Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Essex? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Hasturk

4.8

4.8 (695)

£25 and under

Turkish

Braintree

About the restaurant

Here at Hasturk, we have over 20 years experience in the restaurant industry. We are well versed in good hospitality and serving fresh, handmade food.

We’ve used experiences from our own heritage and traditional food back home to create our menu for the much loved Turkish which is now widely known.

With an array of meat dishes to freshly caught seafood and wide selection of authentic appetisers, you can be assured everything at Hasturk is carefully sourced and deliciously prepared and meets our standards.

Hasturk is a family run, Turkish restaurant with a modern twist. We aim to serve our customers the very best of Turkish cuisine, welcoming everyone in with open arms. We’re ready to offer you a dining experience that you’ll remember!

Top review

Iva

Dined on Dec 17, 2024

I like my fish and seafood so I have chosen king prawns in garlic butter for starters and it was divine. Sizzling butter , mouth watering prawns. Really good. For main I had an octopus which was very good too. Can't fault. Finished my meal with a very strong turkish coffee Definitely would return

Lot Bar & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1367)

£26 to £40

Contemporary European

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Lot Bar and Restaurant is a family run business offering freshly prepared food from 8am until 10pm daily. Whether you are looking for an informal breakfast or light lunch with friends or a 3 course celebration dinner in the evening or simply a drink in the bar after work, we have the best to offer locally.
We at Lot Bar and Restaurant take pride the quality of our ingredients, the high standard of presentation and excellent service. A seasonally changing breakfast and lunch menu offers everything you could want from a kitchen and our evening A la carte menu includes restaurant favourites as well as daily changing specials. On Sunday afternoons we offer the best Roast available. Our wine list, available from 11am, is curated by us to include the faithful, the unusual and the interesting.

Top review

VikiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

great atmosphere, service and food as usual from the Lot

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Popular dish

Paella

Kara Lounge & Grill

4.7

4.7 (1209)

£25 and under

Turkish

Grays

About the restaurant

We are proud to serve you one of the healthiest and most well-balanced Turkish and Mediterranean food in Essex.

Our dishes are prepared freshly upon order, using authentic recipes, traditional cooking methods with finest ingredients.

Our focus is to provide the highest quality of service available.

Top review

RAJ

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

Great lunch menu and stuff were all smiling... makes a change now days..will be back for evening meal.soon

The Eyna

4.7

4.7 (805)

£26 to £40

Turkish

Basildon

About the restaurant

The Eyna is a new, refreshing, traditional Turkish cuisine coming to the heart of Basildon. With a open-plan dining experience, open kitchen & central bar, we're sure this will be your perfect location for all types of events or casual dining.

Top review

Carly

Dined 4 days ago

Been twice now and had the best experience both times

Banquet Chinese

4.6

4.6 (1657)

£26 to £40

Cantonese

Colchester

About the restaurant

Please not that on NYE dinner only set menus will be available.

Banquet Chinese is a restaurant and venue unlike any other found in Colchester or North Essex today. This is Chinese food the way it is meant to be experienced! Our mouth-watering dishes are cooked to perfection by award-winning chefs using only the freshest and finest ingredients.

The interior has been carefully chosen and imported from China to create a genuine and sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy your lunch or evening meal, perhaps together with a bottle of wine from the well rounded wine list supplied by Liberty Wines.

Please take some time to familiarise yourself with Banquet Chinese here on our website. Have a look at our menus and wine lists. Read about Dim Sum, the delicious little dishes perfect as starters or as a light and sophisticated lunch time meal. Polite notice: Parties of 10 or more guests will be required to choose from one of our dedicated set menus.

Top review

Hannah

Dined 7 days ago

Food was absolutely incredible! Service outstanding! Highly recommend!

