Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Essex
OpenTable
Updated 05 November 2026
Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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!
About the restaurant
Welcome to ASPERA RestaurantAspera offers you the warmest Mediterranean welcome since 2016. We want you to feel at home with us, take your time to enjoy the finest Mediterranean-style cuisines cooked freshly using locally sourced ingredients. Mediterranean cuisine is the food from the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and its preparation and we thrive in bringing this richness to our dishes using only fresh, wholesome ingredients and traditional mix of spices.
Top review
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Margaret
Dined 2 days ago
About the restaurant
Le Bouchon 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.
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Sharon
Dined on 27 Aug 2026
About the restaurant
Welcome to Black Rock, where quality ingredients and great service come together. We offer a distinctive dining experience in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere centered around exceptional food.Our signature Steak on the Stone puts you in complete control of your meal, allowing you to sear every bite to your exact liking right at your table. This keeps every piece piping hot and packed with natural flavour from start to finish.
Beyond our prime cuts, our menu features fresh seafood, pasta, gourmet burgers, and hearty vegetarian options. We take pride in preparing our dishes from scratch using quality, locally sourced ingredients to deliver incredible freshness in every plate.
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Collette
Dined 2 days ago
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.
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Ian
Dined on 24 Oct 2026
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
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Jon
Dined 2 days ago
About the restaurant
This destination is a masterclass in atmosphere, blending sophisticated luxury with an inviting, social energy. The interior is curated for those who appreciate the finer details—expect a chic, polished aesthetic that serves as the perfect backdrop for intimate date nights, vibrant girls’ nights out, or celebratory dinners. The space truly comes alive during event evenings, featuring captivating live performances from belly dancers to DJs, transforming a standard meal into an immersive theatre of rhythm and glamour. From expertly shaken handcrafted cocktails to premium grill selections, the menu is designed for indulgence. Whether you are seeking a relaxed morning coffee or an unforgettable night of entertainment, Lara Bistro provides the perfect stage. Reserve your table to experience the buzz of Essex’s premier new social dining spot.Top review
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Azel
Dined on 27 Oct 2026
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
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Alan
Dined 3 days ago
About the restaurant
Tucked away on a cobbled street in the historic centre of Colchester, Church Street Tavern is a lively neighbourhood pub where great food, thoughtful drinks and easy hospitality come together. Part of The Baker Collective, 'CST' blends the character of a traditional British pub and late night cocktail speakeasy downstairs with a menu that celebrates seasonal produce from across Essex, Suffolk and the East Coast in its upstairs restaurant. The kitchen focuses on bold, ingredient-led cooking, from day-boat fish and Mersea oysters to rare-breed meats and vibrant vegetable dishes that change with the seasons. Behind the bar you’ll find local beers, a carefully chosen wine list and a cocktail menu that’s playful without taking itself too seriously.
Whether it’s a quick pint, a long dinner with friends, or a late evening at the bar, Church Street Tavern is a place where Colchester gathers to eat well, drink well and stay longer than planned.
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Daniel
Dined 3 days ago
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.
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Mohammed
Dined on 31 Oct 2026
About the restaurant
Nestled along Clacton seafront, our seafood restaurant is a haven of coastal charm and culinary delights. With panoramic sea views the gentle lapping of the ocean waves provides a serene soundtrack to your dining experience. Our menu celebrates the oceans bounty, offering the freshest catches sourced daily from local fisherman. Savour succulent grilled lobster, delicate crab or our signature seafood platter brimming with oysters, shrimp scallops and much more. Pair your meal with a crisp wine from our curated list or try a zesty cocktail.
Whether you're dining in our outdoor area or cosying up by the window, our restaurant promises a memorable escape where the sea meets the plate all year round.
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Chris
Dined 5 days ago
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