Southend-on-Sea is one of Essex's most popular tourist destinations, beloved by visitors for its long stretches of Thames Estuary beach as well as British seaside vibe and picturesque views. Southend boasts a whopping seven miles of coastline to explore, most of which is littered with attractions, from the famous Southend-on-Sea pier to the Adventure Island fun park, Sea Life aquatic centre, and a host of traditional amusement arcades, all bound to keep the kids (and adults) entertained.
If you're anything like this, a trip to the seaside has you dreaming of salt and vinegar chips, crispy battered fish and ice creams on the seafront. Fortunately, good food is something Southend-on-Sea has in spades, and that's likely a good reason why families keep returning to this vibrant seaside town.
We've rounded up a little group of our favourite restaurants in the town. Some of those, like the above, are restaurants well-known for their fresh seafood offerings. There's a significant fishing trade that works out of the Essex coast and Thames Estuary so you can often be sure that you're eating seafood that has come fresh out of local seas (and of not, you can always ask). Good food in Southend isn't limited to fish and seafood though - we've picked out a range of options from cosy, welcoming pubs to French bistros, seaside al fresco spots and wine merchants.
Scroll down to read more about the best places to eat in Southend-on-Sea, and remember, if you see anything you like, just click for more information as well as booking details.