Alec's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (92)

£41 and over

Seafood

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Alec’s Restaurant opened in 2010 and has established itself as one of Essex’s leading fish Restaurants. Alec’s prides itself on quality ingredients and exceptional service.
Unwind with a premium bottle of wine or signature cocktail in the comfortable lounge before taking a seat in the elegant main dining room, which can accommodate 120 guests.
Roaring fires in the winter and a delightful outdoor dining area in the summer, only enhance the elegant building.
The menu at Alec’s Restaurant is traditionally British and sets out to provide simple, quality fresh food. Although predominantly a seafood restaurant serving the finest fish and shellfish, mouth-watering meat dishes add to this impressive menu.
We are proud to follow the MSC code of conduct for sustainably sourced seafood. Plus, all seafood and fish are wild and ‘day boat caught’ from across Britain.
Please note that this restaurant operates a strict policy of no children under 12 years, and a smart casual dress code.

Top review

Amie

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

Amazing food. Fabulous waiter!! Went for a celebration

Sevine Brasserie

4.6

4.6 (126)

£25 and under

Mediterranean

Harlow

About the restaurant

Treat yourself to a culinary adventure at our delightful restaurant, where we offer a fusion of Mediterranean cuisine. We are pleased to accommodate group bookings and look forward to welcoming you.

Our restaurant is conveniently located in Harlow within the Water Gardens. Whether you’re joining us for brunch, lunch or dinner, book a table now and experience a wonderful dining experience with us.

Top review

Alan

Dined 6 days ago

A very warm welcome from the friendly staff. Service was very attentive and not rushed, which was great. Food (steak) was absolutely beautiful; perfectly cooked, well presented and delicious.

Zebrano Brentwood

4.5

4.5 (213)

£26 to £40

Seafood

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Zebrano Brentwood offers a refined dining experience in the heart of Brentwood, specialising in seafood and steaks. Its contemporary and inviting atmosphere makes it ideal for various occasions, from intimate meals to large group celebrations. With a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients, Zebrano Brentwood is known for its attention to detail in every dish. The venue also features a cocktail bar and offers private hire options. Perfect for food lovers who enjoy a sophisticated setting.

Infants and children under 8yrs are welcome till 8pm, Opening times vary on Bank holidays & Special days.

Top review

SOPHIA

Dined 6 days ago

Fun atmosphere friendly stuff we had the best time, thank you

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Experience

New Year's Eve

Funky Monk

4.2

4.2 (168)

£26 to £40

British

Epping

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Funky Monk, nestled in the heart of Epping, where the spirit of classic hospitality runs deep in our veins. Our passion lies in curating delectable seasonal British fare using time-honoured culinary methods. We proudly present an extensive array of distinctive boutique and traditional wines that continually spark conversations and intrigue among our guests.

Join us for a delightful evening with your friends or that special someone. On Fridays and Saturdays, we amp up the excitement with live entertainment in our restaurant, creating the perfect atmosphere for you to groove, though we kindly request you keep your dancing feet off the tables!

For an even more enchanting experience, consider reserving one of our Suites, allowing you to savour the magic just a bit longer. The Funky Monk is where cherished memories are made, so come and dine with us soon!

Top review

Emma

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

We had a fantastic time for my step daughter’s 19th birthday. The 7 of us enjoyed our food very much and it was served by attentive and pleasant staff. We had a lovely night, thank you.

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Experience

Midweek Lunch Set Menu

Minoa

4.2

4.2 (64)

£26 to £40

Pan-Asian

Marks Gates

About the restaurant

For parties larger than 8 people on Fridays and Saturdays, please contact the restaurant directly.

Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavours of Asia at our exquisite pan-Asian fine dining establishment in Essex. Indulge in meticulously crafted dishes inspired by the rich culinary traditions of China, Japan, Thailand, and beyond, all expertly prepared with the finest ingredients and presented with artistic flair. From delicate sushi creations to aromatic stir-fries and tantalising curries, each dish promises a symphony of taste sensations that will transport you to the heart of Asia.

Top review

Amit

Dined 6 days ago

We had a fantastic night, everything was perfect we was a group of 8 and everyone said how great everything was!!! Well done all!!!

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