Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the most booked restaurants in Essex? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location 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!

Lot Bar & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1458)

£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

Deborah

Dined 5 days ago

We had a lovely lunch and could chat to our hearts content. We weren’t rushed at all. All the staff are so lovely. Xx

Smiths Restaurant Ongar

4.8

4.8 (5189)

£41 and over

Seafood

Ongar

About the restaurant

Priding ourselves on our motto ‘Famous for fish’ Smiths Restaurants is a name that has become synonymous with fine dining and quality, attentive service. Our restaurants are located in Ongar Essex (just off the A414) and Wapping in central London (near Tower Bridge). Both restaurants boast an extensive menu of fresh fish that we offer to cook in a variety of ways to suit every palette. We also offer locally sourced meat dishes to accommodate those who prefer their food terra firma. To compliment the quality of our food we have worked closely with well renowned independent wine merchants to ensure we have a selection of wines that are the perfect accompaniment to every meal. The only problem you may have a Smith’s is being spoilt for choice.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined 1 day ago

excellent on every level but the prices reflect that.

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4.7

4.7 (1346)

£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

Triston

Dined 5 days ago

Found a nice gem in the local area! Great food and great service. I’ll definitely be returning. Massive thanks to our server Gokhan, a great guy with great recommendations!

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4.7

4.7 (964)

£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

MaggieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Thank you for the experience, we had lovely time and food was great.

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Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Chelmsford

4.2

4.2 (853)

£25 and under

British

Chelmsford

About the restaurant

Give your feet a break at Bill's in Chelmsford. With a town centre location, our restaurant is the perfect spot, whether you're catching a film, enjoying a shopping spree, or craving a night out without the hassle of cooking. We're open from 8am 'til late every day, so drop by for a delightful breakfast, leisurely brunch or cosy dinner. Just in the mood for drinks? Explore our cocktails menu, featuring all your favourites. With vibrant indoor seating and outdoor tables for al fresco dining, there's enough room for everyone at Bill's Chelmsford.

Top review

Alejandra

Dined on May 7, 2025

Service is really good and food is tasty and great value! We’ll come back!

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Experience

Small Group Dining Menu

Experience

Set Menu for Celebrations

Experience

Celebration Set Menu

Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Braintree

4.4

4.4 (826)

£25 and under

British

Braintree

About the restaurant

Shopped 'til you dropped in Braintree Village? Pop into Bill's restaurant, put those bags down and tuck into food from one of our tasty menus. Whether you're an early riser craving a traditional breakfast or a daytime shopper seeking classic lunch options with a twist, we've got something for everyone. Our cosy booths and spacious sharing tables cater to both bargain-hunting lone wolves and those who prefer to shop in packs. So, if you're feeling peckish after your shopping adventure, Bill's Braintree is the place to be.

Top review

LhotteVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Sat outside in the terrace - what a lovely way to end a Monday

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Experience

Small Group Dining Menu

Experience

Set Menu for Celebrations

Experience

Celebration Set Menu

Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Colchester

4.6

4.6 (647)

£25 and under

British

Colchester

About the restaurant

Whether it's breakfast before exploring Colchester Castle or a private lunch for a large group, Bill's restaurant in Colchester has a spot for you. Find us where West Stockwell Street meets the High Street - follow the sound of good times! Our menu is packed with mouth-watering options, from classic burgers and hearty pies to European favourites like meatballs and seafood linguine. If you've got a sweet tooth, join us for afternoon tea and tuck into delicious desserts. We're dog-friendly, with plenty of tasty treats to keep your pup's tail wagging. Bone appétit!

Top review

Jonathan

Dined on Mar 22, 2025

Fabulous!! Accommodated 18 of us and the food, service and value for money was incredible! Highly recommended!

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Experience

Small Group Dining Menu

Experience

Set Menu for Celebrations

Experience

Celebration Set Menu

Banquet Chinese

4.7

4.7 (1751)

£26 to £40

Cantonese

Colchester

About the restaurant

Start the the New Year with 25% off your total bill until 19th January.
Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sunday from 5pm.

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.

Top review

Julie

Dined 7 days ago

This is an amazing Chinese restaurant, the food is always fresh and delicious, the staff are very friendly, definitely my favourite place to eat

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

4.8

4.8 (2984)

£41 and over

Afternoon Tea

Leigh-On-Sea

About the restaurant

Here at Mad Dogs & Englishmen we have become renowned for our themed Afternoon Tea’s and wonderful cocktails. Enjoy the eclectic surroundings of this unique venue. We offer an immersive experience, a feast for the eyes and the taste buds! The Parlour Tea Room at Mad Dogs and Englishmen provides a vintage setting to enjoy Afternoon tea. We’ve become renowned for our themed teas which offer an unforgettable experience. The Botanical Rooms is upstairs and hosts our cocktail bar and also hosts our themed afternoon teas.

EVENTS

THE PARLOUR TEAROOM seatings at 12, 2.30 & 5 pm

Running 17/1/25 - 04/5/2025 - DIAMOND OF THE SEASON
Including Mothers Day 29th & 30th March
Running 10/5/25 - 13/7/2025 - GREASE

THE BOTANICAL ROOMS (upstairs) seatings at 12.30 & 3pm

Running 17/1/25 - 27/04/2025 - SNOW WHITE
Including Mothers Day 29th & 30th March
Running 03/5/25 - 13/7/2025 - The Circle of Life

Please ensure you select the correct time, venue and event when booking.

Top review

Leanne

Dined 4 days ago

Absolutely excellent! Had a fabulous time at the Grease filmed afternoon tea. Food was amazing & attention to detail was spot on!

The Anchor Inn - Nayland

4.6

4.6 (1998)

£25 and under

British

Nayland

About the restaurant

A traditional country pub with a warm welcome, The Anchor Inn offers a fine selection of cask ales and fresh, home-cooked food. Set in the beautiful village of Nayland, open fires and a cosy atmosphere make the Anchor a wonderful winter bolthole, and the banks of the River Stour provide glorious al fresco dining throughout the summer months.

Top review

Rosy

Dined 1 day ago

Lovely atmosphere, by the river on a beautiful evening. Very friendly, helpful young staff. Warmly recommend!

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