About This Pub
Ah, The Purple Dog – it's one of those pubs that just feels like a proper local gem in Colchester. I've got to say, the food really steals the show; whether it's a hearty roast dinner or those loaded fries, it's all done with real care and leaves you satisfied every time. The atmosphere is spot on too – warm, inviting, and just the right place to unwind with friends over a drink or a meal. Prices are fair, so you won't feel short-changed, and the staff are always up for a chat, which adds to that friendly feel. That beer garden is a bonus on a nice day, giving you a bit of outdoor space to enjoy. On the flip side, if you're not drinking, the non-alcoholic choices are a tad limited, and I'd love to see more options there to make it inclusive for everyone. Plus, their website's a bit of a letdown, more focused on legalese than useful stuff like the menu. All in all, it's a solid choice for a good night out, with plenty of positives that outweigh the minor niggles – I'd definitely recommend giving it a go if you're in the area.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The food is absolutely spot on – think delicious roast dinners, tasty BBQ chicken loaded fries, and classic fish and chips that keep you coming back for more.
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It's got a really warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for catching up with mates over a pint or settling in for a relaxed lunch.
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Prices are spot on for what you get; you can have a few drinks and a hearty meal without breaking the bank, like that £45 deal for a group.
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The staff are always helpful and friendly, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk in.
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There's a lovely beer garden that's ideal for enjoying a sunny afternoon, whether you're with family or just popping in for a quick one.
Cons
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The non-alcoholic options could do with a bit more variety, like more flavours of bottled cider or some mocktails to give teetotallers more choices.
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From what I've seen, the website's a bit dry and full of terms and conditions rather than helpful info, which might make it tricky to check menus or events online.
Contact Information
42 Eld Ln, Colchester CO1 1LS
+441206564995
Pub
Opens at 11:00
Opening Hours
| Monday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Friday (Today) | 11:00 - 01:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 - 01:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Recent Reviews
Very nice roast dinner, would definitely come back again 🫶🏻
Good food, helpful staff good place to spend time with freinds and family.
Spent an afternoon at Purple Dog and found it warm and inviting. £45 for 3 drinks, 2 large mains, a side and a kids mela is very reasonable in my book for such lovely food.
Highly recommend this venue as a place to come for a quick pint or two settle in for a long lunch to enjoy the ambience.
Kudos also to the attentive and charming staff.
Regularly eat here for lunch when in the city centre. Love the bbq chicken loaded fries, and the chicken strips are also good. Would love a larger non alcoholic selection of bottled cider flavours and mocktails in the future, but there is a small selection available and the beer garden is lovely.
This is a great town centre bar that serves delicious food. I have used this bar for quite some time and it never disappoints - whether visiting during the day, for some food, or meeting friends in the evening for a drink.
During a recent visit, we enjoyed the food that we ate: fish and chips and the stuffed cheese burger. The burger was excellent because the beef was good quality and it was cooked very slightly pink. It also had a chilli jam relish that accompanied the rest of the burger very well.
What was noticeable was how happy the staff looked and the service couldn't be faulted. The bar is dog friendly and even when our clumsy labrador knocked over his water bowl, clearing things up was not an issue.
The Purple Dog caters for visitors from all walks of life and the atmosphere is also friendly and relaxed. In the evening, they have security staff but I have never seen any trouble.
It is one of the few Colchester town centre pubs that serve Ghost Ship which is also an added bonus.
I would highly recommend this bar.
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