). When I told her off for shouting at my 4 year old son, they refused to serve us!!!!

Lovely place to eat great food good portions loved it

Overpriced food, and mediocre service. Nothing special.

Rude owner doesn’t know how to treat other human beings right. It’s like he thinks he is better than others. Must of got bullied in school and couldn’t get over it. How pathetic

if you are looking for a job ,do NOT apply for this one!!!(im 19)I went for a trial shift today.The manager Stefan told me to wear all black & black trainers,I came in black looking good for just a trial shift . I arrived 10 minutes early.I was so nervous and it took a lot of self confidence for me to go to this trial…..when I arrived he looked me up and down like I was a piece of dirt on his shoe!!….he pulled my shoulders to a mirror and said “look at me and look at you in this mirror ,do you think this is an acceptable way to look in front of my customers”…..he said “ your T-shirt needs ironing, and it looks like it’s come straight of the tumble dryer”!!….this was also in front of two other members of staff!….he then proceeded to usher me out and said “no, I can’t have you here looking like this…go home …iron your top and come back Friday!!!!😡whilst being looked at up and down. I ended up walking out crying after only being there for 10 mins & had to travel . I’ve never been so humiliated in my life….this man completely crushed any self confidence I had left….STAY CLEAR!

I visited Toulouse on 9th September at 4.30pm with my partner. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant we had a rather frosty welcome. We asked to sit at the back in the open area and after being seated my partner was asked to brush sand off his leg. We had been on the beach all day however there was very, very little sand on him. I mentioned this to the rather moody looking, unpleasant waitress and she replied with "I know it's a bit picky". Let's just say we were astonished, the place being located on the seafront and felt reluctant to stay. We stayed and ordered a starter, main and two drinks which was nice, food delicious and well presented. Another couple entered while we were eating and they had a large dog with them. The dog did actually smell however I didn't see it being asked to wipe his feet or anything! We were asked if it was OK, just so happens the dog was the most pleasant of them all! Needless to say, we will not be returning to Toulouse and £70 poorer. Such a shame.

Food looked great but wasn’t. Rude owner/manager - extremely rude. Do not go if you still want to be eating/enjoying yourselves past 8.30pm!!! Will never return

My wife & I had lunch there for the 1st time, the food was excellent! The service was even better. Yes ,it was a bit costly but for an 85th birthday lunch it was okay, at 85 you can't take it with you

Food was very very nice at least the starters that I had I had a nice waitress when I came in but then they change her with a guy... Who was everything but nice ... I had my starters and while I was waiting for the main I whent outside to have a cigarette next to the window but outside tho I sat on the window and the guy came in a very rude way telling me that would you like that if I do to your house im like okey he is right so I stood up and then I light my cigarette and he was very rude no no go away from my premises dont smoke here and I told him that I'm outside and I just wanted to be able to talk to my fiance and have my cigarette until the main comes and he was no no I'm asking you to go away dont smoke here I'm telling you nicely he was saying it that he was doing me a favour... so I just paid for my starters and left because I don't like this kind of treatment Very nice food is ashame about the service... I would advise you to dont go there ...

Whilst to food looked so good when it arrived at the table. Both fish dishes were quite lacking in taste. The chocolate brownie was tasty at the end. I think the staff also have to learn to put a smile on their face.

Fabulous service from friendly staff. Excellent food. Highly recommended

Ordered sea bass and monkfish and was one of the best meals we have eaten in Leigh. Strongly recommend for foodies.

Welcomed warmly and made to feel at ease. Every effort was made by staff. The food (seafood platter for 2) and wine were excellent and well presented as were the sides we had. We were served swiftly and efficiently. Many thanks to all at the Toulouse Restaurant.

