Zafra Pasta Bar and Grill in Braintree

We popped into the restaurant and asked for a takeaway, and were pleasantly surprised that they could accommodate it. Frank could not do enough for us. My wife ordered chicken and bacon with a mushroom ravioli and a creamy mushroom sauce. She devoured it and, having tried some myself, I can thoroughly recommend it. I ordered a seafood linguine which came slightly spiced with both fish and shellfish. It was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, our 5 day break had to be cut short, otherwise we would have definitely gone back. Thank you so much, Frank. Top notch!

Once again a fantastic meal. Frank is an entertaining host and is happy to discuss and debate on all manner of topics. We had an outstanding meal - everything was cooked to perfection, and very hot. Zafra is a small, intimate venue and I can thoroughly recommend it without reservation.

We had a gorgeous meal at Zafra. We accosted them as they were opening the restaurant and they welcomed us in despite not being ready. The maitre d’ was lovely, so friendly and kind and told us all about the local area. The meal was delicious, all fresh ingredients and homemade. Their peppercorn sauce was amazing. They even accommodated my daughter, who can be fussy when she wants to be. We decided to take a doggy bag of deserts which were all gorgeous - the pistachio profiteroles were out of this world. We all thoroughly enjoyed the evening and wish we were staying longer so we could go again. Best meal we’ve had in this lovely little village. Thank you!

After eating here several times, we have always been very pleased with the great tasty food. Frank is very engaging, genial, and chatty, and also very flexible when it comes to vegetarians and vegans too. Prices are very reasonable as well. All good

My first visit to this lovely Italian eaterie and definitely not the last. Cosy and rustic it almost feels as though you are sitting in someone’s front room. A varied menu with excellent and friendly service provided by Leanne, nothing was too much trouble, my mother preferred a plainer sea bass dish to that on offer and the restaurant were very accommodating. The fish stew and smoked haddock are highly recommended. Portions are large so bear in mind if ordering a starter - we shared whitebait which was absolutely lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and look forward to returning .

Lovely little restaurant. Frank is so accommodating, some of us follow a low carb diet which can be challenging for an Italian but the food was amazing. Lovely place, lovely food, lovely people 😁😁😁

Just returned home (recently moved into Finchingfield) from a lovely evening meal. A quaint restaurant with a warm welcome. Swordfish was gorgeous as was the tiramisu. We will definitely be returning to try the homemade ravioli. See you soon Frank !

Went on a whim having just moved to the area really enjoyed ourselves portions large and very friendly service

We were on holiday and happened to spot this little restaurant, we spoke to the chef who explained the menu for that Friday. Being fish lovers we booked a table and enjoyed a fabulous meal.My husband was extactic with the swordfish and is telling everyone he meets. we will be back. .

Had the most brilliant meal here tonight for my birthday. Lovely hosts and fantastic atmosphere, will be back very soon

Came for a meal on a Thursday evening, weather was awful so the restaurant was quiet. The owner was so friendly and accommodating, put us at ease and couldn’t be more helpful. Food was amazing and big portions. Service was impeccable, we’re looking forward to returning

My wife and I visited here last night. The restaurant is located right in the heart of the beautiful village of Finchingfield . Upon our arrival we were greeted by the owner Frank who could not have been more helpful or friendly. The restaurant was lovely and warm and had a lovely relaxed atmosphere. We had a three course meal which consisted of garlic ciabatta for starters . We both had rump steak which was cooked exactly as we had asked. Frank also made some home made mayonnaise for my wife to have with her steak. For dessert I had Eton Mess and my wife had the largest sticky toffee pudding and custard she had seen ( I obviously helped with that as well). All of the food was freshly prepared and was of an excellent quality. My wife booked to take her Mum for Mothering Sunday before we left . Thank you Frank and staff for a very enjoyable relaxed visit .

What a visit we had!! There was 11 of us, the staff couldn't do more even when we went off menu they still accommodated for us. Really good atmosphere and made us feel so welcome. Portion sizes are very generous and food is great.

