Vegan
Beer/Wine
Take-out
British
European
Breakfast
Fully licenced vegan restaurant with seating for 85 inside and out. Est. 2013 and expanded and turned vegan in 2018. Offers breakfast, lunch and dinner; afternoon tea, and a weekly tapas and live music night. Same owners as The Acorn in Leigh-on-Sea. Open Tue-Sun 12:00-22:00. Closed Mon.
84 Reviews
First Review by LeighLady
Hayley(Ve)
Points +37
A must try - Edit
If you're local you will almost definitely already know this place, but if you're a visitor, you must find it.
Read moreI've been several times over the years and it's always great.
The service can be a little slow but it makes it a relaxed meal, where you can just enjoy yourselves, without feeling rushed.
Guest
Merlinsword
Points +39
So tasty and a classy atmosphere - Edit
A really lovely restaurant. Tasty food, I had steak and mash, and my friend has lasagna. We also shared garlic bread and hot chocolate. The whole meal was divine!
Read moreIt has a classy atmosphere inside with nice decor, and it also has friendly staff.
It great to see a vegan restaurant in Leigh.
Pros: Tasty food, Classy atmosphere , Cute paintings of animals
Guest
RockPTFitness
Points +333
Lovely vegan restaurant - Edit
Delicious Sunday lunch at this lovely restaurant.
Read moreWe went for the nut roast, which was delicious, but they have a lovely big menu full of interesting vegan dishes. I wanted to try their battered 'prawns' and famous mac n cheese, so got them too. Both were so good!
We were really full, but had to try the cheesecake for pudding and I'm so glad we did as it was excellent.
Another great vegan find and can't wait to go back, maybe for dinner next time!
Pros: Delicious food, Interesting menu , Good value for money
Guest
ema_mort
Points +203
Love this place - Edit
Been here several times before and love it. Most recent visit was during half term with my two children. The two for one offer was available on small plates so we ordered a selection plus one child meal. It was great to be able to try lots of different dishes as so hard to choose! We loved everything we had. A great atmosphere and super friendly service.
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Great offers available on certain days , Super friendly staff
Guest
jghbagpuss
Points +24
Never disappoints! - Edit
I've been to The Oaktree numerous times over many years and every time it's been a pleasurable experience. They have recently changed their menu and its just as delicious as ever. The staff are friendly and courteous and the ambience is always relaxed. It's particularly lovely in the summer when you can sit outside in their pretty decked area. Highly recommended.
Read morePros: Nice surroundings , Excellent food, Friendly staff
Guest
WiktorBernatowicz
Points +284
Best vegan place in Essex - Edit
Great place with nice atmosphere and superb vegan food.
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Great food, Classy interior
Cons: The only con is desserts. Nothing special
Guest
Phiyaah
Points +46
Really tasty food - Edit
Have been here twice when in the area, and both times it has been excellent. Massive menu with loads of options. Nice calm atmosphere.
Read moreGuest
ChrisCzechurself
Points +34
Top notch - Edit
Visited The OakTree whilst on business for 2 nights in Basildon. First impressions is very important for any business and the staff immediately made me feel welcomed and are very nice and friendly. Really nice atmosphere and decor. I loved the food so much that I went back the following day. There is plenty of choices to choose from, and if anything that was my only personal issue...not knowing what to choose (not a bad issue to have) When I eventually made my mind up I was not disappointed. Highly recommend this place.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-15
Pros: Amazing food, Plenty of choices, Great staff
Cons: Need to relocate closer to my house
Guest
Kari M
Points +44
Tasty flavoursome lunch - Edit
Had a lovely lunch in the garden of this classy restaurant. It was busy, especially considering it was a Friday. Myself and my wife and I had a different salad bowl each and found them interesting, tasty and filling. The dessert menu was decadent and tempting too, we couldn't resist. We'll definitely visit again.
Read moreGuest
BlueRinse
Points +547
Really nice restaurant - Edit
All vegan place, really nicely appointed inside. The staff were sweet and helpful. And the food was excellent.
Read morePros: All vegan, Nice ambiance , Menu has something for everyone
Guest
francescarlett
Points +187
Amazing! - Edit
Great food! Found it as a lunch spot and will definitely be back!
Read moreGuest
SJS5
Points +470
Lovely meal - Edit
We had dinner Sat night, lovely venue, great staff and yum wine. The cauliflower poppers were huge so not pop in your mouth poppery! Lol. The fish and chips were lush but the Pad Thai wasn't to our taste, usually with a light sauce and sprinkling of peanuts but this was more of a satay sauce. We would have tried a pud but were too full. Next time!
Read morePros: Lovely venue , Great staff, Nice food
Cons: Not all plates amazing sadly
Guest
Jordannnnnn22
Points +24
100% Vegan eatery - Edit
The staff are lovely, the menu is diverse and they do great deals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Read morePros: 100% vegan, friendly staff, cocktails
Cons: the food can sometimes be lukewarm
Guest
lucyyrobinsonn
Points +61
Amazing dinner - Edit
The food was incredible, from the nachos to the ‘prawn’ linguini! I wish I could try everything. You wouldn’t know it was vegan and is just delicious!
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Immaculate vibes, Friendly staff
Guest
JoshuaMilton-Glover
Points +204
Lovely little spot 😊💚 - Edit
Completely forgot to take more photos but lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and tasty food.
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Very friendly staff
Guest
MariaFH
Points +13
The Go-To for Vegans/ Vegetarians - Edit
I’ve been going to this restaurant for many years and have had the privilege of experiencing different menus. I, and other people I have brought, are overwhelmed by the amazing amount of options and the richness of the food everytime. Whatever your food preference is, they will have something for you. Jim and Sam have done an incredible job with the restaurant and they should be really proud of themselves for creating this.
