Riverside Inn Pub in Chelmsford

Victoria Rd, Chelmsford CM2 6LJ

About This Pub

Ah, the Riverside Inn – it's one of those places that just draws you in with its lovely 17th Century mill vibes and that welcoming feel, doesn't it? I really enjoyed the classic pub grub they offer, especially on a Sunday with those roast dinners, and the beer garden is just the ticket for a sunny afternoon catch-up with mates. The location's spot on too, bang in the middle of Chelmsford, so you're never far from a bit of shopping or a stroll around town. Plus, being dog-friendly adds a nice touch if you're out and about with your pooch. On the flip side, though, some of the food can be a bit hit or miss – I heard a few grumbles about overly saucy dishes or vegan meals that didn't quite deliver, and it does feel a tad expensive for what you get. Oh, and don't get me started on the parking; it's a right nuisance with those unreliable machines opposite. Still, overall, it's a solid spot for a relaxed pint and a chat, as long as you go in with realistic expectations and maybe plan ahead for the adults-only evenings. I'd say it's worth a visit if you're in the area, but keep an eye on those little niggles to make the most of it.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The historic building is full of charm and character, making it a real treat to visit and feel like you're stepping back in time.
It's in a brilliant spot right in the heart of Chelmsford, close to the shopping centre and city centre, so you can easily pop in after a day out.
They serve up some solid classic pub dishes and roast dinners on Sundays, with highlights like truffle fries that hit the spot.
The beer garden is spot on for summer months, and it's great for watching live sports while enjoying a pint.
It's dog-friendly inside and out, which is ace if you're out with your four-legged mate, and the rooms are comfy if you're staying over.

Cons

Some dishes can be a bit pricey and not always spot on, like the Texan BBQ that was swimming in sauce and needed scraping off.
Vegan options are limited and might not be the best value, with things like the Thai green curry coming across as watery and unbalanced.
Parking nearby can be a real faff, with machines that don't always work properly, which might put a dampener on your visit.
It's adults-only on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you're with the family or younger crowd, you might have to plan around that.
The hotel doesn't serve breakfast, so you'll need to head out to find a cafe or spot for your morning cuppa.

Contact Information

Victoria Rd, Chelmsford CM2 6LJ

+441245266881

Pub

Hours not available

Opening Hours

Opening hours not available

Location

Recent Reviews

Lovely historic buildings with lots of charm. Ideal location for peace and quiet. But being a stone's throw away from the shopping centre. Where you can anything in some very nice shops. The hotel doesn't serve breakfast. But there's plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from. I had an evening mean of fish and chips, which I must say was so fresh. Wonderful. I also must mention all the friendly staff who made my stay unforgettable. Especially Ben who managed to book my in earlier. I would most definately recommend this little gem. Just one word warning! As it's a Grade 2 Listed building. There's no lift! So take care of you have mobility problems or heavy luggage! But apart from that. Everything was perfect :)))

Anne Fernandes

We visited the pub, service was ok and the beer was nice. A bit more expensive than I would have liked. The Texan BBQ was average with an overwhelming amount of bbq sauce that I had to scrape of with a knife before eating. Really good location though. Truffle fries were nice.

Nathan M

Attractive place though did not stay in the hotel. I just wanted to feedback on my meal. Please reconsider your vegan options. I had the Thai green curry. This consisted of watery sauce with a few very large chunks of courgette, onion and celery. It was not good value, neither was it a balanced meal or filling enough. Might I suggest adding tofu or lentils for protein. The other option of a mushroom between two slices of bread is also not a balanced meal. If the chef became vegan for a week, they would soon learn how to cook a decent tasty and balanced vegan meal. Until then I will not be returning. Though I would like to add the two non-vegans in my party were happy with their food.

J C

An excellent room and reflection of the rustic heritage. A tad noisy as expected for upstairs accomodation from a pub but quietened down at a reasonable hour. Great bathroom and shower over bath. Right in the centre of town. Parking in the recommended car park opposite was clunky as the system couldn’t cope with a weekend to weekday slot. I will say the young girl who first met us when we arrived clearly wasn’t helpful however, this was quickly picked up and remedied by the young manager.

Dave

Good food, great service. The only thing that let my visit down was the car park opposite. No problem with parking, plenty of spaces however it was very difficult to pay, first machine was card only and wouldn't accept any of my 3 cards, second machine was cash only and not working, tried to download the parking app and that didn't work either, luckily a friend had the app and paid for me. Pub itself is first class.

Alan Norris