Just arrived in Ipswich and feeling a little peckish? Lucky you. You've struck foodie gold.
The Suffolk county town of Ipswich is packed with a mouth-watering array of eateries. Turkish, Japanese, French, Chinese, Lebanese or traditional English fare, Ipswich has the lot. From flame-kissed steaks and burgers to delicate hand-carved sushi, you're in for a truly multi-cultural and utterly delicious experience. Tuck in!
Looking for the best places to eat in Ipswich? Your first stop should be the trendy waterfront. Neptune Marina is just 10 minutes walk from the centre of town and is surely one of the brightest jewels in Ipswich's crown.
The quayside is lined with an exciting and eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes, bars and even a boutique hotel. All of course with stunning water views.
Local cuisine, European, British, International, Vegetarian-Friendly
Informal and relaxed with stunning views, the Waterfront Bistro offers diners great food in a laid-back environment. Fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients are used to create flavourful and interesting dishes.
The current menu (Autumn 2021) includes Moules marinière, 10oz Dedham vale sirloin, Seared Halibut and Adnams battered haddock served with mushy peas and triple cooked chips.
In the mood for something sweet? How about white chocolate baked cookie dough, salted caramel sauce and ice cream or indulgent cinnamon doughnuts, chocolate dipping sauce?
Local cuisine, European, British, Vegetarian-Friendly, Vegan Options
Once a salt warehouse, Bistro on the Quay now provides reasonably priced dining in a beautiful location.
Here you can enjoy local roast Gressingham duck breast with an Asian twist or grilled fillet of sea bass served with wild samphire grass. To round off your meal, why not indulge in a selection of East Anglian cheeses - Suffolk Gold, Walsingham White & Binham Blue.
The diet can start tomorrow!
British Vegetarian-Friendly Vegan Options Gluten Free Options
Are you in the mood for a delicious meal cooked by an award-winning chef in a funky four-star boutique hotel with water views? Sounds good... and it is. The head chef at The Salthouse Eaterie just won Suffolk Chef of the Year 2019.
The dishes served at the Salthouse are made using fresh local ingredients and many have a surprisingly innovative twist.
Starters include saffron and pea arancini, Tuscan ribollita soup or pigeon breast with puy lentils.
If you feel like treating yourself (and there's an r in the month) half a dozen Mersea oysters with pickled ginger, lime, soy and chilli could be yours.
For the main event, choose from seared sea trout, ratatouille polenta cake, braised beef feather blade, porcini tagliatelle, Jerusalem artichoke, confit duck leg or 28 day aged Angus ribeye steak.
There are several specialist vegan and vegetarian menus too including a gluten, dairy-free and vegan/vegetarian afternoon tea.
Local cuisine, French, Mediterranean, European, International
Fancy a first-class gastronomic experience aboard a floating restaurant? Then head for Mariners 1900. The 1899 Dutch customs gunboat turned restaurant can be found moored along Neptune's Quay.
Established in 1994, it has just undergone a £200,000 facelift and is due to have a further £100,000 spent on further refurbishments.
So, what can you expect when you dine here? Plenty of polished wood and brass, a relaxed atmosphere, terrific views of the marina and traditional French brasserie fare cooked by a French chef.
Dishes include baked camembert with roasted garlic, king scallops with smoked duck, French organic smoked salmon, escargot, rib-eye steak and pork belly. There's a veggie option of spiced roasted cauliflower tabbouleh.
Mariners 1900 is open for lunch Tuesday to Sunday, 12-2:30pm and dinner Tuesday to Saturday 6:00-9:30pm
Korean, Japanese, Sushi
Be prepared to be overwhelmed by this restaurant serving Japanese and Korean cuisine. Overwhelmed in a good way - there is just so much choice!
Softshell crab, deep-fried pumpkin, diced octopus, beef tataki, a range of the freshest sushi (prepared in front of you), maki rolls and nigiri. And that's just for starters. Quite literally.
There's also a separate vegan menu. Talk about spoilt for choice.
Fancy a drink? Try some sparkling sake!
If you are looking for an authentic Japanese/Korean restuarant just a short walk from the town centre, then this is the place for you
Steakhouse, Barbecue, Grill, Bar
This innovative restaurant just off the waterfront specialises in simple, stripped-back plates of food cooked over smoke and fire. The plates of food are specially customised to suit the tastes of the diner.
You can mix and match smoked grilled meats, fish and vegetables with a selection of side dishes and tapas.
Unusually for this type of smokehouse restaurant, they care passionately about their vegan and vegetarian dishes and are known for their 100% vegan "bleeding" Moving Mountains B12 burger.
The burger is made from mushrooms and plant proteins with added Vitamin B12 and beetroot juice for succulence and juiciness. 100% cow free and totally delicious!
So what are you waiting for? Bon appetite!
n.b. The dishes are subject to change – check the restaurant's latest menu