The best restaurants serving British food in East of England

Stuck in an accident on the A12 led us to an impromptu stop at The Highwayman and we were really pleased we did. We received a warm and friendly welcome and an excellent lunch. It’s an interesting building too.

Amazing overnight stay here. Luke was so friendly and everything about our time was lovely. The food at lunch and dinner were exceptional. The carrot & coriander soup was hot and delicious. We had a late checkout which meant we left really relaxed. Would highly recommend. We will be back for Sunday lunch soon!

I met my friend in Costa yesterday. We only had drinks. But it was nice in there. Clean and not too busy. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit again soon.

we met with friends today, what a find, it was immaculate inside and obviously well cared for... Lovely guy served us and the meals were all perfect, we were 4 and another table, such a shame as the owner goes above and beyond.... Real napkins not bits of tissue. best chips anywhere crispy and fluffy.. a faultless experience... look forward to returning. Thank you J Barleycorn

We have been visiting The Ship Inn since we moved to the area in 2020 and have probably eaten there over 100 times, and popped in for a drink many more. It is our go to pub/restaurant on the Dengie peninsular. Bearing in mind there are ten or more pub/restaurants closer to our home than this there are a number of reasons we've settled on The Ship Inn as our go to. 1. Consistency - the quaity of the food never varies. The menu changes regularly and the quality of the food always remains execeptional. The menu is strongly British/European based but there are usually a couple of Indian or Asian influenced dishes offered. If you are a pudding person, some of their puddings are the best I've eaten. The quality borders on fine dining. 2. Excellent Service - the staff are knowledgeable, friendly and professional. There is a low turnover of staff compared to most pub/restaurants, that stabilty reflects on the management, but alongside the staff taste tests of new menu items, means that if you ask advice on dishes you can rely on the response. 3. It is a pub with exceptional food - they have cracked the balance between pub and restaurant, you are welcome and made comfortbale in both. You can pop in and have a glass of whatever, there is also bar menue (to the same standard of preparation and presentation as the restaurant). 4. Value for money - the prices are reasonable by the standard of the day. Taking in to account the consistency and quality of the food, this makes it good value for money. You will have gathered that I strongly recommend The Ship Inn, we have never had a bad meal here. If you plan to visit I'd suggest booking as the restaurant can get very busy, particularly at weekends in the summer.

Staying in nearby Congham and made a booking for dinner as we had our four legged friend with us. The place was spotless and very welcoming. The staff were friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. Food was fabulous and very reasonably priced as were the drinks. We would have returned the following night but there was a pub quiz on and they were fully booked - not a surprise! Would definitely return and highly recommend.

My Wife had taken me for Sunday lunch as a birthday present, have been here before and always had very good food. My wife's lamb was excellent but my roast beef was on the tough side but it was edible, taste was good just had to work at it which is unusual for what is normally excellent food.

Went for dinner last night before going to the cinema, I had the mega burger & my partner had a omelette. When we arrived we spoke to the owners and they were very welcoming and even gave up there time to show us round the restaurant, that was modern and well layed out. We ordered our food and drinks and food arrived quickly and very hot and fresh. The food was lovley and a great portion so we left full unlike some other restaurants we have been to where you feel like you have left wanting more. We will definitely be back look forward to trying more of the dishes off the menu and specials. Thankyou again look forward to seeing you all again soon, thankyou for being great hosts. #greatfood #greatservice #greatatmosphere #highlyrecommended 👍🍔🍕

Well I have always loved this pub when we visit from Liverpool. Haven’t been for quite some time and we were delighted that it is still as good as ever! The whole vibe is friendly and welcoming had a meal and it really didn’t disappoint! The best fish and chips I have had in a pub for a very long time! Normally the batter overwhelms but not at The Chapel! The fish was delicious, perfectly cooked and the perfect ratio of fish to batter! Thoroughly enjoyed and already looking forward to our next visit! Thanks to Craig for the warm welcome and to his chef who is doing a brilliant job!!

We enjoyed a delicious mid week family lunch. Great value food and service, the new dining room is really smart. Looking forward to trying the Christmas menu later this week when we have an evening out with friends.

What a lovely spot. Be warned the car park is a little small but everything else was great and the service stands out—personal and welcoming. A place worth visiting with great gluten free options which my wife was very impressed with!

We stayed here for a couple of nights, while we were celebrating my friends 60th birthday party in a nearby village. Everything was great, room was fine, food good. Our only complaint was, when we returned from our friend's party between 10-10.30 pm on the Saturday night, the place was closed and in darkness. For a Saturday night, we were shocked, and as residents I was looking forward to a night cap. Unfortunately that wasn't to be. Such a shame, as if there was a night porter who could have fulfilled our request, would have given it a top review. All the staff were lovely.

A group of friends met up at the Three Cranes for lunch - on my recommendation as I have eaten here before on a number of occasions. Three in the party had fish and chips underwhelming. I had the corn fed chicken. This is quite the worst meal I have had in a long time. The chicken was tough and tasteless and it was swimming in watery butter. There were vegetables on top including some sort of mushroom which, frankly, was tough and inedible. Mixed in with the buttery liquid were some leeks which just didn’t complement the meal at all. The waitress then brought more vegetables in a separate dish but far, far too many for one person. She didn’t come to check how the meal was so I ploughed on. I must have left half the food and, eventually, I expressed my disappointment to the waitress who informed me that she would tell the chef. I am wondering if there has been a change in the chef in recent months? We shall not be returning to the Three Cranes any time soon.

A group of us retired Corporate Bankers..all retired, meet every few months for a moan about the state of the country, or anything that takes our fancy at the time..always light heartedly! only two of us made it this time, but we wiil be back..for this is a traditional cozt pub..with excellnt menu and atmosphere: Prces..don't know how they do it and the portions! I had toasted brie on a salad bed..my friend, who lives in Waltham Cross and uses this pub for dining and had recommended, had a ginormous prawn cocktail..both excellent. Shouldnt have had the starter as he suggested the speciality..steak and kidney pie..cooked as it should of old, in a pie dish..enough meat and gravy for two pies, with a lovely flaky pastry top..chips and peas..delicious. I had ice cream fo a sweet, ..2 pints of lager and two glasses of lemonade as wr werr both driving..Top Knotch..Definately come again with friends..Many thanks

Have not tried the food yet had a pint of Fosters attentive friendly staff?