Manager/owner was disgustingly rude towards own party of 4 for absolutely no reason, avoid this restaurant like the plague until this vile piece of work is removed In addition to the owners reply, we were not asked to leave , we did so of our own accord, the owner is also a liar who was literally white with rage , one day he will be rude to the wrong person who will hopefully put him in he’s place I feel sorry for he’s staff who no doubt are sick to death of this loutish behaviour from their so called leader , I look forward to he’s further lies

Fantastic service, delicious food and the staff were very accommodating

Five star food and service on my special Mums 90th birthday. They really were attentive x

Lovely food and great service only draw back is parking on Southend sea front cost very nearly £20 a day

Great staff, very attentive and friendly. The food is absolutely top rate - delicious and very well presented. It was a bit noisy at Sunday lunch time, but great to see the place busy and doing well.

Good food, great service. A worthy visit indeed.

Delicious food, my partner had roast beef and said it was the best she'd ever eaten. Superb service, friendly welcoming. I really enjoyed myself.

My first visit to this restaurant which came highly recommended. We enjoyed our food BUT both me and my wife had grit in the salad leaves with our starter. Later we wished we had mentioned that at the time. Our main course was very enjoyable - and no grit this time. BUT - whilst finishing our starter a pint and a half of beer was poured over the lady diner behind me. Accidentally of course by a waiter 2 days into his job. The family who suffered this were extremely understanding ("these things happen"), much more so than a lot would have been. I had to change side of our table to let the staff in to clean up. The lady was clearly very wet. As we were finishing our main the bill was brought out to the unlucky table. And the "fun" really started. Not only had there been no deduction to the food bill but a service charge had been added! Wow, I would have been extremely unhappy if that was me, and so was the group. It was clear that it wasn't just a slip by Toulouse it was intended to make the bill that way. The manager was called and things then reminded us of Fawlty Towers as he argued with the customers in front of all the other guests around. The manager thought they should pay the whole bill, but they would cover dry cleaning costs. Nowhere near good enough to my mind or the other people. It's interesting now to read several other reviews about bad service. It seems this is their way. Shame.

We visited the restaurant on Sunday for a fiends birthday. We were a booking of 11. It felt a bit cramped on one side of the table as they had squeezed us into 10 spaces. Despite the waitress taking our order in seating plan order, food and drinks were still given to the wrong people. We were advised the roast beef is served pink, unfortunately when it came it wasn't and was quite chewy. Despite these small issues we had a lovely time but not sure I'd rush back.

My elderly parents have eaten at this restaurant numerous times. So obviously have enjoyed the experience until this week. My Father found his steak to be very tough, he discreetly informed the staff, one of which said I will get the menu have something else! My Father selected the fish, and when the same member served it up, said to him "enjoy your meal, but DON'T come back". If that's how they treat regular customers, then guess what?, my parents, my siblings and their families, my family and I will definitely not be going back.

What can I say my first visit, booked for party of Four. Restaurant fairly busy for a lunchtime on a Tuesday . It was all so delicious from the wine to the desert. Will definitely be rebooking .

Dog friendly by the coast with great food what more would you want 👍

The food was fantastic. We ordered the seafood platter and it was huge and delicious. The oysters were fresh as were the king prawns, prawn cocktail and smoked salmon. We loved all the condiments that came with the platter. Moreover, the kids loved their pastas and had decent portions. The staff were really friendly particularly with the kids. We really enjoyed our lunch and have already recommended Toulouse to some friends.

While ordering our food, our daughter popped to the Loo. Unfortunately, whilst in there a poor lady was violently sick...not making it to the toilet in time & my little one come back let say 'splashed' As we had only just ordered, i told our server we could no longer eat as we needed to get home & changed- to which he asked us "what did we want him to do about it" We had literally just placed our order, he expected us to stay & sit there with our daughter, wet (🫣) Maybe even a voucher to come back another time would have been better than having to pay for food we couldnt receive. Understand its not their fault, or the ladys, or ours....im just extremely frustrated that we had to pay even though we had to leave, no fault of our own.

Wow!! The chief has complied an excellent menu. Each course we had was beautifully presented and tasted exquisite. The staff were all so friendly and attentive, when needed. Personally we would not consider going aware else in Southend to eat out than Toulouse Restaurant. We were totally impressed.

Fine dining... Not! Location fabulous. So disappointed with the quality of the food. I will never visit again. Attitude was very bad, when complaint made. This restaurant used to be top notch.. Now very poor..

