Food Leigh-on-Sea
An unassuming gem offering Michelin-level tasting menus with a focus on healthy, locally sourced, organic ingredients.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Food Leigh-on-Sea
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An unassuming gem offering Michelin-level tasting menus with a focus on healthy, locally sourced, organic ingredients.
"An extraordinary value tasting menu offers a unique gastronomic experience."
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as this popular spot can get busy.
Embrace the Tasting Menu
Opt for the tasting menu for an unforgettable culinary journey through thoughtfully crafted small plates.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Health food restaurant
Price
$$$
Phone
+44 1702 478477
Address
92 Leigh Rd, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1BU, United Kingdom
Website
foodbyjohnlawson.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Michelin-Quality Tasting Menu
Experience sensational, locally sourced flavors with a tasting menu that's both inventive and health-conscious. A true culinary journey.
Holistic, Organic Dining
Savor dishes crafted from ingredients sourced within a 25-mile radius, emphasizing seasonal produce and healthy eating without compromising taste.
Chef's Culinary Transformation
Discover inventive dishes from Chef John Lawson, whose personal journey has led to a unique and delicious approach to healthy, flavor-packed food.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as this popular spot can get busy.
Embrace the Tasting Menu
Opt for the tasting menu for an unforgettable culinary journey through thoughtfully crafted small plates.
Seasonal Exploration
Visit in different seasons to discover new creations inspired by the freshest seasonal produce.
Don't Fear the New
Be open to trying new flavor combinations, you might be pleasantly surprised!
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended as this popular spot can get busy.
Embrace the Tasting Menu
Opt for the tasting menu for an unforgettable culinary journey through thoughtfully crafted small plates.
Seasonal Exploration
Visit in different seasons to discover new creations inspired by the freshest seasonal produce.
Don't Fear the New
Be open to trying new flavor combinations, you might be pleasantly surprised!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Food Leigh-on-Sea offers a unique dining experience with many praising its Michelin-quality tasting menus and focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Diners appreciate the inventive flavors and healthy approach. However, some reviews mention high prices and inconsistent service, with a few customers experiencing issues with value for money on simpler items.
"Fantastic overall, great team and very friendly.
I tried a lot of new things tonight that I would have never picked from a standard menu. Did I love everything? No, however, I appreciated the opportunity to try something new to my palette and I was very pleasantly surprised in each course. Of which, each course was cooked to perfection and looked incredible. Lots of attention to detail.
If you’re reading this and are a bit anxious about the menu, don’t be, I was. I can only describe the experience akin to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory but as a fine dining culinary experience.
5* all around.
Well done."
Sam Journet
"What a little gem!!! FOOD is a fantastic little restaurant, and rightly, it is featured in 2025 Michelin guide. The tasting menu was amazing, and Gemma certainly sold every dish. Her knowledge was very good, and her description of each dish was 1st class. The wine pairing added to the whole experience, and it was nice to have the perfect partner to each dish. The restaurant was pretty much full, but the way the tables are set up, you are in your group and not too close to other diners, which can at times be annoying. I felt our experience was enhanced by the table position. The staff were all very good and attentive and nothing was too much. They even redone a dish so I could get a picture I'd missed!!! We will definitely return.
TY
Alan, Tan, Lee, Char, Nicola, and Noel."
Alan Sneddon
"First visit to Leigh-on-Sea and we discovered this gem of a restaurant! Had the most fabulous lunch from the menu du jour with a glass of delicious Brut Natur cava! Service was exceptional and we can’t wait to visit again soon!"
Margo Steeden
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant focuses on health-conscious, locally sourced, and organic ingredients, with a seasonal menu that emphasizes flavor and well-being.
There is no set menu; the restaurant offers small plates and tasting menus that change based on seasonal produce.
The menu is designed around seasonal produce, and while not explicitly stated, the focus on fresh ingredients often accommodates dietary preferences. It's best to inquire directly.
Yes, reservations are recommended as the restaurant can be quite busy.
The tasting menus can be a significant investment, reflecting the Michelin-guide quality, though some reviews mention higher prices for simpler items.
Chef John Lawson's personal journey has influenced the menu, focusing on inventive dishes that are both healthy and exceptionally flavorful.
Mentioned in
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2022 Review: A “really quirky, excellent local restaurant serving food that is designed for the health- conscious… it’s a bit of a shock not having everything slathered in butter and salt, but it’s inventive and delicious” nonetheless – and the result of something of a conversion for chef John Lawson, who was riding high as a Ramsay ally when he was diagnosed with cancer. His “delicious” and “extraordinary value” tasting menus (four courses £52 on Friday, six courses £68 on Saturday) make for a “quite exceptional gastronomic experience” by all accounts.
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