Fresh from the
Blackwater

“Lunch for 3 we had 2 perfect platters and 1 cold platter. Absolutely outstanding! Great service and platters to die for. Can not fault it at all. Delicious plentiful fresh seafood made to perfection. 3 fussy foodies were very satisfied with very generous portions and incredible value for money. We dont know how they do it for the price. Highly recommended. Don't hesitate. we'll be back.”

★★★★★

“Amazing place to eat if you love everything from the sea. Seafood platter is amazing. GF available, probably not the best place to come if you don't eat fish as limited choice of things on the menu.”

★★★★★

“I love this place. Been many times. Food has always been good, especially the crab salad! Very reasonably priced for fresh seafood.”

★★★★★

“I can't recommend this place enough. Great food and staff.”

★★★★★

“So good we went back the following day. A fantastic experience. The food is simple but delicious. And seafood loaded fries; what a thing of beauty. I cannot understand why anyone would not enjoy fresh seafood, cooked well, lovely staff and a rustic friendly environment. The addition of wine from the Mersea Island Vineyard was a perfect pairing. Highly recommend and will definitely return.”

★★★★★

“We popped in for late lunch yesterday and despite they were about to close in 15 mins due to an event, they let us in and we were allowed to stay as long as we wanted. First; the kindness of the team is exemplary. They are just genuinely lovely and that makes a difference. The food is equally as brilliant, portions are massive and taste awesome. The tapas combos are great value (and good variety) and I can highly recommend the loaded fries which was full of perfectly fried calamari and prawns, the garlicky goodness soaked the fries at the bottom, heaven.”

★★★★★

“Very nice testy oysters”

★★★★★

“What a brilliant place. We couldn't have asked for more. Firstly the food was perfect. I had the Cold Platter and my partner had the hot Platter. Both were amazing. Fresh and so tasty. Price was unbelievably reasonable. Would have paid more for it. The staff were amazing. We have a 4yr old and 8month old. They couldn't have been more accommodating. Let my 4yr old eat his own lunch we bought with us, which was very kind. When my 8month old got a bit shouty and I went to take her out so not to disturb the other guests, the staff were shocked and just said 'this is what babies do. Its not an issue' Overall a wonderful experience. Would tell anyone around there to go.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic food , even better service , did not pre book, albeit recommended.”

★★★★★

“Wonderful food, friendly, helpful staff. The service is really good and the seafood is excellent.”

★★★★★

“Amazing sea food restaurant, with fresh oysters, delicious tapas and good wine card , including local options. Close to the sea , with stunning views on the beach”

★★★★★

“Beautiful food to eaten at Seafood at Dawn. The staff couldn't help anymore then they did - fabulous service. You have to book though as its always busy.”

★★★★★

“Was really lovely staff and food was very good and fresh good portions oysters was local really good value for money would definitely go back with the family”

★★★★★

“Superb. Really great food by the coast and excellent selection of food. The platter covered it all and we had a special which was good.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic as always with an expanding choice of menu. Exceptional and friendly staff.”

★★★★★

“Wonderful food,big portions,reasonable prices and lovely staff...couldn't be nicer for a lovely fish lunch”

★★★★★

“A lovely experience visiting here, food was amazing, we had the Perfect Platter and Loaded Fries, ideal to share for 2, we will be back”

★★★★★

“Very good seafood by the sea SEAFOOD AT DAWN fast service and pleasant communication and most importantly very tasty seafood that you can take with you.”

★★★★★

“Turned up today on the off-chance and a table for 2 (plus dog) was found very quickly. The Prawn Platters were beyond delicious and our waitress was lovely. No complaints at all. Will definitely be back but will make sure I book in advance next time 😊”

★★★★★

“The freshest and tastiest food in Mersea from a small but very cosy place.”

★★★★★

“Came here tonight after a terrible experience at one of the local pubs just before (we only went there as initially couldn’t get a table here). The staff went above and beyond and were so kind to us, it made what we thought was a ruined evening, a much better one!! Excellent food as always, and even better service. Special thanks to the girl in the glasses who brought us prawns after she sat us! We’ll be back very soon! X”

★★★★★

“Another visit to this gem of a restaurant . Next to the sea, with sea fresh products. My friends were shocked that oysters were a quid each! Four or us had different starters and mains. All were thoroughly enjoyed . Too full for pudding ! Dogs are welcome in the covered outside area . Heavenly food .”

