FAQ's
Is the restaurant still owned by the Tomassi family and how long has it been here for?
The restaurant is still owned and run by the Tomassi family, and we have been in our current location since 1987, after moving over from across the road! Click here for more information and photos of over 100 years and four generations of Tomassi’s.
Is your ice cream home made?
At Tomassi’s we have been making ice cream for four generations. All our ice creams & sorbets are still hand made by us on the premises according to recipes passed down over the decades, and our sauces come from the same supplier that Pasqual Tomassi was using over 70 years ago!
When are you open?
Café Tomassi is open 7 days a week, from 9am-5pm Sunday – Friday, and 9am-6pm on Saturdays. Tomassi’s restaurant is open 11.45am until last orders between 8-8.30pm, seven days a week. We are open every day of the year and on bank holidays, with the exception of Christmas and Boxing Day, when we are shut. For more information about our Christmas opening times, please click HERE.
Do I need to make a reservation and can I reserve a specific table?
We will always try our best to fit in our walk in customers, but to guarantee your table and avoid disappointment, reservations are recommended. Please call us on 01702 435000. Unfortunately for logistical reasons we cannot guarantee you a particular table, but will always try our hardest to meet your request where possible.
Do you take party bookings or have a party menu?
Tomassi’s is the perfect venue for almost any event, whether you are looking to reserve a table for a small party or hire out the entire upstairs restaurant for an evening. If you would like a set menu for your party, please get in touch to discuss your requirements. Click here to find out more about parties at Tomassi’s.
Do you cater for those with dietary requirements?
Allergens: Our food is freshly prepared in our busy kitchen & counters that handle allergens, so we can’t guarantee that our food & drinks are allergen free. Please take care. If you have a question regarding an allergen, please contact us on 01702 435000 or fill out the contact form. Please see the below for our full allergen statement which gives more detail on our allergen policy.
Gluten & Dairy Free: For those trying to eliminate gluten from their diet, there are many items on our menu that do not contain any ingredients that have gluten listed as an allergen - please speak to your server for more information. However, we cannot guarantee that these items are free from all traces of gluten, and will have been prepared in an environment that contains traces of gluten. Due to this, we regret that our menu is not suitable for Coeliacs or anyone that requires their food to meet the legal official gluten free standards. We have soya milk available for those that are dairy free, and if given notice, can arrange for dairy free ice cream or sorbet to be available.
Vegetarian & Vegan: We have a number of items on both our café and restaurant menus that are suitable for vegetarians and there are also vegan options available; please ask your server for more information when ordering if you need help.
Full Allergen Statement: At Tomassi’s we take allergies and our responsibility to you very seriously so we wanted to make sure that you know, all our food is freshly prepared in our busy kitchen & counters that also handle allergens, so unfortunately we can’t guarantee that any of our food & drinks are completely allergen free. We are able to tell you if any of the 14 declarable allergens form part of the ingredients of your chosen item of food and drink, but cannot guarantee that any item is completely free of traces and transfers from any allergen due to their presence in our cooking environment. If you can tolerate small amounts or traces of the allergen in question, we will try our hardest to help you choose something suitable or adapt our food to suit your dietary requirements. If you have a very severe allergy or would be allergic to small amounts/traces of any allergen, we would urge you to speak to us before coming to the restaurant so that we can discuss potential options in advance. However, even in these circumstances, we cannot guarantee any item would be allergen free and to ensure your health, safety, and well being would advise you that our dishes are not suitable for your dietary requirements and not safe for you to eat. Customers with severe allergies are more than welcome to bring their own meals to eat alongside their fellow diners, but should be aware if using our utensils, glasses & plates that nuts and all other allergens are also present in our washing up environment. Your are of course more than welcome to bring your own items.We thank you for visiting Tomassi’s & hope that this notice has helped you make an informed decision about your meal.
Do you have wheelchair/disabled access?
Both the ground floor of our restaurant and café are accessible via wheelchair, and there is plenty of space for wheelchairs at our tables. Please let us know if you will be bringing a wheelchair or have any other requirements when booking so that we can make sure your table is accessible. Our ground floor bathroom has a disabled toilet.
Can I buy a gift voucher?
Of course! We think our vouchers make the perfect gift – please come in during our opening hours to buy your voucher, available in denominations of £10s or £20s, or visit https://southendonsea.totallylocally.shop/vendor/tomassisrestaurant/ to buy our gift vouchers online for click & collect or royal mail first class postage.
What do I do if I think I have left something behind at Tomassi’s?
Please contact us here. We always keep a note of lost property, so if we have it we will keep if safe until you can collect it. Any lost property unclaimed after three months will be donated to charity unless you have arrange with us to keep it for longer.
Do you have a customer car park?
We do not have a customer car park, but the back of the restaurant is very close to the public Alexandra Street car park, and in walking distance of all the major the High Street and Seafront public car parks.
Do you have high chairs or a children’s menu?
We have a limited number of high chairs available, please let us know if you require a high chair when making a reservation so that we can ensure one is available. There is only space for pushchairs at a limited number of our tables, so again, please let us know if advance if you will need to keep your pushchair at the table with you so that we can make sure you have space. Please click here to see our children’s menu.
Where do you get your coffee from and is it Italian?
Our coffee is roasted and blended near Catanzaro in the very southern part of Italy, again by a family business who have been doing this for over 50 years. We have visited the factory ourselves and seen it being produced to ensure that we only serve you with the best coffee.
Do the restaurant and café serve alcohol?
Both the restaurant and café serve alcohol in line with the conditions of our license, as long as it is ordered alongside food. We have a wide range of beers, wines and spirits available for you to choose from, including our delicious Bailey’s Affogato with Italian espresso coffee and ice cream.
Do you do takeaway food?
Café Tomassi offers takeaway coffee and ice cream cornets/tubs. Please come by when the café is open to get yours!
Do you have Wi-Fi?
We have free customer Wi-Fi in Café Tomassi. Please ask your server for the password.
Do you accept credit and debit cards?
We accept payment by cash or by Visa/Mastercard credit and debit cards for any amount. You can also use contactless payment at Tomassi’s.
How do I join the team at Tomassi’s?
Keep your eyes peeled for job adverts in our window and on our Facebook page. Alternatively, please feel free to hand in your CV to the front desk and we will contact you if we have any vacancies that fit your skills.
Anything else?
Contact us on 01702 435000
Lost property?
Any lost property unclaimed after three months will be donated to charity unless you have arranged with us to keep it for longer
What changes have been made due to Covid-19?
2) Staff will be wearing PPE such as plastic visors where appropriate
3) Hand sanitiser will be available on entrance to the building
2) Booking ahead for the restaurant where possible. Parties of 5 or more will be by reservation only as we have a reduced seating capacity
3) Calling us to make a reservation rather than coming in
4) Ensuring that your group consists of no more than two households including support bubbles
5) Provide contact details of the lead party member when requested, as required under government legislation
6) If booked, ensure you arrive on time, not earlier or later, so that we can stagger arrivals appropriately
7) Remain at home should you or anyone in your household have any covid-19 symptoms