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About

‘A handsome, big-boned townhouse just off the main shopping drag which combines the warmth and hospitality of the traditional tavern with the serious cooking chops of the Tavern 2.0’
Tracey MacLeod, The Independent

‘They get the basics bang on. Beautiful, effortless decor, great food…most important of all, impeccable, friendly service’
Neil D’Arcy-Jones, The Gazette

  • Church Street Tavern opened in February 2014 as a tavern with ground floor bar and lounge and first floor restaurant serving simple, freshly prepared, wholesome food. Coaching inns and taverns are a rich part of our heritage with taverns springing up at a time when there were no telephones, social media or other ways we communicate today. If you wanted to do business, politics or socialise with people, you went to a tavern. It seemed right to give this handsome building, built as a Savings Bank in about 1852, this name as I hope it too becomes the place to meet, have fun and be well looked after.

  • Suppliers

    Everyone bangs on about local this and that these days, it almost goes without saying! We’re no different because the fresher something is, generally the better it tastes; so we will get it on your plate sooner if grown locally. But first and foremost, the product has to taste great. If it does and is local, we buy it; if not we seek further afield. But most of our ingredients do come from local (30 miles) farmers, growers and fish from inshore day boats on the Essex, Suffolk and South coast. Our beer, wine and other beverages are no different; we want to provide great tasting drinks from people who are as fanatical about what they do as we are and who have a respect for the raw ingredient and the environment in equal measure.

  • Trouvé & Artwork

    The wonderful artwork in the dining room, a mix of paintings, drawings, photography and murals are by the following artists: Philippa Dow (www.philippadow.co.uk), a long standing friend of ours in Dedham, studied at Central St Martin’s School of Art London, is multi-talented and is available for commissions. We discovered Sylvia Paul (www.sylviapaul.com) through the Dedham artist Terry Jeffrey. She studied at the Colchester School of Art and her work depicts East Anglia and Japan where she has family connections. Lucy Tiffney (www.lucytiffney.com) was a finalist on The Great Interior Design Challenge and painted our spectacular mural in the restaurant. And finally, Victoria Shepherd (www.cluckcluck.biz) is a family friend and the one everyone asks about….. come and you’ll see why! All our other bits and bobs, plates and glasses are troved from junk shops and antique fairs throughout the land!

  • Colchester

    Colchester has lots of wonderful attractions and things to do such as Colchester Castle, Firstsite Contemporary Arts Centre, The Mercury Theatre, Colchester Arts Club and The Jumbo. As well as excellent shopping in stores such as Fenwick’s, The Red Lion Book Shop and Mann’s Music there are various independent’s such as Anabelles, Turners, Elizabeth Cannon Antique, Guntons Deli and numerous vintage shops.

  • Sister Establishments

  • The Sun Inn, Dedham

    The big brother and first venture opened in July 2003. Located in the heart of Constable Country in the Dedham Vale, a quintessential coaching inn with 7 guest rooms, large garden and terrace, bar, lounge snug and restaurant serving similar food to us. There are tonnes of walks and bike rides in the area of outstanding beauty. So, when you seek country air followed by roaring fires, rickety floors and 15th century beams, go visit. The team will look after you 7 days a week.

    The Sun Inn, High Street, Dedham, Essex CO7 6DF 01206 323351
    www.thesuninndedham.com

  • The White Hart Inn, Mersea Island

    Our third venture opened in June 2022 bringing a bit of Sun Inn and Church Street Tavern island style. Mersea Island is a special place with its beaches, creeks, boardwalks, sailing and oysters. It has a great community many of whom are already friends and customers of our businesses. A more contemporary feel given the rebuild nature of the building, there are 6  guest rooms, large restaurant and bar with a vaulted ceiling, lots of windows and a walled, south-west facing terrace. Perfect for sundowners and walks along the beach.

    The White Hart Inn, 1 High Street, West Mersea, CO5 8QD, Telephone 01206 583212

    www.whitehartinnmersea.co.uk

Church Street Tavern Awards

CST Elephant