I tried the Southend café with stunning sea views and it was the perfect way to spend a morning

Living in Southend-on-Sea, I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to dining with a view. But there are only a few restaurants and cafes where you feel like you’re literally sitting on top of the sea as it comes in.

This is the experience you get at Oliver’s on the Beach, a tiny little cafe on the seafront in Southend. It’s a little bit of a walk from the high street, but it’s the perfect excuse to have a leg stretch, get some fresh sea air and work up an appetite for some brunch – trust me, it’s worth it.

I made a point of getting to the cafe shortly after it opened at 9am on Saturday morning, as I’d heard from others who’d been – and loved it – that it’s often very busy. I timed it well, as even at around 9.15am there was only one table left.

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The cafe itself is very small and cosy, with artfully worn wooden walls that reflects the absolutely stunning views the cafe gets out over the Thames Estuary. And when I say stunning, I really mean it.

I also, inadvertently, timed my breakfast for high tide, and the sea was already lapping at the rocks beneath the café as I entered. It’s a strange but very exciting feeling, almost like being on a boat except without the movement.

Olivers had a lovely atmosphere, relaxed and friendly, and the waitress didn’t bat an eyelid that I wanted a table just for one. I was given plenty of time to peruse the menu, which has a wide variety of options for all tastes.

I was tempted by the full English breakfast or the avocado toast, and if I’d come for lunch I would have definitely opted for the homemade lasagne. But I decided to push the boat out and tried ‘Issie’s Mexican tortilla’, which consisted of a corn wrap, black beans, avocado, feta cheese, and a fried egg, paired with coffee.

The service was fast, without feeling like I was being rushed. The coffee was really good – strong but without being too bitter. The tortilla was also very enjoyable, even if it was quite challenging to eat.

They had been very generous with the toppings, so I ended up cutting it up like a pizza and attempting to fit it in my mouth that way. I wasn’t particularly successful, but I enjoyed it too much to care. The fried egg topped off the spicy flavours well and I’d definitely order it again.

I really enjoyed my trip to Oliver’s on the Beach, and I’ll definitely be back again soon.

This article is part of EssexLive’s series Essex Eats where a member of our team reviews an independent food business in the county. We don’t tell the business we’re coming and we don’t tell them who we are while we’re there. Every meal for EssexEats is paid for by us and not gifted. Check back every Thursday and Saturday for our top pick that week of a great food spot in Essex.

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