The first time I arrived in Colchester with food on my mind, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Britain’s oldest recorded town is famous for its Roman walls, its Norman castle, and its zoo, but when I stepped off the train and wandered up to the High Street, what really pulled me in was the aroma. The scent of chips frying, pastries baking, curries simmering, and roasted coffee drifting out of little cafés.
I’ve come to realise that Colchester’s food scene isn’t about pretension—it’s about honest flavours, deep tradition, and the simple pleasure of eating well in a town that balances history with modern life. I have spent many weekends wandering from stall to café to pub, letting my tastebuds guide me, and I want to share the snacks, bites, and casual dishes that have left me craving more.
Colchester Oysters – Mersea Island
It feels impossible to begin anywhere else. The Colchester oyster is legendary, harvested from the waters around Mersea Island just a few miles south of town. The flavour is briny but delicate, rich yet refreshing, a perfect taste of the Essex coast.
I remember my first visit to The Company Shed (129 Coast Road, West Mersea, CO5 8PA). The place is tiny, unpretentious, and you sit at wooden tables surrounded by locals. I ordered half a dozen oysters and squeezed lemon over them. That first bite was transformative—the ocean itself seemed to burst across my tongue.
They don’t take bookings in the usual sense. You put your name down and wait, sometimes outside, but that’s part of the ritual. The key tip is to arrive early at lunchtime, especially on weekends. Bring your own bread and a bottle of wine (it’s encouraged). The price? Around £1.50–£2 per oyster, which is absurdly good value considering the freshness.
For visitors planning trips that include oysters as a highlight, I usually recommend reserving Mersea Island accommodation on Booking.com or even renting a cottage via Airbnb, so you can eat without worrying about the tide times of the Strood causeway.
Fish and Chips – The Olde Bank
Britain’s most beloved snack-meal has a particularly satisfying version in Colchester at The Olde Bank (1a Culver Street East, CO1 1LD). The batter here is golden, crisp but not greasy, and the chips come thick, salted, and steaming hot.
One evening after wandering Castle Park, I picked up a takeaway portion, wrapped in paper, and sat on a bench. The crunch of batter against tender cod, the vinegar soaking into chips—it felt like Colchester had given me a hug.
You don’t really need to book, but if you want to eat inside, it’s best to call ahead. Prices hover around £10–£12. To make it a ritual, I always pair mine with mushy peas and a little pot of curry sauce.
Sausage Rolls – Small Talk Tearooms
On 4 Eld Lane (CO1 1LS), there’s a charming tearoom called Small Talk Tearooms. Their sausage rolls are my guilty pleasure: flaky pastry, savoury filling, often still warm from the oven.
The first time I bit into one, sitting among lace curtains and mismatched china, I felt like I’d stumbled into someone’s grandmother’s kitchen. It was hearty, filling, and paired perfectly with a pot of Earl Grey.
Walk-ins are possible, but weekends can get busy with locals doing afternoon tea. It’s inexpensive—under £5 for a sausage roll, and worth every penny.
Pork Pies – Balkerne Gate Butchers
Near the Roman walls, Balkerne Gate Butchers (40 Crouch Street, CO3 3HH) sells pork pies that taste like they belong in an old English countryside picnic.
I bought one on a chilly Saturday, and when I bit through the thick crust into the seasoned meat, I suddenly understood why people wax lyrical about this snack. The jelly layer, which I’d once found off-putting, felt comforting here, like it locked in centuries of tradition.
This is grab-and-go—no bookings, no frills. Prices range from £3–£4. My tip is to take one with you into Castle Park, find a bench near the bandstand, and let history accompany every bite.
Colchester Doughnuts – Two Brews
On Queen Street (CO1 2PJ), Two Brews is primarily a craft beer café, but what stole my heart were their doughnuts. Thick, yeasty, with fillings that change weekly—jam, custard, chocolate.
I discovered them almost by accident, wandering in for coffee. The owner suggested I try a doughnut with my flat white, and I ended up ordering a second before I left. Eating one while watching the bustle of Queen Street felt indulgent, like having dessert in the middle of the day.
Expect £3–£4 per doughnut. They don’t take bookings, but you can pre-order boxes for collection by messaging them on social media.
