Location: Southend-on-Sea
Top Restaurants in Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea (/ˈsaʊθɛnd ɒn ˈsiː/ ( listen)), commonly referred to as simply Southend, is a town and wider unitary authority area with borough status in southeastern Essex, England. It lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, 40 miles (64 km) east of central London. It is bordered to the north by Rochford and to the west by Castle Point. It is home to the longest leisure pier in the world, Southend Pier. London Southend Airport is located 1.5 NM (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) north of the town centre.
Things to do in Southend-on-Sea
1. Alvaro's Portuguese Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
Alvaro's restaurant, established in 1977, serves Portugese and Mediterranean cuisine with silver service.
Reviewed By DSandPM - Leigh-on-Sea
I have lived in the area for many years but it is a long while since last eating here. Just why have I left it so long? By the end of a memorable dining experience I realised that I have been missing an imaginative menu, wonderfully-cooked food, attentive and professional service and a very friendly atmosphere.
Three of us enjoyed every mouthful. Soup (leek and potato) and fresh asparagus were the chosen starters. Then one had calves liver, another had Dover sole and I had grilled wing of skate. These were accompanied by an assortment of vegetables which, by themselves, were worth a five-star rating. As I write this review I can see the dish in front of me and my taste buds start quivering!
The Sunday opening started at 3.00 pm so was this a late lunch or an early dinner? It doesn't matter because Alvaro's is so much more than a Portuguese restaurant tucked away in a back street of Westcliff. The visit accompanied by two appreciative friends, was one of those rare occasions when dining out is so, so good.
2. La Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 815 reviews
Reviewed By ProofIsInThePudding - Essex, United Kingdom
Been here several times but never got around to doing a review.
Ricardo was not in when we visited but we were looked after by the other guy who read out our regular order as he handed us the menu! Good memory.
Had Caprichosa pizza. So fresh and delicious. We avoid ordering garlic bread as well as it's all so filling.
It's a small restaurant but the welcome is big and the food is fantastic.
Parking -- is on street and free for a set amount of time. It can be busy but determination pays off. It will be worth it.
Recommended.
3. Sara's Tea Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 597 reviews
Reviewed By gbBlondie70 - Mildenhall, United Kingdom
Saw this on trip advisor and decided to check it out for breakfast.
Quirky place with plenty of menu options.
Food was fresh and piping hot. Poached eggs were perfect.
Only negative was that one meal did not come out with the other three, for a good 5 minutes, (could hear that there was confusion about the order) would have liked a quick explanation rather than nothing.
Food did take a while, but it was cooked to order.
Highly recommend!!
4. Antica Roma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 337 reviews
Reviewed By Mike J - Leigh-on Sea, United Kingdom
Went to Antica Roma yesterday for a family meal, 4 generations and I can say without exception that we all loved the food and the super service we received. The portion sizes are good, the quality of the food is super and the prices are very reasonable. One of the best Italian restaurants we have been to outside Italy.
5. Millys
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By Toff-101 - Essex, United Kingdom
You get good polite service here, quality food items but pricing on the higher end considering it's a deli and not full blown restaurant, probably why we don't visit a lot as there's so much choice around even 2 course quality lunch meals for the same price as a baguette/ciabatta (£7.95) at Millys, it is quality though and Leigh so that adds a few extra pound.
A nice quirky place once in a while, good music too.
6. Legend - Deli
Overall Ratings
5 based on 642 reviews
The Legenddeli Restaurant is a tiny backstreet bistro/cafe with a huge passion for food, having featured in the newspapers, radio and on TV, catered for Jamie oliver, jimmy, star guests and the crew on the set of the Friday night feast show. Legend deli has a huge emphasis on making everything from scratch with pure ingredients and zero preservatives or additives. The Legenddeli restaurant serves brunch and lunch everyday and a secret dinner menu on Friday and Saturday nights (booking is highly recommended) Chef jay and his partner jojo provide an attentive service and perfectly prepared restaurant dishes and desserts every single day and also offer a very, very popular brunch/lunch menu that is different to anything in south Essex. Basically if you fancy something different...try legenddeli. Give us a call for evening Reservations or large private party bookings for any night of the week or visit our Facebook page at legend deli south end on sea for more of an insight. P.S WE ARE A B.Y.O RESTAURANT....PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING YOUR OWN WINE OR BEER.