Drinks bill was excessive Chef was suspiciously available to chat absolute breeze during meal prep. Deserts were visibly sitting in the microwave Bbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ….ping

We were recommended Zafra by our good friend and were delighted by the result... we arrived extra earlier and that wasnt a problem. The specials board and menu were full of mouthwatering creations. There were four of us and we all had something different and everyone of us thoroughly enjoyed their meal. The host was very attentive and interested in what we were choosing. The service was great and taste of background music very special. We will be back as it was all very reasonably priced - what a result!

First class Italian food as always. Mackerel Salsa was a winner as was the hearty spicy salmon with crab ravioli. The front of house is always so welcoming and keen to talk about food and at the end cooked up a new starter he was...

We were visiting relatives in the UK and were looking for a restaurant in a unique location. After reading the reviews for Zafra, we decided to visit it. When we arrived, the four of us were warmly greeted by the owner, Frank. We ordered various...

Just had to review this great little restaurant! Superb food, cosy atmosphere. Frank is a great character and a very welcoming guy! Decent amounts of hot food and a great selection. Only gripe would be a few choices of dark beers would be good. Never...

Tasty and plentiful food. We ate from the specials board and I had swordfish which was excellent.My partner had spicy crab tortolini followed by a Barnsley lamb chop with pasta. Food was great.Its not a fancy restaurant but friendly with good waiting staff. As its...

This restaurant is well worth a visit. The food is excellent, fresh, authentic and delicious. Portion size is large, so expect to leave feeling full. The owner is friendly and we had a lovely chat. Finchingfield is just beautiful so all in all a lovely...

Enjoyed a three course dinner here. Great service, good meal and homemade puddings in the pretty village of Finchingfield.

This restaurant has such delicious food and exceptional service! Even when trying to order something “simple & boring”, Frank went out of his way to make a beautiful dinner to make sure we were able to feed the whole family something so delicious that we...

Staff very friendly and accommodating. Food was very tasty but you did have to wait a long time between courses so maybe they need more staff in the kitchen. Overall tasty food and very reasonable priced but spoilt it buy the very long wait between...

Today we had another delicious meal at this delightful restaurant. Today we had lunch. We love the relaxed and friendly atmosphere and superb food. Thank you Frank and staff we will be back soon. Lots more dishes to sample.

The restaurant was spacious but very tired, all of the furniture, especially the seating need a major update. It doesn’t look as if it has been decorated in years and years. It’s such a pity as Finchingfield is so beautiful. Saying that, this was offset...

A relaxed and friendly atmosphere in a cosy restaurant serving exquisite food. The owner and chef, Frank, is skilled in the culinary arts and every mouthful offered a subtle range of flavours and delight upon delight. Busy but efficiently handled, and without compromise on quality....

Really great evening meal. The chap running the show was great value and added to the experience. The food was fantastic. We will be back!

We had a lovely meal at Zafra. Thorughly enjoyed it. Great value too, a lot of VERY tasty food. We had a salmon and ravioli dish and a chicken and ravioli dish. Lots of it and beautiful sauces. We are coming back for sure! Super...

Excellent. Good food and a nice bloke x. Pasta and pizza were delicious and 21st bday shots went down a treat although I didn’t have one, hence why I’m driving and sober enough to write this review.

Ok...so a large group went for tea...its dirty beyond belief filthy toilet and very very average food..pizza base out of the freezer and everything looks and tastes the same..pity as a beautiful village with great pubs..

Freshly cooked delicious food, decent range of dishes, family run restaurant, very personal service, reasonably priced, absolutely worth a visit.

Scruffy - table near the back in full view of open door to utility area, stack of canned drinks, chaotic bar and coffee area Not at all what you expect when sitting in a dining area Needs a good clean dirty floor & loo Definitely...

I am not one to write reviews but felt compelled to write something regarding this restaurant and our experience. Francis the owner is friendly and a welcoming host and the restaurant is based in a good location. Unfortunately the restaurant was sadly very dirty and...

From start to finish our visit to Zafra was brilliant. The staff were really helpful and accommodating. The food was out of the world! Best pasta I've ever eaten. We were a large group and nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend anyone to...

Had dinner here tonight and have to say it was lovely. The seafood stew is a must. The nicest thing is how welcome we were made to feel. Highly recommend!

