Location: Aldeburgh
Top Restaurants in Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh (/ˈɔːlbrə/ AWL-brə) is a coastal town in the English county of Suffolk. Located on the North Sea coast to the north of the River Alde, the town is notable for having been the home of composer Benjamin Britten and as the centre of the international Aldeburgh Festival of arts at nearby Snape Maltings, founded by Britten in 1948. It remains an artistic and literary centre, with an annual Poetry Festival and several food festivals and other cultural events. A former Tudor port, Aldeburgh was granted borough status in 1529 by Henry VIII. Its historic buildings include a 16th-century moot hall and a Napoleonic-era Martello Tower.
Things to do in Aldeburgh
1. The Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Sam and the team at The Lighthouse restaurant welcome every customer into a relaxed atmosphere which instantly makes you feel at home. With three different eating locations, downstairs, upstairs and the courtyard, The Lighthouse offers a 'Sleepy Suffolk' approach to eating out, with you dictating the pace of your evening. The Lighthouse chefs work tirelessly to continue to produce mouth-watering dishes for the A la carte menus and, the lunch & pre-cinema menu. With the creations of the dishes, Head Chef Guy Welsh ensures that the ingredients for all his dishes are as local as possible, with much of the fish coming right off the beach in Aldeburgh, our duck coming from Norfolk based Gressinghams, Five Winds butchers in Melton for our juicy steaks and local salad leaves from Sue Allen in Thorpeness. To round off the perfect evening, The Lighthouse offers a wide selection of tempting wines and local Adnams beers to compliment all of our dishes.
Reviewed By jimbosmiff - Essex
Visited for dinner on a busy Fri evening -- booking at peak times seems advisable.
A warm welcome and all the staff were pleasant and helpful.
I choose a trio of cured salmon, then calves liver. My wife had fish soup, venison bourgignon.
All dishes were very good and would be happy to make a return visit hopefully in better weather !
2. Regatta Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 795 reviews
Reviewed By Louise A
the staff went above and beyond to help us celebrate my husbands 50th birthday, they tailored his dessert and came out singing happy birthday! the winter deal was fantastic for £45 per couple including wine and the food was sensational! booking recommended as i can imagine it gets very busy :) 5**
3. Seafood & Grill Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 495 reviews
The Seafood & Grill restaurant is a wonderful place to relax and soak up panoramic views along the beach, whatever the time of year, though if you are lucky enough to visit during summer, you can take full advantage of the sea-facing al fresco Terrace. It has a relaxed ambience and restaurant staff are slick and friendly. Menus at the restaurant at The Brudenell Hotel are full of seasonal produce, sourced from local suppliers. Head chef James Barber is responsible for creating the appealing modern European dishes on offer; his specialty is good honest food done well, like salt beef hash with a fried egg and sweet potato fries, or his own version of fish and chips. The extensive wine list offers the discerning drinker plenty of choice, and good value for money.
Reviewed By Vidco - Chelmsford, essex
We returned again and although it was quiet in the restaurant they gave us the table we had requested on our last visit. Service was excellent and they were extremely accommodating since my father needed his oxygen machine plugged into an electrical socket. Health and saftey went into action to ensure no one tripped over his cable and we carried on with our meal which was truly excellent.
We've eaten here many times over the summer and it's always packed out, maybe it's quiet now because it's a beach location and we are approaching the end of the year.
We will keep coming back.
4. Brasserie Bleue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 592 reviews
Our new Bar and Brasserie has been inspired by a modern desire to return to simple, 'back to basics' food, offering freshly prepared dishes, contemporary, informal surroundings and impeccable service. We hope the whole family will enjoy dining with us. From fresh fish bought from Dean's Shed, situated on the beach opposite the White Lion, to smoked kippers sourced from Pinney's of Orford, every ingredient used in the exciting dishes which feature on the new menu, has been 'hand picked' to guarantee an abundance of flavours - Bon Appétit.
Reviewed By Moorlandlass - Kirkbymoorside, United Kingdom
We enjoyed supper at the brasserie with friends while staying in the hotal. The staff were welcoming & attentive & gave 150% & the food was superb...delicious & beautifully presented. We also enjoyed breakfast the following morning where the staff were equally wonderful. The views also added to our experience. Well done White Lion...be proud of yourselves
5. The Mill Inn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 231 reviews
We are an old fashioned seaside PUB serving tradional and modern pub food and adnams ales and wines...NEW for summer 2015 we have installed our own smokehouse oven from america...do not miss our amazing hickory smoked king ribs,short rib of beef and 18hour cooked beef brisket..booking advisable!!
Reviewed By David R - Hundon, United Kingdom
Oh what a night. Brilliant food. Steve the singer was brilliant and we all danced the night way. Thank you.so much to the owners and staff for making it such a great night. Will definately be back next year.
6. Cinnamon Leiston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
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Reviewed By Robbie66 - UK
We visited this restaurant whilst staying in the local area after my husband had read so many positive reviews. From the minute we arrived were made to feel very welcome by all staff - and especially Mac the owner. The food was delicious & I really enjoyed Macs favourite dish the Fish Sizzler. We would definitely recommend you visit this restaurant for a warm welcome & great food.
