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Hours
Sun
12:00 - 23:00
Mon
12:00 - 1:00
Tue
12:00 - 1:00
Wed
12:00 - 1:00
Thu
12:00 - 1:00
Fri
10:00 - 2:00
Sat
10:00 - 2:00
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.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian friendly
Is this restaurant good for special occasions?
Details
About
Traditional British Pub. Offering a wide selection of home cooked foods, desserts and home made cakes. Good quality foods at very reasonable prices. A warm welcome for everyone!Xx
PRICE RANGE
£2.00 – £10.00
CUISINES
Bar, British, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service
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4.5
37 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
8
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Paul
1 contribution
Sept 2020 • couples
My wife and I tried this fantastic pub on a visit to Colchester on a sunny Sunday afternoon and what a great time we had!!
The sun deck on the roof was a real sun trap and beautifully adorned with plenty of tables with sun shades for those who wanted it. The deck also had a wonderful array of plants which really added to the atmosphere-it felt like we were at a sun drenched bar in the Mediterranean!
The landlord and landlady were extremely attentive and very friendly.
The beer was cold and very fresh and the great wine selection was a delight!! Our lunch was excellent with generous portions and extremely good value too! We will be visiting again soon.
Written 18 December 2020
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.
Tim S
13 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
Yet another great dining experience at the Spinnaker. Great service, great food, great music and a really friendly place, which is why we eat here so regularly. Best ham salad sandwich ever!
Looking forward to the next time already.
Written 19 April 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.
Tim S
13 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
My wife and I have just had yet another fabulous meal here in the Spinnaker. Great pub, great, friendly atmosphere and wonderful, eclectic music.
Thanks for everything, as ever.
Looking forward to next week already!
Written 17 November 2023
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.
HonestGuy15
Ipswich28 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
Me and my partner tended to go here every couple of weeks for a drink and a few games of pool. A few weeks ago, we came and went straight to the pool table as we normally do and decided to wait to get a drink as we wasn't thirsty just yet(bare in mind we always get a drink and put money into the fruit machine and pool table). On this night we were served by a lady we hadnt seen before who claimed to be the landlady. If she was, I feel bad for whoever steps foot in there as she is the rudest person I've ever met and shouldn't own a pub. On arrival we went to the bar as always to change up coins for the table, she rudley said how we can't play unless we pay for drinks. We explained how we would pay for drinks later on in the evening as we weren't thirsty. After two short games of pool, I was deciding whether or not to get a soft or alcoholic drink and she came over saying how it's not a youth club, she was trying to force us to get a drink now or get out even after explaining we were deciding right then. She was very consistent and even though we explained how we normally come and play and how she's being rude and we feel forced to get a drink even though we are putting money into her machines, she actually said she didn't care and was persistently rude and basically told us to pay or leave. We even said how we know the other bar lady and she played the power hungry card and said again she doesn't care and she's the landlady. The other bar lady's are lovely and the male landlord is nice, I don't want it to sound like we are saying the place is totally rubbish but if you're wanting to go there, make sure you dodge the old scary hag.
Written 10 September 2020
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.
Connector44477803993
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • family
Excellent pub with great food and a really nice atmosphere 5 star service we will definitely be back again thank you to all the staff.
Written 24 December 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.
Jackie L
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • family
On the off chance today being in Colchester with our grandson we went for a walk and stumbled across this lovely little pub ,, we hoped their was a garden but upstairs led to a roof garden so nice ,, the kitchen had literally just closed but the chef was so kind enough to say that she would do us something to eat ,, we will definitely be going back as the menu has alot of delicious choices and very reasonably priced ,, the staff were friendly and great with our grandson,, thankyou guys
Written 6 September 2023
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.
Gerard B
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • friends
Just popped in for a hair of the dog ! And decided to take a look at the menu wow ! I had the smoked salmon and pea quiche with new potatoes and salad straight from the oven absolutely delicious , I can’t recommend the food highly enough, Bridget is a wonderful chef and for a small free house the food is marvellous, a little local gem 😊
Written 19 July 2022
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.
Jaime M
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • friends
Me and 3 of my Spanish friends visited the pub, we ate and drank and after some time, decided that we were going to play a game of billiards/pool. When we asked if it was open and if we could play, the man, which im supposing is the manager was unnecessarily rude, speaking to us as if we were children and didn’t understand the rules, after playing a game or two, being mindful of the rules, not making too much noise and quite honestly just having some fun, the man came into the room and started shouting at us claiming that we were “bashing the balls around” and that we were messing up the table. I responded stating that he didn’t have to be so rude for absolutely no reason, and that we would leave. We got our stuff and left while he continued giving us dirty looks. Im not sure if he excepted us to be pool professionals, but if you’re going to have professional rules on a pool table in a PUBLIC pub, i think thats utterly stupid.
Written 3 June 2022
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.
Alan A
Colchester4 contributions
Sept 2020 • friends
Fantastic. Bar / restaurant staff and customer service was super, friendly and reasonably priced, We been there several times and we have never had a bad time or bad food, it’s a very friendly bar with a stunning roof terrace overlooking the river, we can highly recommend to all
Written 3 January 2021
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.
Anonymous
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • family
Due to current situation in our country (COVID-19) we have to wear a face covering, this pub told me I HAVE TO wear a face covering although I am excempt! They said even though I am excempt I still have to wear one! Although on the government website it states I DO NOT have to wear one, They didn’t question me when I walked in but as I was about to leave the bartender and the landlord decided questioned me and said that it doesn’t matter what’s on the government website.
I’d personally advise anyone who is exempt not to go to this pub, it’s a good pub otherwise but in these situations and being exempt your not welcome.
Written 16 October 2020
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.
Tim
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • none
Great food undoubtedly, but, probably more importantly, a fantastic and I mean fantastic pub, with the most enjoyable upstairs terrace. In the words of the Australian advert: the only thing missing... is you!
Written 9 August 2020
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.
MarianneandBobby
Colchester65 contributions
Jul 2019 • couples
Fab Sunday dinners... also had a fish platter there which was lovely and filling. Left our bag there and it was safe and sound when I went back the next day to collect.
Written 31 August 2019
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.
letty_100
48 contributions
Jul 2018 • couples
Popped in for a Sunday Roast and what a lovely friendly pub this is, we hadn't booked but were found a table with no trouble. Food was excellent, good size portions, freshly cooked and extremely hot, and very reasonable priced. The service was very quick and all the bar staff/landlord were extremely friendly and hospitable. We will most definitely visit again, we were advised to book next time as they do get busy, which we will do as we wouldn't want to miss out on another lovely dinner.
Written 30 July 2018
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.
Jane W
66 contributions
Jun 2018 • friends
Have eaten here several times and the roast dinner is always very good. Service is with a smile and very good value for money.
Written 25 June 2018
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.
Jane W
66 contributions
Oct 2017 • family
For a small venue the Sunday roast is excellent. Proper roast potatoes, not deep fried one. Meat was succulent and plenty of veg, price is very good.
Written 20 November 2017
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.
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