Diners' Choice: Gluten-free-friendly restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

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

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

4.8

4.8 (2830)

£26 to £40

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 till 5/1/25 - THE NUTCRACKER
17/1/25 - 28/3/2025 - DIAMOND OF THE SEASON

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

Running till 5/1/25 - A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS
17/1/25 - 28/3/2025 - SNOW WHITE

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

Top review

Emma

Dined 4 days ago

An amazing experience! The food was gorgeous and the decor was insane! What a fabulous way to begin the festive celebrations. The Sugar Plum Fairy would have approved! Best food was the Stilton and Cranberry muffin followed by the Raspberry Ripple mousse. No way we were going to have room for it all but the carry home box was exquisite in itself. Thank you for a truly unforgettable afternoon. We will be back for the Regency in January!

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Experience

The Nutcracker - Weekends £55pp (£15pp deposit)

Experience

VIP The Nutcracker Weekdays £55pp (£15pp deposit)

Experience

The Nutcracker - Weekdays £50pp (£15pp deposit)

Le Bouchon Brasserie & Hotel

4.7

4.7 (1167)

£41 and over

French

Maldon

About the restaurant

Please note that Afternoon Tea cannot be booked online. This must be booked through the Hotel directly.

Le Bouchon Brasserie and Hotel is a grade II listed, 300 year old Georgian building which has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme restoring the building to its former glory. The renovation period was used to combine some of the original period features of the building with furnishings and classically styled decoration that complements the original style of this house.

Le Bouchon Brasserie offers a blend of both French and British cuisine, set in a relaxed and intimate environment. Enjoy a meal from our A la carte menu or choose from our wide selection of set menus available at different times during the week.

Top review

Martin

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent experience as always. This was our third visit in just over a month and the experience has always been amazing. Thank you and merry Christmas

The House by Hilly Gant

4.7

4.7 (1209)

£41 and over

British

Braintree

About the restaurant

We've been serving the people of Braintree and beyond since 2015 and in that time have humbly become ‘one of Essex’s best restaurants.’ We have received recognition from the AA, having been awarded an AA Rosette for ‘culinary excellence’ for five consecutive years, and then in 2023 we received our second rosette, putting the restaurant amongst the top 10 restaurants in Essex. Our food is of course one of our main focuses, but we don’t just stop there. Attentive, relaxed and friendly service is as important as the food and our objective is to make your visit an enjoyably memorable one. Our exceptional wine supplier, Peter Watts Wines (based up the road in Coggeshall) allows us to offer you delicious wines of an exceptional quality. Then add some cocktails, jazz, personality, creativity, a few hidden quirks and we like to think this all culminates to create a truly wonderful experience. Life is about memories; we want to be part of your best ones.

Top review

Shaun

Dined 3 days ago

Never had a bad meal and the service is amazing!!!!!

The Cricketers Arms in Rickling Green

4.7

4.7 (580)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Saffron Walden

About the restaurant

RESTAURANT NOTE: Our outside tables are not bookable, they are available on a first come first served basis. Should you wish to reserve a table in our pergola, you must contact us directly please by phone 01799 619260 or email info@thecricketersarmspub.co.uk

Whether you’re after a comforting home - cooked meal after a long day at work or fabulous fine dining for a special celebration, we’ve got something for every occasion. Choose from our locally sourced, innovative menu and excellent wine list in our oak beamed bar or stylish restaurant.

Top review

Jocelyn

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Delicious food and nice friendly service. Good value and quality festive menu. Will definitely be back!

Namaste Village Southend On Sea

4.7

4.7 (23)

£25 and under

Indian

Southend-On-Sea

About the restaurant

Looking for a truly authentic Indian dining experience in Southend On Sea? Discover Namaste Village Southend On Sea, your go-to family-run restaurant that redefines Indian cuisine. Say goodbye to greasy, heavy dishes & hello to the real taste of India. Located right on the sea front with an outdoor seating area, we offer a progressive yet traditional menu featuring the finest vegetarian & vegan dishes from diverse Indian regions. Our unique recipes & innovative options make our flavours stand out, promising a 'memorable' experience.