★★★★★

“Absolutely great food and lovely staff. New management seems to do well - we were very satisfied with the food, price and the friendliness of the staff. We will definitely visit again!”

★★★★★

“Lovely place - we'll worth a visit.”

★★★★★

“Bel ristorante con pesce fresco. Vale uno stop..Ottime le ostriche. Porzioni abbondanti e non particolamente costoso.”

★★★★★

“Fabulous seafood platters! Such a tasty meal with excellent service.”

★★★★★

“Ordered a seafood platter, went along to collect it and was greeted by smiling friendly staff, my platter came out and it looked great, took it home to eat it and it was so nice and tasty, i will certainly be ordering a few more in the coming months.”

★★★★★

“Great service,gorgeous fresh seafood,we had a lovely sunday afternoon”

★★★★★

“Lovely restaurant, pretty location, quality fresh seafood and very friendly attentive staff. Would recommend and visit again!”

★★★★★

“Fantastic food and lots of it all at a very reasonable price. Staff very pleasant and knowledgeable of the food on offer. All in all a very pleasant experience.”

★★★★★

“Had a lovely lunch here today. We hadn't booked but that wasn't a problem. Lovely food and very good service. Staff very friendly. Hope to be back.”

★★★★★

“Thai place is a true Gem. The food is INSANE! Some of the best seafood we’ve had and we come from Cape Town - so that says a lot. The staff are helpful and friendly, they restraint is spotless and als decorated to taste. Highly recommend”

★★★★★

“Fantastic restaurant great food that's well priced and excellent staff. Will definitely be going again”

★★★★★

“Easy to find location with parking. Greeted at the door and served by really kind and friendly staff. Food came very quickly and was delicious. Great prices for what you get. Very clean and tidy. I have already recommend to friends and family. We will visit again. Thank you so much.”

★★★★★

“Shared a fantastic platter and loaded fries with my husband, while Mother in law had skate wing and son had seafood linguine. Generous portions, friendly staff, excellent Mersea wine to accompany. Can't wait to come again!”

★★★★★

“Such good seafood!! Everything was delicious, the service was great. We really enjoyed the local Mersea Island wine too.”

★★★★★

“Very friendly stuff, a must place to visit”

★★★★★

“With great service and fantastic seafood dishes. This was my first visit and I intend to go back many times.😁”

★★★★★

“Consistently excellent food and service. The selection and quality of the seafood are outstanding, and everything is always cooked perfectly. We have dined here at least ten times and have recommended it to friends and family; everyone has been just as pleased.”

★★★★★

“Absolutely delicious food. Friendly staff, and a nice environment. Highly recommended and good value for money. Food was fresh, tasty, and very well presented. 6 out of 5.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic seafood restaurant. Superb service from Friendly Staff. Highly recommended.”

★★★★★

“Delicious and great selection of fresh seafood, great services. Generous portion. Best seafood restaurant in West Mersea.”

★★★★★

“Amazing restaurant…. Food out of the world lovely . Fresh hot , big portions just fantastic. Staff were brilliant… service 1100% ….. loved this place, you love fish , you will love it . Wine was quite special .”

★★★★★

“Fantastic, food and staff all superb, fab afternoon birthday celebration 🎂 thank you. Highly recommend and will be back.”

★★★★★

“Lovely seafood restaurant. Good value and great food.”

★★★★★

“Great fresh seafood with friendly quick service”

★★★★★

“Lovely restaurant in a great location. Plenty of seating outside in the cold. The restaurant inside was busy so thankfully a table became available and we were moved indoors. Nice atmosphere and efficient waitresses.”

★★★★★

“Great place with amazing fresh seafood”

★★★★★

“Rustic with charming waterfront spot. Super fresh seafood. Very friendly. A great place to eat.”

