Colchester Restaurant Guide

The “stunning riverside setting makes for a very picturesque venue” beside the River Stour, in a half-timbered building with a terrace that can be seen in paintings by Constable. “The food is pretty damn good as well”, which makes it “ideal for a special occasion”. The restaurant celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and its cooking is traditional – even “a little staid” to certain tastes. But sometimes that’s just what is required: “sitting by the river on a sunny day after lockdown eating fresh local asparagus and then lobster was absolutely wonderful!”.

This ivy-clad Constable country hotel is a crowd-pleasing sort of spot, despite the odd caveat: dress up or down as suits, no need to book, and enjoy a “varied menu for every size of appetite”, ranging from mezze to dry-aged steaks and “sausages (well done) a specialty”.

This old coaching inn serves “great food” in the beamed dining room or elm bar, with open fires adding to the “busy, buzzy atmosphere”. Service can be “a little hectic” when “the pub is full of people having a great time” – but you can borrow a bike or a boat and make your escape along Constable’s peaceful and unspoilt River Stour.

“What a local” – this gastroboozer-with-rooms in Constable Country hits a “consistently high standard” with its “daily changing, handwritten menu” and “lovely atmosphere”…no wonder it's “always busy”.