Went for mum's birthday meal. Everything about it was brilliant

Second time dining at this restaurant by the coast side. Very pleasant experience. My wife and I were made to feel welcome from the beginning, and the food was exceptional again. Thank you.

Lovely meal with my wife on our anniversary

Food Delicious Service Good Atmosphere we went mid week lunch time perfect

Excellent seaside restaurant, service was quick and friendly, food was excellent. Views across the Thames Estuary to Kent. Felt really cosy and welcoming.

We had another great time at Toulouse. Food was excellent as always. Dog friendly. Service terrific 👏

Very good sunday meal, thought the prices were rather high but I expect that it is the condition of the country !!!!

Went with friends for my Birthday. The food and staff were both excellent

Very good but very expensive the drinks and very small!

Was a bit quiet that evening(Tuesday) but great food.

Hired out the function area and the food and service was amazing A*

Fabulous meal as always. Great service, very efficient staff.

Food was very good, we all enjoyed our dishes - starts, mains and desserts were well cooked and well presented. Waiting staff were all very friendly and helpful. I have to say that the prices, for the quality of the food, were very reasonable. My only criticism would be the fact that dogs (not guide dogs) were allowed in to the restaurant, seems to be a very common problem these days. The dog was well behaved but that is not the point. Somewhere that serves food should not admit dogs.

Food very good indeed. On a very windy day it was great to sit in a window seat. Calves liver as good as I've had anywhere.

Excellent restaurant in Westcliff-on-Sea. Excellent food and very attentive staff. Recommended.

Excellent meal and wine. Service so professional and friendly. We always feel we are treated like old friends. My favourite restaurant.

Just a great place to eat over looking the seafront.

Really good in here. Have come a few times but forgot to review. Came again with a party of 4, and our dog. It was flawless from start to finish. Staff are lovely, food is excellent, reasonably priced (the same as you would pay at any good restaurant) toilets are clean, it’s cosy and warm inside. I had starter, main and desert and wasn’t disappointed with anything at all. Thanks very much

Fitted us in pre theatre, food was superb, as was the service. Highly recommended, we will be back

We tried Tolouse when lockdown was lifted and promised ourselves we would go back once we could sit inside. Finally we've made it back and boy was it worth the wait. The food was incredible and the staff were amazing. Edit: Second Review. We returned to Toulouse this evening for another visit. I'm not sure how but it was even better than last time. The food was absolutely exceptional, the staff were friendly and attentive. It was wonderful to see the restaurant so full yet the standard of food was unbelievable. I fully believe that in life you get what you pay for and this evening was worth every penny.

Visited for the first time. The food was excellent as was the service, even accommodating us being half hour late after taxi didn't turn up. So had to drive down and then either set up parking fees in the morning or collect before 8. But not the restaurants fault at all. Will return for sure.

Great food, fantastic staff. Always enjoy our dinners here.

Reasonable cost not overpriced,friendly service,good sea views when sat at best tables....would recommend

Wonderful from the moment we stepped. Welcoming staff, warm and inviting. They take your coat, show you to a table of your choice. Drinks very good and arrived very promptly. The food was amazing. We had starter, main and desert. Staff were extremely attentive throughout. Didn’t feel rushed, we took our time. Staff checked we were happy with everything. Would highly recommend going here. I haven’t had food like this for a long time, it really was superb. We are not local so didn’t really know where to eat for the evening. Good atmosphere in the restaurant, toilet facilities very clean. 10 out of 10 for us.

Excelent. Food mouth watering from starters to desert. staff very atentive

Beautiful restaurant with amazing food and great service. Highly recommend!

Great food and fabulous service, a great location

Such a shame. The chef cannot be bothered to cater for gluten free. Even with 3 months notice. Taking the bread off the soup to call it gluten free is one thing but giving a customer a plate of cheese with no crackers is just not good enough. Ridiculous. Even if you just popped to the shop to buy some. Do better. It’s not difficult. On the other hand, the lamb was delicious and the waiter was very lovely.

