Waterfront cafe in Colchester - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

I wasn't at the Waterfront Bistro. It looks to have closed permanently.

Tried The Waterfront Bistro for the first time last night, it was absolutely amazing. Every dish was well presented and tasted divine. If you haven't done so already, give it a go, you won't be disappointed.

Just had our usual special chow mein (no beef) and fried chicken with mushrooms in garlic sauce. Loved it. Freshly cooked, very tasty and just the right amount for two of us. It's only a 10minute walk from us, so by the time we had got out costa on and walked there everything was ready. Highly recommended, and I don't do that often, particularly for a take away. Well done

We came here for my mums 50th birthday meal. 7 adults and 2 children. Food was all really nice , home cooked and fresh and came out quickly! Also had a nice cocktail which was reasonably priced! Definitely would recommend!!

Piping hot meal delivered this evening beautiful food thank you

Fantastic Chinese takeaway quality of the produce is excellent best to pre order online always deliver on time hot and fantastic service and food.

The mixed hors d’oeuvres were divine, as were the main dishes that followed (chicken in black bean sauce, crispy chilli beef & egg fried rice). The friendly staff have a very considerate attitude and the food is cooked with the same care & consideration. You must eat here if you find yourself in the area. You won’t be disappointed!

Lovely food and variety of menu to choose from. Will be our Thursday night out.

Don't get the breakfast from here worst breakfast we've ever had didn't even finish it... tasted like it was all cooked in the same oil as the Chinese

Ordered a takeaway and having read the reviews we were expecting something decent! Having had to wait an additional 25 minutes for delivery (which to be fair we were kept updated about) the food arrived. The chicken satay was reasonable but the pancake rolls were both soggy and tasteless. The curry was poor. The Singapore noodles ‘different’ to say the least and the lemon chicken - a dish I usually love was ‘wet’ and inedible, . Would we order from this place again - no. Would we advise anyone else to order from here - no. We all have bad days - and we are both hoping that we will not have a bad day after this ‘food’!!! Not very impressed!

The food is delicious and freshly cooked. Definitely would recommend this restaurant to my friends.

The Chinese food here is authentic and delicious, and the price is reasonable as the portion is quite big for one. Staffs are friendly. Definitely will come again!

Best Chinese I’ve ever eaten, staff very friendly, nice relaxed atmosphere, food very good quality and delicious, would recommend to everyone for any occasion

Went to little cafe for lunch, food was lovely good polite service,nice fresh food. It goes to chinese restaurant and takeaway in the evening so a few days later got a takeaway, was great quick delivery fresh food. Highly recommended

Honestly so disappointed. Ordered here so many times before. Spent £9.90 on crispy duck , not only was it a tiny portion but the amount we receive was just pure fat with no actual duck meat in it. Tried to call them back to explain we cannot eat duck fat and they had shut their phone line off 30 mins before closing. Extremely unhappy with this.

If I could give this no stars, I would. Ordered food in an empty restaurant at 1800hrs starter ( pancake roll ) came 10 mins late, no issues. Then we waited for an hour and still no main meal. We asked and they seemed on getting the Delivery orders out over our meal. We said enough, we are off. Then they said oh we are just doing it now!!!!! Try and support local businesses, and they seriously can't be bothered. Got a takeaway from another Chinese on the island and it was ready in 15mins. Bottled Beer was also expensive and out of date

Why not call it for what it is a Chinese restaurant.

Decided to book a reservation last minute. Food was delicious, albeit a little pricey, compared to London prices. The set up of the restaurant is a bit all over the place and some music wouldn’t go amiss to create a bit of atmosphere, however ultimately you eat out to enjoy good food and that we did. Would we go back? Yes.

Very yummy food. Highly recommended

I must admit hen I walked in it was empty, and not set up as a restaurant.. was very worried, but we stayed as it was my birthday and the reviews we very good in the quality of food.. How surprised we was.. AMAZING food.. so tasty.. a bit pricey for 4. But was happy to pay with quality of the food being so tasty.. Maybe as so late in the year the restaurant concentrates on take away rather then eating in.. I’m glad we stayed to eat..

