Caesars at Dolphin is a Braintree venue that blends relaxed pub vibes with a surprisingly varied, modern menu, think sharing tapas, proper Neapolitan-style pizzas, pastas, burgers and a full Sunday roast line-up, with lunch service and delivery options that make it easy to fit into the week.

Caesars at Dolphin feels like one of those places that works for lots of different moods. You can keep it casual and drop in for lunch, turn it into an easy midweek dinner, or make a night of it with a few dishes to share and something decent to drink alongside. The menu leans Italian in places, especially with the pizza and pasta section, but it does not stay in one lane. You will also spot global-style tapas, street burgers, and a Sunday roast menu, which makes it more of a modern, mixed kitchen than a traditional single-cuisine restaurant.

What makes it appealing in real life is how flexible the food offering is. If you are with friends who like sharing plates, there is plenty for the middle of the table. If you are just hungry and want one solid main, there are clear options that do not need explaining. And if you are ordering in, the delivery menu is structured in a way that makes choosing straightforward, with clear sections and a good mix of lighter and heartier dishes.

For a first visit, it helps to decide what sort of meal you want, because the menu supports a few different styles of eating.

If you want a relaxed, sociable spread, the tapas section is the obvious starting point. It is built for sharing and includes a mix of comforting and slightly more elevated bites. You have classics like garlic bread and garlic bread with mozzarella, plus a tomato bruschetta-style plate. Then it moves into heartier options like a pork Scotch egg with mustard mayo, lamb shoulder croquettes with salad and chimichurri-style mayo, chicken wings in BBQ or peri-peri, and chicken skewers served with a herby mayo and salad. Seafood appears here too, with smoked salmon served with a fresh salad, and king prawns in a tempura-style dish paired with a sweet chilli dip. There are also punchy, indulgent bits like brie and jalapeño bites with cranberry sauce, and garlicky mushrooms on toasted bread with mozzarella and balsamic.

If you are a pizza person, the Neapolitan pizza section is where Caesars really shows its personality. The menu describes the dough as homemade and the pizzas as stone-baked at a high temperature, with a tight list of combinations that mix traditional favourites with a few more interesting twists. A margherita keeps things classic with sauce, cheese, basil and olive oil. There is a charred aubergine option that is specifically listed without cheese, which is a useful choice if you want something plant-forward. There are also pizzas featuring grilled courgette and goat cheese, a meat-heavy option with multiple cured meats and chicken, and a pepperoni with thyme. A “fish” pizza is listed too, with anchovies, capers and oregano, which will suit anyone who likes those salty, Mediterranean flavours. If you want something richer, there is a carbonara-style pizza on a white base, and for cheese lovers there is a four-cheese option using a mix including gorgonzola, goat cheese and parmesan. Calzones are on the menu as well, including a meat calzone and a vegetarian calzone with vegetables and salad.

For a more straightforward main, the pasta section is worth a look. It includes a spicy tomato-based pasta, creamy chicken and mushroom pasta, and a classic carbonara. Seafood pasta shows up with a prawn tagliatelle in a white wine style sauce with citrus and chilli notes. There is also risotto, including mushroom, chicken and mushroom, salmon, and a prawn-free alternative for those who prefer something creamy without seafood. A green pesto-based pasta appears as well, which is often a good “lighter but still filling” option, especially if you want something less rich than carbonara.

If you want comfort food that feels a bit more like a pub dinner, the “street burgers and fries” section does that job. Burgers are served with skin-on fries, and there are options that range from simple to properly stacked. You have a plain beef burger and a plain chicken burger for minimal fuss, and then things ramp up with options like a jalapeño and smoked cheese burger with a hot sauce, a relish-style burger with house relish and aioli, and a bigger double patty option with caramelised onions and American cheese. There is also an egg-and-bacon style burger that leans into classic comfort, and a fried chicken breast dish that comes with chips and dipping sauces.

Sundays have their own dedicated menu, and it is clearly positioned as a proper roast offering rather than an afterthought. The roasts are served with the usual Sunday essentials like seasonal greens, glazed carrots, roasted potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. Meat options include chicken breast with stuffing and cranberry, pork belly with apple sauce and gravy, lamb shoulder with mint sauce, and sirloin of beef. There is also a trio roast option. For anyone avoiding meat, a roasted cauliflower steak with crushed peas and Yorkshire pudding is listed, which is a great sign that the kitchen has at least one roast option that is not just “veg on the side”.

Desserts are not a huge section on the menu shown, but there is a cheeseboard listed with chutney, grapes and crackers, which is a nice alternative if you prefer something savoury to finish. There is also a small kids menu with simple, familiar choices like kids spaghetti with tomato sauce or cheese, a small creamy carbonara-style pasta, and kids margherita or pepperoni pizzas.

Dietary-wise, there are a few clear options, but it is best to stay factual. Vegetarian options are available, including the goat cheese pizza, the vegetarian calzone, and pesto-based dishes, plus the cauliflower steak on the Sunday menu. Vegan options exist in at least a small way, such as the charred aubergine pizza that is listed without cheese, and a vegan-friendly bruschetta-style option is referenced. Gluten-free options are not stated. Allergen information is not stated. If you have allergies or need strict gluten-free handling, it is worth checking directly before ordering, especially if you are ordering for delivery.

In terms of the practical visit, lunch service is promoted, and booking is advised for busier times. Parking is not stated. Takeaway and delivery are available. Exact address and postcode are not stated in the menu information used here, but it is presented as a Braintree venue.

Overall, Caesars at Dolphin is a strong pick if you want somewhere that feels casual but still offers food with a bit of effort behind it. The menu is broad in a good way, you can go tapas and share, you can do proper pizza and pasta, you can keep it comfort-first with burgers, and you can make Sunday feel like a proper roast outing. It suits couples, friends and families, and it is especially handy if you like having both dine-in and delivery as options depending on the day.

Food Types: Restaurant; Gastro Pub; Italian; Pizza Place

Dining Type: Dine In; Takeaway; Delivery

Area: Braintree, Braintree