The Haywain

A Beefeater restaurant chain pub/​restuarant. Set back just off the A13 at The Five Bells roundabout next door to a Travel Lodge. A really inside, gentle lightening, cosy seating, fireplaces. A good menu offering steaks, burgers, sandwiches. A good deal if you eat before a certain tim (6.30pm I think) where selected meals are £5.99 still the same size portion — which is big enough for lunch or an early dinner. Children welcome. You order food at the bar and then it is brought to your table and you pay as you order. Not the quickest service but food cooked fresh so worth the wait. Overall a great place for dinner, lunch or just a drink. Music not too loud so you can hear yourself talk. Great parking.

The Haywain is a Beefeater restaurant attached to the Premier Inn in Basildon. I’ve been here a few times now and have always enjoyed by visit. The layout in the restaurant is lovely, they have upstairs and downstairs and the majority of tables are booths which are a bit more private. The service we have had has always been good. The food is nice here too considering it is part of a chain. I had the steak last time it was here and it was cooked to perfection. Just a warning — the plate or profiteroles you get for dessert is massive — enough for two to share!