Cucina

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#6 of 150 Restaurants in Leigh-on SeaItalian, Mediterranean, ££ - £££

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Cucina

Review

At a glance

Open until 10:30 PM

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Website

+44 1702 478590Improve this listing

About

Travellers' Choice

2024

Fully Licensed Award Winning Italian Restaurant In The Heart Of Leigh On Sea Essex. Established In 2011.

Features

CUISINES

Italian, Mediterranean, European, Sicilian, Southern-Italian

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

63 Broadway West, Leigh-on Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS9 2BX England

Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 10:30 PM

Sunday

12:00 - 20:30

Monday

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 22:30

Tuesday

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 22:30

Wednesday

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 22:30

Thursday

12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 22:30

Friday

12:00 - 15:0017:00 - 22:30

Saturday

12:00 - 22:30

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4.6

1,158 reviews

Excellent

887

Very good

172

Average

Poor

Terrible

Mike I

Tenerife5 contributions

A Real Taste of Italy in Leigh-on-Sea

Nov 2024 • friends

Cucina is not only excellent value for money, particularly at lunch time with their very reasonably priced set lunch, but the food is authentically Italian. It’s one of the best restaurants in SE Essex in my experience. The helpful and attentive staff are a great bonus. Francesco and other staff make the Cucina experience very pleasurable. My friends, family members and I have always been well looked after even when this popular restaurant is very busy. They take the business of serving really good food very seriously at Cucina. I recommend them strongly to locals and visitors alike - Mike Ingham

Written 25 November 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hello

Westcliff-on-Sea69 contributions

Special dinner fantastic set menu’ Great entertainment

Feb 2025 • couples

A great evening with entertainment and a special set menu on a rather cold Wednesday night . We had a delicious meal with great service and enjoyed the Jazz singer who made the evening very special . Thankyou to all the staff at Cucina restaurant for a wonderful night

Written 5 February 2025

tillyjc_72

Essex218 contributions

Amazing food, service and atmosphere - as always!

Jan 2025 • family

The whole family, (young and old), love this restaurant. It's always busy and that is down to its amazing food, lovely staff and great atmosphere. We were visiting this time for a big birthday with ages from 6 to 70 and everyone enjoyed fantastic meals, great drinks and friendly, helpful service - always a place we're happy to visit! I had scallops start (gorgeous) & the venison main which was outstanding with the best roasty spuds I've ever had!!

Written 14 January 2025

Bob Gordon

Southend-on-Sea64 contributions

Introducing friends to Cucina

Jun 2024 • friends

Cucina, Leigh on seas best Italian didn’t let us down. We managed to get a table on short notice Saturday lunch time for Saturday evenings sitting for 5 the place was full. The team are very warm and welcoming as soon as you get to the door Rina greeted us this time and showed us to our table of 5. Our friends hadn’t been before and straight away were impressed with the place. Wait till you try the food, we started with some garlic bread with different topping and olives . We all had a different meal and the presentation was top notch on all the dishes. My favourite is the fillet Cucina steak in a chilli and garlic sauce , mushrooms tomato with sides of carrots and broccoli and sauteed potato’s. This meal is Devine. At the end of our meal Francesco came with shots normally the lemon chello but this time one of his grandadss recipes it was almond/ marzipan taste it was lovely revoked you try it too. Five full bellies another top night with great food and company. This place never fails to deliver, top food great service and even a knuckle tap 👊 with the head Chef.

Written 23 June 2024

sdownes1965

30 contributions

Excellent Italian Restaurant!!! Best in Leigh-on Sea

Jul 2023 • couples

This is one of our favourite restaurants. We are not from the area but nearly every time we come into Leigh we head to Cucina for great food, excellent service and a wonderful Primitivo red wine. We often choose from the Lunch time menu, which is very good value and the quality of the food excellent. I highly recommend the Aubergine parmigiana, it is so authentic and the tomatoes that use in their dishes are so good. There are plenty of wonderful choices whether you choose the set lunch or the a la carte. Francesco, who is front of house is an absolute bonus and a credit to the restaurant, with an ability to remember returning guests and greet them like friends, rather than just customers. Francesco even remembered how much we loved a particular wine from our previous visit, which was more than 3 months ago. Nice touch!! This is a very good restaurant, because they use fresh, good quality ingredients to make traditional Italian dishes. And the consistency to deliver well cooked food is there every time. I don't feel there is a better restaurant anywhere in Leigh. We are looking forward to returning very soon and more than happy to drive nearly an hour to come here. Highly recommended.

Written 14 July 2023

Middle aged critic

11 contributions

Underwhelmed experience, Cramped and Rushed

Aug 2022 • none

Underwhelmed since the hype based on other reviews I was expecting a restaurant to rival those I have experienced in Venice, Rome, the Amalfi and Sardinia as opposed to getting the service that one would have expected in Naples Airport ! Waiters constantly bashing into my chair, plates cleared almost immediately upon putting cutlery down even though my wife was still eating. Underwhelmed by the food my Starter was mediocre, and while the Main course was reasonable it was not a blow my mind gastronomic experience. I was about to order a desert however at 9.45 the staff were busy cleaning up tables around us as they had no more bookings, not what I expect when eating in Leigh on sea for its vibe. And that's a pet hate of mine, yes clear a table and re-set it for next cover but when your hard really cleaning up then don't take orders for evening service stick to Brunch and Lunches. Oh and forgot you cant add a tip to the bill they insist on Cash, was fortunate that I did not pick up my card holder but wallet otherwise I am sure I would have been marched to a cash point so that I could tip! no I wont be returning, as there are several far better Italian restaurants if your going for a pizza or pasta you may get a different experience

Written 16 August 2022

lorraine a

29 contributions

Definitely a restaurant to return to!!

