RestaurantsSuffolkSouthwoldIP18

survey result

Summary

£58
   ££
3
Good
3
Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

A fire in May 2023 engulfed this beloved clapboard-shack-style venue with town-centre spin-off, as well as its quayside neighbours, but they were already up and running as a takeaway the following month, with plans to re-open the restaurant (for now there’s limited outdoor seating). Despite the setback, it continues to win raves for “fish ‘n’ chips as good as it gets”, featuring “crispy batter” and “crunchy/soft” chips, “all cooked in umami-packed beef dripping”; add in “a dollop or two of mushy peas as contrasting texture…and who could ask for more?”

Summary

£56
   ££
3
Good
2
Average
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

This “unpretentious and quirky clapperboard-style shack” on the Blyth estuary quayside excels for its “really fresh seafood, served simply”. It’s “difficult to get to without a car”, but they also run the Little Fish & Chip Shop in the middle of town. Top Menu Tip – “wonderful oysters and superb grilled prawns”.

Summary

£56
   ££
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“For a relaxed eatery (i.e. with decor that’s rough around the edges), the food is top quality” at this “exceptionally well-priced” shed, fishmonger and smokery on Southwold harbour. (If you want to get your grub to go, they also run The Little Fish & Chip Shop in Southwold town).

Summary

£33
    £
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A shed on the harbour at Southwold” it may be, but this “quirky” fish shack (attached to a “terrific fish shop”) has earned a big and enthusiastic following thanks to its “posh fish ’n’ chips” and “wonderful shellfish platters”; and “their smokery (and hook-up with the local Adnams merchant) is now adding to the menu” too.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Sole Bay Fish Company?

22e Blackshore, Southwold, IP18 6ND

Restaurant details

No dress code

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£4.80 £43.00 £0.00 £0.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £0.00
Filter Coffee £2.00
Extras  
Bread £4.50
Service 10.00%
22e Blackshore, Southwold, IP18 6ND
Opening hours
Monday8 am‑4 pm
Tuesday8 am‑4 pm
Wednesday8 am‑4 pm
Thursday8 am‑4 pm
Friday8 am‑5 pm
Saturday8 am‑5 pm
Sunday8 am‑4 pm

Best Fish & seafood restaurants nearby

Sutherland House
British, Modern restaurant in Southwold
£63
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
The Suffolk (fka L'Escargot sur Mer)
Fish & seafood restaurant in Aldeburgh
£73
  £££
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good
Butley Orford Oysterage
Fish & seafood restaurant in Orford
£70
  £££
4
Very Good
3
Good
2
Average

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

The Swan
British, Traditional restaurant in Southwold
£57
   ££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
The Lighthouse
British, Modern restaurant in Aldeburgh
£59
   ££
3
Good
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
The Fox & Goose
British, Modern restaurant in Fressingfield
£61
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good