★★★★★

“A must-eat seafood restaurant, and I take no prisoners for this statement. Fresh, just caught seafood, famous local oysters, and surprisingly tasty local wines make it an absolute pearl of Essex for eating out (pun intended, he he). Do book ahead as the place is very popular. It's also very pretty, with unobtrusive seaside decor. And staff is absolutely lovely!!”

★★★★★

“Best sea food for a long time. Good friendly service. Very reasonable price. Recommend booking.”

★★★★★

“We arrived without a reservation, however the staff made us very welcome. The portions are generous, cost was also very reasonable. If you like scallops, this place is scallop heaven. Special mention to Georgia who hosted us, but all the staff were really great and attentive. This restaurant comes highly recommended. Ensure you have a reservation, it will be busy.”

★★★★★

“Absolutely fantastic seafood here, had lovely seafood platter, the best prawn cocktail I’ve ever had ( I thought I made a decent prawn cocktail, wait till you try this!), scallops, loaded fries and 2 glasses of wine..came to just over £50! can’t wait to visit again..great value 😊”

★★★★★

“here for my bday meal. the best”

★★★★★

“Loved everything about this place. Fresh, high quality, great service and overall excellent value for money.”

★★★★★

“What a lovely place. Had lunch here after a walk round some of the Island. Taste was great. Portions generous. Enjoyed hot & sticky prawns, chorizo & scallops, seafood loaded chips and bread basket with a nice bottle of Muscadet.”

★★★★★

“We have visited on several occasions. We’ve ordered everything from fish and veggies to every kind of platter. Yesterday we had 3 platters, loaded fries and assortment of starters, and a jug of Pimms. It couldn’t have been any better, or bigger! We had a short wait, but as everything is freshly prepared and it was a bank holiday, it wasn’t an issue at all. The staff are really friendly and obliging. I just wish I lived closer so I could visit more often. Great seafood and great value.”

★★★★★

“Fresh seafood. Good oysters. Decent price. Good location. Would enjoy the oysters again.”

★★★★★

“Beautiful place in a beautiful area. Would definitely come here again.”

★★★★★

“Food is super tasty and oyster are freah and a great deal. I recommend booking in advance as the place is always busy!”

★★★★★

“We have just had a fantastic food and service good priced we would definitely like to use them again”

★★★★★

“Fantastic selection of seafood, first class”

★★★★★

“Fresh and delicious seafood. Very friendly service with a smile.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic restaurant! Friendly service from the waiter and waitress that served us, very warm and accommodating without being intrusive. The food was exceptional and incredibly affordable! We were shocked at the generously sized "perfect platter", which was more than enough to feed my wife and I for only £18! All of the seafood was fresh and deliciously prepared. We'll certainly be returning!”

★★★★★

“This was the best seafood I’ve had in the UK. Large portion sizes, fresh seafood and excellent pricing. The service was also great and everyone was very friendly. Will be coming back whenever in Mersea next! Would recommend booking though because they do get fully booked quickly.”

★★★★★

“Absolutely incredible huge fresh oysters. They kindly slipped us in as that was all we wanted. 12 each, bottle of perfect wine and £1.00 each !! Best place in the whole of Mersey to eat seafood !! Seriously !!”

★★★★★

“Excellent food, service and setting!!”

★★★★★

“Only discovered this place at the end of June and been 3 times in the last 5 weeks? Fantastic fresh seafood, great staff and amazing value for money.”

★★★★★

“Lovely friendly place and good value for money.”

★★★★★

“The best seafood on the island. Quick service, great staff, incredible pricing, truly delicious food and they know how to shuck oysters which were memorable. Reservations essential.”

★★★★★

“Lovely place with a great view. The food is amazing worth a visit.”

★★★★★

“Amazing food and fantastic value. Highly recommended. Just got back and had an awesome time. Platter, oysters, loaded chips and tapas, truly awesome food”

★★★★★

“The best meal I’ve ever had, 😍 staff were so lovely and such a beautiful place, will be coming back again”

★★★★★

“Absolutely delightful, brilliant staff, amazing food c have to give special shout outs for the front of house Leila that has shown extreme dedication and professionalism in her service and throughout excitement services from the floor staff , We are served by the very cheerful Willow at our table and it does make a difference. Very fresh and value for money meal had through out! Will strongly recommend it”

★★★★★

“Lunch for 3 we had 2 perfect platters and 1 cold platter. Absolutely outstanding! Great service and platters to die for. Can not fault it at all. Delicious plentiful fresh seafood made to perfection. 3 fussy foodies were very satisfied with very generous portions and incredible value for money. We dont know how they do it for the price. Highly recommended. Don't hesitate. we'll be back.”