Zafra has been our “go to” through lockdown. You always know that Frank will cook you something big ( very big as Frank would never want anyone to go hungry!), tasty and generous. You really get Frank’s character in his food; full of warmth and...

Just doing take always at the moment. Such a cheery host. Amazingly authentic and delicious food. The whitebait were superb and my pizza was so fresh and yummy. Thank you! I'll be back.

We went via a Groupon deal for a three course meal. The food was fantastic. We had a fish dish and a filled pasta. All was delicious. I am not normally a desert person but this too was very tasty. The portion sizes are very...

We really rate Zafra! Even with the hassle caused by COVID requirements, Frank remains cheerful, attentive and delighfully friendly and welcoming! Eating here is like visiting Frank's house as his friends! The food is good value, hot and absolutely excellent! We travel and hour from...

Went to Zafra for our first meal out. Frank was on his usual good form. Providing meet and greet, a tour of the menu. Then of course cooking your meal. Food was good. An enjoyable foray into eating out after months of seclusion

Just left omg what a meal my lads reckon telling every1. Hidden. Little place amazing food. But I can't fault anything amazing thank yo Frank accomadate to any palate under estimate. I personally never tasted such great food no star rates excellence

It has good tasty food and it is just the best value family night. The staff are friendly and helpful and the menu offers excellent choice.

So good to see Frank up & running again after lockdown. The food is just so delicious, all freshly prepared & cooked. Come on guys, try this place , you will not be disappointed. We need to support independently owned small restaurants.

Good food, good service and reasonably priced. Would very happily go back. If I had to find a down side then I’d say that the restaurant is a bit tired looking but that’s nothing that a new lick of paint and a bit of TLC...

We've been a few times before and made a special visit for valentines. Frank is always a superstar and treats everyone like an old friend! Our food was excellent The staff were really friendly (especially the lady with the dark curly hair) The menu and...

Absolutely gorgeous, authentic tasting food with friendly, exceptional service. The atmosphere was one of the best parts of the experience and really gave a friendly and cosy feel. Would definitely visit again! Thank you zafra

Came here earlier this week and we lovedevery bit. Decor was quirky which we loved, they play some music via an old cd player with a pile of CDs waiting, which we found brilliantly retro. Frank, I believe the owner, was great to chat too and served us some lovely food. It is I'd say slightly more expensive than some Italian chain restaurants but we'll definitely be back regardless. Chicken and chorizo gnocchi was superb!

Can not understand why this place is not rammed. The food is amazing. Home cooked pasta, amazing desserts. Do not go if you're watching your waistline! Could not fault anything . Will definitely return.

This is one of our favourite restaurants! Lovely food - lovely relaxed atmosphere! We can’t fault Frank and his lovely, charming friendly little restaurant! Just go - you won’ be disappointed with this gem!

Charming host, great welcome, wonderful fresh food...all in all a great experience, highly recommend

This is a smallish restaurant with a nice atmosphere and the owner was happy to tailor a few dishes to order. We were generally happy with the food although those who had the spaghetti aglio/olio and the carbonara said they could have had a bit more flavour. There also seemed to be mushrooms in a lot of dishes (which I'm not a fan of). My lamb shank ragu with gnocchi was delicious.

Quirky place with a good menu - small location so could feel quite intimate. Food was mostly very nice when we attended, although pizza was overdone I though. Friendly staff obviously trying to build up a reputation.Good deals can be gad with Groupon vouchers also Good luck!

What a lovely lunch. It was like going into a friend's house who can turn out very yummy food.The owner Frank has to be the friendliest chef/owner you can meet.The food was freshly prepared served on piping hot plates.I can recommend this restaurant and look forward returning myself.

We visiting Zafra’s on a groupon deal bought for us by my mother in law and we had a great time, food was delicious and the portions were huge! Frank was extremely friendly and even offered us a free drink each. I would say if you don’t like loads of sauce that you should mention when you order your food however!

Just been to Zafra, and got to say, what an amazing place. Totally laid back, with a very friendly atmosphere and fantastic fresh food made to order. Frank was very friendly and we will definitely be going back.

Visited recently with my family for my birthday dinner. We had visited Zafra in late 2017, thoroughly enjoyed it and were excited to return. This time though, we were quite disappointed.

