A relaxed restaurant on Roman Road, just off the A12 at Shenfield. Simple, carefully cooked dishes at prices that bring you back.
Proper cooking, generous portions and honest value, served all day from noon. Two courses or three, the choice is yours.
Our fully covered al fresco area keeps the garden open in almost any weather, from summer evenings to a crisp Sunday afternoon.
Christenings, birthdays, retirement parties and Christmas get-togethers. Our private dining room and wine-rack table are made for celebrating.
Tuesday – Saturday 12:00 – 23:00, Sunday 12:00 – 19:00
Nobody is quite sure when The Plough began. The story is probably lost somewhere in several pints of beer. What we do know is what it is today: a relaxed restaurant, bar and lounge in the heart of Mountnessing, where the food is cooked with care, the wine list is worth exploring and every guest is welcomed with a smile.
We are not chasing haute cuisine. We cook simple, high-quality dishes, the kind the finest home cooks would be proud of, and price them so that you can come back often.
Tuesday – Saturday 12:00 – 23:00, Sunday 12:00 – 19:00
Come for a three-course dinner, a two-course set lunch, a glass of something good at the bar or a long Sunday with the family.
Fish-led specials, a Sunday roast worth the drive and homemade desserts, served at tables set for lingering.
Settle in for a quiet drink, an aperitif before dinner or a bottle from the wine rack with friends.
Comfortable corners for long conversations, and an al fresco area that works in almost any weather.
Our menus follow the seasons and change regularly. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are always available.
The full kitchen: seasonal starters, fish from the coast, grills and homemade desserts.
Two or three courses at a price the locals swear by. Not available on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or bank holidays.
Roasts and Sunday favourites, with something lighter for those who prefer it.
Christmas lunches and dinners for families, friends and teams.
Easy-drinking house wines through to bottles worth saving for an occasion.
Menus are a guide; dishes and prices may change.
Average rating from 367 reviews on Tripadvisor.
A summer dinner in the garden: three different starters, mains and desserts, every one spot on. The welcome from Idris and the team is why she keeps coming back.
Charlotte T
July 2026, via Tripadvisor
An impromptu dinner became a highlight: caramelised goat’s cheese with beetroot, spicy tiger prawn linguine and sea bass, with attentive, unhurried service from Paola.
Karen D
November 2025, via Tripadvisor
All twenty guests loved their dishes, well presented and generous. The manager and waitress were friendly and professional, and they plan to book again.
Sandra D
October 2026, via Tripadvisor
The set menu was singled out as outstanding value, with liver cooked to perfection and every plate sensational for a party of four.
Sekers
September 2025, via Tripadvisor
Four starters and four mains on the two-course set lunch, all excellent, nicely presented and piping hot when they reached the table.
David B
April 2025, via Tripadvisor
A grandson’s baptism celebrated in the private dining room: great menu choice, tasty food and excellent staff from start to finish.
Jackie
May 2026, via Tripadvisor
A warm welcome, a beautifully presented grilled sole from the set menu and a roasted coconut pineapple to finish.
Gary L
August 2026, via Tripadvisor
From christenings and birthdays to retirement parties and Christmas get-togethers, we love hosting the moments people remember. Tell us what you are celebrating and we will shape the menu, the room and the timings around you.
We are a few minutes from the Shenfield exit of the A12, a short stroll from the Mountnessing windmill, with parking on site.
Tuesday – Saturday 12:00 – 23:00, Sunday 12:00 – 19:00
Tuesday – Saturday 12:00 – 23:00, Sunday 12:00 – 19:00