We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Ratings and reviews

Travellers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
About
At The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie we provide a VARIETY OF dining experiences in one of the most historical buildings in Colchester, with an ambient atmosphere at a very reasonable price. We have recently added a small garden area which can seat up to 40 covers and we have a fantastic private room full of history on our 1st floor with links to Henry the 8th ! If you are looking for quality food, book your table today! Specials events through the year. Come and try our set lunch menus, £16.95 for two courses, £21.95 For three courses Tuesday-Saturday Lunch. £22.95 For two courses and £28.95 For three courses on Sunday lunch.
PRICE RANGE
US$6 - US$35
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
CUISINES
European, British, Contemporary
FEATURES
Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Free off-street parking, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Reservations, Private Dining, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (673)
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Filter reviews
670 results
Traveller rating
482
105
51
20
12
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
More languages
Traveller rating
482
105
51
20
12
Show reviews that mention
All reviews beef cheeks halibut tapas pudding sunday roast burger lovely evening three courses food was amazing birthday meal set menu starters veg
Sort and selected filters
Sort FilterEnglish
Updating list...
Reviewed 16 October 2023 via mobile

Visited The Old Siege House Bar & Brasserie with high expectations but left utterly disappointed. The service was poor, staff seeming disinterested. The food, unfortunately, matched the poor service - bland and uninspiring. Won't be returning.

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?3  
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.
Reviewed 22 September 2023

Previous visit excellent so we were expecting great things. Only given the set menu and had to ask for the a la carte menus. My starter of “King Scallops” consisted of just 4 very small scallops with 3 small pieces of deep fried black pudding...in bread crumbs (not home made?) and some salad for £16.95 The Lamb Rump was described as “cooked pink”, and although tender, was “brown” at £22.45. Two “single serve” glasses of Prosecco cost £17, and a large glass of (a very acceptable Chardonnay) was priced at £11. The total bill, including Fish and chips and 2 rather ordinary sweets and no more wine, came to £112.75. All in all a very disappointing experience.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 16 September 2023 via mobile

Visited here for lunch a few days ago having heard good things in the past, however unfortunately didn’t find anything to write home about. The food all tasted rather bland, particularly the garlic and herb chicken skewers which tasted completely unseasoned. This was accompanied by...plain rice and a drizzle if tomato based sauce that tasted like a jar of pasta sauce. Service was good, and the building itself provides a lovely environment, I just wish I could rate the food higher! Maybe worth a second try for dinner one day to see if it’s better, but otherwise i wouldn’t rush back!More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 10 September 2023

This spot is great for a historic sit outside while taking in all the scenery to being called to the table it was perfect. So we'll looked after absolutely best food we've ever tasted. Highly recommend for a casual night to a special night staff...super friendly an helpful. Can highly recommend slow cooked pigs cheeks an sea bass made our colchester dining experience complete.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 28 August 2023 via mobile

We were visiting Colchester for my partners Birthday. On booking in our Hotel, we went for a walk round & came across the beautiful building. The Old Siege House, so lovely & a Tudor facade kept beautifully. I side so comfy, little nooks with arm...chairs ,we had 2 large glasses of wine & admired the inside decor. Highly recommend this plaveMore

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 25 August 2023

We had another excellent lunch in this very pleasant, spacious and relaxing restaurant. It is close to the city centre and has ample parking for customers. The food is always good and the service is prompt and friendly. An added bonus is the amazing historic...surroundings (this building survived the Siege of Colchester after being in the front line of attack in 1648).More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 24 August 2023

I had a mixed experience dining here with a group of friends. We were seated upstairs, in an otherwise empty top floor with very little atmosphere. Service was friendly and efficient. The menu is small and mainly focused on meat and fish dishes, but was...chosen as it had vegetarian and gluten free options. There were very few other allergen markers and we weren't offered any extra info about allergens when we asked. While the pakora starter was good, my main course of the vegan roulade was really disappointing. While others in my group were served well thought out and well prepared meat and fish dishes, the roulade was straight from a catering catalogue. It was filled with cream cheese (unmarked on the menu) and a sickly relish, which didn't go with the red pepper sauce. It really felt like an afterthought that the chef had quickly added onto the menu and not even tried.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 23 July 2023 via mobile

We absolutely love The Old Siege House, whether we are popping in for a few drinks, meal or an afternoon tea. We regularly take our dog too in the bar area…he loves it! Staff are friendly and accommodating. Food is excellent and the cocktails are...👌 Would highly recommend for couples, friends, family, birthdays, work meals etc.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 18 July 2023

I have no hesitation in recommending the food at the Old Siege House. It is a truly excellent culinary experience which is enhanced by the ambience of a 15th century building with such a rich history. I went for the roasted rum of lamb which...was delicious!More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 17 July 2023

Amazing food, I had the lamb which was cooked perfectly with a cheese course for desert. Friends all loved their meals. Very reasonably priced for the quality, amazing front of house staff very attentive without being intrusive. Thanks all, we will certainly be back again...soon.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 17 July 2023

Fabulous meal and atmosphere. Service was excellent and food served was hot, well presented and tasty. Would definitely recommend.

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 16 July 2023

Lovely setting food out off this world,staff couldnt do enough for you such a lovely night go you wont regret it

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 16 July 2023 via mobile

Haven't been to The Old Siege House recently and forget what a great place this is. A lovely family run restaurant, excellent food and lovely attentive staff. I highly recommend this lovely restaurant.

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 16 July 2023

Will definitely be going back to The Siege House again. Went with my family and they made it a great night with happy staff and great food. They have a large menu and loads of different beers and spirits. Can’t recommend this restaurant enough and...definitely will be going back. Thank you The Siege House staff for making my family welcomeMore

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 16 July 2023

Excellent food, superb presentation, our server Sophie was an absolute delight, she was attentive without being overbearing, well spoken and incredibly polite. Good place all round 👍

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
View more reviews
Best nearby
Best nearby hotelsSee all
Best Western The Rose And Crown Hotel Colchester
824 reviews
.11 miles away
GreyFriars
366 reviews
.41 miles away
The George Hotel
267 reviews
.62 miles away
Brook Red Lion Hotel
551 reviews
.64 miles away
Best nearby restaurantsSee all
Thai One
573 reviews
.29 miles away
GreyFriars Colchester
749 reviews
.42 miles away
Copper Ceylon
70 reviews
.08 miles away
Best nearby attractionsSee all
Castle Park
1,314 reviews
.51 miles away
Hollytrees Museum
209 reviews
.42 miles away
Colchester's Natural History Museum
136 reviews
.52 miles away
St. Botolph's Priory
115 reviews
.52 miles away
Questions & Answers
Ask a question
ellieh910
29 January 2023|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from O1639LPjackies | Reviewed this property |
Hi, not 100% sure but I wouldn’t of thought so. It’s more of a restaurant then a bar. Foods great though. 👍🏻
0
Votes
V4418WZjasont
21 February 2019|
Answer
Response from Ramesh B |
Can I book a table for Friday 14th February please at 7:30pm . Ram
0
Votes
798annemarieg
18 February 2019|
AnswerShow all 6 answers
Response from R2737RUtonyp | Reviewed this property |
Yes I would definitely recommend booking and depending on size of party as much notice as you can give if large
2
Votes
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing

THE OLD SIEGE HOUSE BAR AND BRASSERIE, Colchester - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie

Yes, The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

The Old Siege House Bar and Brasserie is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5