Shortlist: Nine Restaurants In Hornchurch That Locals Love!

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Last updated on October 18, 2022 by Wandering our World

We’ve always enjoyed our visits to Hornchurch. This town not only boasts lovely green spaces such as Hornchurch Country Park which is bustling with wildlife and is perfect for dog walkers, but it’s also a great place for history buffs thanks to the wonderful RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre.

Thankfully there’s many great restaurants in Hornchurch too, perfect for dining at before heading to the Queen’s Theatre, or grabbing lunch after wandering Hornchurch Country Park.

As we know this place so well, we have picked out what we believe are the ten best restaurants in Hornchurch for food and dining experiences. So whether you’re after fine dining or that perfect cup of tea and homemade cake, we’ve got you covered. Bon appetit!  

Chef adding drizzle to fine dining plate
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kuzmin

Nine Fantastic Restaurants In Hornchurch: Food Worth Waiting For

1. Parkside Brasserie 

A soon as you enter you can sense it; Parkside Brasserie offers the best French cuisine in Hornchurch.  

Delicious smells waft through the air as you walk through the door, where you will be welcomed by the friendly staff at this family run restaurant.

It’s cosy and warm and the set up is perfect for both a date night or a family gathering. The menu isn’t extensive, after all owners Scott and Helen would rather make sure every dish is made exceptionally well. And that only happens when you become an expert in each dish rather than ‘just good’ at creating many.

French Onion Soup or the Grilled Goats Cheese, Bhuna Aubergine & Crispy Kale Salad are some great starting options.

As for mains, one of the most popular dishes, and one you’ll likely see people order when you visit, is the Steamed Shetland Mussels. But if seafood isn’t your thing, we’d recommend the Rib Eye Steak or Duck Breast.

This place doesn’t just shine when it comes to the food though. The wine list was curated to ensure there’s a pairing perfect for each main course. If you’re unsure don’t be afraid to ask for some guidance – the staff are more than happy to make recommendations.

If you’ve ordered a bottle you may want to start off with nibbles before a starter, we’d recommend sharing the bread basket.

Address: 194 Elm Park Avenue, Hornchurch, RM12 4SD 

Mussels and fries display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/AnnaPustynnikova

2. Lefke

Lefke say they are different and proud of that – and they’re not wrong.

The theme here is Turkish/ Mediterranean/BBQ/party. You read that right – it’s quite a unique mix!

Ambient lighting and antique looking fixtures give a sense of authenticity, while the welcoming staff make it clear from the start that they’re there to make sure you have a memorable evening.

Don’t be surprised if halfway through your meal a belly dancer appears or a DJ starts playing – they love entertaining customers here. Once the music starts it’ll often run till 1am to give everyone a chance to dance. 

Plus every week there is a ladies night filled with entertainment and even bottomless prosecco.

So what about the food? A mixture of vegetarian and sea food options start the menu off well, and we’d recommend the Garlic Mushrooms as they’re packed with flavour. The charcoal grill provides Turkish classics like chicken or lamb shish, alongside wings and ribs. Of course there are vegetarian grill options too, and moussaka to ensure there’s something for everyone.  

Address: 30 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2AD

Selection of Turkish dishes
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Yulia Gusterina

3. Shish Meze

Perhaps you want somewhere more formal to enjoy some amazing Turkish food. If so you’re in for a treat at Shish Meze.  

From the second you walk in the door you’ll be taken back by the luxury seating, chandeliers and stunning mezzanine. Smiling staff will welcome you like they’ve known you your whole life and quickly get you settled in. It doesn’t matter if you are two people, or dining in a large group, service is always impeccable.

The menu is extensive as they want to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy and that all dietary requirements are met. Of course for a Turkish classic we’d recommend the Mixed Shish. But the Falafel, served with hummus, rice and salad, is an absolute must try too.

All food is freshly made using locally sourced ingredients, then marinaded and cooked over charcoal to give a tender dish with a unique flavour. All of which you can watch with your own eyes as the kitchen is open plan. Sounds good right?

The drinks menu is as big as the food menu, and we will go out on a limb here and say that the best cocktails in Hornchurch are served at Shish Meze. So if you’re looking for great grilled food and cocktails, this is probably one of the best restaurants in Hornchurch for you.

Address: 2 Berther Road‎, Hornchurch, RM11 3HS

Chef cooking
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

4. Riennas

All over the world food brings families and friends together, and Riennas are dedicated to creating exciting seafood, chicken and steak dishes that make you want to sit and dine together.  

Cosy, but without feeling overcrowded, and filled with natural light from all the glass panels on the front of the building, this place feels stylish. The wooden tables are classy and the food beautifully plated.

Pretty much everything on their menu is worth trying, but for starters we’d recommend either the Soup of the Day (which always seems to be fantastic), or the Tiger Prawns in Piri Piri Sauce.

Mains of Smoked Haddock and Pork Belly stand out on the menu, or you could opt for something special like Oysters, Lobster or Steak. There is a fantastic wine list to accompany your meal, and if you’re still hungry afterwards then the dessert menu will likely satisfy.  

Address: 196 High Street, Hornchurch RM12 6QP

seafood sharing
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Dmitriy Galaganov

5. Tea Island

Conveniently located on the high street in Hornchurch, Tea Island is the perfect place to pop in and take a load off your feet when you’re out shopping.

