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Top Unique Restaurants in Essex
One minute you’re walking past a chippy, next thing you’re inside a place that serves sushi on a train track. That’s Essex for you. Quirky restaurants here don’t hold back and we’re talking neon-lit Thai joints in old banks, karaoke brunches in Chelmsford, and Colchester spots that look like your nan’s lounge but serve five-course tasting menus. But that’s not all! Some of our unique restaurants are cheap as chips, others more birthday blowout. Great for big groups, dodgy dancing after dessert, or just a night out that’s got more going for it than a pub and a parmo. Discover our fun restaurants now.
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![Private Hire at The Brentwood Kitchen in Brentwood, Essex]()
from £600
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityPrivate Hire
36 guestsThe Brentwood KitchenBrentwood, EssexThe Brentwood Kitchen is a cocktail-focused restaurant defined by a compact late‑night dining room and bar ambience. Design: The Brentwood Kitchen's interior is low-lit and compact, punctuated by neon signage, mixed vintage‑industrial -
![Semi-private Mezzanine at The George & Dragon, Mountnessing in Brentwood, Essex]()
from £400
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilitySemi-private Mezzanine
20 guestsThe George & Dragon, MountnessingBrentwood, EssexA small, intimate mezzanine area that is perfect for a private party. With a cosy chic decor and wooden beams, your space overlooks the restaurant, taking in all the atmosphere. -
![Essex County Cricket Club at Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, Essex]()
from £35
per person / per dayCheck availabilityEssex County Cricket Club
10 guestsGalvin Green ManChelmsford, EssexThe Essex County Cricket Club dining room is a private dining room in the Galvin Green Man centred on a single long wooden table that organises the space for private, seated meals. -
![Private Dining Room at Bill's Colchester Restaurant in Colchester, Essex]()
from £16
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityPrivate Dining Room
24 guestsBill's Colchester RestaurantColchester, EssexPrivate Dining Room — Dining Room in Bill's Colchester Restaurant. A window-lined dining room defined by large timber-framed sash windows that flood the space with daylight. -
![Restaurant at Marco's New York Italian Brentwood in Brentwood, Essex]()
from £20
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityRestaurant
120 guestsMarco's New York Italian BrentwoodBrentwood, EssexThe restaurant area has a capacity of up to 150 guests and is ideal for dinner parties, corporate events, cocktail receptions and other special occasions. -
![Entire Venue at 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar in Essex]()
from £32
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityEntire Venue
77 guests1935 Rooftop Restaurant & BarEssex1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is a rooftop dining venue pairing modern British cooking with views across the airport runway and Essex countryside. Venue highlights: The soundproofed rooftop dining area has large windows overlooking -
![Kushi Suite at Kushi in Essex]()
from £600
hire fee / per sessionCheck availabilityKushi Suite
45 guestsKushiEssexKushi is a contemporary Indian restaurant defined by an intimate, design-led interior featuring curved arches and low, table-level lighting. Design: The venue's interior pairs dark marble-topped tables and brass table lamps -
![Semi Private Area at Bill's Colchester Restaurant in Colchester, Essex]()
from £16
per person / per sessionCheck availabilitySemi Private Area
18 guestsBill's Colchester RestaurantColchester, EssexThe back area at Bill's Colchester offers a more secluded setting for group dining, giving guests a little more separation from the main restaurant while still sharing its lively atmosphere. -
![Private Dining room at Haywards in Essex]()
from £800
hire fee / per dayCheck availabilityPrivate Dining room
14 guestsHaywardsEssexHaywards private dining room, The Stable, retains many of the building’s original stable features with a smart stable door completing the room. The Stable is separate from the main dining room and can seat up to 14 guests. -
![Private Dining Room at Koryu in Colchester, Essex]()
from £25
per person / per sessionCheck availabilityPrivate Dining Room
45 guestsKoryuColchester, EssexIf you’re looking for an exclusive space in the city centre for you and your friends, family or colleagues, we offer private fine dining, in our stunning downstairs location. -
![Taru on the Hill at Taru on the Hill in Essex]()
from £25
minimum spend / per sessionCheck availabilityTaru on the Hill
30 guestsTaru on the HillBuckhurst Hill StationEssexTaru on the Hill is offering contemporary Indian Cuisine in the heart of Buckhurst Hill, a beautiful town in Essex. We can cater 120 people in our restaurant for any occasion, any small or big. -
![The Countryside Suite at Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, Essex]()
from £35
per person / per dayCheck availabilityThe Countryside Suite
10 guestsGalvin Green ManChelmsford, EssexThe room also features a flat-screen TV, sound system and air conditioning - perfect for setting the mood for your dining experience.
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FAQs about Top Unique Restaurants in Essex
Booking costs of quirky restaurants average £35 per person. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in Essex, based on Tagvenue data:
| From £25 | to £39 | per person |
| From £400 | to £1000 | minimum spend per event |
| From £250 | to £1500 | hire fee per day |
You'll find quirky restaurants in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in Essex, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (September 2026):
| Small | up to 40 guests | prices average £250 hire fee per day |
| Medium | between 60 and 80 guests | prices average £700 minimum spend per event |
| Large | over 110 guests | prices average £1000 minimum spend per event |
Smaller quirky restaurants usually fit up to 40 guests seated. Here are some great options in Essex, based on Tagvenue data as of September 2026:
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Screen 6 at Everyman Chelmsford, rated 4.5/5 - screening room for 31 guests
Our user said: ‘Lovely space and Alex the Event manager was really helpful :-)...’ -
The Forest Room at The Royal Forest, Epping Forest - dining room for 25 guests
Venue said: The space has Wi‑Fi and air conditioning, and the venue provides step-free access and accessible toilets. Ideal for: Small groups seeking a seated, informal dining experience in a characterful, domestic-style room. -
Ramsden at Holiday Inn Basildon - boardroom for 30 guests
Venue said: A full wall of windows brings in natural daylight. Design: The room has a straightforward hotel style, balanced proportions and a full glazed wall that creates a bright, open interior.
Cheap quirky restaurants in Essex start from £15 per person or £250 hire fee per day. Check out these budget-friendly spaces you can book through Tagvenue, as of September 2026:
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Entire Venue at Bill's Colchester Restaurant, from £16 per person (up to 86 guests seated)
Venue said: The restaurant is also dog-friendly, with treats available for four-legged visitors. The bright ground-floor dining room is complemented by an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining and drinks. -
Norfolk at Harlow Hotel by Accor, from £250 hire fee per day (up to 25 guests seated)
Venue said: Our Norfolk meeting room is a great choice for a boardroom meeting for up to 16 delegates or 25 in a theatre. This room offers great natural daylight and comes with a screen, complimentary WiFi and stationary on tables. -
Karaoke Room at No Name Bar and Games, from £50 hire fee per hour (up to 25 guests seated)
Venue said: The karaoke room is a private space for up to 25 people, set up for smaller groups and casual events. It’s a popular choice for birthdays, hen or stag parties, or just a night out with friends.
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Page last updated in September 2026
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