Balkerne Restaurant

Located in our Colchester campus, the Balkerne Restaurant offers guests the opportunity to dine in our restaurant, where every customer that walks through our doors is directly contributing towards the success of the next generation of hospitality staff – both chefs and front of house. The restaurant is open to the public during term time only.

In October 2025, Colchester Institute’s Balkerne Restaurant proudly celebrated the relaunch of its newly refurbished facilities, the relaunch event was officially opened by Milsom Hotels & Restaurants.

The restaurant, which plays a central role in training Catering and Hospitality students, has undergone a major refurbishment with industry-standard equipment. Alongside the installation of a modernised bar, the dining area has brand new tables, chairs, and industrial-inspired furnishings, creating a vibrant and professional learning environment for students. 

Book with ResDiary Dish Cult
01206 587511
balkerne.restaurant@colchester.ac.uk

Please note, the car park entrance is called North Gate and is opposite St Helena.

Restaurant Bookings

All meals come inclusive of beautiful breads made in our patisserie and tea/coffee to finish

Wednesday to Friday Lunch 12pm, 12:15pm or 12:30pm (the restaurant closes at 2:30pm)

£15 per person – 2 courses and tea/coffee to finish or £18 per person – 3 courses and tea/coffee to finish

Tuesday Dinner 6:30pm, 6:45pm or 7pm

£25 per person – 3 courses inclusive of a arrival drink and tea/coffee to finish

Thursday Dinners 7pm

Taster menu: £35 per person – 5 courses inclusive of arrival cocktail and tea/coffee with petits fours to finish

Themed menu: £40 per person – 5 courses inclusive of arrival cocktail and tea/coffee with petits fours to finish

Please note, we accept card payments only but we accept cash tips for servers, under 16 year olds are not permitted and you are required to sign in upon arrival and enter your car registration for free parking. Opening times and prices are subject to change without prior notice and large tables will need to pay a deposit.

Bookings are required and can be made through the ResDiary DishCult link below or using the contact information on the page.

Book with ResDiary Dish Cult

Menus

Here at the Balkerne Restaurant we endeavour to serve dishes that take seasonal produce and then give them a modern twist by pairing British ingredients with international flavours, using modern cooking techniques.

Table setting sponsored by Wilkin and Sons Ltd, Kitchen sponsored by Bonnet Hobart and Chocolate sponsored by Callebaut Chocolate.

Sample Lunch Menu

Starters

  • Roasted red pepper and tomato soup with pesto beignets
  • Pan fried chicken livers and oyster mushrooms served on toasted brioche
  • Creamy hot smoked salmon with fresh pasta and basil

Main Courses

  • Roasted Mediterranean vegetable ravioli with a herb sage sauce
  • Sauté chicken with chasseur sauce
  • Pan fried mullet with a fennel and saffron broth served with crispy herbs

Desserts

  • Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce
  • Blackcurrant delice
  • Pear flan Bourdalou

Vegetarian and gluten friendly alternatives are included in our menus. With prior notice, we will endeavour to produce dishes for other dietary requests.

Our Suppliers and kitchen handles numerous ingredients and allergens. Whilst we have controls in place to reduce contamination, unfortunately it is not possible for us to guarantee that any dishes we prepare for customers with special dietary requirement will be 100% allergen or contamination free.