Join us in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with heartfelt service that makes every visit special. With accolades from the British Curry Awards, English Curry Awards, Feature in The Times as the 8th best curry house in Britain & Taste of England, we're proud to be one of the top-rated Indian restaurants in the country. Visit Namaste Village Southend On Sea & experience the spirit, spice, & unmatched flavours of India.

Top review

Aju

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

Exceptional service and the food was delicious too.

The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie

4.6

4.6 (329)

£26 to £40

European

Colchester

About the restaurant

The Historical Old Siege House in Colchester is the ideal venue for a small intimate meal or a large family get together ! Owned and run by Husband and wife team since 2014 it has a warm atmosphere and relaxed vibe.
We can provide extensive menus depending on your events, ranging from Afternoon teas to Hog roasts.
Our main menu changes seasonally and we also run a set lunch menu which is great value and changes every two weeks.
The restaurant can accomodate up to 160 covers inside and a further 50 outside so you will not be cramped for space. We have a private dining room for hire and a large bar and lounge area where you can enjoy some lovely made to order cocktails or a chilled bottle of wine.
Live music and events are regularly held and details will be posted on our various social media outlets.
We are proud holders of an elite 5 star food hygiene award for 3 consecutive 5 star visits in a row from the local council and pride ourselves on our hygiene levels.

Top review

Frances

Dined on 18 Dec 2024

Duck pate was delicious, turkey was great, good selection of veg, and the creme brulee very tasty. Come early as car park gets very busy. Staff were fantastic, nothing too much trouble and nice with it. Not my first visit and won't be my last either!

Trio

4.6

4.6 (20)

£26 to £40

Italian

Saffron Walden

About the restaurant

At our restaurant, we believe that dining is more than just a meal—it's an experience that brings people together. Our ethos is built on the foundation of family, community, and shared moments.
We understand that family doesn't have to be defined by blood; it includes friends, partners, and anyone with whom we share a special bond.

We are committed to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Our menu is crafted with love and care, featuring dishes that reflect our passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients and authentic flavors. Each plate served is a testament to our dedication to culinary excellence and our desire to bring joy to every table.

Top review

Susan

Dined 5 days ago

Love this place - food excellent and served with a smile Will be back :-)

The Bull Brentwood

4.5

4.5 (2120)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Bull Brentwood, a warm, comfortable & friendly, family run gastro style pub. Our passion is to serve delicious homemade food using the finest ingredients, including rare breed meats and locally sourced produce. On the menu you can expect seasonally changing hearty food along with weekly specials plus the added bonus of a great wine list and friendly staff. We have an a la carte menu in our restaurant area and a bar menu if you fancy something lighter. On a Sunday we offer the A La Carte menu along with a our delicious Sunday roast menu. As well as our beautifully decorated restaurant we have a comfortable lounge bar area and an extensive garden with a children's play area. Both of these area's can also be used to relax, mingle & enjoy a meal or just a drink if you prefer...

Top review

Amy

Dined on 17 Dec 2024

Great Experience at The Bull Brentwood. Service was amazing, the friendly staff made you feel welcomed from the offset. The food was exemplary and has such a great selection for anyone with a gluten intolerance! Can’t wait to go back again as such good value for money and you’re well looked after.

The Green Man at Lindsell

4.5

4.5 (118)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Great Dunmow

About the restaurant

Welcome back to the Green Man at Lindsell. Now currently under new management and direction!

In our cosy bar we have retained the buildings original features and given it a fresh contemporary edge where we welcome both drinkers and diners alike and our tables are available on a ‘first come’ basis offering an extensive range of dishes from salads, sharing planks to wholesome pub classics.

Our 70 seat a la carte restaurant to the rear of the property is also not to be missed, with crisp white linen, delicious food and an extensive wine list making it the ideal place for lunch, dinner or any other special occasions. Bookings are welcome and recommended. Please visit our website for restaurant opening hours.

We also have a large terrace area and extensive garden to dine alfresco or enjoy a champagne cocktail. We welcome families and have plenty of area for children to play. So come on in and take a look around and we hope to see you soon!

Top review

Debra

Dined on 15 Dec 2024

First time at the Green Man and certainly will not be the last. As soon as we walked in,felt it had a lovely vibe. Staff very friendly and helpful,food excellent,in fact the best roast. I love to walk in a restaurant and see wonderful white table cloths.

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 28 Nov 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

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