360 reviews
#16 of 112 Restaurants in Westcliff-on-Sea££ - £££, Mediterranean, European, Vegetarian friendly+44 1702 335840+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
13:00 - 20:00
Tue
17:30 - 22:00
Wed
17:30 - 22:00
Thu
17:30 - 22:00
Fri
17:30 - 22:00
Sat
17:30 - 22:00
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
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
£16.00 – £50.00
CUISINES
Mediterranean, European, Portuguese
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Does it mainly serve crepes / waffles?
Details
About
Established since 1977, Alvaro’s has always been at the forefront of fine dining in southeast Essex. Offering an extensive and comprehensive menu, incorporating a wide variety of Portuguese specialities. Our entire menu is prepared from scratch by our team of chefs, using only the finest ingredients – cooked to order. Our excellent waiting staff offer a full silver service including flambes and are always attentive, friendly and mindful to make your visit to Alvaro’s truly special. We always ensure you a warm welcome and professional service in comfortable, ambient surroundings.
PRICE RANGE
£16.00 – £50.00
CUISINES
Mediterranean, European, Portuguese
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
360 reviews
Excellent
276
Very good
50
Average
20
Poor
5
Terrible
9
Michael M
18 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
We booked here as a birthday meal. Having decided to try somewhere different for us , this was very much a random choice. Which turned out very well as this is a most delightful restaurant. With a relaxing ,gentle atmosphere but not too quiet (we ate early so it hadn't got too busy) , the gentleman looking after us was friendly and very helpful with our questions on the menu. The food was served quickly, hot and fresh made, and if Potuguese food is your thing , will not disappoint. Thoroughly recommended, we'll be returning.
Written 27 October 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.
Wilki
20 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
Well i cant praise this restaurant enough, we last visited 9 years ago, why did we leave it so long ! We were made to feeel welcome from the minute we walked through the door, all of our party of seven were full of praise for the food. Well done chef and kitchen team. Front of house team were excellent, giving great advice on food and providing a level of service that a lot of others could learn from. If you have never visited you are missing out.
Thank you all for a great evening
Written 15 January 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.
Rob Eves
Hornchurch11 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
We visited last night for a birthday, and the staff at Alvaros went to so much trouble to make sure the evening was perfect, including arranging balloons to be on the table before we arrived.
The service was warm and friendly throughout the evening, and the food was as good as it always is. The menu is slightly smaller than it used to be, but the main dishes are still there - and they were able to sort out anything we wanted that wasn’t on the menu!
The whole evening was such an amazing experience thanks to the excellent staff they have at Alvaros. We can’t wait to come back again very soon! Thank you!
Written 1 October 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.
Tracey C
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • friends
This restaurant was over priced the food was so bland nothing about it was portuguese, the way they add vat and service charge is very misleading the vat should be included in the price of the food. When you look at a menu it should have the total price of the meal as you think the meal is a price then when you get the bill they have added on another £20 for vat and service charge. I will never recommend this restaurant the staff were miserable
Written 1 January 2025
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.
Angela K
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
Sunday lunch. Not much atmosphere.
Food quite good but extras make it very expensive for what is served - charged for bread we didn't ask for and £20 for vegetables.
Friend served a coke which was flat. Very grudgingly replaced.
Used to go quite a lot under old management but won't go back now.
Written 1 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.
Debs
1 contribution
May 2024 • couples
Why I have taken so long to come here I do not know ,has been going for over 40 years. The service was incredible so personal, wine recommendation spot on, the food was amazing . The food is freshly cooked, you can so see this in the taste and presentation , and there was a sweet trolley too !!!
My husband and I had such a lovely evening here, will be coming back too
Written 5 May 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.
Wilki
20 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
What a great little restaurant, staff were very welcoming and friendly. Fantastic menu, food beautifully presented, the bottle of Portuguese wine most enjoyable. Really relaxed atmosphere, great play list. Great restaurant for family celebration or an intimate meal for two . My second visit in the last year, my dinner partners first visit and I am sure won’t be her last . Great food always made better by the company you share it with
Written 18 February 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.