I have to say that I thought them a bit pricey but then the food is of outstanding quality and generous quantity. Delivered on time at a cost of £1:50 (should consider dropping the delivery charge) on a very busy Saturday evening. I would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for excellent Chinese food although the prices will serve to make this one a “special treat” takeaway in the future.

This is the first order we placed with Waterfront Oriental and the food tasted great. I would recommend to anyone looking for the best tasting Chinese takeaway.

We have just eaten what I can only say was the best we have tasted for years, amazing taste and fab service, will have it agin without a doubt

The food was gorges, and filling. the staff are very friendly as were all the people we met during our visit.

On Mersea Island - The worst fish and chips ever. Please take them off your menu, very disappointing! I hope your Chinese food is better, stick to that and leave Fish and Chips to the professionals instead of trying to take cash off passing tourists. The fish batter was flat, pasty and had a weird grainy texture like poorly mixed Chinese batter you'd find on your pancake roll. So oily and could not taste fish, was it frozen perhaps? Shocker!!! The chips tasted like the whole Chinese menu, just odd!

Waited over 2hours 40 mins for food to arrive. Whilst requesting a refund over the phone it turned up. they then refused to give it to us due to being on the phone with the restaurant. Unwilling to help and terrible service. Would not recommend.

Delivered a truly wonderful meal to us this evening. This is the first time we have ordered from here and we were so please with it, tasty and hot. Thank you.

Ordered,collected,fantastic can't fault,well done all,

We had a lovely eat in Chinese meal at the Waterfront tonight. The prices are more expensive than our local BUT the portions are about twice as big. The vegetables in the scallops were fresh and crisp, and the scallops were tender. The beef in the beef and mushrooms was soft and delicious. The spicy chips were delicious and flavorful. The staff are warm and welcoming without being false. The place was very child friendly. We had a great time and if we are in the area again we would go back.

Enjoy great food delivery to your door on a cold day with hot food 😋

Food superb yet again. Staff great and we are now regular diners. Try their food please, it is just so good, cooked from fresh every time.

Random - just had onion rings with the mixed hors D”oeuvres - (or how we you spell it). Pancake rolls and samosas clearly frozen - crispy duck greasy and tasteless - put in with cucumber and onion so it was soggy too - don’t wanna even try anything g else - don’t order a takeaway from here - cost us £30 - should have got a burger

We had a really good meal on a cold and bleak Wednesday evening. We were the only people dining but the food was excellent, service was good (lovely young waitress) and we will go back again. Can recommend.

Good oriental food. Used to do both English and Chinese, but now mainly Chinese. On I fine day it is so nice to eat an oriental dish overlooking the estuary .

Brilliant place to eat all good fresh ingredients!

Admittedly a little pricey, but we all enjoyed an excellently prepared variety of dishes & the staff were very friendly & professional. Overall, a superb dining experience!

Really great food, child friendly, polite staff anf good service. Surprising find as a Chinese on the seafront. Worth a visit!!

Fantastic service and the food is out of this world. Fresh ingredients, freshly cooked. Will definitely be back.

Really lovely food, no as much oil as most and the deliver as well Definitely eating here again. And all the staff are really nice which goes a long way with me!

Just on the sea front looking for somewhere reasonable and nice to have a light lunch with dog and found this. Perfect whitebait with salad - well priced - all happy

Lovely food. Best beef chow Mein I’ve had. Partner had seafood and ginger and said it was very good. All freshly cooked. So yes you do have to wait but worth it. Not greasy and vegetables were crispy without being hard. Service was very friendly and welcoming. But we just felt that the restaurant needed a clean, especially the windows. There was a vehicle parked outside and if you could get that moved the view would be a great attraction. Definitely will go back.

Went here as a family of four Easter weekend. Food was painfully slow to arrive. Wife’s meal came 30 mins after ordering, the rest 50 mins after ordering. Fish was nice but the scampi was processed frozen.The poor waitress did a fantastic job but the kitchen was letting her down. When she did chase up the kitchen, the chef seemed grumpy with her.

Good to find a cafe which marks allergens clearly and also has some veggie options! Friendly and helpful staff too.

Wanted to try this place and it didn't dissapoint. We had the set dinner, lovely meal which was really fresh and we were tended to by the nice staff who looked after us. I'll be back.