★★★★★

“Amazing place to eat if you love everything from the sea. Seafood platter is amazing. GF available, probably not the best place to come if you don't eat fish as limited choice of things on the menu.”

★★★★★

“I love this place. Been many times. Food has always been good, especially the crab salad! Very reasonably priced for fresh seafood.”

★★★★★

“I can't recommend this place enough. Great food and staff.”

★★★★★

“So good we went back the following day. A fantastic experience. The food is simple but delicious. And seafood loaded fries; what a thing of beauty. I cannot understand why anyone would not enjoy fresh seafood, cooked well, lovely staff and a rustic friendly environment. The addition of wine from the Mersea Island Vineyard was a perfect pairing. Highly recommend and will definitely return.”

★★★★★

“We popped in for late lunch yesterday and despite they were about to close in 15 mins due to an event, they let us in and we were allowed to stay as long as we wanted. First; the kindness of the team is exemplary. They are just genuinely lovely and that makes a difference. The food is equally as brilliant, portions are massive and taste awesome. The tapas combos are great value (and good variety) and I can highly recommend the loaded fries which was full of perfectly fried calamari and prawns, the garlicky goodness soaked the fries at the bottom, heaven.”

★★★★★

“Very nice testy oysters”

★★★★★

“What a brilliant place. We couldn't have asked for more. Firstly the food was perfect. I had the Cold Platter and my partner had the hot Platter. Both were amazing. Fresh and so tasty. Price was unbelievably reasonable. Would have paid more for it. The staff were amazing. We have a 4yr old and 8month old. They couldn't have been more accommodating. Let my 4yr old eat his own lunch we bought with us, which was very kind. When my 8month old got a bit shouty and I went to take her out so not to disturb the other guests, the staff were shocked and just said 'this is what babies do. Its not an issue' Overall a wonderful experience. Would tell anyone around there to go.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic food , even better service , did not pre book, albeit recommended.”

★★★★★

“Wonderful food, friendly, helpful staff. The service is really good and the seafood is excellent.”

★★★★★

“Amazing sea food restaurant, with fresh oysters, delicious tapas and good wine card , including local options. Close to the sea , with stunning views on the beach”

★★★★★

“Beautiful food to eaten at Seafood at Dawn. The staff couldn't help anymore then they did - fabulous service. You have to book though as its always busy.”

★★★★★

“Was really lovely staff and food was very good and fresh good portions oysters was local really good value for money would definitely go back with the family”

★★★★★

“Superb. Really great food by the coast and excellent selection of food. The platter covered it all and we had a special which was good.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic as always with an expanding choice of menu. Exceptional and friendly staff.”

★★★★★

“Wonderful food,big portions,reasonable prices and lovely staff...couldn't be nicer for a lovely fish lunch”

★★★★★

“A lovely experience visiting here, food was amazing, we had the Perfect Platter and Loaded Fries, ideal to share for 2, we will be back”

★★★★★

“Very good seafood by the sea SEAFOOD AT DAWN fast service and pleasant communication and most importantly very tasty seafood that you can take with you.”

★★★★★

“Turned up today on the off-chance and a table for 2 (plus dog) was found very quickly. The Prawn Platters were beyond delicious and our waitress was lovely. No complaints at all. Will definitely be back but will make sure I book in advance next time 😊”

★★★★★

“The freshest and tastiest food in Mersea from a small but very cosy place.”

★★★★★

“Came here tonight after a terrible experience at one of the local pubs just before (we only went there as initially couldn’t get a table here). The staff went above and beyond and were so kind to us, it made what we thought was a ruined evening, a much better one!! Excellent food as always, and even better service. Special thanks to the girl in the glasses who brought us prawns after she sat us! We’ll be back very soon! X”

★★★★★

“Another visit to this gem of a restaurant . Next to the sea, with sea fresh products. My friends were shocked that oysters were a quid each! Four or us had different starters and mains. All were thoroughly enjoyed . Too full for pudding ! Dogs are welcome in the covered outside area . Heavenly food .”

