Hello dear
Welcome to Food Leigh-on-Sea
Food Leigh-on-Sea is a culinary treasure located in Southend-on-Sea, UK, renowned for its innovative approach to seasonal ingredients. Guests can indulge in a delightful range of offerings, from the Mycotek Mushroom Arancini to an exquisite Dry Aged Rump Cap Tartare. The emphasis on locally sourced produce is evident in dishes like the Cuttlefish Pasta and decadent Lobster Stuffed Leg. With rave reviews highlighting its exceptional service and inviting atmosphere, customers repeatedly praise the meticulous preparation and presentation of each dish. Feeling welcomed by a passionate team, diners leave with a memorable experience that resonates long after their visit.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Mycotek Mushroom Arancini, Parmesan
Our Sourdough Pizza Tomato Sauce & Broccoli Top Pesto
Our Gluten Free Sourdough, Marmite Cashew Butter, Maldon Salt
Potato Terrine, Dry Aged Beef Tartare, Pickled Walnut, Truffle
About
Food Leigh-on-Sea
Welcome to Food Leigh-on-Sea, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Leigh-on-Sea, United Kingdom. Located at 92 Leigh Rd, this restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience marked by exceptional service and exquisite flavor. The moment you step inside, you are greeted with warmth, setting the stage for an inviting atmosphere that consistently wins the hearts of patrons.
At Food Leigh-on-Sea, the menu is a celebration of seasonal ingredients and innovative culinary techniques. Begin your meal with standout first courses such as the Mycotek Mushroom Arancini or the rich Parmesan Dry Aged Rump Cap Tartare. These dishes demonstrate a profound respect for the ingredients, as highlighted by customer reviews that rave about their rich flavors and meticulous presentation. The Cuttlefish Pasta with Pecorino is another highlight that exemplifies the chef's passion and skill.
Moving to the main courses, the selection caters to both seafood lovers and poultry enthusiasts alike. The Market Fish paired with Maris Peer Potatoes and Moules Mariniere Sauce exemplifies the freshness of the sea, while the Lobster Stuffed Leg of Cotswold White Chicken is a sumptuous delight that surprises and satisfies. Each dish is crafted with an elegant balance of flavors, making every bite a celebration of taste.
No meal at Food Leigh-on-Sea is complete without indulging in dessert. The exquisite pairing of Wye Valley Strawberries with Dark Chocolate and Honeycomb stands as a testament to the chef’s creativity, leaving diners delighted and eager for another visit. The carefully curated selection of British cheeses, alongside sourdough crackers and seasonal chutney, elevates the dining experience to a whole new level.
What truly sets Food Leigh-on-Sea apart is not only the quality of the dishes but also the attentive service and relaxed ambiance. As one diner remarked, intricate care goes into creating a hospitable environment, from the approachable staff to the thoughtfully designed space. It’s this blend of high-quality food and outstanding service that turns a simple meal into a memorable occasion.
Whether you're a local or just passing through, a visit to Food Leigh-on-Sea is a must. With a commitment to seasonal ingredients and a philosophy rooted in culinary passion, it stands out as one of the finest dining experiences in the area. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ First visit to Leigh-on-Sea and we discovered this gem of a restaurant! Had the most fabulous lunch from the menu du jour with a glass of delicious Brut Natur cava! Service was exceptional and we can’t wait to visit again soon! ”
“ Back to try new chefs menu A return after a couple of years to try the new chefs food (turns out he is a returner). The ethos has changed a bit since last time. There were a choice of small and slightly larger plates. Reasonable selection of choices. We started with:- Cold meat plate Mushroom Potato slices with cockle Mayonnaise Meat was a cold plate with nice pickles, the potato was delicious but the Mushroom was sensational. We had two main plates, one chicken one mackerel both delicious. Drinks were lovely, though, whilst kombucha was very good, it is quite costly. Quince desserts were delicious Nice clean compact toilet. Had a long chat to chef, who remembered me from two years ago! Really nice guy with a real food passion. Returned from honing his skills in fine dining venues. ”
“ Lovely Sunday lunch experience. Delicious, generous, attentive service, relaxed atmosphere. Free-flow wine package was perfect too. I'm just annoyed it's taken me so long to finally come here! ”
“ The food here is Michelin three star quality, meaning that you can't find better. The ingredients are treated with respect and an enormous amount of effort goes into their preparation, which left me happy with the size of the (not inconsiderable) bill at the end. What separates this from a starred restaurant is all about the physical stuff: environment, service etc which is fine by me. This is not Nouvelle Cuisine. The tasting menu is small portions, but the quantity and pace means that you can enjoy each fully. Someone who prefers quantity to quality should probably not eat here, nothing was served with chips, either. The dishes reflect what is possible with the ingredients chosen by the chef, again this determines the palette, it would be fascinating to return another season, like spring, to see what has been done. I was driving so didn't drink, but I can thoroughly recommend the house Mocktail, my wife enjoyed the wine. The waiting staff were local and friendly. All in all one of the best food experiences I've had. ”
“ Had a lovely visit to Food with my mum and sister-in-law. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a very nice lady who made us feel warm and welcome. The atmosphere was inviting, and the service was excellent. The food was absolutely delicious—fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented. My mum had eaten in West London the day before and said this was miles better! A big thank you to the wonderful team for making our experience so enjoyable. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for fantastic food and great hospitality. ”
“ What an amazing dining experience, every piece of food was like a taste explosion, which continued to change, truly well thought out dishes with an exceptional level of service. Thank you. ”
“ Absolutely loved this hidden gem. Small but perfectly formed, cosy but bright gluten free restaurant in Leigh. Family run and knowledgeable friendly staff. Food flavours that were delicious and innovative, locally sourced, and a focus of sustainability. Beautifully plated on beautiful plates! Suitable I would say for small groups, couples and older kids. Not so great for wheelchairs due to the footprint of the restaurant. Thought portions looked a little small but had 3 course menu for lunch and was just right. Great value for money too at 35. ”
“ What a little gem!!! FOOD is a fantastic little restaurant, and rightly, it is featured in 2025 Michelin guide. The tasting menu was amazing, and Gemma certainly sold every dish. Her knowledge was very good, and her description of each dish was 1st class. The wine pairing added to the whole experience, and it was nice to have the perfect partner to each dish. The restaurant was pretty much full, but the way the tables are set up, you are in your group and not too close to other diners, which can at times be annoying. I felt our experience was enhanced by the table position. The staff were all very good and attentive and nothing was too much. They even redone a dish so I could get a picture I'd missed!!! We will definitely return. TY Alan, Tan, Lee, Char, Nicola, and Noel. ”