a crab platter for 2, two oysters, salad and a roll mop
1 / 10

The Company Shed

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A legendary seafood shack on Mersea Island, famed for its ultra-fresh catch and BYO bottle/bread policy. Rustic charm meets unparalleled seafood quali...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
a crab platter for 2, two oysters, salad and a roll mop

The Company Shed

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A legendary seafood shack on Mersea Island, famed for its ultra-fresh catch and BYO bottle/bread policy. Rustic charm meets unparalleled seafood quality.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This is how you do seafood right: high-quality ingredients prepared with care and served with a smile."

TIP

Book Ahead

Reservations are essential, especially during peak season, to secure your spot and pre-order desired dishes.

BYO Etiquette

Bring your own wine and bread, but be aware of corkage fees per bottle and per drink.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 10AM

Cuisine

Seafood

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+44 1206 382700

Address

129 Coast Rd, West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8PA, United Kingdom

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Ocean-Fresh Seafood Platters

Ocean-Fresh Seafood Platters

Indulge in abundant platters piled high with the freshest local catch, from succulent prawns to sweet crab.

Google Review
BYOB & Bread Policy

BYOB & Bread Policy

Bring your own bottle and bread to complement your meal, adding a personal touch to the rustic experience.

Why Essex's castaway island is the perfect place to be this summerGoogle Review
Authentic Seafood Shack Vibe

Authentic Seafood Shack Vibe

Experience a no-frills, rustic atmosphere where the focus is squarely on delicious, locally sourced seafood.

Why Essex's castaway island is the perfect place to be this summerGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#westmersea #thecompanyshed #essexcoast
@andyja19
16 likes • 362 views

Book Ahead

Reservations are essential, especially during peak season, to secure your spot and pre-order desired dishes.

BYO Etiquette

Bring your own wine and bread, but be aware of corkage fees per bottle and per drink.

They were even giving food away! #foodwaste #thecompanyshopuk
@lola_amuah
85.2K likes • 2.7M views

Consider Takeaway

If you can't get a table, order takeaway and enjoy your meal with a view along the coast.

Check Tide Times

If driving onto the island, check high tide times to avoid getting stuck.

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead

Reservations are essential, especially during peak season, to secure your spot and pre-order desired dishes.

BYO Etiquette

Bring your own wine and bread, but be aware of corkage fees per bottle and per drink.

Consider Takeaway

If you can't get a table, order takeaway and enjoy your meal with a view along the coast.

Check Tide Times

If driving onto the island, check high tide times to avoid getting stuck.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Company Shed is celebrated for its incredibly fresh, locally sourced seafood served in a rustic, no-frills environment. Diners rave about the generous platters and the unique BYOB policy. However, some reviews mention concerns about the ambiance, cleanliness, and inconsistent service regarding charges.

"Absolutely phenomenal seafood here...is a must try place....friendly staff...food is so fresh and tasty...daily specials had the salted tiger prawns and salt n pepper chilli squid.smoked salmon pate and makeral pate....this place is a true hidden gem...cannot recommend enough...."

hayley mein

"A must if you are in the area.
Incredible food. Highly recommend booking a table and pre ordering dishes as that just ensures you get what you want. As a table of 10 we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals.
I think I will be dreaming of the oysters and scallops for the rest of the weekend.
Other dishes we had and enjoyed, fish pie, tuna burger, fish cakes, potatoes, fresh prawn roll, deep fried squid and the special for us was deep fried prawns.
Truly amazing seafood, and super friendly staff. I would 100% come back again.
Atmosphere was great, we sat outside with the dog and just watched the world go by in the sun.
Re: parking there is a small pay and display down the road and we were lucky you get a space."

Melanie Phan

"We had a very mixed reaction.
The food was absolutely superb, fresh and a joy to consume. Our party had two sharing platters.
The server was vague, particularly about their bring your own drink "policy". We didn't mind the £6 corkage on wine but charging £6 per drink on our non wine drinking member who brought two pre mixed spirits was outrageous! We had explained our intentions but this charge was not made clear until the bill arrived."

Melvyn Ede

What People Like

Incredibly fresh seafood
Abundant seafood platters
BYOB and bread policy

What People Dislike

Concerns about ambiance and cleanliness
Inconsistent service and pricing clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, reservations are highly recommended and often required, especially during busy periods. Pre-ordering some dishes is also advised.

Best Essex Restaurants - Reviews & Restaurant GuideGoogle Review

The restaurant has a BYO bottle policy, but be aware of the corkage fee per bottle and a per-drink charge for non-wine beverages.

Google Review+1

There is a small pay and display car park down the road, but spaces can be limited.

Google Review

It's a rustic, no-frills seafood shack. Don't expect fancy dining, but do expect an authentic and lively atmosphere.

Why Essex's castaway island is the perfect place to be this summerGoogle Review

Yes, takeaway is available, and you can pre-order online for faster pickup. It's a great option for enjoying seafood with a view.

Google Review

Locally landed seafood, particularly oysters, crab, tiger prawns, and smoked mackerel, are highly recommended.