Excellent chips, friendly staff and great vegetarian options. Would definitely go again

Excellent mix of pub/cafe food (fish and chips, ham egg and chips etc) and Chinese dishes. Rib meat meltingly tender, satay chicken v good, chicken chow mein looked so fresh and appetising. Portions are generous and it's licensed.

Really nice place, good food and service. Enjoyed my visits. Recommendation!

We popped in here after visiting Cudmore Grove for a walk with family who were down for weekend. We decided to go for a meal afterwards and noticed this. Its not a massive place but there is lots of variety of the menu, plenty to keep all the family happy - there is the traditional fish and chips, but also more unusually satay chicken skewers and chips and a few other oriental dishes / flavours! Hot and spicy chips are v.nice ;-)

Nous sommes arrivés en fin d'après midi à Mersea Island, seul restaurant ouvert. Nous avons dîner et nous avons été surpris par les quantités servies et la qualité des plats asiatiques servis. Le prix est tout à fait en adéquation avec les plats servis. Le personnel a été très agréable et prévenant. Nous reviendrons certainement, notre fille vivant sur Colchester.

Wow what can i say the food was so nice, i know what i like and am borderline fussy so when everybody went for the set meals i just ordered my own. Satay chicken was the best ive had and i wasnt only 1 who said that the fixed meal others has was so nice. So much food many items best we have had. Wasnt over salty like some chinese. The staff where very friendly welcoming and offered good advice. Portions are massive and the price can look dear but value for money. Quality and atmosphere and staff fabulous. Didnt feel rushed great evening. Will definately be back next time we visit Mersea.

Enjoyed an excellent meal of fish and chips. Service was very good. View of the boats and brilliant sunshine what more could you ask for.

Very good breakfast this and coffee

We visited on a lovely sunny day and sat outside for a sandwich lunch. This used to be a favourite with bikers a few years ago, although that seems to have changed with the ownership. Set directly opposite the hard and with boats up close and personal, the position is lovely. It would seem that it has been taken over by an Asian retaurant although they are serving normal Engish food too. It's very smart inside and pleasant service but we feel that it is now overpriced. £20 odd for a couple of small bagettes with vegetarian filling and two coffees is too much. Food was fine but basic. We won;t be going back.

Great food. Nice little place and good staff. Little problem with one order but was then sorted without any problem

Thank you, team, for helping us to hold a surprise birthday party. On Saturday 20 of us pretty much had the place to ourselves for the evening and enjoyed a tasty Chinese meal. The staff were very helpful and we all had a great time.

Absolutely amazing. Good service very friendly and polite. Lovely food ❤️ Quick service and also amazing weather too

Fantastic breakfast outside in the sun. Loving the hash browns and the milky latte! And great service from members of staff

We had the fish and chips and it was absolutely superb. Holly, was lovely, too! A really good place so enjoy!

Came for breakfast with friends. The food was really quick & tasty. The staff looked after us well outside too, thank you 😄

Popped in here on the spur of the moment with friends and had a lovely Chinese meal.

To eat in the food is really nice, freshly cooked and good service. I would happily go back.

Popped in just before dinner time, still doing breakfast, so had coke and coffee, after our visit to radio caroline on the 9th August, staff very friendly, we both ordered fish and chips, not the cheapest, but by far the best fish and chips we had, and my partner said the coffee was very nice, better then some of leading coffee shops, thank you waterfront.

Thanks guys for a first class meal this evening and will be back. Great food and good wine and service. Rob Daryl and The Dawson Crew

We visited this Sunday for a late breakfast with my parents and grandparents and we had a lovely big full English with all the trimmings! The staff were so helpful and friendly, even made us laugh! Will definitely be back.

Popped in for lunch. Very pleasant and helpful staff. Good fresh food. Plenty of choice on the menu and great selection for kids too.

We had a great little lunch here sitting outside with the dogs. Excellent fish and chips, scampi, and panini.

Excellent meal and great service, second time we have been here and enjoyed the meal both times. We will be back.

I have eaten here before & never had a problem. However it is now a cafe/Chinese so restaurant seems very confused.

A lovely family meal out with quick service, polite staff, delicious food and a view. What else would you want? Will be returning very soon.