The quaint vintage feel here is complimented by background music from the 60s – it’s a unique, homely place. Tea Island have many different types of tea on offer, but of course tea isn’t everyone’s cup of ‘tea’, so there are coffees and hot chocolate available too.

They’ve got a hearty lunch menu as well, with a selection of sandwiches available from a classic Ploughman’s to Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese. If the weather’s nice then why not enjoy your meal on their outside terrace.

If you book in advance, you’ll be able to experience their ever-popular Afternoon Tea. For a fixed price you’ll enjoy two sandwiches, a scone with clotted cream and jam, a large slice of cake and refillable English tea, earl grey or coffee.

And if you’re lucky enough to pass by on a Friday evening you’ll notice that sometimes they transform the tea room into a cosy wine bar offering fine wine, spirits and beer. This is definitely one of the most quaint restaurants in Hornchurch, and well worth visiting!

Address: 168 High Street, Hornchurch RM12 6AF 

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Aiselin82

6. The Jobbers Rest

Gastropub – a pub, bar or tavern that offers meals of high quality. 

The Jobbers Rest have not only taken that concept but improved on it. Let’s not beat around the bush – this is a fine dining experience with very fair prices.  

Every part of this restaurant is beautifully decorated from the wallpaper to the lighting fixtures which add a rustic feel, alongside the wooden tables and chairs. For extra comfort there are one sided booths which are ideal for families.

European and British dishes dominate the menu, and the Cheese Soufflé is a wonderful way to start things off. Then we would recommend ordering the Beef & Ale Pie or Halloumi Burger for your main.

There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, including desserts such as Poached Pear and Apple Crumble. Children are more than welcome here too and have their own dedicated menu.

As an added bonus the lovely bar area is dog friendly and there’s an area outside for them too. The Jobber’s Rest is a little outside of Hornchurch – in Upminster – but it’s definitely worth the short journey.

Address: St. Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 3LT

Beer and burger display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/NatashaPhoto

7. Tarantino

We are lovers of Italian food so were delighted when we found the award-winning Tarantino located on the High Street.

Seasonal flowers, murals decorating the wall, imported Italian wine and the smell of traditional food filling the air creates an atmosphere that cannot be missed. There’s also seating available outside for those sunny days.

The Bottomless Brunch here is very popular, and you’ll get appetisers plus any main & bottomless prosecco from midday till 4pm.

Most Friday and Saturdays there will also be live music in the evenings. So if you’re looking for fantastic Italian food with a side of entertainment, then this will be one of the best restaurants in Hornchurch for you. However it’s best to call ahead to check what’s on to avoid disappointment as live music isn’t guaranteed on every weekend.

This is somewhere you’ll want to take your time and enjoy every moment, and the staff will happily recommend a wine for you from the fantastic drinks menu.

Once you’ve picked your wine, we recommend starting off with the Italian Meatballs or Grilled Goats Cheese on a bed of rocket. You’ll of course find the full range of pizzas you’d expect at an Italian restaurant, plus the a few different dishes too – like the Hot Dog Pizza topped with chips!

There are plenty of pasta dishes to choose from too, alongside fish and steak. This is easily one of our favourite restaurants in Hornchurch.

Address: 51 High Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TP

Different Italian dishes display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/VeselovaElena

8. Tandoori Lounge

Tandoori Lounge isn’t just a curry house; it feels like it’s at the forefront of a flavour revolution!

This may be the only Indian restaurant in Hornchurch where you’ll find authentic food which is not only delicious, but also helps educate and change preferences. It’s multi-award winning too, so you know this is Indian cuisine at it’s very best.

There are plenty of vegetarian options on the main menu and separate vegan and gluten free menus too. But for us the Special Lamb cooked in traditional Punjabi style gravy was spectacular. It goes well with the Garlic Naan, or try their ‘Naan of Fire’ if you love spice – it’s loaded with chillies! 

If you’re lucky enough you’ll may end up visiting on one of their popular jazz evenings where they have live musicians.

Address: 185 High Street, Hornchurch,  RM11 3XS

Indian food display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/LunaMarina

9. The Bull

We all need somewhere informal to go from time to time, whether that’s to just have a drink and watch sports in a friendly environment, or to enjoy a cosy family meal and good conversation. The Bull, in nearby Romford, with it’s array of international cuisine and comfort food may be the perfect place for casual laid-back dining.

Nachos, stone-baked pizzas, burgers and wings are just some of the delicious main menu options. There is a separate vegan and vegetarian menu as well, with options like their so-called ‘drunken mushrooms’, nachos and pizzas.

Children can pick from their own dedicated menu too, and will be given puzzles and colouring in books to keep them entertained while they wait!

Most days there is a deal to be had here such as bottomless pizza, pints or prosecco for only £25. Monday to Thursday 5-7pm you can enjoy the after work special where you can get an item from the tapas menu with a drink for £3! Of course the drinks selection here is fantastic – it’s a pub after all – so make sure you enjoy a local craft ale (or two).

While for special events such as St Patrick’s Day there’s always a party at The Bull with live music and fancy dress.

Address: 74-76 Market Place, Romford, RM1 3ER

Stone baked pizza
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/JulyProkopiv

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