Essex has some absolutely amazing seafood restaurants and anyone that knows us, knows we love us some seafood. We have compiled a list of the best seafood restaurants and seafood shacks in Essex.
The Best Seafood Restaurants in Essex
Smith’s Ongar
Smiths has branches in both Ongar and Wapping and serves some delicious fish and seafood. The restaurant offers fine dining, but if you are looking for something more casual you can visit the seafood truck outside selling fresh seafood and oysters to take away.
Source: Smith’s Ongar
Alec’s
Another dine dining fish restaurant is Alec’s located in Brentwood. Alec’s is beautifully decorated and is a former pub with cosy open fires and views over the nearby golf course.
Lot 14 Theydon
Lot 14 Theydon is a newer seafood restaurant opening it’s doors last year. The seafood market style restaurant has an open counter with the fresh catches of the day and they are cooked by the excellent chef. The restaurant has a chilled family run vibe which makes it a perfect spot for some fish and seafood.
Oyster Creek Kitchen
Oyster Creek Kitchen in Southend is ideally located on the seafront and offers excellent sea views. The outdoor area and terrace feels like you are transformed to the Mediterranean and is the perfect spot to enjoy some oysters, fish or a glass of wine. The baked oysters are some of the best we have ever had.
The Peter Boat
Located in Old Leigh, The Peter Boat enjoys prime position on the waters edge alongside the old cockle sheds. The Peter Boat offers home cooked seafood and fish and it’s specialty is the Leigh cockle chowder in which Leigh on Sea became famous for long ago. Inside is a traditional pub set up and outside offers a huge terrace and conservatory, the perfect place for a summers day.
Felix Seafood Grill
If you are looking for great seafood in a luxury restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, look no further than Felix Seafood Grill in Billericay. The menu is simple offering great fish and seafood options for starter and mains. They also have an excellent cocktail menu and beautifully decorated bars.
The Jolly Sailor
For cold seafood platters or traditional battered fish and chips head to The Jolly Sailor in Heybridge Basin. Take in the views of the waterways and watch the boats come in and out as you enjoy locally sourced seafood.
Source: The Jolly Sailor
Oyster Shack and Seafood Bar
Located outside The King’s Oak pub in High Beech, Epping. The Oyster Shack and Seafood Bar offers no frills dining from the shack. The extensive seafood menu offers loads of grilled, fried and cold seafood alongside some amazing seafood rolls, we highly recommend the bacon and scallop roll. You can enjoy drinks from the pub while dining on great seafood surrounded by Epping Forest’s beauty.
Source: Oyster Shack and Seafood Bar
Billy Hundreds Fish n Tapas
Located on the sand in Southend, Billy Hundred’s offers no frills seafood tapas with a great view. Sit on outdoor tables on the sand or inside during the colder months to enjoy fried and grilled seafood small plates.
Source: Billy Hundred’s Fish n Tapas
The Little Seafood Bar
The Little Seafood Bar in Bishop Stortford offers a great relaxed day time menu as well as an amazing evening menu offering oysters, seafood pasta’s and much more. The Little Seafood bar is relaxed dining and great for a chilled date night.
Source: The Little Seafood Bar
Fish on the Quay
Located on the quay in Maldon, Fish on the Quay offers great seafood platters as well as cooked fish and seafood in a chilled, relaxed, pub like atmosphere. Enjoy great seafood and a bottle of wine while you watch the boats along the quay.
Source: Fish on the Quay
Ark Fish Restaurant
Ark Fish Restaurant in Woodford offers amazing freshly caught fish daily from Billingsgate Fish Market in London. View the freshly caught fish on display and choose what you would like, alternatively order from either the dine in or takeaway menu. Dine inside for amazing seafood platters, oysters and hot seafood and fish dishes.
Source: Ark
The Rose Bud Pub
The Rose Bud Pub in Brightlingsea is the number 1 rated restaurant in the area. View the menu to see the vast array of cooked and cold seafood to enjoy to in chilled pub style dining.
Source: The Rose Bud Pub
The Maldon Smokehouse
The Maldon Smokehouse serves up seafood plates and platters in an informal dining setting. Sit on wooden benches along the quay and admire the view whilst enjoying fresh seafood.
Source: Maldon Smokehouse
The Coast Inn
This beautiful riverside bar and restaurant in Mersea Island is the perfect spot to enjoy some seafood. Enjoy traditional dishes such as the locally caught fish of the day or the seafood chowder with crusty bread whilst you admire the boats crossing. 
Source: The Coast Inn
Estuary Seafood
Located under the arches in Westcliff on the seafront, Esturay seafood offers traditional fish and chips as well as a host of cooked seafood such as pan fried prawns and scallops. Dine in the chilled sea view cafe and enjoy one of the many cocktails.
The Company Shed
Located on Mersea Island, The Company Shed offers an array of cold seafood platters and dishes as well as cooked and fried seafood. You can also take seafood away. It is chilled no frills dining at it’s best.
West Mersea
The Seafood Shack @ Waldegraves
Another no frills dining option in Mersea Island and a great opportunity to eat the delicious range of cooked and cold seafood options on the menu.
The Seafood Shack Southend
Another Seafood Shack located in Southend, The Sseafood Shack has moved from it’s small truck in Rochford to a beautifully decorated seafood restaurant on the Southend seafront. Enjoy a huge selection of cooked seafood dishes like garlic mussles and prawns.
Food Shack Leigh
The Food Shack Leigh is located in Old Leigh and offers amazing street food style seafood dishes and pizzas. It’s a great sport for sitting on the balcony and looking out at the estuary views.
Source: Food Shack Seafood
No1 Cockle Shed
Located alongside the old cockle shreds in Old Leigh, The No1 Cockle Shed restaurant offers a great selection of fish dishes and fish tapas. Make sure you try the old leigh fried cockles!
Source: No1 Cockle Shed
Simply Seafood Warren Wood
Located in the pub garden of Warren Wood Pub in Buckhurst Hill. Simply Seafood is a great seafood truck selling amazing hot and cold seafood platters as well as great grilled seafood options and seafood rolls like scallop rolls. Grab a pint from the pub and get some sea
Source: Simple Seafood Warren Wood
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