The best restaurants in Tendring East of England

Pizza before crossing to Hoek va Holland

Order lamb doner on chips and chicken doner. They gave us the old remaining once from the pot. And even lamb doner tasted like cardboard . Absolutely disgusting

Worse shish kebab I've ever tasted soggy cold and tasted horrible

Pleasant staff Short wait while my cod & chips were freshly cooked Light and crispy batter tasty chips Old world charm well worth the walk to the end of the pier

Plenty of people behind counter but wait ages to get served. Wanted just a coffee but twice they didn't have any (?) Sometimes you have to queue at food counter for coffees. Good coffee,if it wasn't I wouldn't bother. Store is very unorganised. Manager not on top of it..

Alfresco’s Restaurant, Marine Parade E, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 IPU, Essex Staying in Walton-on-Naze for a week in September was a revelation – there was the iconic Naze to the north of town to explore and those spectacular beaches both sides of the pier to enjoy. The pier itself, by contrast, was rundown and in need of some real TLC - then there was the state of the town centre. There may be a couple of new mid-size supermarkets (looking fresh, familiar and full-of-life), but the high street that once was and the line of commercial shops have … faded. Why? The place seemed stuck in the 1950s. Hadn’t anyone invested in the place since then (well, apart from Messrs. Aldi & M&S). And what has all this to do with Alfresco’s place? Well … in a roundabout way it does for Clacton when we drove over there for lunch one day was bursting with confidence, bright lights, buoyant commercial centre, pristine pier and lots of people bustling around the centre. The two towns are 13 km apart. It was this thing about contrast that came across. Sure, it’s been many (many … many) years since we were last in both places – growing up in central Essex, the coast was always within easy reach, first for those seaside holidays in the holiday camps that once were then, subsequently (amazingly), personal transport became affordable. First the motorbike/scooter then the car (and the girlfriend). What’s not to love about the NE Essex coast of those days. After parking the car in Agate Street just off Marine Parade we headed for the pier looking for a place for lunch. There was Alfesco’s place a little further down Marine Parade East and overlooking Clacton Pier; to one side of Pier Gap where the road slopes down to the pier. This is where the road-train starts/finishes its tours around the town. The restaurant was one half of a building with a ‘Food Court’ sign across the roof line; the other half was a fish&chips place. We subsequently found out that they were both owned by the same people - neatly providing for both traditional seaside foods and for those who prefer the foods that have invaded from North America and/or southern Europe in recent years. We headed into Alfresco’s Restaurant – through the outside courtyard into the snazzy-looking glass-structure that enclosed the inside dining area with the counter at the far end. Seating for around 50 inside and outside at four seat/tables and benches. We were the only people in the place and, it seemed, lunch was finished for the day and the place was about to close up. Glance at the clock - it was just after 14.30 – and mine host was amenable to a couple of jacket potatoes with side salads; ‘Easy’, he said, ‘everything is set up’. Friendly … we liked that. We were seated with our drinks and food within 10 minutes. It was, as he said: Easy. The meal was delicious too – large hot potato, cheese on the side and sufficient greens to supplement those carbohydrates. The wall above and to one side of the counter was awash with food options of all kinds – sandwiches, grills, burgers, lasagne, fish, jacket potatoes, sides, etc. – jacket potatoes were an easy (and tasty) choice for us – the second time that week. We hadn’t thought about convenience to the restaurant – it just worked out that way. Service, approach, comfortable table, good value and delicious light meal – complimenti. We paid GB£15.45 for the meal: GB£5.50 each for our meals and finishing with a pot of tea and a cappuccino. It had been a pleasant 40 minutes looking out over the surrounding courtyard and pier below – where we headed after leaving Alfresco’s for a quick tour around. The place was alive with people; the fairground activities buzzing with the vitality that only electricity can provide – light, sound, movement. Peter Steele Maldon Essex 21 October 2019

This cafe wins the prize for rudest customer service in my whole lifetime. There is no excuse for rudeness I understand they might have had a bad day but no need to take it out on customers especially as my husband had just died, quite upsetting for them to be so unwelcoming. We will stick to Flagstones such a different experience

Terrible, the worst halep kebab I have ever had and the most expensive. It’s supposed to come in a specially prepared tomato sauce which is usually thick, rich and tangy with the odd slice of mushroom and green pepper. What little sauce there was in this one was watered down tasteless tomato which turned the sliced pitta to mush in the bottom of the tray, no extras just watered down tomato, the meat wasn’t very nice either, thin, narrow strips. Horrible. Rip off. Won’t be going back.

Food was absolutely awful. And we bought a variety. The jacket potatoes were old and dry and inedible. Rock solid on the bottom and impossible to cut with even the sharpest knife. The Tuna wasn't even mixed with mayo, they just squirted a bit over the top. The pizza was complete cardboard and flavourless, one slice and it went straight in the bin. Chips seemed refried? Again inedible. Cheesy jalapeño bites were OK but clearly just basic frozen Iceland food. Never again. Also trying to contact the restaurant was odd. I called probably 9 times with no answer and when eventually I did get an answer, the guy didn't know what was going on. Didn't appear to know what was happening at the restaurant. He sounded in bed or half asleep. He gave me two different numbers to get hold of restaurant both of which were not in service?

I had a footlong Meatball Marinara for lunch about an hour ago, from within the outlet rather than from the "Drive Through" part. The Sub itself was very nice, perhaps a little expensive, but the wait to get it was not appropriate in my opinion (probably ten minutes?). There was one customer in front of me that was being served as I got there, and two behind me. It appeared that there were a number of staff in the outlet, but only one allocated to the inside service counter and the Dive Through was not busy.. She was doing the best that she could, but at least twice one or another of her colleagues passed by the counter without acknowledging that there was a queue or trying to assist. Will I go again? Probably not.

The Royal Oak in Harwich is a popular pub and restaurant known for its traditional British cuisine and a comfortable, rustic atmosphere. It is located in the heart of the town and is often appreciated by locals and visitors alike for its high-quality food, including hearty pub classics like fish and chips, steak, and Sunday roasts. The restaurant also has a great selection of drinks, including ales, wines, and spirits, which you can enjoy while sitting in their welcoming dining area or beer garden. It’s a good spot for casual dining, family meals, or just a drink with friends. If you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend checking out their menu or calling ahead to see if they have any specials.

The burger bun was ridiculous soggy won’t be ordering again

Now The Golden Wok and have done a review for this here, the Golden wok is a great takeaway and i hope they stay open as it has become out go-to Chinese food takeout.

I asked for the £8 chicken meal they gave me the chicken half raw inside and no colsaw that was part of the meal deal.dont recommend at all

Very friendly staff. Good food. Not so keen on the music a bit young for us. The desert was fabulous Toffee and Honeycomb cheese cake. The Shiraz wine was also very good. Good service from DaisyT