Best restaurants in Essex | Valentines Day 2025
Looking for the best restaurants in Essex? Looking for some ideas on where and how to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2025? Well, look no further! The team at Burnham Waters have compiled a list of some of our favourite, local restaurants and eateries in and around Burnham-on-Crouch, perfect for a delicious meal with someone special.
At Burnham Waters, the new luxury retirement village in Burnham-on-Crouch, we believe you are never too old for a bit of romance, and you’re never too old to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Whether you are looking for somewhere that offers formal dining, a local pub that delivers good food served alongside a roaring open fire and a friendly atmosphere, or a quirky café or eatery that offers something a little bit different from your typical dining experience, we share a few of what we believe to be, the best restaurants in Essex.
Here’s out top five restaurants in Burnham-on-Crouch, and the local area:
1. The Oyster Smack Inn
Having frequented this eatery many times ourselves, we have always been impressed by the staff and the food on offer here.
The Oyster Smack Inn is an independent restaurant (and hotel), renowned for serving locally sourced, home cooked, seasonal food accompanied by a warm, friendly service.
On Friday 14th February 2025, they are offering a three-course set menu for £40 per head. Enjoy snacks and pre-starters to include mixed olives and a breadbasket, as well as their famous Maldon oysters, before tucking into three courses. Starters include a delicious fish sharing board, while mains offer an enticing chateaubriand steak for two and desserts vary from a tempting cheese board to a variety of sweet treats.
Find out more about the Valentine’s Menu from The Oyster Smack Inn website.
2. Ye Olde White Harte
First opened in the 1650, Ye Olde White Harte is a popular hotel and eatery is steeped in history. Its bar area is divided into three distinct areas:
The main bar area: this looks out over the quay and is full of character with exposed beams and a big open fireplace.
The snug: located at the rear of the building, this is typically where the regulars like to gather! It has a real flame gas fire and a cozy atmosphere.
A separate room off the main bar has a gas fire and is perfect for families to enjoy.
Food is available throughout the whole building including in The Chartroom, which has tables decorated with old charts mainly of the Essex coast. This area boasts a large hearth with gas fire, exposed beams and brass ornaments.
As well as a daily specials board, it offers a traditional menu, with options such as pie of the day, pork chops and smoked haddock – perfect for a casual Valentine’s Day meal for two, or a relaxed catch up with friends.
This Valentines Day on Friday 14th February 2025, they are running a ‘bring your own wine night’. Ideal if you want to go out and celebrate, but you don’t want to break the bank! The three-course menu is priced at just £30 per head. Take a look at their Valentine’s Menu here.
3. The Swallowtail Restaurant
Situated within the picturesque Burnham Yacht Harbour, this restaurant offers the ideal spot whether you are looking for a romantic Valentine's Day meal for two, or you are planning a stroll down from your vibrant new retirement community for a leisurely meal with friends. Its large balcony can’t fail to impress, offering stunning views over the Marina and the River Crouch.
The Swallowtail Restaurant always offers a warm welcome and is popular with local residents as well as travelling sailors alike.
The restaurant is now taking bookings for Valentine’s Day – so head over to their website to book!
4. Parlour Café
Located close to our luxury, vibrant new retirement community at Burnham Waters, the Parlour Café is more suited to a relaxed lunch with friends but…if you are planning a Valentines day meal with a twist, there are some very tempting breakfast options, as well as a tasty lunch menu and some incredible smoothies and milkshakes.
Perhaps your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day is a brisk dog walk in the cold winter sunshine, followed by a warm coffee and a hearty breakfast. If that’s the case, this is for you! PLUS, they even have a dog-friendly menu for your four-legged friend!
Find out more on the Parlour Café website.
Want some ideas for local dog walks, take a look at our previous blog post on the five best dog walks in Burnham-on-Crouch here.
5. The Ship Inn
This is a regular hot spot for us, and we have always found it to deliver good food and good service.
A local pub in the heart of Burnham-on-Crouch, The Ship Inn team is passionate about sourcing the finest, freshest and most sustainable ingredients. The pub and dining room has a reputation for seasonally inspired menus where everything is homemade, and its unique approach makes it a special place to visit.
They offer a varied menu with everything from sharing platers and traditional fish and chips to burgers and steaks, making it the ideal spot if you are looking for a more relaxed setting.
If you are planning to push the boat out for a romantic Valentine's meal in Burnham-on-Crouch, there is a very enticing chateaubriand for two on the menu, priced at £70. Take a look at The Ship Inn menu.
Best restaurants in Essex
If you are looking to travel a little further afield than Burnham-on-Crouch this Valentine’s Day 2025 (but not too far!), there are many other, great restaurants across the county. In fact, in a recent article in the Burnham and Maldon Standard, they provided a great round-up of the ‘10 best restaurants in mid Essex for a date’. This article is based on TripAdvisor's '2025 Best Restaurants and Places to Eat', according to ratings and reviews.
Of the ten restaurants listed, three were in fact within a 20-minute drive (approximately) of our development at Burnham Waters, with a fourth just over half an hour away in Chelmsford:
Mrs Salisbury's of Maldon, Maldon
Find out more about Burnham Waters
If you are looking for a retirement village that offers you not only a new home, but a new community and access to a new lifestyle, right on your doorstep, then Burnham Waters could be for you! Our spacious new build retirement bungalows are nestled in the Essex countryside and offer a wide range of amenities and social opportunities to enjoy.
Our sales suite is open daily, 10am and 3pm and there are show homes available to view. For more information, simply send us an email at info@burnhamwaters.co.uk, or contact our sales team on 01621 861559.
