47 The Street Bar and Restaurant in Rayne is a family run Italian venue with a smart, refurbished feel, serving fresh, seasonal dishes with homemade pasta and wood-fired pizza on the menu, plus set menus and a Sunday service.

Set in the village of Rayne just outside Braintree, 47 The Street has the kind of presence you notice straight away. It’s an old public house building that’s been extensively refurbished, but it still keeps that sense of character you’d hope for in a village setting. The overall vibe is contemporary and occasion-friendly without feeling stiff. It’s equally suited to an easy midweek meal, a family catch-up, or one of those “let’s go somewhere a bit nicer” nights when you want proper table service and a longer sit-down.

The restaurant describes itself as authentically Italian and family run, and that comes through in how the food offering is framed. Rather than trying to cover every cuisine under the sun, it leans into classic Italian flavours, using fresh, seasonal ingredients and a mix of local produce and selected Italian imports. You’ll see references to silky homemade pasta, richer slow-cooked sauces, seafood dishes, and wood-fired pizzas, plus classic desserts to finish. There’s also a full wine list alongside beers and spirits, so it’s set up for both “food first” visits and slower, more social evenings.

In practical terms, you can expect a two-service rhythm most days, with lunch and evening sittings, which makes it popular for everything from business lunches to date nights. The venue also highlights that it welcomes children, and there’s outdoor space mentioned, so it isn’t a grown-ups-only dining room. It’s more of a “proper restaurant that families can still enjoy” type of place.

Ordering here is easiest if you decide what kind of visit you’re having. If you’re popping in at lunchtime, the shorter service window naturally suits a two-course meal or a lighter main with a drink. If you’re going in the evening, it feels like a place where people often take their time, starting with something small, moving through pasta or fish, then finishing with dessert and coffee.

Because the full dish list isn’t presented in the information available for this write-up, the best way to choose “what to order” is to follow the restaurant’s strengths and the menu structure it advertises. A good first-visit approach is to lean into one of these routes:

Homemade pasta as your main if you want something classic and comforting

Seafood if you fancy a lighter, more refined plate

Wood-fired pizza if you want something relaxed and familiar

A set menu if you want a guided meal with good structure for starters, mains and desserts

The restaurant specifically references hand-rolled or homemade pasta, seafood, and wood-fired pizzas as key parts of the offering, which tells you where they expect regulars to gravitate. If you’re the sort of person who loves Italian food for its simplicity done properly, pasta is usually the safest “you can’t go wrong” option. If you prefer something fresher and a bit lighter, seafood is a sensible choice, especially when you don’t want a heavy plate. And if you’re eating with a group where tastes vary, pizza is a reliable crowd-pleaser because it keeps the decision-making simple.

Set menus are also a notable feature here. The restaurant promotes a midweek menu, a set menu, and a Sunday menu, which is helpful if you like a more planned dining experience. Set menus can be especially good for celebrations or when you want a full meal without overthinking every course. If you’re visiting for a special occasion, it’s worth knowing the venue also positions itself for parties, celebrations, and private functions, so it’s clearly geared towards group dining too.

Dietary options are not stated in the information provided on the venue listing and menu overview. Vegetarian options: Not stated. Vegan options: Not stated. Gluten-free options: Not stated. Allergen information: Not stated. If anyone in your group has allergies or strict dietary requirements, it’s best to contact the restaurant before you visit so you’re not trying to figure it out at the table.

Location-wise, this is a strong pick if you like the idea of a village restaurant that still feels easy to reach. The address is 47 The Street, Rayne, Braintree, Essex CM77 6RU. Rayne itself has that quieter Essex village feel, so a meal here can feel like a little break from the busier town-centre pace. It also works nicely as a meeting point if friends are coming in from different directions, because you get the atmosphere of a village restaurant without being miles out in the countryside.

Who it’s best for depends on what you want from a meal out, but 47 The Street suits a few types of visit particularly well:

Couples who want a proper sit-down Italian meal that feels a bit more special than a casual chain

Families who want a smarter meal out while still being somewhere children are welcomed

Friends meeting for a longer catch-up, especially if you want wine with dinner and a dessert finish

Small celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries, where you want table service and a structured menu

Anyone who enjoys Italian classics like pasta, seafood and pizza, and prefers seasonal cooking over overly complicated dishes

Handy info is clear and practical. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. It’s open Tuesday to Friday with lunch service 12:00pm to 2:30pm and evening service 5:30pm to 11:00pm. Saturday follows a similar pattern, with lunch 12:00pm to 2:30pm and evening 5:30pm to 12:00am. Sunday service is listed with last orders at 6:00pm and closing at 8:00pm. Booking is available, and the restaurant encourages booking in advance, particularly for larger groups (tables above 10 are asked to contact the venue directly). Parking: Onsite parking available. Toilets: Yes. Takeaway: Not stated (although the restaurant notes its à la carte menu can be available as takeaway, subject to the chef’s discretion). Delivery: Not stated.

Overall, 47 The Street Bar and Restaurant is one of those local Essex venues that feels ideal when you want Italian food in a setting that’s polished but still welcoming. The menu focus on homemade pasta, seafood, wood-fired pizza and classic desserts gives you plenty of familiar choices, while the set menus and Sunday service make it easy to plan a meal that feels like an occasion. If you’re in the Braintree area and want a village-based restaurant that’s comfortable, well set-up for groups, and built around Italian classics, it’s a strong option to have on your shortlist.

Food Types: Restaurant; Italian

Dining Type: Dine In

Area: Braintree, Rayne