Best Essex Restaurants - Reviews & Restaurant GuideGoogle Review+1

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The Telegraph

Why Essex's castaway island is the perfect place to be this summer

Widely regarded for its incredible marine bounty, Mersea draws foodies from east London and Essex who come to wolf down its molluscy bad boys in the Company Shed, a family-run seafood shack long-heralded by Essex homeboy Jamie Oliver (thecompanyshed.co; dishes from £6). But fancy it is not.

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Unorthodox, retro Urban Shed has a personal-service ethos so strong that regular customers have a locker for their own mug. Old aeroplane seats perch…

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Call In Your Order For Faster Pickup Seafood Restaurants in Mersea Island - Tripadvisor SEAFOOD AT DAWN, East Mersea - Updated 2022 … WebNov 2, 2022 · Mersea Island Mersea Island 108 Coast Road West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8NA England Website Email +44 1206 383568 … The Company Shed - Restaurant in Colchester, Mersea Island Best Dining in Mersea Island, Colchester: See 5,008 Tripadvisor traveler reviews … Mersea Island Tourism: Tripadvisor has 8,551 reviews of Mersea Island Hotels, … The 20 Best Seafood Restaurants in Orange County (2023) WebJan 28, 2023 · Seafood at Dawn in East Mersea is a seafood establishment that offers fresh and well-cooked seafood at affordable prices. The ambiance is family-friendly, with polite and fast service. The … cmmi and six sigma WebThe Deck - Mersea Seafood Company, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex.

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The Company Shed 866 reviews Open Now Seafood, British $$ - $$$ Menu 2.2 mi Colchester “Amazing seafood!. ” “great food” 2022 3. The Rosebud Pub & Seafood Restaurant 357 reviews Closed Now Bar, Seafood $$ - $$$ Menu 4.0 mi Brightlingsea “Nice homely pub the food was excellent the seafood was absolutely fantastic a...” Best pubs & bars in West Mersea, autumn 2022 - Restaurant Guru Web6 Aug 2022 · The pub walk Essex holidays An island walk to a great pub: the White Hart, Essex A tour of Britain’s most easterly inhabited island – Mersea – reveals centuries of … fedex drop off lockport ny The 10 Best Restaurants Near Brightlingsea Harbour - Tripadvisor Web14 Jul 2020 · 8) Victory at Mersea, Mersea Island Enjoying a peaceful waterfront location, The Victory has stunning views of the Blackwater Estuary and the North Sea.

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märts 2017 · 113 reviews #1 of 1 Coffee & Tea in Mersea Island $$ - $$$ Cafe British Vegetarian Friendly 1E Yorick Road, Colchester CO5 … ricoh 4500 power switch Fish Restaurant The Company Shed West Mersea VeebMerSea Café, Saida. 157 likes · 5 were here. Coffee shop THE 10 BEST Cafés in Mersea Island (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor Coastal Coffee Colchester - Facebook THE ART CAFE, Mersea Island - Restaurant … SEAVIEW BEACH DINER, Mersea Island - Tripadvisor Best seafood restaurants in West Mersea, spring 2023 Our Breakfast Menu - Mersea Barns VeebTea room, Restaurant & BnB accomodation based on Mersea Island, Essex.

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A day trip to this legendary and descriptively named seafood mecca has been a feature of the Essex coast for decades. Take along your own BYO wine and bread and be prepared for the interior to look exactly as you would imagine from the titular ‘shed’. Long loved for its “great seafood platters and daily specials” (crab, cockles, mussels, prawns “don’t get fresher than this”, alongside fine smoked salmon and mackerel); the only problem, as ever, is “if you can get in” – particularly complicated in summer when you absolutely have to book.

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Since opening over 20 years ago this family-run business has built up quite a reputation for serving quality shellfish - indeed it’s one of the go-to seafood restaurants in the county. Specialities include dressed crab and smoked mackerel plus freshly prepared hot seafood dishes including grilled garlic stuffed mussels and crab cakes.. Can’t get a table or simply want to enjoy some of The Company Shed’s offerings at home?

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Mersea’s most famous seafood shack sells award-winning Colchester Native oysters, cultivated on the island by the Haward family for eight generations. It’s not exactly fancy – kitchen-roll napkins and bring your own bread are the order of the day – but there are often queues out the door by lunchtime for the simple reason that the seafood is exceptional. We love: oysters or a seafood platter

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Although it may not look like much from the outside, the Company Shed has been praised as one of the best seafood restaurants in West Mersea. All produce is locally caught when possible, and the Company Shed has a big selection of locally produced alcohol drinks as well. However, the Company Shed allows guests to bring their own wine, if you have a favourite of your own.

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The Company Shed” has gained a strong reputation among locals and tourists for its top-quality seafood. It is regarded as one of the best places for its crab, lobster, fish, mussels and tiger prawn dishes.

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The next day and hungry for more I went to the famous Company Shed. This is the most well known seafood bar on the island and has been well covered in the national press, so I arrived with high hopes.

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On the other hand, The Company Shed has also gained a reputation among locals and tourists alike as the best restaurant to try dishes such as crab, lobster, fish, and mussels.

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With renowned Essex wine merchant Lay & Wheeler as its owner, the oenophile pedigree of this 15th-century coaching inn is top notch. The wine list ..." Read our full review

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