We ate here twice. Food was great and made from scratch. Service a little disorganized and a quirky chef , but we liked it enough to eat there twice !!

Where do I start? I strongly recommend you do not waste your money visiting this restaurant. Food was disgusting on dirty plates in a restaurant with no running water. I am reporting it to Environmental Health.

Never left a review on here before but having read a couple of negative ones before we left to eat here last night i felt I had to address the balance!!

We had something to eat here tonight first time. Booked it on Groupon, paid £30 for 3 course meal ended up paying another £37 on top just to have enough to fill us up! Starter was awful main wasn’t too bad but not brilliant, chef looked like he needed a bloody good wash,toilets weren’t working because water was off! Holes in tablecloths, spider web on wall next to me dead flies in it, the bill was scrawled on a piece of scrap paper in front of us seen more class in the hungry horse. Certainly no Italian restaurant more like Fawlty Towers!

Not good. A poor meal drowning in sauce. My processed chicken breasts were trying to swim out of the thick orange goo. The crispy bacon was flabby and soft due to osmosis. Not impressed. I have no idea why there are any good revues.

Our son was at party nearby with school friends, so myself, wife and another couple decided to go book a meal here. I researched it and the reviews were good so booked table for 4. We arrived at 7pm, tried to order starter but no mushrooms (in an Italian at 7pm on a Friday night !!!). Ordered other starters which were ok, Then main courses, steak a little tough, but edible. My friends wife ordered a chicken and bacon ravioli as main course, it was dropped on way to table, but we made no fuss and they said they would have another one out in 10 minutes (fair enough). The course came out and she couldn't eat it, it was swimming in a very very sweet milk, we all tasted it and came to the conclusion that it was not edible. I can only assume that the chef had screwed up in hurry trying to get another one out. It was absolutely disgusting. I told the waitress, the oldest one (as rest were very young so not fair to try and discuss it with them), and she basically said sorry you didn't like it !. We got the bill and they had still kept it on despite it not being eaten. She gave a voucher for 2 glasses of wine on our next visit, probably half the value we paid for the main course, but we came from miles away and not planning a trip back and definitely not after that experience., I was extremely disappointed at the way it was handled, very shoddy, horrendous customer service. I felt sorry for our friends who didn't want to make a fuss and I felt embarrassed particularly as I had researched and booked it.To be honest we should have just refused to pay for that course. Lesson learnt never again !!!

My husband and I ate here this evening as a friend had recommended it and bought us a meal as birthday treat. We haven’t been to finchingfield for a while but found it easily and parked without any problem. The staff were very welcoming and accommodating and recommended good choices for me as I have a fish allergy. We shared a starter and I had a chicken bacon and mushroom ravioli which was delicious. My husband had Franks seafood stew house speciality which he tells me was wonderful. Ice cream and coffee for pud followed. It was a lovely evening in a relaxed low key restaurant which we will definitely visit again. Very highly recommend this place. Give it a go :-)

My boyfriend and I ate here on a Saturday night. Frank was really welcoming and a lovely host. I can't eat gluten and he said I could have anything I wanted on the menu and he'd find a way to make it work for me. I ended up going for the sea bass pasta in a creamy sauce and he made it with gluten free pasta for me. My boyfriend had the chicken and chorizo gnocchi. Both meals were absolutely delicious! My fish was beautifully cooked and the sauce was tasty. The gnocchi was also lovely and so cheesy (a very good thing in our opinions). The portion sizes were enormous so go hungry and you won't be disappointed. We would definitely eat here if we're ever in Finchingfield again.

Can’t believe this was the first time we have visited this little gem of a restaurant! Really quaint and friendly and nothing was a problem. Food was amazing and served so hot! Can not wait to book it again!

Just brilliant - as ever! Brilliant food! Brilliant atmosphere! Brilliant value! We can't ask for more and Frank and his staff are just - well, Brilliant!

My girlfriend and I had a lovely meal out there. Frank the owner is lovely and provides detailed help of you require assistance with menu. The brilliant support is backed up by the tasty food and quick service. Atmosphere is vibrant in there and it is a lovely quirky restaurant.

