Places to Eat in Essex

Essex covers a lot of ground, and its dining scene reflects that spread. Chelmsford, as the county city, has a dense cluster of restaurants and pubs from Italian trattorias to Chinese kitchens, while Billericay's high street offers a smaller but well-regarded selection for an evening out. Barking, sitting closer to London, brings its own mix of caffs, casual diners and takeaway-style kitchens into the fold.

With nearly 2,500 places listed across the county, the choice ranges from quick lunch spots and burger joints to family-run Chinese restaurants and neighbourhood cafes. Some towns favour informal daytime cafes like Cafe at Number 21 or 2MT Caffe, while others lean towards proper sit-down meals. It is worth deciding whether you want a quick bite or a full pub meal before picking a direction, since Essex delivers well on both fronts depending on which town you're in.