
The Lobster Smack
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Quick info
About The Lobster Smack
The Lobster Smack is a restaurant and pub on Haven Rd in Canvey Island, set in an old building with a traditional interior and a fireplace, where Holehaven Creek meets the river Thames. The menu includes pork belly as a main and a lobster burger, and the home made desserts include sticky toffee pudding. Local ales from Essex are served at the bar. Dogs are welcome, and a specially designed dog menu means they get something of their own. Bingo and quiz nights run weekly, with live music and psychic nights once a month. An upstairs area and a function room are available for group parties.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · On-site parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pork belly, sticky toffee pudding, lobster burger and camembert starter.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pork belly, sticky toffee pudding, lobster burger and camembert starter.
Customer Review Summary
Pork belly is the dish diners single out most, described as tender and delightful, with one couple pairing it with lamb, creamy mash and veg they found cooked to perfection. Close behind are the home made desserts, where the sticky toffee pudding and honeycomb cheesecake earn praise, along with a camembert starter shared at the table. Several reviewers call the staff friendly and welcoming, and the service attentive without being intrusive. The old interior, the fireplace and the outdoor space come up as part of the charm. Families feel well looked after, from a child's birthday party in the function room to a bank holiday with a bouncy castle, candy floss and face painting. The criticism is narrower but specific. One diner found the fish and chips soggy and oily with mostly dry peas, was told a pasta dish was unavailable, and met a specials board with no specials that day. Another waited a long time for dessert and sometimes struggled to catch the waitress's attention. One reviewer advises booking, though a Saturday evening walk-in was found a table by the restaurant supervisor.
Customer Review Summary
Pork belly is the dish diners single out most, described as tender and delightful, with one couple pairing it with lamb, creamy mash and veg they found cooked to perfection. Close behind are the home made desserts, where the sticky toffee pudding and honeycomb cheesecake earn praise, along with a camembert starter shared at the table. Several reviewers call the staff friendly and welcoming, and the service attentive without being intrusive. The old interior, the fireplace and the outdoor space come up as part of the charm. Families feel well looked after, from a child's birthday party in the function room to a bank holiday with a bouncy castle, candy floss and face painting. The criticism is narrower but specific. One diner found the fish and chips soggy and oily with mostly dry peas, was told a pasta dish was unavailable, and met a specials board with no specials that day. Another waited a long time for dessert and sometimes struggled to catch the waitress's attention. One reviewer advises booking, though a Saturday evening walk-in was found a table by the restaurant supervisor.
Featured reviews
- Lola Sparrow Cole
“Came here the other day with family. Evelyn was our waitress and was so friendly and attentive. She went above and beyond making sure we had the best experience. I myself had the pork belly- which was just delightful. The lobster smack is clean and nicely decorated with a lovely outside area, making it a lovely place to come either with family or friends. We will be back!”
- Tabby Fay
“When we arrived, we all sat outside at table 36 and my dad and another person we was with went up to the counter to order the food and whilst they were doing so, a waitress came over with some food and asked if the table we were sitting at was table 43 and we said no, this is table 36. If this place hasn’t done it yet, maybe have 2 sheets of paper on the door, 1 to show indoor layout w/table numbers and 1 to show outdoor layout w/table numbers so waitresses don’t get confused about what table/number is what. When my mum went to order what was on the specials, (special board was, I think, in the building), she was told that there was no specials for that day. If there’s no specials, then don’t have a board out as that’s false advertisement. She then asked a staff member about the meat but the staff member was clueless about it. When another person we was with ordered something with pasta and sauce, we was told that it wasn’t available. Ordered fish and chips. The only thing I enjoyed was the chips. The peas were mostly dry and the dish that the peas were in had some water sitting at them bottom. The fish itself tasted a bit soggy like as if it was dipped in water and the battered part of the fish was really oily, it was like as if they put the fish straight on the plate without letting the oil drain from it first. After we had our food, some of us had the sorbet, I had the mango which was really nice.”
- Simon Hawkins
“Came here without a reservation on a Saturday evening and the restaurant supervisor Natalie found us a table. The food was fantastic and the service from Natalie is why I thought I’d post a review. Absolutely worth a visit for freshly prepared stunning and delicious food with the best service in the island.”
- Gregory Powell
“What a lovely little find this was, A small pirates cove smugglers den from the 1500s, turned into a Gastro delight. The staff were lovely, attentive but not too much (You know when you just need to chill and take your time with your food). The starters came quicker than expected we had a camembert starter to share it was gorgeous sexy food at its best, The mains came just at the right time after we let the starters go down,. My wife had the Lamb and I had the Pork belly, both were cooked to perfection,the meat was tender and melt in your mouth, the mash was creamy and delightful, the veg was perfect. Then we had dessert, home made deliciousness, none of that ping food you get in some restaurants or pubs, The sticky toffee pudding was off the charts and the honeycomb Cheese cake was exceptional. A must visit... Next time I'm trying the lobster burger which looked Amazing so we will be back. Xx”
- Leah Woodman
“I saw the lobster smack being advertised on Facebook and large group of us decided to attend on the bank holiday Monday and it's safe to say we were not disappointed. The service, food and atmosphere were exceptional and they were very accommodating to the needs of our children. We cannot praise the staff enough with how friendly and welcoming they were. With a £5 wristband for the bouncy castle, candy floss and face paining available the kids were more than entertained. We will definitely be returning and are looking forward to it.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Welcoming country pub and beer garden with a selection of exclusive award-winning pub food and local ales from Essex. We offer a best-on-plate and best-in-glass experience! Look out for weekly events including Bingo, Quiz and monthly Live music and psychic nights, as well as family fun days.”
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 8
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 6
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Historic
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 4
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 5
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
Location
Restaurants near The Lobster Smack
- Labworth Cafe4.66141.8 mi
breakfast menu, sea wall views, lunch specials board
- Proper Pizza & Pasta4.31001.8 mi£1–10Vegetarian optionsGood for kidsReservations
pizza burger, kebabs, garlic sauce
- The Bread & Cheese4.27273.7 miWheelchair accessible
carvery, garden outside space, fish and chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lobster SmackOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.31,593 | — | £20–30 | pork belly, sticky toffee pudding, lobster burger |
| Labworth Cafe | 4.6614 | 1.8 mi | — | breakfast menu, sea wall views, lunch specials board |
| Proper Pizza & PastaVegetarian options · Good for kids · Reservations | 4.3100 | 1.8 mi | £1–10 | pizza burger, kebabs, garlic sauce |
| The Bread & CheeseWheelchair accessible | 4.2727 | 3.7 mi | — | carvery, garden outside space, fish and chips |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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