Visited Zafra after my wife and son tried it for lunch. They had one of the special menus and spoke very highly of it’s quality and taste.

Met by the owner when we arrived who took his time to explain the choices on the menu and which dishes he recommended. The food was cooked to perfection. One of the best Italian meals I have ever had.Cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. We will certainly try and visit again when in the area.

Fantastic menu - the fish stew and sea bass were superb. Made all the more pleasurable by Frank's warm hosting and Zahra and the team. Lovely little place in a perfect setting.First visit - we shall be back!

Amazing Meal! We left very satisfied. Very pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. This place can't be bettered. Has now become our favorite restaurant. We will be back!

We visited Zafra on an evening when there was a singer performing. The food was the usual excellent standard and the staff were friendly and efficient. The singer was not intrusive and made for an entertaining and amusing evening

We absolutely love this restaurant. Frank is a naturally charming host who makes every guest feel like a friend. Nothing is too much trouble. I never order from the menu, instead ask for Frank’s recommendation and he’s happy to tweak recipes to suit. The food is delicious and the helpings are plenty. We are very much looking forward to our next visit.

We have visited Zafra twice recently, in each case with a Groupon Voucher. (We bought a second voucher overlooking the fact that we had already bought one!)

Revisited this hidden gem again this time with my husband. Previously had visited with my husband and my parents. I posted a review then as we had an exceptional experience. I was apprehensive revisiting as I lost my mum in October and felt the memories might make it difficult. We saw Frank again however Mia was not there but I believe Georgina was cooking and did a lovely job. It was quieter this time as we had come at lunch time but Franks very personal service and lovely food cooked to accommodate our vegetarian needs was very delicious. Both the pasta and pizza were delicious. Frank remembered our previous visit with my parents and that was very nice to know. A truly unique oasis in the middle of a truly special place. Truly one of a kind some kind of wonderful restaurant and truly has to be experienced. Service and cooking straight from the heart. Inspiring to experience hospitality from people who love serving and feeding people. You can feel the passion and warmth and it makes the experience more special. Prices are very reasonable,what more can you want ? Thanks Frank and team - May the smiles you put on people's faces return to you and your staff. Very grateful for opening such a lovely place. Happily would Travel from London for the experience.

Wonderful gem of a establishment. Food is cooked to perfection and the host makes a real effort in making it a night to remember. Can't wait to go back

We had a great night, plenty of choice on the Menu and some great Wines to choose from.The service was very good, we were looked after all evening.

Me & my girlfriend were welcomed by the restaurant owner (unfortunately I didn't catch him name) He was extremely friendly & took the time to make conversation with us. Spoke in detail about the dishes we were deciding on. The atmosphere was nice & relaxed. It's family friendly. The location is beautiful also. Finchingfield is a beautiful part of Essex. Lots of food to choice from. There is a lot of fish on the menu but also chicken if you'd prefer. Their desserts are also plentiful & delicious! Highly recommend Zafra restaurant

Absolute find. Fantastic food, great service. The type of place where the chef comes out to talk you through the menu and all the fresh fish that day. Been twice in the last month. Wonderful!

The obvious thing to acknowledge about the restaurant is the location. Finchingfield is very much worth the visit but even more so if you're paying Zafra a visit.

We all arranged to come here for a meal as it was a close friends birthday . We were very pleased with the food received , Table service was smooth and efficient . Also Felton very welcome which is always a nice feeling .

I booked Zafra as it was my wife's birthday at the weekend and, as we had heard good things from others, I decided to take a punt, and I am delighted I did

I had wanted to try this restaurant for a while and I wasn’t disappointed when my husband took me there last night for my birthday. We will certainly be returning soon as we had a very good experience both with the lovely food and the warm and friendly atmosphere. The owner and all the staff were very attentive even though it was a very busy night. The food was so fresh and beautifully cooked, garlic prawns were perfect and my main course was a delicious Italian pasta dish cooked to perfection. Can’t wait to return.

