Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Southend-On-Sea

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianBritish

Regions

AshfordBasildonBexleyCanterburyColchesterEast London

Neighborhoods

AshfordBexleyCanterburyColchesterGreenhitheHarold Wood

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

17 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Medusa

4.9

Exceptional(537)

$$$$

• Mediterranean • Southend-On-Sea

Booked 23 times today

Welcome to Medusa — a vibrant destination where the spirit of the Mediterranean comes alive in every bite. Our warm, inviting atmosphere is perfect for everything from relaxed dinners with friends to memorable evenings out. At Medusa, each dish is a celebration of bold flavours, rich traditions, and the joy of sharing great food. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience inspired by the heart of the Mediterranean.

2. Boeuf

4.4

Awesome(188)

$$$$

• Steak • Rochester

Booked 13 times today

Boeuf is Medway’s first Steak Frites House, a restaurant serving the ultimate steak frites experience. Brought to you by the same team at The Dead Pigeon Pub & The Greedy Banker Pub, Boeuf is a unique experience that elevates this popular French/Belgian dish.Through heavy research and years of knowledge working with beef we bring to you quite possibly the best cut of steak; Sirloin Pavé. This is a rare, premium cut of beef which has the same juicy tenderness of a fillet steak with the rich beefy flavour of a sirloin.Our menu is precise and to the point but there is no need to do more when we have the best of everything all on one plate.What makes our steak frites experience unique is we serve you the steak frites twice. Yes that’s right double steak frites!Please note due to the size of the restaurant we are unable to accommodate pushchairs or high chairs. There is also no children's menu.

3. Lazy Lobster

4.7

Exceptional(360)

$$$$

• Seafood • Whitstable

Booked 9 times today

Welcome to Lazy Lobster, Whitstable's brand new seafood haven, nestled in a 19th century pub. We offer fresh and seasonal dishes, an exciting wine list and a fully stocked bar. We specialise in seasonal dishes, proper pints and fine wines. All served in the brilliant town of Whitstable and we look forward to welcoming you soon.

4. Brettingtons

4.5

Awesome(2341)

$$$$

• Steakhouse • Rochester

Booked 5 times today

Brettingtons Restaurant, the only Steak and Lobster House you will ever want to visit.Brettingtons is the vision of 2 of Kent's best bon-viveurs and restauranteursWe invite you to relax at your table and have Steak and Lobster cooked your way.General Manager - Ruta Creerinfo@brettingtons.com01634 400192

5. Lux N Lush

4.8

Exceptional(70)

$$$$

• Mediterranean • Wickford

Booked 4 times today

Flavors of the Mediterranean. Stunning redefined and finest Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant in Wickford, Essex. Enjoy traditional and contemporary experience with food, cocktails and live-entertainment every Saturday from 7 pm till late🎶 Live DJ Every Saturday!Join us at LuxnLush every Saturday night from 7 PM to midnight for an unforgettable evening with our live DJ, spinning the best in house, R&B, and party anthems. Great vibes, signature cocktails, and an electric atmosphere await!🎉 Private Hire AvailableLooking for the perfect venue for your baby shower, birthday party, or special celebration? LuxnLush is available for private hire with tailored packages to make your event truly memorable.📍 Contact us now to book your date!

6. Pho Bluewater

4.5

Awesome(54)

$$$$

• Vietnamese • Greenhithe

Booked 1 time today

Pho Bluewater is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant with loads of vegan and gluten free options. We specialise in phở, the Vietnamese noodle soup and also serve delicious curries, rice dishes, wok-fried noodles, and fresh salads too. Our starters such as summer rolls and spring rolls are perfect for sharing with friends and family. We also offer an entirely gluten free dessert menu with dishes like Pandan waffles, condensed milk ice cream and a Vietnamese affogato. Over a third of our menu is vegan, and nearly all of it is gluten-free, so we are a great destination for people who follow those particular dietary restrictions. We are also accredited by Coeliac UK. Aside from our lovely food we offer a brilliant range of healthy juices, as well as delicious wine and beer, and a fantastic cocktail menu too. We look forward to welcoming you!

