Food & Drink

Snape Maltings, Snape

The world-famous Aldeburgh Music concert halls are based at this converted maltsters, as is perhaps East Anglia’s leading food lovers’ emporium, with its own pub, restaurant, food hall, a plethora of shops and home to the equally renowned Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, which is held on the last weekend of September. It is also the venue for one of the best monthly farmers’ markets on the first Saturday.

Wyken Vineyard, Shop & Restaurant, Stanton

Shop first in a country store with wool throws and blankets from Scotland, design-led crafts and pottery from England, French grape-picking baskets, and timeless clothes in linens and wool; then head to the Leaping Hare restaurant in a 400-year-old barn and sip a glass of Wyken Bacchus while perusing the Michelin Bib Gourmand menu. Do explore the gardens and take a guided tour of the vineyards.

Adnams Brewery & Distillery Tours, Southwold

Suffolk and especially the north-eastern part of the county is Adnams country. Visit the brewery and the distillery for tours to see how the ales, spirits and liqueurs are produced and of course a good slurp or two to find your favourites. Tutored tasting and sampling in their excellent Visitor Centre are included. Alternative 'Make Your Own Gin' Experience too. Pre-booking essential.

Elveden Estate, Elveden

Lord 'Ned' Iveagh and his family have created a delightful emporium at the heart of the family 'farm' (the largest ring-fenced arable land in the UK), full of delicious foodie, retail and leisure opportunities - The Courtyard. The food hall and attached cafe-restaurant, full of estate produce are just part of the appeal. Elveden's Christmas experience is a worthy discovery.

La Hogue Farm Shop & Cafe, Chippenham

In a quiet rural setting, this is a real treat, not just the expected great range of produce and specialities, but a passionately run shop and good lunchtime cafe, and also a butchery counter and delicious meals to go. Lovely alfresco setting too.

Lower Dairy Farm Shop, Nayland

The Taylor's farm shop for own reared, well-hung, grass-fed Hereford-Angus beef and proper free-range pork as well as family-made preserves, eggs from their flock and home-grown apples and walnuts, not forgetting their own horseradish.

Wheldon's Fruit Farm, Newton Leys, Sudbury

Growing PYO since the Seventies, now three generations of Wheldons now work the land. Wide range of orchard and stone fruits, berries, vegetables, and you can also buy regional cheeses and locally sourced meats from the farm store.

Two Magpies Bakery, Southwold

An artisan bakery and intimate magical cafe with great music, cool arty interior and of course, amazing pastries, breads and fine beverage essentials. All the loaves feature their sourdough culture for depth of flavour and seek out the locally-inspired Double Broadside cake. Bakeries also in Aldeburgh, Norwich and Darsham (beside A12), where they have their popular Bake School where you can learn to make sour dough.

Hall Farm Cafe & Farm Shop, Stratford St Mary

Next door to a well-stocked farm shop, get here early or late for a chance of a table such is the popularity for the simple good value country cooking, using great local ingredients such as the farm’s beef, lamb and potatoes. Summer terrace with views across the Stour Valley to Dedham church.

Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead

An excellent food lovers’ emporium on a real working farm stocking fine produce such as East Anglian cheese, bread from their bakery, charcuterie as well as their own reared rare breed meat, Suffolk coast fish and locally-grown vegetables. They have a smart-rustic restaurant with outstanding views of the River Orwell and the iconic road bridge.

St Peter's Brewery, St Peter South Elham

Local beer with a global attitude, this relative newcomer started in 1996 and now export their bottled beers worldwide. A huge variety of contrasting styles and flavours. There’s a rustic pub-restaurant in the historic setting of moated St. Peter’s Hall next door.

Giffords Hall Vineyard, Hartest

A family-run vineyard with offering tours & tastings and cellar door sales during the summer months. Known not just for good Alsatian style whites like grassy Bacchus and Madeleine Angevine, but also fizz, rosé and Pinot Noir red. Regular open days featuring local art and sculpture. You can also buy lavender products, sticks, sheep fleeces, orchard juices, candles, liqueurs and lots more.

Willow Tree Farm Shop, Glemsford

Three generations and over 30 years’ trading at this family-run proper farm shop. Seek out their home-grown unsprayed veggies and other rustic goodies.

Fish Huts, Aldeburgh Beach

Unusually the in-shore boats are dragged up high on the rolling shingle beach of this cosmopolitan chic resort town high on the rolling shingle beach. The fishermen are by their huts on the beach with the morning’s catch glistening in front of them, allowing you to pick the very best for your table.

Emmetts Hams of Peasenhall

Mark David is a charcutier par excellence, crafting amazing legs of pork into cured and smoked gammons of sheer class, made here since 1820. Quirky variations on the normal ham and bacon don’t end at Green Unsmoked or the Smoked Suffolk Black, how about spicy molasses Christmas Cure, black peppercorn, Earl Grey, fennel seed and many other interesting flavourings. Also, a heavenly continental deli and courtyard café.

Aldeburgh Market, Aldeburgh

Good Food Guide-recommended deli, kitchen, cafe and fishmongers all under one roof. A great late breakfast or lunch venue after a wander along the cosmopolitan High Street and the beach promenade.