Jul 2024 • friends

We went there on the off chance, and were warmly welcomed and made to feel special. We both chose from the lunchtime special menu, and were both extremely impressed by the delicious food and the great service. The garlicky spinach was to die for!! We were only planning on a light lunch, but were tempted by the dessert menu!! Add to that a most agreeable sauvingnon Blanc, and you have a perfect Italian meal, excellent service, and fabulous ambience. Particular mention of Francesco, he made our day!! We will be back, as will our families who have heard how impressed we are.

Written 20 July 2024

Chris1967d

Leigh-on Sea198 contributions

Disappointing

Sept 2024 • family

The food is excellent and flavours are amazing, most of the staff are attentive and the atmosphere is good. I have written good reviews on this restaurant however alas my last experience not so good and that’s all down to ordering wine being told the wine wasn’t available being given a recommended bottle which can only be described as rough and then after telling them this fact being given a bottle which was told to be similar price only to be 20 more. I brought this to the attention of them and nothing. Would I go back No it’s amazing things like that mean you feel ripped off. Attention to detail hmmm

Written 12 September 2024

Diane C

Benfleet5 contributions

Slow down

May 2023 • couples

Really great food but service too fast especially when you have specifically requested a break between starter and main. New residents to the area and you have rushed us out despite not being busy and you have lost out on revenue. When people request a slow service respect it.

Written 28 May 2023

nicola d

Essex1 contribution

A must visit

Nov 2024 • couples

My favourite restaurant, a wonderful Italian that never fails to deliver, we visited on a very busy Wednesday evening and loved it. Alex spent some time chatting to us which made our special evening that little bit more special. The seafood is to die for!

Written 26 November 2024

Bob Gordon

Southend-on-Sea64 contributions

Never a disappointment

Oct 2023 • couples

Francesco and the team always pleased to see you with great service to boot. The food is alway cooked amazing never had a bad time here. Garlic bread as an appetiser we had mussels in a garlic and white wine sauce and calamari as sharer starters both were delicious. My main, I fully recommend Fillet Cucina, steak in a rich but nicely spicy sauce , with saute potato’s, garlic mushroom and mixed veg in side dishes. The good lady had the Sea Bass which she really enjoyed and our company had steak the same as mine and the Sword Fish both were also very pleased with their choices. Our compliments to the Chef for such great food. Drinks come as and when you want them no pressure all in all makes a great nigh,t good atmosphere we had great company and well recommend Cucina for a great night out. I’m sure they won’t disappoint.

Written 29 October 2023

Mrscoker11

Leigh-on Sea33 contributions

Very Disapointed

Nov 2023 • couples

I have always loved Cucina but I went the other night with my husband and was really disappointed. First off the food was lovely I had no issues there at all. The maitre de was the issue for us, he barely spoke to us and when he did there was no smile, nothing to make you feel welcome and yet he was friendly with other tables. We ordered the wine and he just took the menus no acknowledgment and the same when it came to ordering the food. No one asked if our meal was ok for the starter or the main and at the end of the evening even though every other table seemed to have been given a limoncello we was not offered a drink at all. We gave him the money for the bill and although we didn't want the change he didn't even come back with it and didn't say thank you. Also there were two wine stands that sitting next to our table and were constantly being moved back and fourth to different tables. This sounds like we might have been a nightmare and that's why he didn't talk to us but we was not we was just out for a nice meal and kept ourselves to ourselves. I unfortunately will no longer return

Written 6 November 2023

wally h

United Kingdom107 contributions

Not what it was. There are better places to eat

Jan 2022 • friends

I have been here twice this year and although the restaurant is pleasantly laid out and decorated I have found the food to be just average. The service is of questionable quality. And sometimes verges towards rudeness, entitlement and arrogance. The waiting staff are well presented but on both occasions I have been told only cash tips are accepted. With today’s technology there is absolutely no reason why the tip cannot be added to the bill and the total paid by a credit/debit card. It is then very easy for the restaurant to allocate the tip to the staff. On my recent visit the total bill for lunch including tip, for two (we had beers, starters, mains and coffees) was £75. Unfortunately this compares poorly with a recent visit to the Bell, Horndon on the Hill where we had exactly the same number of courses, beers and coffees but the bill including tip was £80 The Bell is far superior in terms of food quality and it’s presentation and the service was more professional Simply no contest I’m afraid

Written 3 February 2022

Alice

Ongar6 contributions

Wonderful Lunch

Oct 2022 • none

Visited Cucinas during the week with family, some of the party had the lunch time set menu which I think is outstanding value for money, I had the fish special which was very nice. All of us agreed it was well worth the money. The service was excellent too. Grazie Cucina we will be back soon

Written 30 October 2022

Jade C

16 contributions

Excellent! BEST Italian food I’ve ever had !!

Feb 2025 • friends

Excellent Restaurant best Italian food I’ve ever had ! 3 courses - couldn’t finish all of it because I wanted to try everything and just could not fit it all in, flavours where powerful and I had the most amazing mocktail Stella Bella ! It’s a must try, the waiters were amazing nothing was too much trouble and they smiled and made connections with all the guests it had a real family vibe. The whole place was packed which is was to be expected because I cannot wait to come pack, such a good atmosphere, the only thing I was sad about was having to leave as our table was required and we had a two hour slot, next time I’ll fit one their coffees in :) excellent establishment ! Forgot to get photos of my main because I was so engrossed in eating it !