Colchester is a large and very food-centric town with so many places to eat in the town centre that it’s really hard to choose. Sadly one of the worst parts of eating out in Colchester is that the food is not always great. We have selected five of our favourite restaurants which we believe provide some of the best quality food available! After this list we will put a few honorary mentions as there are still some absolutely great restaurants out there worth trying, but these are our top five personal favourites which we highly recommend!
Aburi is really something special. Based on Short Wyre Street, this little restaurant is a perfect place for anything from business meetings to romantic dinners with a fantastic selection of some of the best Japanese cuisine we have tasted! From terrific Takoyaki and superb sushi to beautifully prepared bento boxes! We have never been disappointed. With a fantastic team of staff, and beautiful interior, Aburi Japanese Restaurant is perfectly situated to be both easily accessible and quietly situated so you can be sure that you will always have an exceptional dining experience there. Don’t forget to try the sangaria ramune!
Quayside Bar & Gurkha Restaurant
If you have never had Nepali cuisine, then the Quayside Bar & Gurkha restaurant is the perfect place to start! Whilst some of the food, such as the popular momo dumplings are an acquired taste, (the pork ones are definitely the best!) just about everything we have ever tried has been perfect. We highly recommend the goat curry, which is exceptional and has a truly beautiful flavour! There are several decent Nepali places in Colchester, but by far The Quayside bar & Gurkha Restaurant has them all beat. The food is first rate and the staff are fantastic. It is the number one place if you want the traditional taste of Nepal!
Middletons is a great place to eat with friends and colleagues alike. Serving a fantastic array of mouth watering meals, Middletons never disappoints. They have a menu that can serve all tastes at a price range that goes from affordable to – aiming to really impress one’s date, and the variety on the menu is impressive. Special mentions and recommendations would go to the calamari, the rib eye steaks, garlic mushrooms and the top notch Waldorf salad that they prepare. Middletons has an excellent team of staff who respond quickly and efficiently to your needs, even at busy times!
Named after the famous Italian movie, Miseria E Nobiltà is located a short walk from Colchester Castle. They cook a wide variety of classic Italian dishes and take great care to look after their customers. They provide vegetarian options, gluten free and vegan and do some of the best pizzas available in Colchester. Our favourites are the capricciosa pizza, with its powerful combination of flavours and the signature Miseria E Nobiltà pizza. Many of their customers say their tiramisu is the best in Colchester and we have to agree! Miseria E Nobiltà is a perfect place to take a date, business partner or friends, with friendly staff who will attend to your needs! Everything on their menu is well sourced to ensure quality and excellent flavour! An absolutely fantastic place to go if you like quality Italian food!
Bella Pais Steakhouse and Greek Restaurant
Generous portions, exceptionally cooked – Bella Pais makes, without doubt some of the best steaks in Colchester! Set in a beautiful dining area, the hard-working staff at Bella Pais are incredibly attentive and take great care to ensure that they always provide excellent service. The food is exceptional and it is a great place to bring a romantic partner, friends or colleagues. The sirloin, ribeye, and fillet steaks are amazing and the surf and turf is amazing. Whilst Bella Pais can seem a little pricey, they are using high quality ingredients and you are getting exceptional value for what you’re paying for. Greek food at it’s finest!
Honourable Mentions
Whilst we love our top five it would not be fair to avoid mentioning some of the other wonderful restaurants in Colchester.
Ristorante Favoloso is a beautiful family run Italian Restaurant just a short walk from the Mercury Theatre. They provide a fantastic selection of pasta dishes and we really rate their carbonara and char grilled steak! (It’s proper Aberdeen Angus and tastes fantastic!)
Banquet Chinese is a communal based Chinese restaurant with a focus on family and friendship that is staggering. Many of their delightful dishes are meant for sharing. With a great atmosphere and wonderful staff, Banquet Chinese provides a quality dining experience that the whole family can enjoy!
Bill’s is a great place to go for breakfast and dinner alike, with a nice selection on offer and smart and attentive staff, we have never been disappointed with the service or food!
Noodle Zone is a brilliant little place in which you can get high quality Asian fusion cuisine. Their seafood dishes are incredible and the noodles are absolutely perfect! A great place for a quiet meal, close to the town centre.
Bambu Vietnamese Restaurant before visiting Bambu we had never tried Vietnamese cuisine! Their food is absolutely brilliant and the staff are wonderful! The tasty mix comes highly recommended, and everything from the spring rolls to the crispy squid is amazing!
Carluccios is a beautifully managed restaurant located at the top of Fenwicks. Their food is fresh, high quality and absolutely incredible. The staff are attentive and hard working. Carluccios is the restaurant which the picture on this post was taken at, and is definitely a place worth visiting!
A Final Note!
Grain would have made this list if it hadn’t closed down. Paul Wendholt, one of the brilliant duo who ran Grain, is starting up a new restaurant, Kintsu. Whilst we have yet to visit Kintsu, we cannot wait to try it out!
