Diners' Choice: Great for fine wines restaurants in Essex

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the most notable wine lists 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 book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Smiths Restaurant Ongar

4.8

4.8 (4828)

£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

Rebecca

Dined 4 days ago

We had a lovely dinner at Smiths. The food was delicious and the restaurant catered well for dietary requirements (coeliac & dairy free). The fresh homemade gluten free bread was one of the best I’ve tasted and was a lovely touch. The Parma Ham, fig & walnut salad was my favourite, followed by the Dover sole. The restaurant had a young group of waiting staff who provided exceptional service. The service was absolutely faultless and of a high standard. Staff were welcoming, friendly and had a good sense of humour. Despite arriving later than planned, staff were incredibly accommodating. I would highly recommend Smiths and look forward to dining here again in the future.

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Popular dish

Brixham Dover Sole

STARK

4.8

4.8 (42)

£41 and over

Modern European

Colchester

About the restaurant

Stark is located in East Mersea, Essex and is owned and run by Ben and Sophie Crittenden, who opened their first site in Broadstairs back in December 2016 with the aim of securing a better work/life balance and enabling Ben to enjoy more time with their three young children, Ivy, Rosa and Arlo. Before relocating to Mersea Island, Stark was the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Thanet and one of five in the whole of Kent.

At Stark, only one, set tasting menu is served with no options or alternatives available. Because of this, Stark is unable to cater for any allergies or dietary requirements, for any reason as all guests eat the exact same meal each night. Ben creates a menu from high quality, seasonal ingredients, using his creativity and passion to create delicious food and provide a unique and exciting eating experience for customers.

Stark is a very intimate, relaxed restaurant, whose only demand of you is that you sit back, trust us with your dinner and enjoy the experience.

Top review

Esther

Dined on 12 Dec 2024

Michelin star quality food in a relaxed, intimate and stylish restaurant. Here’s hoping it becomes Essex’s first Michelin star restaurant soon. Food was superbly cooked and presented. They serve a set tasting menu only so ensure you are up for trying new tastes.

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

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

Amanda

Dined 4 days ago

Haven't been to Lot for years. Very pleasantly surprised and will definitely be a much more frequent visitor.

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Popular dish

Paella

The New London Restaurant and Lounge

4.7

4.7 (968)

£26 to £40

British

Chelmsford

About the restaurant

The award-winning New London restaurant has been on Chelmsford’s dining and social scene since October 2013 and it still is a relaxed yet sophisticated dining venue. The venue is full of elegance and glamour – now more than ever after an incredible redesign in March 2018.

We have a reputation for seasonally inspired menus with a unique approach to homemade food which makes the New London restaurant a special place to visit.

We pride ourselves on our excellent service with a personal touch. All our staff are proud of, and knowledgeable about, our dishes, wines and cocktails.

We offer only the best locally sourced and seasonal British produce including fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients and foraged herbs. All our dishes are served in the inimitable style that has helped it garner so many compliments and awards since opening.

Top review

chris

Dined 3 days ago

Great service food was excellent. I would recommend this restaurant certainly

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!!!!!

Carluccio's - Fenwick Colchester

4.7

4.7 (397)

£26 to £40

Italian

Colchester

About the restaurant

Here at Carluccio's, we’ve always been true to our Italian heritage and what food really means to us. The best ingredients, from the best regions, cooked with love.

Top review

David

Dined on 17 Dec 2024

Friendly and attentive staff. Only reason to not give top marks was that there was quite a delay to receiving our order (possibly because of peak Christmas shopping time). We couldn't relax as had to leave earlier than intended due to other appointment). Staff very apologetic. We would still go back.

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Experience

Christmas Menu (Groups 6+ guests)

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!

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.

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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