Went out to Zafra tonight for dinner, I was so impressed with our waitress Georgina , she was very attentive and smiley and happy , I had a little problem with my meal as it was served with a sauce that I didn’t want . Debbie the chef was amazing she came out to see me and asked what I would like to replace it , I asked for the same but without the sauce , she cooked me an amazing alternative dish that was very tasty, thank you so much for doing that , it was a real personal touch . I would highly recommend this little gem of a restaurant, especially if you are a lover of sea food. Once again thank you

Visited on a barmy hot Friday Evening, using Groupon voucher, my general observations were :

Our group of four had dinner last Saturday evening. Restaurant has a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We all enjoyed excellent meals, the sea bass was the best. Pasta dishes were perfect, as was the steak. Chef came to each table more than once to have a friendly chat and check all was well. Zafra has it well worked out, and we would definitely return.

What a lovely place, quite rustic interior. Lovely chilling music playing in the background. Food superb. Friends had the marinara dish, wow so much excellent fish and seafood, they could not finish. Brilliant service,will be back

Stumbled upon this little restaurant whiles visiting finchingfield on a summers day with my husband and elderly parents

Visited yesterday for husband’s birthday as part of a visit in the area. Food wonderful and owner/chef so helpful as well as being a real character. Shame so far away from our home or would become regulars here. Bonus is takes Gourmet Society / Tastecard.

The food at Zafra is fabulous but on a number of occasions that I have been in there my table has been the only one! On a couple of occasions the menu has been limited as they haven’t had certain ingredients but you can usually get a lovely bit of sea-bass. To be honest it is on the more pricey side so we only usually visit with a groupon voucher.

Visited with Son and Daughter in Law on a Friday evenig ! great meal - lovely menu - nice wine - all made better by using a Groupon voucher - which made it excellent value for money!

A friend checked out this place, we booked a large group midweek and turned up at the lovely little village. A charming little restaurant and we served on this evening by the wonderful character that is Frank. Drinks ordered and dispatched quickly, he took our orders and somehow managed to serve the whole restaurant and prepare our starters with ease. The shared antipasto was amazing with high quality produce on offer. Some of our group went for the seafood pasta off the specials board, a couple went for the steaks. All of our group thoroughly enjoyed our meals, the portions are fantastic so make sure you are hungry. The fillet steak I had with a Gorgonzola sauce was one of the best I have had, Frank also gave us some extra food for no extra cost, and he was excellent and entertaining all evening and made you feel so welcome.

We had a family birthday here. Firstly it was like sitting in someone's house, far too small. We ordered drinks which were very over priced. The menu is very limited and again very expensive. We waited a long time for our meals, granted there were 7 of us.

This was our 4th visit here using a groupon voucher. We both had the haddock topped with a poached egg and it was divine. It was a busy Friday night but the service and welcome was very good, would highly recommend to anyone.

We were really looking forward to our date night at Zafra after reading all the excellent reviews, but we spent over £60 for 2 (with no wine) and we have spent a similar amount in places like Water Lane in Bishop’s Stortford, a very upmarket place with food to die for. Our visit got off to a bad start as a family with 2 very young children were extremely loud and asking if the kids ‘needed a poo’ whilst we ate our ravioli starter. Friendly service but we had to ask for more drinks and plates for our shared starter. I had £18 swordfish for main which was small and I didn’t particularly enjoy it although the chips were quite nice. My partner had gnocchi, huge portion which he enjoyed. The puddings were the best part of the meal. Sticky toffee pudding was excellent. We left after that. Brightly lit, there could be more ambience of an evening with softer lighting. It was all couples in there once the family had left. Music 80s ballads. On the whole not our cup of tea, sadly.

Had a great meal food was brilliant, could manage a pudding but had a starter of chicken pate, prawns and garlic mushrooms, the haddock and bacon salad with scallops and sea food pasta. Frank thank you for a lovely meal

People who run this place are very welcoming and accommodating. They run the place themselves and it appears to me that they could do well with getting additional help.

Great food cooked by Frank the Chef owner. Our party of three was made very welcome. A nice change from the 'uniform' chains with their mediocre service and bland food.

Visited Zafra this evening what a lovely experience.

we have been to this restaurant on many occasions and the food is off a very stranded especially if the boss is there as hes a top chef if hes away the service can be a bit hit and miss !!! will be there again in 2018 if Franks there .