A photo of Buenos Aires Nights - Maidstone restaurant

7. Buenos Aires Nights - Maidstone

4.6

Exceptional(1001)

$$$$

• Argentinean • Maidstone

Booked 7 times today

On Maidstone’s bustling High Street, local foodies can discover the bold flavours and prime steaks that Argentina is famous for at Buenos Aires Restaurant. This popular eatery is well known for its friendly service and tasty Spanish tapas menu, which is ideal for sharing with friends and family. There are plenty of traditional Argentines dishes on offer, including empanadas, chorizo and succulent chargrilled fillet steaks with blue cheese or black pepper sauce. Diners can enjoy fine wines from the restaurants hand-picked list and for dessert there are home-made pancakes. If you’re having lunch with friends, dinner with a date, or feeding the whole family, Buenos Aires guarantees great food and good times.

A photo of The Ivy, Canterbury restaurant

8. The Ivy, Canterbury

4.5

Awesome(1162)

$$$$

• British • Canterbury

Booked 71 times today

Located at the corner of The Parade & Rose Lane, just a stone's throw from the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral in the heart of the historic city centre, The Ivy Canterbury will feature a stylish bar, an inviting outdoor terrace, and an elegant private dining room. Discover menus featuring modern British cuisine to brasserie classics and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes, with something for everyone to love. From breakfast through to dinner seven days a week, the restaurant offers a luxurious haven in a stunning and elegant setting.

A photo of Array Brasserie & Grill restaurant

9. Array Brasserie & Grill

4.6

Exceptional(105)

$$$$

• Mediterranean • Harold Wood

Booked 10 times today

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Create unforgettable memories to remember forever. An Array of experiences, every time you step through the door.Looking for a venue that impresses? At Array, our stunning conservatory hosts up to 75 guests—open to the sky or enclosed for elegance. Inside, dine in style with up to 150 guests. From birthdays to business soirées, we make every event unforgettable—with special set menus for every occasion.

A photo of The Korean Cowgirl Ashford restaurant

10. The Korean Cowgirl Ashford

4.2

Awesome(282)

$$$$

• Barbecue • Ashford

Booked 22 times today

The Korean Cowgirl Ashford Restaurant provides a unique blend of Texas and Asian culture and cuisine. Here at the Cowgirl we mean true low and slow smoked BBQ, cooked for hours over only real wood, no short cuts. Our Amazing wings and boneless bites are double fried for that crisp sensation. Come and experience western dining for yourself.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
lindsay
Hertfordshire •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Very good service. Excellent food Lunch special great
More info
Medusa££££• Mediterranean• Southend-On-Sea
•
4.9
C
claudine
London •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Wow what a fabulous evening at the Lazy Lobster in Whitstable. Welcoming and friendly service and super delicious food. They serve tapas style, sharing dishes and we chose a few…. Potatoes with anchovies, cauliflower fritti with hot honey and mint, sourdough bread with a seaweed butter and the amazing Chargrilled masala prawns. Each dish was outstanding and we loved it all. Wow and 10/10. We can’t wait to go back and try more dishes
More info
Lazy Lobster££££• Seafood• Whitstable
•
4.7
S
Steven
Kent •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great food and service. Would recommend to anyone thinking of booking.
More info
Brettingtons££££• Steakhouse• Rochester
•
4.5
G
Graeme
Yorkshire •1 review
5.0
Dined on May 1, 2026
Second visit and as good as the first. The service, food and drink are first class. Special mention to Magic Sam - legend!! Third visit already booked and we are looking g forward to it
More info
Boeuf££££• Steak• Rochester
•
4.4
A
Alfie
Essex •1 review
5.0
Dined on Apr 26, 2026
Amazing experience, food was so good and the servers was really nice. They were really helpful and gave us a free shot, definitely recommend and would come back.
More info
Lux N Lush££££• Mediterranean• Wickford
•
4.8

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