The Saracen's Head

The space

The Saracen’s Head occupies a mid-terrace position on Moulsham Street, Chelmsford’s main eating-and-drinking strip. The interior is open and modern without being cold - exposed brickwork, reclaimed wood, and enough warm lighting to make it a pleasant place to spend two hours on a Tuesday evening. The kitchen is visible from part of the bar, which most people find reassuring.

What to drink

The drinks range prioritises wine over ale, which marks it clearly as a gastropub. The wine list is short but reasonable, with a few genuinely interesting choices by the glass. There are two or three ales on draught for those who want them.

The verdict

The Saracen’s Head is not the most interesting pub in Chelmsford - The Queen’s Head holds that position - but it is the most reliable gastropub on Moulsham Street, and reliable matters more than interesting when you need somewhere to eat and drink on a weeknight. The kitchen is consistently competent.