Read morePros: Food options , Richness of dishes , Beautifully casual yet romantic atmosphere
Guest
Irons79
Points +16
Spoilt for choice - Edit
Absolutely love this place! I eat here all the time.
Read moreFair play to mainstream places for giving the vegan thing a go and getting a couple of options on their menus. But they're often disappointing, either because they've run out of some ingredients, or the dishes are unimaginative in the first place.
At The Oak Tree there's so much choice on the menu, and it's rich, indulgent food, and generous helpings of it.
Curries, noodle dishes, Burgers, pie n' mash, salads, sandwiches, and other dishes you don't find vegan versions of anywhere else. It's all delicious, I've never had a bad meal here. And an added bonus is there's no worries about getting something non-vegan find its way into your food because it's all vegan!
Vegan versions of old favourites such as cheesecake among others fill the dessert menu.
Service is always with a smile and the waiting staff are very friendly.
Try keeping me away!
Pros: Choice, Portions, Quality
Cons: Can be difficult to park nearby
Guest
Fran083
Points +16
Really tasty food and great place! - Edit
I recently visited and had a lovely time - food arrived quickly and was delicious (lasagne was spot on) and the place felt very festive! Great staff also
Read moreWill be returning!!
Guest
VeggieCouple
Points +16
Wonderful - Edit
Such a lovely place
Read moreFully vegan and so much choice. We had the cauliflower poppers and drumsticks to start. Followed that with the satay curry and quarter pounder
Presented well and full of flavour.
Also had a couple of the ice blend drinks which were very good!
Too full for desserts but cheesecakes sounded great. Maybe next time
Staff were friendly and attentive despite it being very busy.
Would recccomend booking as gets very busy
Updated from previous review on 2021-07-24
Pros: 100% Vegan , Independent , Great choice
Cons: Can get very busy
Guest
MattSheern
Points +96
Poor service. Average food. - Edit
I've been to the OakTree a few times now, so I feel confident that my experience isn't an isolated incident.
Read moreThe OakTree only seems to employ very young wait staff, some look around 15/16 years old. I assume because they're cheaper. As a result, I've always had to try and get someone's attention to ask for a menu, or to be served and they haven't known anything about the food. Not the staffs fault, they're just very busy and inexperienced.
A couple of the starters are great, desserts have always been a highlight. But I'm yet to have a main that didn't taste frozen and very processed.
Overall, the OakTree feels like a restaurant that's run on a very tight budget. I've always left feeling like I've been taken advantage of. A real shame, I hope they can turn it around!
Updated from previous review on 2022-08-17
Pros: Nice Decor , Diverse Menu
Cons: Young, inexperienced and unattentive staff. , Poor quality, frozen food.
Guest
Adz
Points +42
Lovely - Edit
After a slow start ( nicely complemented wit free drinks and patatas Bravas) the meal for 5 people was excellent. All diff choice. Prawn linguine full of flavour. As were bao buns. Would come again
Read morePros: Loads of exciting and unusual options
Cons: Today. Slow service.
Guest
essexlee
Points +38
Amazing - Edit
Food was amazing. Had the 'shrimp' linguine and my wife had lasagna. Both were exceptional. Service was fantastic. Literally can't say a bad word about this place. Will be going back at the next available opportunity.
Read morePros: All vegan, Plenty of variety from burger to italian, Lovely staff
Cons: None
Guest
Wombatcom
Points +24
Always 5* - Edit
I've been here on numerous occasions, and every damn time the food is to DIE for!! So flavoursome, it convinces non vegans. Its a bit pricey, but you are paying for top quality food and service; I don't mind when the restaurant is this good. The staff are always lovely (thank you for the epic size slice of cake!) And that reminds me; you HAVE to try the chocolate hazelnut cake...
Read moreO
m
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:)
Pros: Every dish (and cake omg), Staff are lovely, Really nice coffees too
Cons: Pricey, but worth it 100%, Toilet doesn't flush very well
Guest
BigSixBass
Points +437
Stylish and tasty - Edit
Wow, what a sleek and stylish interior, with great artwork on the walls.
Read moreFree parking right outside, and the best part of all, the food :)
I had the satay curry and my colleague had the "chicken" (seitan) burger. Both delicious, and the coffee was excellent too.
Top marks all round!
Guest
Fattyted
Points +3421
Phenomenal! - Edit
Wow. This is genuinely one of the best places I have ever eaten. Everything was delicious! Between my husband and I we tried the cauliflower poppers, the lasagna, the grilled broccoli, the garlic mushrooms and the bao buns. I only wish we could have tried everything else on the menu too! Highly, highly recommend!
Read morePros: Amazing extensive vegan menu , Freshly made food , Fantastic friendly and welcoming atmosphere
Guest
kayleighetc
Points +155
Amazing vegan restaurant! - Edit
Such a lovely restaurant in Leigh, cute interior too.
Read morePros: Good variety of options on the menu, Friendly staff, Big portions
Guest
Roxarah
Points +174
Full and Pleased - Edit
Service was friendly and fast.
Read moreI really was not expecting such large portions. Garlic bread was a bit too salty for my taste but everything else was lovely.
We had Pad Thai and 'Chicken' Burger with Chocolate cookie Sunday to finish. All tasted amazing.
Environment and relaxing and it did not look too busy but we went quite early.
Pros: Large portions, Friendly staff, Relaxed environment
Cons: It looked quite small
Guest
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