Alfresco Dining in Chelmsford
Posted on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 >> SHARE YOUR EVENTThis summer has been pretty good, and it has highlighted how much Chelmsford has changed in recent years. Alfresco dining is now the norm along Chelmsford High Street. From Pizza Express and Cafe Rouge at the top of Moulsham Street to the Saracens Head and Caffe Nero at the top of the High Street, alfresco dining is all the rage in Chelmsford.
Cafe Rouge, Chelmsford High Street / Moulsham Street
Cafe Rouge
Cafe Rouge is at the top of the High Street, technically on Moulsham Street, on the town side of Parkway, so most people call this area the High Street. Cafe Rouge is a pleasant restaurant. However the food is generally not as exciting as you would expect from a “French” restaurant. Sometimes a bit overpriced too.
View of Moulsham Street, showing seats outside Pizza Express, Cafe Rouge and Kings Coffee House
King’s Coffee House
Cafe Rouge is opposite one of Chelmsford’s first alfresco cafes, King’s Coffee House. King’s Cafe is a proper cafe, serving cooked breakfasts, chips, mugs of tea and all you would expect from a little English cafe.
Pizza Express
Pizza Express is next door to Cafe Rouge on the corner of Moulsham Street and Baddow Road. Jjust like all other Pizza Express restaurants, the food is generally of a high standard and good value for money. They often do 2 for 1 vouchers, so do a search on the Internet before going out. No need to book, but busy at lunchtimes at the weekends, so expect to wait unless you get there early.
Bar7Seven on Chelmsford High Street
Just up from the Moulsham Street cafes we come to High Street proper. There are now several options for a bit of alfresco, including Pizza Hut, Bar7Seven, Baroosh, plus the old tables outside the fish and chip shop.
Pinchos tapas bar on Baddow Road
Nearby, just along Baddow Road, there is more alfresco action at Pintos that serves up some Spanish tapas with cool beer. The Nags Head even has some tables outside now. Alfresco in Chelmsford is really heating up.
Recess by Stonebridge
Back to the High Street, we come to Stone Bridge. Not a lot here, but just up on the left is Recess, a great little coffee shop with table service (OK, you order at the bar, but they bring it to you when ready). The coffee is good, and there is a good selection of sandwiches. At Christmas they usually have some tasty panetones that make good presents for family.
Cafes around Meadows Shopping Centre
Costa in Chelmsford
Over the opposite side of the Stone Bridge is Baskin Robins on the edge of the Meadows Shopping Centre. Their slightly dubious claim of “the best coffee in town” is still present. Costa, Starbucks and Nero have all now established several coffee shops in Chelmsford. Not the best location for some alfresco, but OK for a coffee.
Opposite Meadows Shopping Centre is The, a trendy youngsters bar, which has some tables by the River Can. A very pleasant spot for alfresco on a sunny afternoon.
Over the other side of Meadows is where the alfresco really starts to get hot, along by the river on the Springfield Road side. This may be where the whole alfresco experience really started. Costa is well established, and soon having a makeover. There is also the tapas bar, La Tasca, which servers light snacks, meals and beer. Also is the relatively new Creperie that is tucked away on the right as you leave Meadows. Lovely seats outside by the River Chelmer, quiet location, and crepes!
Springfield Road Bars and Cafes
Que Pasa
On the opposite side of Springfield Road is Edwards, which is another trendy sports bar, but has outside dining with burgers and other pub grub. Not far up going out of town we now have Que Pasa, which sounds very Spanish, but is really just another trendy and often loud bar. The final alfresco on this stretch is just opposite Tesco. In the last few years it has changed hands about 10 times, and after having a go at a Brazilian restaurant, then a coffee shop of sorts, it is now another sports bar. So the same old trendy, bland, loud and expensive bar.
The High Street
Back to the High Street now, there is Starbucks on the corner of Springfield Road. A few metal tables and chairs outside, but good coffee and cakes. A prime spot to watch the Chelmsford shoppers walk by, plus all the kids that hang around outside McDonalds (which surprisingly has not jumped on the alfresco band wagon). Further up Chelmsford High Street we come to Caffe Nero, which has only recently extended its seating to outside on the pavement of the High Street. Just opposite Nero is Saracens Bar and Eaterie, which has an enclosed outside area for eating and drinking, and is now one of the busiest lunchtime spots of Chelmsford’s workers.
Tindal Square to the Market
Strolling around the corner leads to Gerrados, which offers alfresco drinks and snacks on the street (although close to the traffic). The market has a few options too, the best being Lek’s Thai food, which does excellent Thai meals for a very reasonable price (about £4 for chicken curry and rice). Market Square Cafe provides some good wholesome grub, cooked breakfasts, teas and coffees, and is a pleasant spot to rest your legs after some serious shopping.
Moulsham Street, Springfield Road
Chelmsford has many other little bars and cafes tucked away further out of town, with places like The Two Brewers and Riverside Inn up Springfield Road. Along Moulsham Street is Murray’s Cafe & Sandwich Bar with a couple of tables outside. Moulsham Street used to have some nice pubs with tables out the front, such as the Bay Horse, but these have closed. The Queens Head still has a quiet courtyard out the back for an alfresco beer!
Great Baddow
If you want to head out of Chelmsford, then Tiffany’s at the Vineyards shopping parade in Great Baddow is a nice spot.
See Also ...
- Get a Pizza Express Meal for £1
- Fat Face Open Chelmsford Store
- Farmers Markets in Essex
- Christmas Lights Switch On Around Essex
- In Search of the Best Pub Sunday Roast in Essex
HAVE YOUR SAY
Does this story affect you? Share your opinions here.