★★★★★

“Absolutely great food and lovely staff. New management seems to do well - we were very satisfied with the food, price and the friendliness of the staff. We will definitely visit again!”

★★★★★

“Lovely place - we'll worth a visit.”

★★★★★

“Bel ristorante con pesce fresco. Vale uno stop..Ottime le ostriche. Porzioni abbondanti e non particolamente costoso.”

★★★★★

“Fabulous seafood platters! Such a tasty meal with excellent service.”

★★★★★

“Ordered a seafood platter, went along to collect it and was greeted by smiling friendly staff, my platter came out and it looked great, took it home to eat it and it was so nice and tasty, i will certainly be ordering a few more in the coming months.”

★★★★★

“Great service,gorgeous fresh seafood,we had a lovely sunday afternoon”

★★★★★

“Lovely restaurant, pretty location, quality fresh seafood and very friendly attentive staff. Would recommend and visit again!”

★★★★★

“Fantastic food and lots of it all at a very reasonable price. Staff very pleasant and knowledgeable of the food on offer. All in all a very pleasant experience.”

★★★★★

“Had a lovely lunch here today. We hadn't booked but that wasn't a problem. Lovely food and very good service. Staff very friendly. Hope to be back.”

★★★★★

“Thai place is a true Gem. The food is INSANE! Some of the best seafood we’ve had and we come from Cape Town - so that says a lot. The staff are helpful and friendly, they restraint is spotless and als decorated to taste. Highly recommend”

★★★★★

“Fantastic restaurant great food that's well priced and excellent staff. Will definitely be going again”

★★★★★

“Easy to find location with parking. Greeted at the door and served by really kind and friendly staff. Food came very quickly and was delicious. Great prices for what you get. Very clean and tidy. I have already recommend to friends and family. We will visit again. Thank you so much.”

★★★★★

“Shared a fantastic platter and loaded fries with my husband, while Mother in law had skate wing and son had seafood linguine. Generous portions, friendly staff, excellent Mersea wine to accompany. Can't wait to come again!”

★★★★★

“Such good seafood!! Everything was delicious, the service was great. We really enjoyed the local Mersea Island wine too.”

★★★★★

“Very friendly stuff, a must place to visit”

★★★★★

“With great service and fantastic seafood dishes. This was my first visit and I intend to go back many times.😁”

★★★★★

“Consistently excellent food and service. The selection and quality of the seafood are outstanding, and everything is always cooked perfectly. We have dined here at least ten times and have recommended it to friends and family; everyone has been just as pleased.”

★★★★★

“Absolutely delicious food. Friendly staff, and a nice environment. Highly recommended and good value for money. Food was fresh, tasty, and very well presented. 6 out of 5.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic seafood restaurant. Superb service from Friendly Staff. Highly recommended.”

★★★★★

“Delicious and great selection of fresh seafood, great services. Generous portion. Best seafood restaurant in West Mersea.”

★★★★★

“Amazing restaurant…. Food out of the world lovely . Fresh hot , big portions just fantastic. Staff were brilliant… service 1100% ….. loved this place, you love fish , you will love it . Wine was quite special .”

★★★★★

“Fantastic, food and staff all superb, fab afternoon birthday celebration 🎂 thank you. Highly recommend and will be back.”

★★★★★

“Lovely seafood restaurant. Good value and great food.”

★★★★★

“Great fresh seafood with friendly quick service”

★★★★★

“Lovely restaurant in a great location. Plenty of seating outside in the cold. The restaurant inside was busy so thankfully a table became available and we were moved indoors. Nice atmosphere and efficient waitresses.”

★★★★★

“Great place with amazing fresh seafood”

★★★★★

“Rustic with charming waterfront spot. Super fresh seafood. Very friendly. A great place to eat.”

★★★★★

“A must-eat seafood restaurant, and I take no prisoners for this statement. Fresh, just caught seafood, famous local oysters, and surprisingly tasty local wines make it an absolute pearl of Essex for eating out (pun intended, he he). Do book ahead as the place is very popular. It's also very pretty, with unobtrusive seaside decor. And staff is absolutely lovely!!”

