Harwich, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

This small mid-Victorian hotel on the historic Harwich waterfront, overlooking the twin estuaries of the Stour and Orwell, wins solid ratings for its seafood-focused restaurant. It is part of the regional Milsoms’ group (flagship: The Talbooth at Dedham).

In a very comfortable 18th-century coaching inn, set in the “quaint village of Mistley”, California-bred Sherri Singleton’s neighbourhood restaurant (with rooms, plus a kitchen shop and cookery school) has long been of note for its “great seafood”, which includes “wonderful” grilled options, year-round Mersea oysters and bargain moules-frites nights on Thursdays. One caveat: owing to all the above (plus its great-value set meals and River Stour views) it “gets busy, so you must book”.

“The menu doesn‘t change much at this venerable restaurant” and “over the years the school dining room feel is just the same” too, but, hey, “if it ain’t broke don‘t fix it” – and this veteran from the Pinney family definitely ain’t broke. On the menu, “fish, either fresh or smoked in their own smokery” and then “simply cooked – perfect”. “After lunch, wander down to their shop on the quay to stock up on oysters, various smoked fish and meats, their own pâtés and more goodies”.