Aldeburgh Restaurant Guide

“An old favourite” (est 1995) for locals and a “place of pilgrimage” for visitors – this “really busy and buzzy” haunt “continues to deliver great food at very reasonable prices” – and “often hits the heights”. “When it comes down to it, it’s the service that makes the difference” under Sam Hayes, the long-time manager who bought the venue a few years ago.

This handsome colonial-style subcontinental in a contemporary hotel was the first ever Indian in this coastal town, and has been warmly welcomed since opening in 2016; the food is ably matched by a quaffable drinks list including craft brews by Adnams and co.

“Properly cooked fresh fish” – “high-quality, well presented, unpretentious and affordable” – means this popular stalwart comes “highly recommended”. It’s in a “lovely position with tables overlooking the sea”, but it “can get noisy”.

Run by the Cooney family since 1967, and with staff almost as long-serving, this is a “venerable institution and very popular”; expect to queue and “eat on the beach” amid ravenous gulls (their sibling restaurant, the Golden Galleon, has an upstairs dining room).