A cosy countryside restaurant has been crowned the best in Essex.
Pig & Whistle, based on Chignal Road in Chelmsford, took home the title at the 2026 Muddy Stilettos Essex Awards, adding to its growing list of honours.
The restaurant serves fresh, "elevated, thoughtfully sourced" food and drink in a cosy countryside setting.
It has previously earned two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence and the title of Best Essex Fine Dine Restaurant.
A spokesman for Pig & Whistle said: "To everyone who voted, shared our posts, recommended us to friends and supported us throughout the campaign, thank you.
"As an independent restaurant, awards like this mean so much because they’re decided by people who have visited, dined with us and believed we were worthy of their vote.
"We’re incredibly proud of our wonderful team, whose hard work, hospitality and dedication make Pig & Whistle Restaurant what it is every single day.
"Our goal has always been to create somewhere special for people to celebrate, relax and enjoy exceptional food in the Essex countryside.
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"To now be recognised as Best Essex Restaurant is something we’ll never take for granted.
"Thank you for being part of our journey."
The restaurant has a 4.6-star rating on TripAdvisor from more than 1,700 reviews which frequently praise the atmosphere, service and superb dishes.
One reviewer says: "A wonderful country pub with an eclectic cosy atmosphere. The food was delicious, but the service was absolutely awesome. We had discrete and very professional service from both the two waiters who actually went over and above to help us."
Now in their 13th year, the Muddy Stilettos Awards highlight standout independent businesses across England, Wales and Scotland.
Muddy Stilettos is the UK's No1 luxury lifestyle and entertainment website, covering 35 counties.
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