We popped in as a family of 8 and all ordered food and the food was fine no complaints but it took forever 1 meal at a time came out as a rule when you go out its nice to all eat together not all separate otherwise the food was ok it was only half full and I heard another table say something about the wait aswell we were offered some drinks to say sorry but we had already had some mixed feelings

Just cicled to Mersea and stopped for a quick lunch and drink ! I had the best burger I ate lately ! Also the service is foultless ! Well done ! Will definetly come back when around. Thanks guys.

Lovely service, great food and not to expensive Came after a long day of sailing and was a great atmosphere

Nice place to unwind with coffee. Although today's weather does not help sitting outside. Good choice of food

Great tucked back sea view cafe, clean, good food, relaxed decor, friendly staff. Right where the action is amongst the boats on Mersea Island. It’s like the east coast version of the Solent. Free WiFi, seating in or out.

Went for a quick lunch with a partner. It’s a small but very nice and cozy place. The food was very good and the service as well, would definitely come here again!

Stopped off for a bite to eat while in Mersea. Great fish and chips and attentive staff. And a lovely view of the sea and boats. Highly recommended.

where do I start! I would like to thank the 2 people that made my experience at the Bistro most enjoyable. Mathew was very polite and welcoming and whenever he served us he gave us a friendly and warm vibe. Holly was amazing too. She gave us lots of advice and was again very warming and polite. I hope that these two amazing people are there next time I come back and that they get a pay rise! thank you.

My wife and I had a lovely little lunch. I enjoyed the all day breakfast and she had some King Prawns. The americano was good too.

A wonderful evening a charming host and probably the best Chinese food we have ever had anywhere in Europe .thankyou we will be back and recommend you to.All our friends

Good food at a reasonable price seaviews from the terrace quick service even when very busy and friendly staff

Visited today by chance as it is set back from the road and hidden by the icecream van in front. Pleasantly surpised at the delicious food and presentation.

Food took ages to arrive, then part of our order was wrong - had to chase it up twice, then were given no cutlery or serviettes.

Nice staff but scruffy outside seating area in need of repair, a clean and removal of junk. Such a shame in a beautiful spot and view. The food was just about ok.

Lovely food and views, nice chips! Service friendly too and very fast which is super Would come again

Went there for lunch today and they were a little short of staff but the guy that was there serving was very nice and that helped, the food was very nice and good price for the area.

Dined al fresco on a Saturday evening at the excellent Waterfront Oriental.

Friendly service, good food and lovely spot overlooking the boats and sea. Quick to take order and for food to arrive.

A lovely breakfast, great sausages and perfect for the whole family! Also nice to enjoy the sea views.

Brilliant lunch on a boiling hot day, nice and cool inside with great food! Friendly and polite service with good facilities too.

Lovely location for breakfast, accompanied by good coffee.... Kind and friendly staff with most importantly a great view of the estuary....

Eggs Benedict was superb. Lovely patio outside for breakfast My son had the full English and loved it

Fast friendly service recommend eggs Benedict great place to sit and watch the world go by. Dog friendly. Coffee good

A delicious family lunch in the sunshine. Fish and chips freshly made to order. Sitting outside in the shade watching the world go by! Panini also excellent and a well earned ice cold drink. It’s not our first visit - and it won’t be our last!

This is the second time we visiting this restaurant, and we had the amazing king prawn salad, and scampi &chips.; Both freshly cooked, and especially the king prawn salad, it’s the best around the island! Very very fresh!

Had a lovely breakfast with friends with quick friendly service.. Will definitely come back again...

Had a lovely breakfast here, great service, nice views, Plenty of seating outside in the sun, will visit again.

We came here for a birthday breakfast. Good quality home cooked breakfast with quick service and great sea front views. Special mention for Chloe who was very helpful. Opens at 10, which was fine for us, but some may consider a bit late for breakfast.

Mediocre Chinese food not helped by a bottle of Tesco's £5 wine for which we were charged £21, 400% mark up is not on. I buy wine for a community shop so i do know what I am talking about.

Amazing food, good price! Excellent lunch spot! We had a nice family lunch on a sunny day and we really enjoyed it would recommend this place

We just shared a wonderful surf and turf and lager lunch at the waterfront bistro, with brilliant service.