The Bread & Cheese
Quick info
About The Bread & Cheese
The Bread & Cheese is a family-run pub and restaurant at 520 London Rd in Benfleet, open daily. The carvery runs all day, with turkey among the meats and roast potatoes and gravy alongside, and a Sunday roast is also on. Beyond the carvery, the main menu covers fish and chips and ribs. The interior has been refurbished, and the pub has a garden. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, so owners can bring them along for a meal. For events, the kitchen puts together a buffet with a spread of hot and finger food.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention carvery, garden outside space, fish and chips and ribs.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention carvery, garden outside space, fish and chips and ribs.
Customer Review Summary
The carvery draws the most mentions, with some reviewers calling it delicious and freshly cooked and others reporting that only turkey was left, with hard roast potatoes and watery gravy. Close behind is the pub itself, where reviewers praise the refurbished decor, the outside space and garden, and a welcome for small dogs in the bar. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly and attentive, though one reviewer heard a manager scold staff for chatting with customers. Beyond the carvery, diners name ribs, a chicken sharwama, calamari and a burger as good, and one event buffet of mini burgers and spicy chicken wings earned praise. Complaints cluster around the main menu: several mains were unavailable at one lunch, with a long wait and an empty mayonnaise bottle, and one diner received half a piece of fish with their fish and chips. Portions were called small for the price. One reviewer asked four staff to switch the TV to a rugby match and it stayed on a quiz show.
Customer Review Summary
The carvery draws the most mentions, with some reviewers calling it delicious and freshly cooked and others reporting that only turkey was left, with hard roast potatoes and watery gravy. Close behind is the pub itself, where reviewers praise the refurbished decor, the outside space and garden, and a welcome for small dogs in the bar. Staff are repeatedly described as friendly and attentive, though one reviewer heard a manager scold staff for chatting with customers. Beyond the carvery, diners name ribs, a chicken sharwama, calamari and a burger as good, and one event buffet of mini burgers and spicy chicken wings earned praise. Complaints cluster around the main menu: several mains were unavailable at one lunch, with a long wait and an empty mayonnaise bottle, and one diner received half a piece of fish with their fish and chips. Portions were called small for the price. One reviewer asked four staff to switch the TV to a rugby match and it stayed on a quiz show.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Visited the location at a lunch time in August. Very nice decor. Unfortunately having waited ten minutes to order drinks when there were only three other people in the restaurant and all soft drinks are served with plastic straws. Given the food menu and then waited another 15-20 minutes. When our order was eventually being taken we were informed that the first four items were not available..why weren't we told this when given the menus. A second member of staff then informed us that the chef had been off ill for two weeks. Yes staff get ill its part of life but why not use an agency chef for the duration. A further two customers arrived and were informed that there had been an issue with the fish delivery so the four items were not available. So what is the correct version. The calamari i was served and very well cooked and not like rubber but only four small/medium in size and not particularly hot as i had heard the service bell ring 5 minutes prior. My burger arrived and it was good. I asked for some mayonnaise and was presented with an empty bottle. Now the question is will I go again....yes as the food was good. Lets leave it there but the venue is worth a visit but a tad on the expensive side.”
- Google user
“Really disappointing. Went for a meal Friday 10th July with friends. Huge table being served so service not its usual standard but understandable. However the food portions suffered as a consequence. Ordered fish and chips and was served half a piece of fish where as the photo and description clearly suggests a full piece. At £20, I felt robbed. We didn’t say anything at the time as we had taken friends and had waited a long time for the food to arrive but really disappointing that the food was served in half portions but at full price”
- Google user
“Easily the worst pub in Benfleet. I asked four different members of staff to switch the TV over to the England rugby game on ITV4, but it all seemed like too much hassle. Instead, we were left watching ITV1… Tipping Point.If it had been the World Cup, I’m sure they’d have jumped straight on it.Missed the first 20 minutes of the match because no one could be bothered. Really disappointed I spent my money here — should’ve gone somewhere else.”
- Google user
“⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 Stars) - Lovely Venue, but the Carvery Really Let It Down We visited the Bread and Cheese pub, and unfortunately, it was a pretty mixed experience. The Positives: Atmosphere: The decor inside is lovely, and they have a fantastic outside space. Staff: The team members were friendly and welcoming. The Food (The Main Letdown): We ordered the carvery, but the food experience was highly disappointing: No Selection: By the time we got up to the carvery, only turkey was left—there were no other meats available. Poor Quality: The roast potatoes were hard, the gravy was incredibly watery, and the rest of the meal felt average and a little greasy. Summary: It's a beautiful pub with great staff, but they really need to improve the quality.”
- Google user
“Just been to an event here where we had their buffet. It was a truly wonderful and delicious treat. There was something for everyone; from amazing mini burgers, spicy chicken wings, BBQ chicken thighs, sausage rolls etc; to colourful and delicious salads, vegetable dumplings and a veggie thing that went very quickly. The staff were extremely good and the atmosphere is second to none. Well done The Bread n Cheese”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Relaxed family-friendly bar and eatery serving all-day comfort food and carvery roasts.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Restaurants near The Bread & Cheese
- Wing Hing Chinese4.2513.4 mi
special fried rice, cash only payment, sweet and sour chicken
- The Peterboat4.44,2203.5 mi£20–30Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
seafood chowder, fish and chips, waterfront views
- Gemmas of leigh4.2473.6 mi£10–20Good for kidsReservations
afternoon tea, cake and coffee, full english breakfast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bread & CheeseWheelchair accessible | 4.2727 | — | — | carvery, garden outside space, fish and chips |
| Wing Hing Chinese | 4.251 | 3.4 mi | — | special fried rice, cash only payment, sweet and sour chicken |
| The PeterboatOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.44,220 | 3.5 mi | £20–30 | seafood chowder, fish and chips, waterfront views |
| Gemmas of leighGood for kids · Reservations | 4.247 | 3.6 mi | £10–20 | afternoon tea, cake and coffee, full english breakfast |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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