Reviewed By Tracey M - Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom
I knew this place had had great reviews so I was expecting a lot. Unfortunately I was quite disappointed. Maybe because we were out for a 40th birthday & had the set evening menu. Although there were only 11 of us. I found it all a bit ‘unusual’. (I’m all for trying different things & there’s not much I don’t like.)
My starter was probably the best bit - about 5 king prawns in a pot of seafood/satay type sauce on a plate with a couple of romaine lettuce leaves, finely sliced beetroot & two slices of focaccia bread. The sauce was different but quite tasty!
My main was a chicken dish. I’m not sure what the sauce was but again it was quite tasty. I had loads of rice and some more romaine lettuce leaves with diced cucumber & tomato (the plate was certainly piled up) and some kind of flatbread or pitta bread (i think) which was sliced and soaked in the sauce.
My dessert was supposed to be a Baileys pudding. It tasted like a chocolate melt in the middle sponge with a bit of toffee syrup poured over it. It was quite tasty but very rich and not what I was expecting. I tried my husband’s american style cheesecake and I have to say I did not like that at all. Neither did he or the MIL. They had also run out of a couple of the desserts even though our meals had been pre-ordered a few weeks ago. My FIL was given a replacement but we are not sure what it was. It looked like a large dollop of ice cream with bits in it.
The service was very friendly. Our starters and mains were brought out quickly but then there was a massive wait for dessert. We think they had to nip out to buy some as we saw the chef come back carrying a box.
We have had some pretty bad weather so maybe the snow had put a spanner in the works & we were just unlucky.
7. Akdeniz Turkish Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By Clairevc1
I've had many great meals in this little hidden gem of a restaurant.
Firstly the family who run this are a delight. Absolutely friendly and welcoming. They cook beautiful food- always filling up on starters because their humus, filo rolls, pita, meats... and i could carry on, are delicious. They charcoal their meat which tastes so good! Their mixed grilll is amazing. They also cater for my vegetarian sister.
The food is averagely priced and there is a nice selection of alcoholic drinks.
We have organised a couple of large family birthdays and anniversaries here and they have always been so accommodating.
Definitely take the opportunity to eat here as you will not be disappointed.
8. Cucina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 736 reviews
Reviewed By Adam P
Always had great food and service here and this birthday meal was no exception. Very friendly, polite and helpful staff ensured we weren't disappointed with our experience. Both food and drink was excellent value - my seabass was delicious but my girlfriend's halibut was even better... Add to this a great atmosphere, we look forward to returning soon.
9. Coastal Bite
Overall Ratings
5 based on 333 reviews
Fresh, new exciting take on the famous Westcliff Arches, serving homemade dishes, in a relaxed atmosphere, accomodating all your needs.
Reviewed By dougal14 - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
Booked this few weeks ago and table was at 1230 and knew was a set menu
Got text yesterday saying table only for an hour and a quarter !!!
Know only one course and a drink but wasn’t told of time limit when booked
Also clearing table whilst mum still eating and felt rushed
Fab food but not sure I would go again as don’t like way made to feel
10. Istanbul Turkish BBQ Restaurant & Takeaway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
Reviewed By sezy1975 - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
Is small, it’s out of the way but it’s well worth a visit. Staff are friendly and can’t do enough for you. Menu is wonderful and traditional. All food cooked on premises and it’s just tantalising. Portions are beyond huge and they’re always adding little extras. It’s a must visit!