Scotch Eggs – The Ale House
Colchester has a thriving pub culture, and snacks often shine. At The Ale House (82 North Hill, CO1 1PX), the scotch eggs are glorious: soft-boiled yolks wrapped in seasoned sausage meat, coated in crispy crumbs.
I paired mine with a pint of local ale, and the combination was heavenly. The yolk dripped onto the wooden plate, the sausage steaming, the pub buzzing with chatter.
Book a table if you’re coming at peak drinking hours—via a quick call or a message. £5–£6 each, worth every bite.
Colchester Cheese and Bread – Crouch Street Bakes
One of the joys of Colchester is the bakeries, and Crouch Street Bakes (2 Crouch Street, CO3 3ES) makes cheese and bread combinations that feel like snacks in themselves.
I once bought a hunk of cheddar-studded sourdough, tore it apart while walking toward the Dutch Quarter, and felt like I didn’t need lunch. It’s salty, tangy, chewy—the kind of snack that travels well if you’re heading on a bus to Mersea Island.
No reservations, but go early in the day; loaves and rolls often sell out.
Ice Cream – Gelato Italia
On High Street (CO1 1PN), Gelato Italia serves Italian-style gelato with a local twist. Flavours like salted caramel and pistachio are popular, but I couldn’t resist their honeycomb, which reminded me of the Essex countryside.
One hot summer afternoon, I walked down the High Street with a cone in hand, gelato dripping as I admired the castle. It was sticky, sweet, and somehow perfect.
Around £3 per scoop, walk-in only. They sometimes run offers—two scoops for the price of one.
Curry Snacks – North Hill Noodle Bar
Though called a noodle bar, North Hill Noodle Bar (2 North Hill, CO1 1DZ) serves small plates and snacks alongside its main dishes. The crispy wontons and spring rolls are addictive—light, crunchy, dipping-sauce perfection.
One evening, I shared a platter with friends, the table scattered with plates, the chatter rising above clinking glasses. It felt like Colchester had opened an international window without losing its local heart.
Walk-ins welcome, though online booking through their website is easy. Snacks start around £4–£6.
Market Snacks – Colchester Charter Market
Every Friday and Saturday, High Street transforms into Colchester Charter Market, and here lies snack paradise. From samosas to falafel wraps, from sweet fudge to hand-made crisps, I’ve spent hours nibbling my way down the stalls.
One memory stands out: a warm pork and apple pasty eaten while watching buskers perform. The crust crumbled, the filling sweet and savoury, and I felt utterly content.
No booking, just bring cash (though more stalls take card now). Prices vary, but £3–£6 covers most snacks.
Crisps and Cider – The New Inn
At The New Inn (36 Chapel Street South, CO2 7AX), the combination of locally made crisps with a pint of cider might sound too simple to mention, but it embodies Colchester’s snack culture. Salty crisps, sharp cider, chatter around wooden tables—it feels quintessentially Essex.
I’ve ended more than one day this way, and it never disappoints.
Practical Booking Advice
Over time, I’ve built my own strategy for enjoying Colchester snacks without breaking the bank:
- OpenTable.co.uk: Handy for reserving restaurants like GreyFriars or Banquet 1408 when you want to balance snacks with a sit-down dinner.
- TripAdvisor: I use it to scout reviews and see what snacks people rave about.
- Booking.com: For staying overnight, I prefer central hotels so I can snack-hop without worrying about transport.
- Skyscanner: For flights into Stansted or Southend.
- Expedia.co.uk: For packages if I’m combining hotel and travel.
Many places don’t take bookings for snacks, but for pubs and restaurants, calling ahead or booking online saves waiting. For discounts, keep an eye on restaurant websites and loyalty cards; even cafés sometimes offer a “buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free” style perk.
Living Snack to Snack in Colchester
I’ve learned that in Colchester, eating isn’t just about meals—it’s about moments. An oyster eaten on Mersea’s shore, a scotch egg cracked open in a pub, a doughnut with coffee on a busy street. Each bite anchors me in the town, gives me a memory more vivid than any photograph.
And so, whenever I plan a return trip, I don’t just pack clothes and maps. I pack appetite, knowing Colchester will always greet me not just with history, but with flavour.