★★★★★

“Best sea food for a long time. Good friendly service. Very reasonable price. Recommend booking.”

★★★★★

“We arrived without a reservation, however the staff made us very welcome. The portions are generous, cost was also very reasonable. If you like scallops, this place is scallop heaven. Special mention to Georgia who hosted us, but all the staff were really great and attentive. This restaurant comes highly recommended. Ensure you have a reservation, it will be busy.”

★★★★★

“Absolutely fantastic seafood here, had lovely seafood platter, the best prawn cocktail I’ve ever had ( I thought I made a decent prawn cocktail, wait till you try this!), scallops, loaded fries and 2 glasses of wine..came to just over £50! can’t wait to visit again..great value 😊”

★★★★★

“here for my bday meal. the best”

★★★★★

“Loved everything about this place. Fresh, high quality, great service and overall excellent value for money.”

★★★★★

“What a lovely place. Had lunch here after a walk round some of the Island. Taste was great. Portions generous. Enjoyed hot & sticky prawns, chorizo & scallops, seafood loaded chips and bread basket with a nice bottle of Muscadet.”

★★★★★

“We have visited on several occasions. We’ve ordered everything from fish and veggies to every kind of platter. Yesterday we had 3 platters, loaded fries and assortment of starters, and a jug of Pimms. It couldn’t have been any better, or bigger! We had a short wait, but as everything is freshly prepared and it was a bank holiday, it wasn’t an issue at all. The staff are really friendly and obliging. I just wish I lived closer so I could visit more often. Great seafood and great value.”

★★★★★

“Fresh seafood. Good oysters. Decent price. Good location. Would enjoy the oysters again.”

★★★★★

“Beautiful place in a beautiful area. Would definitely come here again.”

★★★★★

“Food is super tasty and oyster are freah and a great deal. I recommend booking in advance as the place is always busy!”

★★★★★

“We have just had a fantastic food and service good priced we would definitely like to use them again”

★★★★★

“Fantastic selection of seafood, first class”

★★★★★

“Fresh and delicious seafood. Very friendly service with a smile.”

★★★★★

“Fantastic restaurant! Friendly service from the waiter and waitress that served us, very warm and accommodating without being intrusive. The food was exceptional and incredibly affordable! We were shocked at the generously sized "perfect platter", which was more than enough to feed my wife and I for only £18! All of the seafood was fresh and deliciously prepared. We'll certainly be returning!”

★★★★★

“This was the best seafood I’ve had in the UK. Large portion sizes, fresh seafood and excellent pricing. The service was also great and everyone was very friendly. Will be coming back whenever in Mersea next! Would recommend booking though because they do get fully booked quickly.”

★★★★★

“Absolutely incredible huge fresh oysters. They kindly slipped us in as that was all we wanted. 12 each, bottle of perfect wine and £1.00 each !! Best place in the whole of Mersey to eat seafood !! Seriously !!”

★★★★★

“Excellent food, service and setting!!”

★★★★★

“Only discovered this place at the end of June and been 3 times in the last 5 weeks? Fantastic fresh seafood, great staff and amazing value for money.”

★★★★★

“Lovely friendly place and good value for money.”

★★★★★

“The best seafood on the island. Quick service, great staff, incredible pricing, truly delicious food and they know how to shuck oysters which were memorable. Reservations essential.”

★★★★★

“Lovely place with a great view. The food is amazing worth a visit.”

★★★★★

“Amazing food and fantastic value. Highly recommended. Just got back and had an awesome time. Platter, oysters, loaded chips and tapas, truly awesome food”

★★★★★

“The best meal I’ve ever had, 😍 staff were so lovely and such a beautiful place, will be coming back again”

★★★★★

“Absolutely delightful, brilliant staff, amazing food c have to give special shout outs for the front of house Leila that has shown extreme dedication and professionalism in her service and throughout excitement services from the floor staff , We are served by the very cheerful Willow at our table and it does make a difference. Very fresh and value for money meal had through out! Will strongly recommend it”

★★★★★