Harden's survey result
Summary
The Pinney family’s fishy institution “hasn’t changed for 40 years, apart from the odd tweak to the menu – and why not, when it’s as perfect as this?” A “simple setting” doesn’t detract from its charms – including the fact that “it was doing local before it became a trendy buzzword, with fish (both fresh and smoked) and oysters from down the road”; “after you’ve eaten, you can wander through this impossibly picturesque village to their shop to take more home”.
Summary
“I could eat anything on the menu and be satisfied” at the Pinney family’s “not-to-be-missed” Suffolk institution. It “never changes: why fiddle with perfection” when “for beautiful fresh or smoked local seafood in a simple rustic restaurant there’s hardly anywhere better” – “even if there’s a distinct lack of vegetables”. Top Tip – “griddled squid is a must”.
Summary
“A unique treasure”: the Pinney family’s well-known establishment has “barely changed for over 30 years – a testament to the why-fix-something-that-ain’t-broke ethos”. Sample the victuals – the “best fish, eel and oysters anywhere” (“plus the delectable griddled squid or sardines”) caught and smoked by the owners themselves – and “then walk down to their shop by the quay in Orford to buy more of the same to take home!”
Summary
It’s “a simple environment and quite noisy” (“not at all flashy”), but “the fish and seafood could not be better” at this famous venue, owned by the Pinney family, who provide much of the catch from their own boats. “The unbeatable, overall quality ensures that you hardly notice the school canteen feel”: “beautiful, very simple, incredibly fresh, plain dishes” all delivered in an “unfussy and unpretentious manner” right by the sea (“maybe could do with a green vegetable more, but the side salad is perfect”).
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Butley Orford Oysterage?
Market Hill, Orford, IP12 2LH
Restaurant details
Butley Orford Oysterage Restaurant Diner Reviews
"This is the freshest fish and shellfish in my opinion you will ever encounter. The food is the big star and just ignore everything else The staff are friendly and busy, the restaurant is a bit stark but no pomp and circumstance. I love it"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £22.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Market Hill, Orford, IP12 2LH
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:15 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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