Blue Strawberry Bistrot - Chelmsford

Charlotte T.

We visited for the Christmas menu and was disappointed by the main food.

The service was first class and everyone was lovely, nothing was too much effort.

There was warm bread to start which was lovely followed by our starters which were delicious and well portioned.

We had a Christmas dinner and it looked and tasted sorry for itself. The potatoes weren’t crispy, fresh veg was mushy and not festive, I would have expected a Christmas dinner to come with a Yorkshire pudding, sprout, parsnip or even a piece of broccoli but they was missing. The home made sausage and meat were mushy also.

My friend has a steak which was m/r but arrived tough along with undercooked chips.

Staff were very accommodating towards my vegan friend where they offered many options which was refreshing to see. Staff also welcomed changes in the menu for pregnant ladies to change which was great.

We was sat in a lovely room, on a square table so we could all chat. The venue was lovely and festive, crackers on the table on arrival.

Samantha M.

We love our Sunday lunches at The Blue Strawberry. Sundays are always a highlight for us. Huge thank you for always taking great care of us with top service as always. Much appreciated 🥰

Trish G.

Lovely restaurant with a good menu. Food was good & friendly service. You can sit downstairs or upstairs or in the garden.

Sue A.

Absolutely love this restaurant. The staff are of a high standard and nothing is too much trouble, They are attentive but without being too pushy.
The atmosphere is just right as I find crowded restaurants too noisy but this set up is perfect. The decor is lovely too. The food is amazing. Always served fresh and hot. Highly recommend the roasts and the pavlova.

Ted G.

Amazing place for main lunch! Food was very high quality and service was quick, friendly and professional. The buildings interior was beautiful and well decorated. I highly recommend coming here if you’re in the area!

Liz G.

I've hosted Essex Wine School Wine Tasting events on a Saturday afternoon at The Blue Strawberry for the last year or so. The food is always excellent, with a different menu every time. The service is friendly and ever present without being intrusive. The staff are all so helpful, the food is top notch and excellent value for money to boot. Many of my customers rebook as they know they're in for a treat. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you so much to the whole team at the Blue Strawberry, I look forward to seeing you again in a couple of months!

Kaspars B.

We visited this restaurant based on a recommendation, choosing it to celebrate my wife’s birthday. I had fairly high hopes, and as is often the case, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment when things fall short.

The Good:
The staff were fantastic—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The atmosphere was pleasant, and we felt comfortable from the moment we arrived. This aspect truly added to the experience.

The Food:
Here’s where things went a bit awry. While the food was okay, it didn’t justify the price or match the expectations set by the restaurant’s reputation. The waitress didn’t fully explain the dishes, and some of what we ordered was underwhelming. It wasn’t particularly refined or “gourmet,” and overall, the flavours were disappointing. Most dishes were overly salty with a bland undertone, leaving us unimpressed. It wasn’t bad, per se, but it certainly didn’t live up to the standard you’d expect at this price point.

The Exit:
This was perhaps the most frustrating part. To leave the restaurant, we had to navigate through a busy bar that resembled a typical pub, full of people enjoying pints. It was far from ideal, especially with a 4-year-old in tow. Why isn’t there a separate exit for restaurant patrons? It felt chaotic and out of place, which detracted from the overall experience.

Overall:
In the end, I felt let down. We spent a significant amount of money, and while it didn’t ruin the evening—the staff’s friendliness ensured that—the food fell short, and the exit experience through a packed bar left a sour taste. Unfortunately, it’s not somewhere I’d return to or recommend to others.

Crystal L.

We had the skate wing, plus the set menu of pork noodles and chicken. All is very delicious. The skate wing is very lightly battered, so the flesh is light and tender, not soaked in butter. It's a giant piece, perfectly paired with capers. Pork noodle is slightly too sweet for hubby's taste but he liked it nevertheless. Highly recommended.