CITY OF COLCESTER OO Gauge Model Railway
What a lovely pub recommended by my sister, I went in on a hot, busy Sunday in September 2023.
I had what has to be the best Buttermilk Chicken burger with chips I have ever had, delicious!!!
Washed down with a delightful Doombar shandy (I was driving) to complete the meal.
This lovely old building is situated next to the bridge on the A143 with a beer garden and a Riverside location.
Even though they were busy, my meal was served quickly, and the staff were not only polite but very professional, too.
I would love to say that I hope this is not my once and only visit as I'm sure I will return when I'm back in the area again...
simon boor
I think this might have been my first visit to this pub? We only went here because the blundeston plough had cashed up the till at 9pm and wouldn't serve us. There was a small group of people at the far end who looked like they had been out for a meal. Apart from that we were the only other customers. This meant there was plenty of room in the car park and we could sit wherever we wanted. I liked the outside speaker as we approached the entrance you could hear music. It wasn't clear which way to turn when we entered but we went left which turned out to be OK. We only stayed for one drink but it seemed like a nice place, lots of character, nicely decorated. I expect it gets busy in the summer with people mooring up on the river next to it.
Will Thompson
Stopped by while on a boat cruise. I quite fancied some fish n chips and seeing these are on the menu went for them not expecting much. How wrong I was.... one of the best fish n chips I've had out!! Fish was beautiful and super fresh with excellent chips too. Now I'd like to try some of their other homemade dishes. An added bonus (for me) is blue moon on tap :) I'm very impressed! Highly recommended
Andy Messenger
Great location next to river. Good selection of Lagers,but not my favourite selection of real ales. The food was very good,with the Steak and Ale pie being superb,with plenty of meat.
Santosh Kirve
We had a lovely Sunday lunch here while on a holiday in Norfolk. The food was delicious and the service was very quick! The location by the riverside is very scenic - we even did the Two lighthouse walk nearby.
My son loved the buttermilk chicken burger. He found it crispy outside and very tender inside. He rates it as the best buttermilk chicken burger he has ever eaten! Thank you, Bell Inn.
Ian Fulcher
Love the Bell at St Olaves next to River Waveney. The food is wholesome pub grub, served with a smile and in generous portion s. Don't expect posh food. It is reasonably priced. It's big draw is the riverside Lawn with dozens of tables with a great view. Lovely in great weather although the dining room and pub are comfortable.
Shirley Palmer
Really lovely pub and great food. It can get busy but they have lots of tables outside next to the river. Very reasonably priced food, the portion size is good. Drinks can be a little pricey though but will definitely go back.
Derek Walsh
Called in at lunchtime. Staff very helpful, food very good, would call there again if in the area. Good place to stop.
charlotte penny
Amazing pub with views to die for and enough seating for everyone. Order at the bar and food arrives before you've even had time to sit down. Fast service with great pub grub is always a bonus on a warm summers night enjoying the views by the river. Ide recommended the Bell Inn to anyone looking for a good meal and easy dining.
Gareth H
Amazing food! Good quality. Really good service and friendly staff, location beautiful. Highly recommend making a reservation. Will return on our next holiday in Norfolk.
Mike Thorold
Great location close to river with a few tables on that side at rear even more tables for alfresco meals was on my wheelchair booked table via their on line booking system very easy. Called to confirm access for chair they said they would put ramp over door threshold just before we arrived and they did. Good selection of food available at reasonable price. Food of good quality delivered quickly. Don't leave it go and see for yourself. It's a hit for my wife and I.
julie alex
Lovely waterside pub if the weather had been warmer and drier it would have been beautiful. We had fish and chips and it was delicious , friendly service. Rooms were cold
Kevin Bennett
Lovely day visiting the pub on a day boat from oulton broad. Sat out in the large beer garden. Great selection of drink and food. Food was superb, obviously fully homed prepared and cooked.
Rod Holroyd
Just passing by and decided to stop for lunch. Best decision of the day. Service was spot on and really quick despite it being fairly busy. We just had a ploughman's cheese and ham with granary bread and all the trimmings. It was superb with good mature cheddar and proper thick ham slices. There was a really good wide ranging menu which would suit anyone. Excellent. And not even mentioned the setting by the river.
James Pearson
A favourite of ours on The Broads and we always make time for a visit or two! Very pretty at night to moor up outside with the lights in the garden. Great food, diverse menu, good adaptation for COVID and very pleasant staff. The app is good for ordering and the outdoor area is also very large with quite a bit of it covered too. Definatley visit here if you are passing St Olaves!
Jovita L.
Friendly staff, dogs welcome, which is a big plus for us. Food portions are very big, struggled to eat it all. Looked really nice and cosy outdoors, lots of seating choice inside and out. Located by the broads.
