Al fresco dining at Le Talbooth. Photo: Le Talbooth - Credit: Archant From Haywards in Epping to Billy Hundreds in Southend-on-Sea and Square 1 in Dunmow - which has a MasterChef winner at the helm, no less - Essex has so many incredible restaurants. Here, Essex Life picks out 20 of the best... 1. Square 1, Dunmow When Alex Webb won MasterChef The Professionals in 2020, he really put this Great Dunmow restaurant on the map, taking it from local gem to destination dining. Webb has since moved on to make the most of the doors that the win has opened, making space for a new head chef, Spencer Hewitt, who has more than 30 years’ experience in hospitality industry and a passion for locally sourced produce. The restaurant offers a relaxed yet formal dining experience with an emphasis on modern, fresh, local cooking. If you're looking for an excellent Essex lamb or scallop ceviche, this is your place.