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The Exhibition Inn — Bars in Southend On Sea

The Exhibition Inn

RestaurantSouthend On Sea

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5(218 reviews)

Quick info

+44 1702 219220
241 High St, Great Wakering, Southend-on-Sea SS3 0HZ, United Kingdom
£10–20 · Reported by 16 people

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About The Exhibition Inn

Sunday roasts at The Exhibition Inn run carvery-style, so diners collect their own plate of roast meats such as beef or lamb with vegetables and gravy and carry it to their seat. The pub sits on the High Street in Southend On Sea and opens daily, with a log fire in the room. Beyond the roast, the kitchen serves a short menu of four dishes, including rump and sirloin steaks and a southern fried chicken sandwich, plus a special that changes each week. The bar is staffed for drinks alongside the food. Dogs are welcome, so walkers can bring them along. Christmas Day meals are served here too, and the bar draws families and festive drinkers through that period.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Free of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Plenty of parking
  • Accessibility
    Has wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Menu & Prices

4 dishes
  • Rump SteakSouthern Fried Chicken SandwichSirloin Steak
  • Rump Steak
  • Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich
  • Sirloin Steak
See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.5/5
218 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention sunday roast dinner, carvery meat quality, cold plates and weekly special pork belly.

5★
141
4★
49
3★
18
2★
6
1★
4

Customer Review Summary

The Sunday roast is what brings most reviewers back, whether eaten in or delivered: a roast lamb dinner that arrived hot with fresh vegetables and generous portions, and a roast beef dinner singled out for excellent meat served on hot plates. Close behind is the weekly special, with one diner describing pork belly with potatoes, asparagus and long stem broccoli in glowing terms and looking ahead to a chicken curry. Others mention the chicken burger, fish pie and quorn and mushroom pie, plus keenly priced drinks and a good selection at the bar. Staff come up repeatedly as friendly and welcoming, and several describe a warm atmosphere, including a Christmas Day family meal in front of a log fire. The main complaint is temperature and portioning: one reviewer received cold, tepid plates despite the gravy, found the cauliflower cheese barely sauced because kitchen staff are limited to one sachet per tray, and felt overlooked on arrival while a senior member of staff chatted with juniors.

Featured reviews

  • Danielle Louise D’Eath
    “My favourite local. Really friendly and welcoming staff, great selection of drinks and amazing food! We tried out their Weekly Special which was Pork belly with potatoes, asparagus and long stem broccoli and it was absolutely stunning. Gutted I didn’t get a picture but it was so delicious! Can’t wait to try next weeks special - chicken curry!”
  • Therese Taylor
    “Just been here for a drink at Christmas and the whole atmosphere here was brilliant, great bar staff and made new friends too”
  • Clay Salter
    “I ordered from ubereats and I’m very impressed with this restaurant. Came a lot quicker than delivery time. Food was really good couldn’t fault it. Only ordered here because I had a bad Toby carvery experience and fancied a roast. Delivery …”
  • Annia Krzoska
    “Lovely food (chicken burger, fish pie, quorn & mushroom pie), friendly service as always, and great atmosphere. Brilliant local pub. And really good value!”
  • Susan Evans
    “Went for lunch today 3rd May,was absolutely fantastic,first time going and was made very welcome,would highly recommend and will definitely go back. Thank you.”

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Highlights

  • Has bar games
  • Has great beer selection
  • Has great wine list
  • Has live music
  • Has live performances
  • Good for watching sport

Amenities

  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Free of charge street parking
  • Accepts reservations
  • Has outdoor seating
  • Dogs allowed
  • Offers delivery
Show more amenities
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
  • Serves food at bar
  • Casual
  • Serves beer
  • Serves food
Highlights· 6
  • Has bar games
  • Has great beer selection
  • Has great wine list
  • Has live music
  • Has live performances
  • Good for watching sport
Atmosphere· 1
  • Cosy
Offerings· 4
  • Serves alcohol
  • Serves cocktails
  • Serves spirits
  • Serves wine
Crowd· 1
  • Good for groups
Parking· 2
  • Free parking lot
  • Plenty of parking
Dining options· 2
  • Has seating
  • Has table service
Popular for· 1
  • Good for solo dining
Facilities· 1
  • Has toilet
Accessibility· 2
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Location

Bars near The Exhibition Inn

The Exhibition Inn
£10–20Reservations
4.5218
  • 5.7 mi away£10–20ReservationsGood for kids

    gammon, fish and chips, steak pie

  • 7.9 mi away£10–20Good for kids

    vegan and vegetarian menu, chicken alfredo pasta, british chicken wings

  • 7.9 mi away£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating

    sunday roast, beer garden, roast potatoes

The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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