The Eight Bells

4.4

905 Reviews

£26 to £40

British

Good for special occasions
Romantic
Good for groups

Our menus are thoughtfully crafted and often changed. Enjoy superb food prepared using the freshest local ingredients, with timeless classics and innovative specials, always fresh with one thing in common – great taste. Everything is cooked to order using as much local produce as our head chef can buy, and served in stylish, relaxed and modern surroundings. Our Sunday roast is fast becoming legendary and is served all day. Join us any time for great food and drink and warm, friendly service.

Book a table for dinner, eat at the bar or pull the curtains to the Drawing Room, our intimate private dining room that’s perfect for smaller gatherings, dinner parties and informal business meetings.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
British, Gastro Pub
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 10:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 10:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–8:00 pm Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
01799 522790
Website
http://www.theeightbellssaffronwalden.com/
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
David Webb
Private party facilities
We would love to craft your event, celebration or meeting. Please speak to the member of the team.

Location
18 Bridge Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1BU
Neighborhood
Saffron Walden
Parking details
Hotel Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 905 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4

4.4 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
4Value

Noise • Energetic

905 Reviews

AR
AlanR
Victoria
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 3, 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Ambience is great. Initially service excellent for the Sunday roast and nil complaints about the food. However we seemed to be forgotten for ordering the dessert but when chased up were polite and pleasant.
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GT
GrahamT
Essex
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Have enjoyed dining at the Eight Bells previously and always had a great experience. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the chef apparently left mid-afternoon which meant that we were unable to order desserts. The staff were trying to do the best they could in the circumstances, but it was little chaotic and ruined the meal. This was supposed to be a birthday meal for my partner but the experience was nowhere near as good or what we expected. Will be thinking twice before returning.
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L
Lolly
Hertfordshire
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Loved our lunch here - did request a bar table but was seated in the restaurant- it was a very warm day and the restaurant was warm - eventually a side door was opened which created a breeze but it wasn’t too comfortable and felt a few people were feeling the same way - the door to the garden wasn’t open for whatever reason. Would have preferred to sit in the bar as requested. However the lunch was delicious.
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C
Charlie
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Simple booking, ample staff who were friendly and very helpful, great menu and lovely food served hot and in sensible portions. 2nd visit and will be returning. Thanks for a great meal.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kent
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on May 19, 2023
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
The eight bells is my local, and absolutely a favourite for us to take visitors. I am so disappointed that sadly our experience on Friday evening was as it was. We ordered specials, and the first disappointment was one of our party’s dishes came out without a key component - we asked why it was missing, a server went off to investigate - they came back when we had nearly finished starters and were told it had been left off as the eggs had gone bad - no apology, no preemptive conversation. We waited two hours for mains - no communication, burning smell filling the dining room. We watched as table after table complained. No communication, no apology. The manager didn’t approach a single table, waitresses were sent to calm people down. I eventually spoke to our waitress and she said the kitchen were overwhelmed. We ate extremely late, no offer of explanation, no offer to discount or even remove the gratuity. I had family visiting from New Zealand and was actually embarrassed. I appreciate everyone had bad nights, but communication and response was absolutely disappointing. I don’t know that I would risk taking visitors again and spending the expense for that experience.
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NM
NicoleM
London
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Enjoyed the food and ambience and great it was only 25 min drive from home
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GB
GBxc
Cambridge
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2023
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
I had the impression that the restaurant was work still in progress. Personally, I found the menu choice limited..but you might disagree. We started with a platter for £12 which was just about sufficient for one person, but not for 3. The price seemed very high for what was presented. The fish courses we had were quite good, but all needed extra vegetables to fill the plate. Our desserts were simple single scoops of ice cream. The staff were friendly and helpful, but not familiar with the new computer system which was just being installed. All in all, I would say that this was not up to the standard of other restaurants that we have tried from the Chestnut group, as I said, perhaps work in progress.
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DP
DavidP
London
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 30, 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
The food and ambiance were great but the service was unfriendly and sullen. The staff need customer service training!
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s
sabs
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very good Sunday roast with interesting, tasty, slightly unusual starters. Excellent quick and friendly service.
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TC
TrevorC
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 29, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A fantastic meal with amazing fish cookery, great service and excellent location.
The Eight BellsResponded on May 3, 2023
Trevorc, thank you so much for the positive review, I have passed your comments onto the kitchen team who were all thrilled! We do fish specials every Friday so we hope to see you back again soon! Have a great week Jack
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FAQs

The Eight Bells is rated 4.4 stars by 905 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

18 Bridge Street, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1BU

Additional information

Neighborhood
Saffron Walden
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 10:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 10:00 am–12:00 am Sun 10:00 am–8:00 pm Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00 pm–5:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
British, Gastro Pub
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Hotel Parking
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
David Webb
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.theeightbellssaffronwalden.com/
Phone number
01799 522790
Private party facilities
We would love to craft your event, celebration or meeting. Please speak to the member of the team.

The Eight Bells

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Menu

What 905 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is The Eight Bells restaurant rated?

Is The Eight Bells currently accepting reservations?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information