A foodies guide to the best of Suffolk food

As well as loving nature, we’re very big foodies here at Outside Aldeburgh, with over 30 years in the food and drink industry between us.

So, here’s our thoughts on the Suffolk Food and Drink scene, which is home to a vast range of local and artisan producers.

Fantastic food on our doorstep

The land in Suffolk is relatively light and flat, lending itself to a variety of farming methods and the weather less extreme which lends means we are spoilt with all sorts of fantastic produce.

This combination of agriculture and produce has led to all sorts of wonderfully quality focussed businesses establishing and thriving along our coasts as they cater for tourists and locals alike.

Suffolk is probably best known for its Pigs and Poultry, with Blythburgh Free Range Pork, and Sutton Hoo Free range chickens locally you are bound to find their produce in local pubs and farm shops.

Suffolk breweries

Suffolk is also the home to a vast array of breweries, the most famous of which Adnams is nestled in the stunning seaside town of Southwold. Their wide selection of ales and more recently developed spirits dominate the coastal pub and restaurant scene and for good reason.

Greene King, a national brewery steeped in history and found in Bury St Edmunds also produce a range of solid ales. You can find them in west Suffolk pubs and book brewery tours which come highly recommended.

In central Suffolk you will find orchards near Aspall home of the famous cider, and heading east St Peters brewery in Bungay.

Artisan bakeries

Recently an artisan bakery Two Magpies has blossomed and stablished itself in several locations in East Suffolk. Originating from Orford, and now found in Southwold, Aldeburgh and Woodbridge too, their pastries and doughnuts are highly regarded and cause enviable queues on the highstreets so are well worth checking out.

Honey and Harvey another artisan bakery outlet found in Woodbridge offers some delicious brunches and the best blondie we have found. An ideal place to stop off whilst visiting the many independent shops and pubs of Woodbridge high street.

In the area

Woodbridge is a great place to explore generally with a thriving local and tourist community it is very much alive with businesses. The river walks and parks are also a great way to get some

In Saxmundham (3 miles) you will find a Waitrose as well as a local butchers, and occasionally a street market just behind the Bell pub.

In Aldeburgh (1.5 miles) you will find Salter and King, an extremely high-quality butchers, selling locally source meat, and a range of other produce. Look out for Gerald who had 5 mins of fame on come dine with me some years ago and is well known in our local food scene.

Aldeburgh is also home to Sea Spice, an Indian and Seafood fusion overlooking the beach, a cut above the traditional curry house and a taste of the seaside. There are two fish and chip shops, a right of passage for any new visitor and 5 local pubs, a highlight of which would be the small but perfectly formed White hart inn, affectionately known as the potty bar by the locals due to its vast collection of chamber pots that adorn the ceiling. Other restaurants in Aldeburgh to name a few include the Lighthouse, Regatta and most recently the Escargot Sur Mer.

In Snape (2 miles) you will find the Maltings and the Plough and Sail pub, this is a great place to walk, shop and eat. It is also home to the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival which really is a one stop shop for all of our fantastic local food and drink each summer. Book your tickets and plan your trip in advance as a really popular event.

A couple of farm shops which come highly recommended and are an ideal way to try out all sorts of local produce and stock up for your trip are Friday Street Farm Shop near snape and Emmerdale Farm Shop near Westleton. Be sure to try a home-made scotch egg or the treacle cured bacon when you get a chance!

Whilst you are out and about you might also stumble across Marlesford Café, just off the A12 near Wickham Market. A favourite place to stop off for breakfast and brunch their food and service is consistently perfect. Their sausages, which come from Revetts Butchers in Wickham Market are superbly succulent and with a lovely hint of cracked black pepper.

Stokes sauces, based in Rendlesham are a business close to our heart too, they focus entirely on producing the best tasting sauces, condiments, jams and chutneys. They pride themselves on working with proper natural ingredients to make rich and bold sauces without all the fillers. You will find their products in many cafes, pubs and shops locally and we particularly recommend the Bloody Mary ketchup, the brown sauce and their horseradish.