Sam brown
Brentwood1 contribution
Mar 2022 • family
I have visited this restursnt and every single time it has been my favourite resturant in the whole of UK. Joint favourite with o camilo resturant for worldwide favourite.
Absolutely 5 star food every single time. The service is second to none.
Highly recommended!!!
Written 27 March 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.
Phil.i.am
Leigh-on Sea249 contributions
May 2021 • couples
We visited Alvaro's with friends once reopening was allowed. We were delighted that the food was as good as always and the staff were so pleased to see folks returning. It was busy inside but good Covid precautions were all in place.
The inside had been brightened up, which made for a pleasant environment - the old deep red was quite imposing. Food was all served hot and exceptionally tasty. Will definitely be back.
Written 20 June 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.
pauger9430
Rayleigh13 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
I am sad to say that Alvaros did not live up to my expectations.....I have been visiting Alvaros since the early 1980’s, although in the past 10 years I have only been a couple of times. I was very much looking forward to taking my own children for the first time. I did not expect the “old style” menu as that was very extensive, but was expecting a larger menu that was offered. Our food was very average....when I used to visit on a regular basis in my opinion it was the best food in the area, on this visit I was disappointed with the quality, it was ok but there are plenty of local restaurants nowadays that offer better quality at a better cost. After looking forward to visiting again after so long I’m sad to say that I will not be visiting again.
Written 20 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.
norman269
99 contributions
May 2021 • none
I have been going to this restaurant for over 30yrs and always had a lovely time, I was so sad to see it has now changed ownership and wow could you tell. The menu is so small now no lobster. I had the prawn Piri Piri to start it was in a awful sauce, then followed by the steak which wasn’t a great cut ... the restaurant is bright with walls painted yellow , it really isn’t the same experience. I felt sad when I left as I will not be returning.
Written 29 May 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.
Mick L
Chelmsford76 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Tried here for first time as the online menu looked super. It's a nice restaurant with nice friendly staff and good service,menu a lot smaller now.Most of the food was good although some dishes were very pricey. Dover sole was £32 just for the fish although nice but for that price veg should have been included. I'm not keen on paying for every portion of veg on top of meat. I'm also not keen on restaurants adding tip to bill. The customer should be allowed to make their own mind up. £50 per person with only one glass of wine is a bit steep.Nice place but won't hurry back.
Written 21 June 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.
Charles W
Dawlish31 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
Just visited Alvaro’s after more than 25 years living away. It was so reassuring, in an age of change and transience.
Excellent squid and T-bone veal steak were excellent and the scallops and whitebait were no less good. Befitting a Portuguese restaurant the fish was beautiful, cooked well and presented with a little colour.
This is not cutting edge cuisine, flashy decoration nor a spectacular dining room, but an ultra reliable & professional, courteous old friend that knows its customer base so well it doesn’t break a sweat delivering first class food, year in and year out.
A limited range of wine by the glass was a little disappointing, but we got over it.
Written 5 January 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.
happycamperEssex
113 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
We visited Alvaros on a Saturday evening early January- 11 of us. From the minute we arrived, the staff were excellent. We had a pre-dinner drink in the rather compact bar area which although was busy, was very pleasant.
I ordered the prawns in piri-piri sauce to start and then fillet steak in a garlic oil. Both courses were superb. I couldn’t fault either dish. There was a huge selection of desserts. I opted for a vanilla cheesecake which was lovely and a perfect way to end a stunning meal. All of our party were impressed with the standard of food and can’t wait to return.
Yes, the restaurant is dated and quirky but it adds to the charm. We had a very enjoyable evening.
Written 5 January 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.
Bill C
Southend-on-Sea21 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
We returned to Alvaro’s a little nervous as to how the “rules” would change this lovely restaurant. The answer is “not a lot”, thank goodness. The tables were more spread out, sanitizer provided as you enter and a small bottle of it, left on your table. We felt very safe.
As usual, the waiters were friendly, helpful and the service good but not quite as quick in the past due to fewer staff in the kitchen. We didn’t mind the wait as we were just pleased to be there.
The menu was much smaller then their usual one, but still offered plenty of choice.
The food was as delicious as always.
We booked to return but had to wait for some other diners to make their return bookings. That says it all!
Written 5 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.
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