my daughter took me here for my 60th birthday. I really wish she hadn't, and I have since forgiven her! I will tell you why this pub should be given a wide berth. The drinks prices are astounding! I really was gob smacked and immediately insisted on going to another establishment, but as she was paying, she insisted we stay. I decided to only have a pot of tea as it was so expensive. When the food came, I felt I was being served up the food of my childhood. Colourless over boiled vegetables, bland and tasteless food with absolutely no care or consideration as to how it was put on the chipped plate! When we were asked how our meal was, I said it was very lack lustre and flavourless and noted the waiter saying something to a lady with red hair behind the bar who shot us a rather unsavoury look. I felt the staff did not care one bit about our custom except payment and did not care about our dining experience at all. Clearly they do not offer one.
I read the reviews on this website and agree with the person who says that it is quite clear the people giving the reviews with top marks all the time are clearly written by the staff of this establishment. They must be, unless they are turning up on the only days in the year when the food and service are astoundingly perfect!

I went to this pub/restarant the other weekend. It wasn't terribly busy, but the wait for food was REDICULOUS. The waiter kept getting everything wrong and did not know what he was doing. The food was mediocre, veg absolutely disgusting, drinks prices must be paid for by taking out a re-mortgage. But to top all of THAT off, we witnessed the landlady BERATING and SHOUTING at customers!! She called them rude, and some other things I care not to mention. I have never EVER witnessed such appalling behaviour by the owner of an establishment and the atmosphere went right down, it was horribly embarrassing. After visitng this 'place' I have made a point of reading EVERY review there is available about the Crown and I am absolutely amased that this place is still open for business. The only reason it is, is because of passing trade, a few loyal locals and the views, which really aren't anything special at all! I also feel that a great many of the 'good' reviews are quite obviously written by locals or staff or even the repulsive and rude landlady herself as they score 10/10 for themselves for everything, and the 'reviews' read more like advertisements... (wake up review sites!!!)
You have to be totally bonkers to visit or even freqent this place and associate yourself with such a rude woman who treats her customers like RUBBISH and surely gives her town a bad name and must be well-known for it. Shame on you. The staff must be so embarrassed as well. I feel very sorry for them and the poor customers.

I absolutely had a really lovely meal here today with my wife,and with my dad and my stepmum.We all had a very good portion of food,very good service from the staff.The portions were all very good,the dessert was lovely,the staff made a fuss of us all.By checking to see if everything was ok with our food.It was lovely and clean had a lovely atmosphere.It was good value for money.



We can't understand what is wrong with some people dissing/moaning about this place,as to us it's the best pub in Essex with stunning river views of the river Stour.And we would highly recommend that anyone passing by this glorious establishment pop in to give it a try.And if you fancy dessert,do give Julies chocolate monster a try as it is out of this world.And it's also a real treat for your tastebuds.

A friend of mine and I stayed here on a rambling tour. The accomodation was adequate although the room we stayed in had an overwhelming smell of feet. The food we had was greasy and overcooked, most especialy the breakfast. Not very nice or appetising. My companion could not eat the breakfast I'm afraid as it was just too greasy. The staff are not warm at all and it all just seemed too much effort for them. I really enjoyed my tour of the area and would definitely come to Manningtree and Mistley again to explore the area further, but will decidedly give this establishment a miss and find somewhere more welcoming. The best and only positive point of this establishment that I can proffer is the views and location only. The Dedham Vale is most spectacular.

Following a very warm welcome from the young lady behind the bar, we were taken to our table over looking the river.

The restaurant and bar were very busy, but our order from the extensive menu was taken quickly and food arrived hot and in good time.

The cod was fresh and the chips were obviously from fresh potatoes, although the peas and carrots were slightly over cooked.

Staff are well turned out, friendly and efficient, although the landlady could be heard shouting at staff behind the scenes, which was a little off putting.

Toilets and the customer area in general were very clean.