7. Elizas at DP's Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Eliza's Thai Street Cafe is a wonderful seasonal pop up street cafe based at DP's BAR Aldeburgh UK. We serve authentic freshly prepared thai dishes. Fresh fish from The fishermen on Aldeburgh beach cooked thai style. Started with my wonderful Thai friend oH. She now has a beautiful baby girl and makes all our fabulous starters. Every dish is cooked to order and this year I have brought some amazing new dishes back from my travels in Thailand. This years favorite is my Thai crispy pork with three flavor sauce and amazing Aldebugh cod with Garlic and black pepper. Phad thai is a party favorite. Come and enjoy and relax at this very informal and vibrant street cafe. We have Seating outside in the yard and on the street and inside our bar. We are very busy so its a good idea to place your orders early to avoid disappointment, we cant cook the food quick enough !!!!
Reviewed By Goz007
We ate here over the bank holiday weekend whilst staying in Aldeburgh. I love Thai food so was pleased to see it nearby to our accommodation as it made a nice change from the other restaurants/pubs which have similar menus to each other.
My only job was convincing my children (aged 9 & 5) to try it too but they were happy to so all was good.
I had the pepper & garlic cod which was locally sourced - very good. I think we had a pad thai in there too. Daughter had chicken & cashew nuts, all devoured.
The mixed starter was ace, can't remember what my wife had now - but suffice to say everyone enjoyed their food, were made to feel very welcome and had a lovely evening.
We sat in the bar area which was fine, not too busy (we were there at 6.45pm).
A couple of times I had to get the barman's attention to get a drink or something but do you know what? I actually prefer that rather than a restaurant which insists on table service and then fails to deliver it well, it stresses me out more waiting and waiting for a waiter to come than just getting up and going to the bar yourself!
8. Aldeburgh Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By david h - london
Difficult to fault. The food was really excellent. Very good indeed, and we both enjoyed it hugely. It was near closing time (day service only) but they did the decent thing and didn't clean up before everyone had gone. One slight criticism if I might, was that the tables for two really weren't big enough, and we and them struggled to put the food and drink down !
9. Cragg Sisters Tearoom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 345 reviews
Reviewed By Alfieconnspurs - London, United Kingdom
Had lovely soft scrambled eggs with the smokiest bacon I've ever had, it was delicious.My partner had the same. both lovely. her scone was not as nice sadly. gluten free? not sure,but wasn't sweet enough.lovely friendly staff. Pear juice to die for. but the music!!! Drove me round the bend.Hence the low rating. food n service is five star.
10. The Wentworth Hotel Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
A traditional restaurant serving modern and British classics. French influences are also evident. Enjoy hearty dishes and fresh fish and seafood obtained from the beach the same morning! Enjoy a three course dinner from £27.25. Relax in one of the spacious lounges after with a coffee. Private room also available for celebrations for up to 20 guests.
Reviewed By Halibut51 - Woolmer Green Stevenage
We were staying at the hotel with the autumn break package that included b&b, evening meals and one afternoon tea. The afternoon tea comes with either cake or (see photo) scones, jam and cream (a bit too much cream really) - very acceptable.
Evening meal - a good choice of meals (slightly changed on different days) and wines in a comfortable environment - although the art work on the wall does not suit the room: how about some sea scapes? All meals on the menu were apparently available - and they all arrived reasonably promptly and were well presented.
Day 1 We chose starters of salmon and smoked chicken, main courses of duck and pork, and desserts of rice pudding and berry jelly. They were all suitably hot (as applicable), good quality, tasty and well presented.
Day 2 was a challenging day for the restaurant as the oven fan had stopped working. However they somehow managed to soldier on. The haddock and cheese starter was very tasty, the cod steak was a good healthy and tasty option, the chicken was substantial. Spotty dick was a rich pudding with an interesting custard. The creme brule was fine.
Breakfast has a self service range of cereals, fresh fruit, local yogurts, croissants etc etc - but this is an English breakfast so no continental breakfast option of cheese, ham and weird pickled fish. Waiter/waitress service for the cooked breakfast, coffee/ tea and toast. Tip 1 There is a self service toaster - but don't do what one unfortunate soul did and left his toast in too long and produced a cloud of smoke followed by a great commotion as the toast was hastily extracted by the waitress whilst the waiter frantically wafted the smoke away from the smoke alarm!!
Tip 2 Look out for the local produce such as the yoghurt (very good) and the marmalade (flavourful and not so insipid sweet as commercially produced marmalade).
Day 1 I was very pleased to find haddock and pouched egg on the menu, the wife had pancakes (very substantial, albeit with a bit too much maple syrup in the pot) - see photos.
Day 2 - the kitchen was still recovering from the fallout from the previous evening - no fan/ gas oven took many items off the menu - including the smoked haddock. Not their fault - and they did somehow manage a full Wentworth breakfast. I normally expect to see HP sauce to go with my bacon and at first was given a different brown sauce - however on closer inspection I realised that it was a locally sourced brown sauce that was fine.
