

OUR
STORY

OUR STORY
53 opened in 2023 and has quickly established itself as one of Essex's leading dining venues. Set in the picturesque grounds of Gables Farm in Fobbing, we attract customers from near and far, and pride ourselves on quality ingredients and exceptional service in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Our freshly prepared breakfasts are what 53 has become best known for locally — locally sourced produce, cooked fresh to order and served in a great setting. The menu is traditionally British and sets out to do simple things properly, using as many local suppliers as we can, from the freshly baked bread through to our Sunday roasts. Whatever you order, it's cooked to order, and we think you'll taste the difference.
THREE SPACES TO CHOOSE FROM
We have three distinct seating areas, so you can pick the one that suits your party:
-
The Main Dining Room — our heated and air-conditioned restaurant, comfortable whatever the weather. Please note this area is not dog friendly.
-
The Front Terrace — a covered outdoor area at the front of the restaurant. Dog friendly.
-
The Barn — covered seating next door, with plenty of room and a lovely relaxed feel. Dog friendly.
Please let us know your preferred area when you book and we'll do our best to accommodate you, though seating cannot always be guaranteed.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
By day we're a restaurant; by night we're one of the liveliest spots in the area. We host a regular programme of Tribute Nights, Themed Party Evenings and Comedy Nights throughout the year, alongside our popular Steak Nights and seasonal celebrations. Our tribute and event evenings come with their own dedicated menus and a fully licensed bar, and they sell out quickly — keep an eye on our Events page and Facebook for what's coming up, and book early to avoid disappointment.
PRIVATE HIRE
We also open our doors for private hire. Whether it's a milestone birthday, a christening, an engagement, a wake or a company get-together, we can seat 58 guests for a sit-down meal or host up to 100 for a standing reception. Choose from our buffet options or a three-course sit-down menu, and we can help arrange the extras too — DJ, singer, light-up numbers, flowers and balloons. Head to our Private Hire page for full details, or email reservations@53fobbing.co.uk to talk it through.
BOOKING WITH US
We're a very busy venue and we book up well in advance, particularly at weekends and for events, so we'd always recommend reserving a table rather than chancing it. To keep things fair for everyone and to make sure every table gets the service it deserves, we operate a set of booking policies which you agree to at the point of booking — please do take a moment to read them when you reserve.
A few things worth knowing: roasts on a Sunday are served on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early. Children are welcome during service Sunday to Thursday, and before 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays; after 6pm on those nights an age restriction of 16+ applies, unless it's a children's event such as our Grotto experience. We're also unable to make alterations to dishes during our busiest periods.
