Sea view through The Pavilion's tall windows, looking out to Dovercourt lighthouse at dusk

The Pavilion

Good food. Great views. By the sea.

Art deco café, cocktail bar & live music · Dovercourt seafront

Our story

Named after the Cliff Pavilion

In 1932 the Cliff Pavilion opened on Dovercourt seafront. For nearly forty years it was the place to be – dances, concerts, choirs, talent contests, and even a radio broadcast.

It was pulled down in the early 1970s to make way for the new promenade. But the music never quite left.

The Pavilion is our tribute to those seaside dance-hall days: live jazz, good cocktails, and the very same sea view.

Historic Cliff Pavilion beside the sea, with people walking along the promenade outside the band enclosure
The historic Cliff Pavilion, Dovercourt seafront

A closer look

Inside The Pavilion

Brass arches & marble
The Pavilion tile floor
Velvet, warm lights & greenery
Our view of the sea

Live music

What's on

Motown Night poster

Saturday 21 November · 7–11pm

Motown Night

with Wendy Wild

£10 for reserved seating, including a glass of prosecco. Standing and bar area free – come and have a boogie.

Reserved seats sold out · Bar area free

GoHighLevel booking calendar / ticket form goes here

Past nights

Jazz Night poster

Jazz Night

Saturday 5 September with Wendy Wild

Our first jazz night in the art deco bar. 1920s dress welcome.

Country & Western Night poster

Country & Western Night

Friday 16 October with Alice Pescott Frost

Dolly Parton tribute, live music and line dancing.

Eat & drink

From breakfast to cream tea

Stack of lemon and blueberry pancakes by the window

9:30 – 11am

Breakfast

Start the day with a sea view.

Halloumi and falafel salad bowl with the sea behind

12 – 2:30pm

Lunch

Dine in or take away.

Large fruit scone with clotted cream and jam

Cream tea by the sea

Handmade scones, clotted cream, jam and a pot of tea.

Pavilion ploughman's board with cheese, ham, scotch egg and bread

The Pavilion ploughman's

A classic, done right.

A ploughman’s board with cheese, ham, pork pie, bread and accompanimentsBeetroot, feta and walnut salad with balsamic dressingA fruit scone served with cream and jamPancakes topped with fruit beside the sea-facing windowCoffee with leaf-shaped latte art beside the window

Freshly prepared

The Pavilion menus

Served 12–2:30pm · Dine in or takeaway

Freshly prepared salads

Feta, beetroot & walnut with balsamic
£10.95
Individually baked quiche Lorraine
£11.95
Prawn & crayfish with Marie Rose sauce
£12.95
Fresh Cromer crab saladWith chunky bread and butter · subject to availability
£14.95

Classic sandwiches

On malted or white bloomer with dressed leaves, farm crisps and homemade slaw.

Ham & wholegrain mustard
£7.95
Cheddar & tomato
£7.50
Houmous, carrot & beetrootVegan
£7.95
Tuna, mayo & sweetcorn
£7.95
Egg, mayo & fresh cress
£6.95

Toasties & melts

Cheese & tomato
£7.50
Tuna & red onion melt
£7.95
Brie, bacon & cranberry
£7.95
Barbecue chicken & cheese
£7.95
Mozzarella, pesto & sundried tomatoVegetarian
£7.95

Ploughman’s

With pork pie, dressed leaves, homemade slaw, pickle, celery, pickled onion, fruit, farm crisps and crusty bread. Please confirm vegetarian accompaniments with staff.

Three cheese
£12.95
Cheddar & ham
£12.95
Three cheese & avocadoVegetarian
£12.95

Extras

Coleslaw
£2.75

Prices and availability may change

Our food is prepared in areas where cross-contamination may occur. Please tell us about any allergies or intolerances before you order.

The Seaside Sandwich poster

Sandwich of the month

The Seaside Sandwich

Lightly toasted thick-cut bread, lashings of butter, crisp iceberg lettuce, tartare sauce and premium cod fish fingers from local legends The Fish Stall. Served with salt and vinegar farm crisps, mushy peas, tartare sauce and a pickle.

Gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free options available.

Please ask staff about allergens.

The festive season

Christmas at The Pavilion

A little festive sparkle, a warm welcome and a sea view. Join us at The Pavilion this Christmas.

A snowman latte beside a decorated Christmas tree and teal velvet chairs

Christmas parties

Details to be confirmed. Call us to discuss your festive plans.

Enquire by phone
Two festive glasses raised in front of a decorated Christmas tree

Festive afternoon tea

Details to be confirmed. Call us to discuss your festive plans.

Enquire by phone
A bowl of soup with bread on a Christmas table with a nutcracker and candle holders

Christmas lunch bookings

Details to be confirmed. Call us to discuss your festive plans.

Enquire by phone

Afternoon tea & parties

Celebrate by the sea

Birthdays, hen parties, group afternoon teas or the whole place to yourselves. Tell us what you're planning and we'll get back to you.

  • Private hire
  • Birthdays
  • Hen parties
  • Group afternoon teas

GoHighLevel enquiry form embed will replace this form.

Google reviews

The Pavilion

Lower Seafront, Marine Parade, Harwich CO12 3RA, United Kingdom

Reviews aren't verified

Popular review topics

Sea views
24
Decor
60
Art deco design
11
Jazz music
5
Read reviews on Google

Find us

Down the steps, on the prom

The Pavilion
Lower Seafront, Marine Parade
Dovercourt CO12 3RA

Tucked down the steps on the promenade, easy to miss, worth finding.

Walking from Harwich

Head south-west along the seafront from Harwich past the lighthouses and along the promenade towards Dovercourt – about 30 minutes on foot. Look for the steps down to the Lower Seafront on Marine Parade. [Owner to confirm route.]

01255 506376

Opening hours

Breakfast
9:30–11am
Lunch
12–2:30pm
Friday & Saturday
Open late
Evening bar snacks
Friday & Saturday · 6:30–9pm

Full weekly opening hours to be confirmed. Please call before making a special trip.

Call to book