Food in Southwold
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Megaflow

Original Poster:

11,424 posts

253 months

Wednesday 29th February 2012
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We're going to Southwold for a couple of days at the weekend, so I'm looking for recommendations for somewhere to eat. Budget up to ~£30 a head.

Also, anybody know a good chippy for chips by the sea?

TIA

ColuGav

156 posts

195 months

Thursday 1st March 2012
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Assuming you mean Southwold in Suffolk (not sure if there is another), then I suggest taking a short drive down the coast to Aldeburgh and sampling probably the best fish and chip shop in the country.

Two fish shops on the main street, both owned by same person, one has a sit in restaurant upstairs.

http://www.aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk/restaurants...

Megaflow

Original Poster:

11,424 posts

253 months

Thursday 1st March 2012
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Good call, yes I did mean in Suffolk.

mr.man

511 posts

244 months

Thursday 1st March 2012
quotequote all
Most of the places to eat in Southwold are pretty good but about three of them will be more than your budget allows. There's a cafe that sells fish and chips at the entrance of the pier,quite popular with families but personally I don't rate them. In the high street there's Mark's Fish and Chips,much better but too far from the sea to walk without your food getting cold. Forget taking them in your car to the beach as you'll never park in time.
Aldeburgh is always busy for food at the weekends but again at least four places are going to be more than £30 per head. The Aldeburgh Fish& Chip shop just has the edge over the Golden Galleon,
can't put my finger on it,probably begause they generally just do fish and chips and the turnover is quicker making for freshness. Ask for them "open". Important.

Lippitt

869 posts

237 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Yeah, the fish and chips at the start of the pier are rubbish. If you stay in Southwold then Marks is your only other option for fish and chips, they aren't bad, but you should definitely go to Aldeburgh if you get the chance. I don't think there is anywhere is Southwold that I would really recommend avoiding, so just see what you fancy and what is within budget when you are there and enjoy!

Puggit

49,750 posts

276 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Maybe it was that I'd just finished a 3 hour drive, but the sausage and mash in the cafe on the pier, washed down by the local brew was divine!

Lippitt

869 posts

237 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Yes, should clarify - the cafe on the actual pier itself is quite nice, its the chip place at the start you want to avoid.

Adenauer

18,982 posts

264 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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I took the family here for a few days a couple of years ago, lovely pub and they had pretty nice food IIRC. Just down the road from Southwold and a lovely little village.

http://thebellwalberswick.wordpress.com/

gmk666

1,679 posts

253 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
ColuGav said:
Assuming you mean Southwold in Suffolk (not sure if there is another), then I suggest taking a short drive down the coast to Aldeburgh and sampling probably the best fish and chip shop in the country.

Two fish shops on the main street, both owned by same person, one has a sit in restaurant upstairs.

http://www.aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk/restaurants...
Be prepared for a wait. The queues for the takeaway can be pretty long. Worth it though.

lick

Ben Jk

1,714 posts

194 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Adenauer said:
I took the family here for a few days a couple of years ago, lovely pub and they had pretty nice food IIRC. Just down the road from Southwold and a lovely little village.

http://thebellwalberswick.wordpress.com/
My parents go here quite alot. They've even been in on Xmas Day.

The jiffle king

7,469 posts

286 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Do not go to the takeaway curry house. It is without a doubt the worst curry I have ever had. We threw most of it away it was genuinely that poor. (I think there is only 1 curry place)

Pugster

458 posts

209 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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As has been said, the small eatery place on Southwold pier itself is pretty decent for the money. The Cafe that's at the entrance next to the arcade is only really good for snacks.

Having said that the breakfast isn't too bad.

There are a couple of hotels in the town that aren't bad but they are a bit pricier.

Tanguero

4,535 posts

229 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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ColuGav said:
Assuming you mean Southwold in Suffolk (not sure if there is another), then I suggest taking a short drive down the coast to Aldeburgh and sampling probably the best fish and chip shop in the country.

Two fish shops on the main street, both owned by same person, one has a sit in restaurant upstairs.
And both of them usually have queues out of the door and down the street. Well worth every moment of waiting though!

Podie

46,649 posts

303 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Coasters restaurant is excellent - worth booking.
The Crown is pretty good.
For fish and chips, hit the Harbour Inn if you fancy a walk or The Nelson pub if you don't (they both do other pub grub)

Actually, the Blue Lighthouse is OK (not great), and Adnams cookshop also serves a few light bits and pieces. The Swan is a bit OTT, although they once did bar meals in the back bar - not sure if this is still the case, and I've not eaten in the Sole Bay for a few years, so can't really comment.

Edited by Podie on Friday 2nd March 14:14

anonymous-user

82 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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A mile north of Aldeburgh is Thorpeness - The Dolphin does good gastro-pub food (FWIW the site of the very best slow-roast belly pork I've ever had).

The Crown Hotel in Southwold is very good - the Parlour I think has a no bookings policy, and I'm told Sutherland House is also very good, but I've not been there myself.

I have to admit that I much prefer Aldeburgh though - the two F&C shops are great and are worth the (sometimes very long) wait and there, are some great 'foodie' places - Regatta, Lighthouse, 152, etc.

I love that part of the world, trying to buy a cottage in Thorpeness/Aldeburgh at the mo'.

ColuGav

156 posts

195 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Tanguero said:
And both of them usually have queues out of the door and down the street. Well worth every moment of waiting though!
I thought my old man was bonkers when he told me there is a queue outside and round the corner nearly every day.. That was until I witnessed it for myself!

pointedstarman

554 posts

174 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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The Swan in Soulthwold is a nice place to eat & drink. It's in the middle of town & easy to find. Full 3 course a la carte may take you over your budget but 1 or 2 courses will comfortably fit the bill. Believe it has a couple of AA rosettes.

Podie

46,649 posts

303 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
pointedstarman said:
The Swan in Soulthwold is a nice place to eat & drink. It's in the middle of town & easy to find. Full 3 course a la carte may take you over your budget but 1 or 2 courses will comfortably fit the bill. Believe it has a couple of AA rosettes.
TBH, I think Coasters blows it away in terms of food.

Megaflow

Original Poster:

11,424 posts

253 months

Sunday 4th March 2012
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Thanks for the tips guys. We went to the Swan Hotel, superb.

I had scallops, pork lion and panacotta, Mrs Megaflow had venison and apple tart, a few jars of Adnams was £75. It was a little more than the orignal budget but well worth it. So good in fact we went back the following night for a bar meal, 8oz Steak Burger, oh wow...

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