The Crooked Billet — Restaurant in England

The Crooked Billet in Leigh-on-Sea is an inviting spot, blending traditional pub charm with delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere. Located on High Street, this pub-restaurant features rustic wooden floors and an ambiance that feels both cozy and welcoming. The staff are warm and attentive, adding to the overall friendly experience.

On our recent visit, we enjoyed two pints of Guinness alongside hearty dishes that exceeded our expectations. The classic “bangers and mash” – sausages with creamy mashed potatoes – was perfectly seasoned, a true comfort food with just the right balance of flavors. We also ordered the sea bass, which came with a delightful combination of young potatoes, prawns, and clams. The seafood was fresh and beautifully cooked, pairing well with the soft texture of the potatoes.

One of the pub’s standout features is its view overlooking the Thames estuary. Whether inside or out, guests can enjoy scenic glimpses of the water, which adds a refreshing touch to the atmosphere, especially on sunny days. The pub is always bustling with locals and visitors alike, making it a lively place to enjoy a meal or a drink with friends or family.

The Crooked Billet also serves an impressive selection of real ales, making it a great choice for those looking to experience traditional British drinks alongside satisfying pub fare. As regular visitors, we highly recommend The Crooked Billet for its delightful mix of ambiance, food quality, and fantastic views – a genuine gem in...

Credit where credit due. Myself with a friend and her son needed a drink, myself a cup of tea (such a British thing to do). We had just walked 9 miles to Benfleet and Back via the estuary and Hadleigh Castle routes. We had also taken a did in the sea to cool down as it was Sunday and extremely hot.

We went in and the person in the room saw us and instantly knew we were struggling in the heat and looked worn and fatigued. Joe was the member of staffs name and he was the ultimate professional from start to finish. We ordered some drinks and he kindly gave us some iced water as well, absolutely brilliant.

We were not going to eat there but my friend and her son were a bit peckish and had stuff to eat. Joe also brought over a jug of iced water for us which was well needed. My two colleagues loved their food and more so the service. For me, being old school, it's all about the service.

Plates clean and well and truly hydrated we made our departure.

I have already been telling people I know about the place because of the service alone. I cannot thank Joe enough for his attendance and professional manner. It was the highlight of the day.

The only recommendation is that the pub had an alternative milks available as my tea would have been super nice.

Thanks for rounding our day off with a positive...

Visited this pub and had lunch. There are tables outside in a paved area across a narrow road just outside the pub. The weather was beautiful so we sat outside. Overlooks the Thames Estuary. Waiting staff were very attentive and we were served our drinks really quickly even though the outside seating was very busy. You can order at your table by scanning a QR code, which brings up the menu or order directly from the waiting staff. Good selection of starters and main courses, and sharing platters. We both chose fish and chips (haddock). Food arrived quickly served on proper plates and drinks in proper glasses. Fish was delicious, skinless, crispy seasoned beer batter, triple cooked chips which were perfectly cooked, Mushy peas and a proper tartare sauce. One small gripe, and it’s really only because it’s a pet hate of mine, is that mayonnaise, ketchup etc comes in sachets, but it’s irrelevant really. Didn’t see the inside of the pub except to use the toilet facilities. This is the kind of pub where you can spend a long time eating, drinking and gazing at the great view. Another plus is that there is a great seafood bar next door and you can eat your seafood at the pub tables if you purchase drinks. We loved it and will definitely be back again...