The Bell - Maldon

The restaurant offers delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff. The charming log fire adds to the ambiance. The menu has a wide selection of dishes, including daily specials. The restaurant is also dog-friendly.

We had booked a table for Sunday dinner based on recommendations about the Bell's food. We were seated at a small table in the corner and ordered starters and mains from the blackboard. The starters arrived promptly, but we had to wait for cutlery and condiments. The salt and pepper shakers were empty and the mayonnaise looked questionable, so we didn't use it. Our main meals, sea bass and roast belly of pork, were disappointing. The vegetables were either undercooked or overcooked, with one dish appearing to have been sitting under a hot lamp for too long. The roast potatoes were dry and hard, and the pork was inedible. We were disappointed with the quality of the food and asked for my wife's meal to be removed from the bill. The staff defended the food, saying that's how they cook there and that no one else had complained. Overall, we were unimpressed and won't be returning. The chef should not have let food like that leave the kitchen.

I tried the mixed grill and it was incredibly tasty. The view was amazing! The service was excellent, I would definitely recommend this place!

Ok, local might be pushing it and it's just over 13 miles as the crow drives, but is certainly one of our favourites. Tina and Paul should be honoured as we don't bring just anyone to this Pub. So what makes this pub so good, apart from the Great Food, nice beer, friendly staff? Mainly the manageress, she really takes customer service to the next level. Even though my wife and I are not regular visiters, she remembers us. What we ordered last time, what I ordered the first time as apparently I'm known as Mr Ploughmans, but remembered when we visited on a Christmas eve and sat at the bar to eat and chat to the locals. That is what really makes this pub special, the connection all the staff seem to have with the customers. Oh, I almost forgot. Gus.. Let's not forget Gus. Gus is the pub's dog and he's lovely. Yes I know he's just badgering us for food, but I like to think he actually likes us.. I have a couple of photos to attach to this review. One if of Gus and the other of the cheese board for afters. I was having far too much time to remember to take a photo of my mains. If you can visit here, please do as you will not be disappointed.

The bell has been a well loved local of ours for years both for a pint or two or a family meal, friendly staff and service with good food. Me and my wife still intend to make the journey for a lunch visit here and there even after moving out the area, thank you everyone at the bell