White Horse, Sweffling

A rare beast in Suffolk, a proper drinking house in the middle of nowhere, with two alternating beers and one cider drawn from the taproom casks, keg-free (but there are 5 bottled Suffolk lagers). Food is interesting bar snacks, and either ploughman's and savouries in the summer months or hot from the Aga come winter, bliss! Of course, there are traditional pub games and dogs welcomed.

Friday Street Farm Shop & Cafe, Farnham

Not just a great place to buy locally-grown food and amazing Suffolk products but also visit the lovely cafe-restaurant, wet fish shop, homewares store and butchery. Seasonal summer PYO soft fruits too.

Earsham Street Cafe, Bungay

Well-established neighbourhood eatery, owned by enthusiastic cake bakers, perfect for a light lunch or afternoon tea after a walk around the castle ruins behind.

The Swan, Stratford St Mary

A good pit stop if walking along the river Stour or boating; the Swan’s beer garden has its own landing stage. An excellent range of craft beers and real ales put together by beer guru Mark Dorber. An experimental micro-brewery is now installed, to take advantage of their own garden hops. Local, seasonal, interesting food is served and their mean sausage rolls, always on the bar, are a must. Sister pub to Anchor at Walberswick.

Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill

Smack beside the Orwell river at historic Pin Mill, this walkers’ pit stop dates from the 17th-century and has long links with barges and sailing - it's a classic riverside pub, full of simple charm with old settles, tiled floors, nautical artefacts and fine watery views. It even has a window to serve those still aboard their boats! Expect local beer from the barrel and good pub food.

Pinney's of Orford

Established in 1959, Pinney's of Orford are a 3rd generation family run business that specialise in producing fine quality smoked products due to the experience and understanding that they have gained over the years in both fishing and smoking. The smokehouses are still the original houses built by the founder Richard Pinney and are located next to Butley creek in Orford, Suffolk.

Slate Cheese, Southwold & Aldeburgh

Slate Southwold & Slate Aldeburgh are treasure troves for cheese enthusiasts and foodies. You’ll find everything you need for the perfect cheeseboard, including artisan crackers, crispbreads, honey, nuts, chutneys and preserves. For lunch or supper, you can feast on Pump Street Bakery’s sourdough bread, freshly made sandwiches, and locally sourced sausage rolls, pasties and pork pies.

Honey & Harvey Cafes - Woodbridge & Melton

Two modern independent British coffee houses using a large variety of single estate coffee and tea. Chefs use locally sourced ingredients from artisan suppliers to create mouth-watering sandwiches and delicious cakes daily. Excellent all-day brunch menu - smoked salmon & scrambled egg on sour dour, confit duck wrap and filled baps and bagels. Relaxed, laid-back vibe too.

The Hut, Woodbridge

A pretty waterside cafe, situated adjacent to the model boat pond on the river wall beside the River Deben in Woodbridge. Serves breakfast, brunch and lunches, and cakes & locally made Suffolk Ice-cream.

Blue Rabbit Cafe & Smallholding, Shottisham

The rustic Blue Rabbit Cafe at St Margaret's House Campsite is an outside eatery with a few covered tables, serving home-made, home-grown food from owner Claire's smallholding in the village. All the meat, eggs, honey, fruit and vegetables she serves in the cafe are grown here – food metres not miles. Call by for delicious bacon buns, filled pancakes, cheese toasties, served with salads, and homemade cakes.

Pump Street Bakery & Chocolate, Orford

Family-run bakery offering outstanding bread and handmade pastries, all made daily in the village. They showcase the bread and pastries in their intimate cafe, serving sandwiches and savouries alongside the artisanal tea and coffee - the perfect coffee stop before exploring Orford Castle or catching the boast to Orford Ness. They also make small batch bean to bar chocolate too...!

Flint Vineyard, Earsham

Innovative vineyard and winery set in the beautiful Waveney Valley near Bungay, just across the border in Norfolk. Ben and Hannah Witchell established Flint Vineyard in 2016 and successfully blend cutting edge science with traditional winemaking techniques. Enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards and state-of-the-art winery, then stay for the 15-mile lunch menu, paring top-notch local produce with the award-winning wines.

Farm Cafe & Shop, Marlesford

An oasis on the A12, a few miles from Woodbridge, the Farm Cafe has been serving quality, locally produced food since 2001. The cafe has built a reputation as a destination for good, honest, mouth-watering breakfasts and lunches (not to mention the famous homemade scones!). Don't miss the excellent Farm Shop next door - if there’s anything on the menu that you’ve particularly enjoyed, you can buy it and cook it yourself at home!

Ramsholt Arms, Ramsholt

In a setting that's all location, location, location (at the end of a dead-end lane, right beside a tidal beach overlooking the River Deben), this former farmhouse, ferryman's cottage and smugglers' inn is the place to be on a warm summer's evening. Watch the setting sun over the water and listen to the plaintive call of the curlew across the marshes, while you sup a pint of Adnams ale on the terrace, accompanied by a plate of locally landed seafood.

Artisan Smokehouse, Deli & Cafe, Falkenham

Tim and Gill's award-winning smokehouse in tiny Falkenham on the Deben Estuary produces a delicious range of smoked foods and beautiful hampers. Goose Barn is also home to a popular cafe serving breakfasts, coffee and cake and light lunches, and a great little deli selling their hand-smoked salmon, beef, cheeses, smoked duck, salami, oils, chillies and spices, olives, and smoked garlic - alongside quality local artisan goodies.

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Last updated: 05/03/21