Christine Gunn
We had a lovely traditional Sunday lunch here although all their food looked delicious. There was some live music on outside with someone playing saxophone and a flute and singing to some great tunes! We could have stayed all afternoon but we had to move on to our next stop (we were on a boat) . Would highly recommend.
Sue Harvey
Superb place.. Lovely food and helpful staff, allergy friendly for our little ones with a very good allergy menu, we were highly impressed. Second visit, and even better I recommend the homemade steak and ale pie it's gorgeous!! And the length our staff member Sandra made to help with allergies was amazing, I recommend best pub and restaurant in the area for dairy and egg free food for kids, couldn't do enough for us including a toy box for our kiddie to use. Well done bell Inn you impressed us again with gorgeous grub! Good beer too may I add! Thanks
Sheryl Allright
Fab food massive piece of fish and hubby had homemade steak pie plus we are greedy and had the platter absolutely delicious, friendly staff too top notch
Clarke Angela
Amazing Amazing Home cooked food and the hand cut chips are the best . The Food was presented really great and customer service 100% .
Would highly recommend.
Sarah Louise
Just back from what should have been a lovely family lunch by the river on a beautiful day. The scenery was spot on but unfortunately that was the only thing that was. Super disappointed with the food and the overall service � my roast dinner was sooooooo disappointing as the turkey was just bone and fat and really should not have been served as it was! It looked horrendous and not at all edible. when i complained (which I literally have never done at restaurants as I’m really not a fussy eater) the lady completely agreed and apologised (and seemed quite genuine) however when I told her to complain to the kitchen for me she then simply told me that they apologised but said that they hoped I enjoyed the rest of the meal!!!!! I just smiled as wasn’t sure how to take it but I’m sure I sensed sarcasm in there?!?! The bar itself was boiling and heaving and it took forever to get a drink. when I finally ordered and paid for my drinks at the bar I then had to wait literally 30 mins for a pint of Carlsberg before finally being told to order something else as the carlsberg wasn’t working. To then top off the afternoon the baby had a poop and needed changing and after searching for the baby change I was then informed there was no baby changing in the building �� I had to change my 6 month old on the grass outside surrounded by the million wasps that accompanied each customer at their individual tables! Not fun!! I really am not one to moan but I went to the bell inn to have a relaxing family lunch and came away a lot more frustrated and stressed than when I went �
Tracey Cook
I came here for the Valentine's meal and absolutely loved it!! Fantastic food cooked to perfection, friendly, helpful staff and great atmosphere. Fully recommended this place either for a meal or just a social drink. Well done The Bell xxx
Bob Gell
22/06/2018
Had a very busy day it started at 06:30 straight to work didn't get brekky till 10:00 missed lunch. Got home at 5 pm my Partner had packed for the weekend so we jumped in the car and left Colchester for our boat. We had a bag of crisps on the way and arrived at the marina at 7:15pm; readied the boat and got underway. We moored at St Olaves at 8:40 pm looking forward to a good meal at the Bell. We walked from the mooring on the downstream side of the bridge and arrived at the bar to order food at 8:48 pm only to be told that food orders end at 8:45pm we reasoned with the staff stating that food was advertised on the notice outside as being served until 9pm; the website states this too. So why were we given the curt answer from the female member of the restaurant staff that they stopped taking orders at 8:45 pm and if we had any complaints we should refer them to the pub manager. Well here's our complaint.
Belinda Baxter
Had a lovely breakfast all washed down with a lush latte. Food was well presented and piping hot, as was the latte. Definitely recommend.
Stacey-bettina Fellingham
Had a lovely meal best homemade food. We had a table of 12 and staff were organised no delay on food and drinks very warm and friendly atmosphere
Kaye Nichols
Good pub grub, serving a very hearty pub menu, covering all the traditional pub classics and more. Definitely satisfy's your hunger!
Michelle Hewitt
Fantastic starters shared platter could have had that as my main meal had the curry for main was lovely wish had just rice and not the chips which where lovely but more like wedges/roast potatoes, which would have been perfect with a Sunday roast.
Staff and service friendly and excellent
Hannah Rose Taylor
Lovely meal for Father’s Day � prompt service on a busy day and lovely food � perfect for my dad who loves traditional meals like steak and ale pie �
Laura Calnan
I’ve always loved this place. The staff are so friendly and the food is exceptional for the price.
Julie Lilley
Lovely pub with warm friendly staff. Homecooked meals very tasty. Would recommend. �
Pauline Synnott
Lovely meal with excellent fresh vegetables and good helping of meat. Live music was a fantastic surprise and just perfect for a sunny Sunday. Not our first time here, nor our last. Very reasonably priced. Hard to beat.
Emma George
Looks soooooo pretty with the new lights, food amazing, staff lovely and views spectacular x
Sian Wade
Had dinner there Friday night and it was delicious. Friendly staff and atmosphere. Great food and glorious setting. Thank you xx
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