“YOU won’t find a better place to eat on Canvey.”

A man on the next table made bold claims as I made myself comfy at the Labworth Beach Café on Canvey - and I certainly wanted to put his theory to the test.

Seawall defence works forced the closure of the popular seafront restaurant on October 1 last year and fans of the seaside eatery were keen to support it when it re-opened this week.

It’s rated as one of the best places to eat on the island on Tripadvisor, but does it live up to the hype?

Echo: Restaurant - the Labworth Beach Café on CanveyRestaurant - the Labworth Beach Café on Canvey (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

As I approached the Labworth on a wet and windy weekend afternoon, I expected the elements would’ve put people off venturing out.

But I was wrong. As soon as I walked through the door, I noticed the restaurant was bursting at the seams with hungry diners who were excited to return to their favourite hotspot.

RELATED: Demolition fears to bustling restaurant: The turbulent history of Canvey's Labworth

I was hungry after a busy morning and, thankfully, I found a table in the window with a lovely view of the coast.

I got chatting with the customers on the table next to mine - Labworth regulars who were devastated it’d been shut for nearly eight months.

Echo: Seaside - Elliot enjoyed lunch with a viewSeaside - Elliot enjoyed lunch with a view (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

“This is without a doubt the best place to eat on Canvey,” one of them told me. “The staff are great, really friendly and helpful and I’m pleased to see a lot of the old staff are back.”

Happy customers - tick. And as I waited for my lunch to be served up, it was clear to see how much love the restaurant’s staff and their loyal customers have for one another.

The team knew many of their regulars by name and, even after months away, remembered the smallest details about their lives. Proper customer service, something which is so often lacking. It was lovely to see.

Echo: Delicious - I ordered a chicken burger Delicious - I ordered a chicken burger (Image: Elliot Deady, Newsquest)

I was spoilt for choice for lunch but after much deliberation I tucked into a hearty chicken burger with a huge portion of chips. It arrived at my table in good time and was delicious.

At a few pence shy of £20 for my lunch and a drink, it wasn’t cheap but what is these days? I can’t grumble about the quality of the food, atmosphere, or service, which are all (almost) priceless.

I’ll be back next time I’m on the island.