The best restaurants serving British food in Leigh Southend-on-Sea East of England

Visited the Crooked billet in Leigh on Sea, Essex for Sunday lunch. Very disappointed especially at £20pp. The beef (2 slices) was dry and rubbery. The potatoes and Yorkshire puddings were obviously purchased frozen. The veg was hard, barely cooked. The only perfectly cooked item was the broccoli. Did complain to the server who apologised and offered a free dessert.

Had breakfast in Estuary arches many times but never again. Food was very average and at £20 a head with a tea very expensive. White cheap thin bread for toast and some of the food was cold. Charged extra if wanted scrambled instead of poached/fried. One small sausage, one bacon, one hash brown and beans £13.95 plus £1 extra for scrambled egg. Two halves of the worst white bread. Steer clear - there are better places to have a breakfast along there.

We visited the Strand Tea room as it was the most traditional place in Leigh on Sea, The bread pudding and custard was home made and tasted wonderful. We chatted to the owner and he told us about the history of the area and that this tea room was an original building. Great coffee and lovely and quirky in a good way.

The parking machine wasn’t working, so the staff member told me it’s okay I can go ahead and order my breakfast, if I get a parking ticket to bring it back in and they will have it cancelled. I got the ticket, brought it in and have now been informed that the policy has changed and I will have to pay the £75 parking fine. I also contacted Wetherspoon head office, who said it was my responsibility, even though the machine wasn’t working at the time and their staff member told me to stay.