Essex


<p>Grab your besties and work up an appetite because we&#8217;ve curated 8 of the coolest Essex brunch spots for your long awaited catch up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marleys-benfleet"><a href="https://marleysbenfleet.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marleys</a>, Benfleet</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="726" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Marleys-2.jpg" alt="Marleys Benfleet" class="wp-image-25346" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Marleys-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Marleys-2-800x581.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Marleys-2-768x558.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for an Essex brunch for a group or even crowd, this is a bustling spot with a great atmosphere. Open all day, every day, from 9am until late, this has become a popular spot for locals to catch up with friends. The brunch menu is pretty extensive with a Mediterranean nod. There&#8217;s the usual offering of waffles and pancakes (which are pretty stacked FYI), but there&#8217;s plenty of tasty savoury options to including shakshuka and evil eggs (poached eggs with garlicky yogurt and warm spicy butter, incase you&#8217;re wondering).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bakehouse-chelmsford"><a href="https://www.bakehousecoffeeshop.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bakehouse</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Bakehouse-CoffeeShop-1024x683-1.jpg" alt="Bakehouse Chelmsford" class="wp-image-25334" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Bakehouse-CoffeeShop-1024x683-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Bakehouse-CoffeeShop-1024x683-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Bakehouse-CoffeeShop-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Second on our Essex brunch spots go-to is Bakehouse, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, coffee and cake. Take your pick with their line-up of <a href="https://www.bakehousecoffeeshop.co.uk/coffeeshop/menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweet or savoury options</a>, from pastries and cakes to jacket potatoes, wraps and more. Need coffee to help ease you back in to the school run routine? You’ll love their signature BakeHouse Barista No.10 Beans blend, roasted locally. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-market-west-rochford"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marketwestcoffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market West</a>, Rochford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-12.jpg" alt="Market West Rochford cafe green frontage " class="wp-image-18297" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-12.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/08/Untitled-design-12-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marketwestcoffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market West</a> is one to head for good food and drink done right. Not only do they do pastries to happily go up a dress size for (not kidding), they also have a very on-trend pistachio latte to be pictured with for your insta reels! They host a series of cool events, like wine tasting along with a delicious three course meal. Check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marketwestcoffee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">their Insta</a> to find out more of what&#8217;s happening and when. And, they&#8217;ve opened in Hockley too, if that&#8217;s closer to home.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mrs-salisbury-s-maldon"><a href="https://mrssalisburys.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs Salisbury&#8217;s</a>, Maldon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="727" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Mrs-Salisburys.jpg" alt="Mrs Salisbury's Maldon" class="wp-image-25347" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Mrs-Salisburys.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Mrs-Salisburys-800x582.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Mrs-Salisburys-768x558.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This pretty pink Essex brunch spot stands out on the High Street and is bursting with charm and character inside too, a bit like falling down a rabbit hole! With seven individually-designed rooms and two outside spaces, we can&#8217;t decide where we should take a seat! The circus room? Or the jungle room maybe? Perhaps you might fancy cake and a cuppa in the bright downstairs bar or a cosy coffee in the drawing room, complete with roaring fire. This place really is filled to the rafters with memorabilla and quirky finds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parlour-cafe-burnham-on-crouch"><a href="https://parlour-cafe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parlour Cafe</a>, Burnham on Crouch</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/3-1.jpg" alt="Parlour Cafe Burnham on Crouch" class="wp-image-13867" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/3-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/3-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/3-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/09/3-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Dog lovers take note: this pooch-friendly Essex brunch spot is brilliant for brekkie. While you’re enjoying your smashed avocado on sourdough, your pup is equally catered for. Full of the best puns, there&#8217;s an All Day Barkfest, Puppaccino, Barkuterie Board, Homemade Pupcake; you get the picture. There&#8217;s also plenty of options for kids and if you&#8217;re gluten-free. It is a little off the beaten track, but it&#8217;s the ideal stop after a stroll along the river, it&#8217;s easily reached from the coastal path. There&#8217;s a garden and goats (naturally), and you can stay overnight if you want to stay longer than brunch, at the <a href="https://www.creekseaplacebarns.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Creeksea Place Barns</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brentwood-kitchen-brentwood"><a href="https://brentwoodkitchen.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Brentwood Kitchen</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="902" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Brentood-kITCHEN-.png" alt="The Brentwood Kitchen" class="wp-image-25339" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Brentood-kITCHEN-.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Brentood-kITCHEN--800x722.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Brentood-kITCHEN--768x693.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This a must if you and girls have an Essex cafés hit list, with its cool interior making it the place to see and be seen. It&#8217;s just off Brentwood High Street making it a prime location for starting the night early. Their <a href="https://brentwoodkitchen.co.uk/custom/BRUNCH-LUNCH-CLUB.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brunch Lunch Club</a> dishes also stand out from the crowd, giving you the choice to be a saint or sinner. Halo in check? Grab an acai bowl or protein breakfast with matcha tea. Devil out to play? Order the ultimate &#8216;dirty burger&#8217;, with a cocktail (or three), wine or fizz.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-squeeze-cafe-leigh-on-sea"><a href="https://www.thesqueezecafe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Squeeze Café</a>, Leigh on Sea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/490092781_1263593321977988_5993709447947120803_n.jpg" alt="The Squeeze Leigh-on-Sea" class="wp-image-25340" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/490092781_1263593321977988_5993709447947120803_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/490092781_1263593321977988_5993709447947120803_n-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/490092781_1263593321977988_5993709447947120803_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThePhoenixBraintree" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The S</a><a href="https://www.thesqueezecafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">queeze Café</a> is a popular haunt for locals-in-the-know. From the mosaic-clad bar and plant-strewn ceiling to the tanned leather bench seating, the interiors alone are enough to tempt you in. Then you try one of the smoothies, signature salad bowls and artisan coffee and you realise it’s not just all about looks. Plus, it serves up some great vegan and gluten-free dishes. Need to do some actual work amongst all this brunching? They have a dedicated work space with free wifi and no need to book! There&#8217;s a rooftop terrace with views of the estuary too, perfect insta fodder while you sip your cherry blossom iced matcha.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-stores-great-waltham"><a href="https://www.thestores.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stores</a>, Great Waltham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="980" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/IMG_1115-copy.jpg" alt="The Stores Great Waltham" class="wp-image-25343" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/IMG_1115-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/IMG_1115-copy-800x784.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/IMG_1115-copy-768x753.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.thestores.co.uk/menu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This coffee shop</a> is handsome and historic on the outside and cool and contemporary on the inside. It&#8217;s situated right in the heart of Great Waltham Village, near the Essex Way Walk – the ideal meeting point before a walk with friends. What’s on the menu? Hearty brunches and lunches, delicious homemade cakes and locally-roasted coffee. They also make takeaway pizzas to be proud of on Fridays between 5-8pm. Their pulled pork creation with jalapeños, red onion and mozzarella is a thing of beauty. You can also stock whilst you&#8217;re there – they have a handy refill station to reduce plastic waste.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/dog-friendly-places-to-eat-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paws for thought: Dog friendly places to eat and drink in Essex</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/best-coastal-walks-in-east-anglia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fancy a ramble? 21 stunning East Anglian coastal walks to try this National Walking Month</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/get-connected-the-rise-of-social-clubs-in-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get connected! The rise of social clubs in Essex</a></li>
</ul>


Muddy’s fave Essex brunch spots

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