Had a fantastic dinner time with wife and baby. Great food, Cozy atmosphere and the staff is very friendly.

Nice french restaurant by the sea. Attentive staff, a bit pricey but tasty. Had french onion soup and cassoulet. Not bad.

We visited last night with dear friends. Although the restaurant was not busy the ambiance was warm and cosy. The Staff were lovely and the food was excellent. Beautifully presented and very very tasty. We would thoroughly recommend this restaurant.

STOP serving Pukka pies and charging through the roof!

Great food, service and atmosphere as ever

The food is excellent, our waitress was very attentive. Other than our group there was just one other couple. If they went back to the reasonable 3 course lunch menu that they used to do,, I am sure they would do a lot more trade. I thought a little expensive for lunch.

I ordered steak and ale pie and chips and it was a pukka pie. Pukka pie and chips was £17 hmmmm! Not impressed.

Roxy had that best dog friendly dinning experience 🐶. All the staff were extremely welcoming, they even gave her a little bowl of treats for being a good girl and other diners came over to praise her ♥️ Great confidence boost for someone who didnt have the best start in life. Humans had the Smoked Salmon, Atlantic Prawn and Avocado Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Croutons, Lemon Dressing £18.95 Plenty of tasty prawns 🤤 and a small portion of delicious salmon but more salad would have made it perfect 😄🥗 The Dark Chocolate Marquise, Blood Orange Sorbet and Citrus Zest £8.00 was a winner !!!!! Wow!!! going back just to have that again 🤩 Over all highly reccomend!!!! THANKS TO THE STAFF x

Unfriendly staff. Upon arrival was told I could not dine there as "I had too many children" After emailing to complain I am yet to receive a response!!

Very nice meal well cooked, presented and served. We shall return

Beautifully made food, lovely staff

Lovely service so accommodating. Beautiful view. Dog friendly which is such a bonus. Delicious deserts, more vegetarian options please!

I want to like it. It has so much potential. But a good bistro, it isn't. It's... Standard pub food (or... Dare I say a posh Harvester?) with a lot pre cooked in the fridge or freezer and ready to reheat. I know staffing issues in hospitality are hard at the moment, but the food is really middle of the road, and the place has so much potential to serve delicious, quality meals. My advice is to stay away from the common classics - the scampi and chips, fish and chips, burger, steak and chips... None of those were memorable or better than as I say, Harvester. The chips especially left an oily taste in your mouth. Go with the dishes you'd not usually find in a pub or Harvester. The confit duck was good, fell off the bone as you'd expect, but you could tell it'd been zapped as the piping hot steam coming out when it was cut into is a tell tale sign of "just heated up". The accompanying cherry jus was tasteless of cherries which was a shame, it was just a thin gravy with no real cherry taste. Duck loves a good fruity sauce! The sea bass was by far the best dish, with saffron potatoes. The staff were absolutely lovely and very friendly with faultless service. A real benefit to the restaurant. But it could just be so much more. Places with small menus and a great venue could be creating wonderful locally sourced meals or simple French inspired fare but it just felt like everything came from the freezer (the chilli prawn starter... The prawns were small ones you'd use in a curry or stir fry, not big meaty things as an example), all style and no substance (every dish was well presented). I hope when there's a recovery in staffing issues in hospitality the menu can be revisited to make it more fresh and bistro like. I feel like they're just plodding along waiting for that to happen. It could be so amazing!

Brilliant service and lovely ‘proper’ food. I’ll definitely be back.

Brilliant. After walking for what seemed like forever trying to get a pint(!) i finally reached this place. Even though they didnt open for another half hour the man was super friendly, invited me to get a drink and i could even smoke. Of the 5 or 6 other places i tried some didnt serve alcohol, some were closed and one even not so welcoming! Cheers

Lovely food,friendly staff. All perfect 🥰

Asked staff if we could eat outside, he said Are you talking to me or my colleague? And laughed, don't need sarcasm, so finished our drinks and left

We had a lovely meal here on Sunday The staff were great, we didn't feel on top of our neighbors and we weren't rushed