Best restaurants in Ipswich

Set on the River Orwell, Ipswich has plenty of restaurants that offer waterside charm and old worldly feel. However, from boundary bending brasseries to themed smokehouses and Spanish tapas, there’s much more going on here than meets the eye. But when it comes to discovering the top eateries in Ipswich, it can be hard to get an accurate feel for them, especially through a screen. As a helping hand, we’ve assessed all the options and united all the best restaurants in Ipswich right here, on one page, with all the information you might need.

Updated on 04 June 2024

Many restaurants in Ipswich offer traditional experiences, like afternoon teas and Sunday roasts, but you can also find places to eat that cater to all budgets, tastes, and occasions. This list includes a few of them, along with some of Ipswich’s best fine dining restaurants found in the town centre and nearby manor houses. So, if you’re looking to impress the parents, or celebrate an anniversary, you’re in the right place. Ipswich also has much to offer when it comes to casual dining and fuss-free menus. As we know, what makes food so good is rarely its price tag.

The diversity of restaurants and cafes is hardly surprising. The banks of The River Orwell that transects the town are lined with pretty cafes, shops and galleries. You’ll also find popular attractions like the 19th-century Old Custom House and the Christchurch Mansion which houses a 500-year-old kitchen. If you're not that into history, though, you can pay a visit to the Ipswich Waterfront, or watch a game at the football club. Whether you’re planning a trip to a museum, or simply searching for a memorable meal out with the family, your next favourite Ipswich restaurant is just around the corner.

The Forge Kitchen

1-3 Duke Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 0AE

The Forge Kitchen is a curious place, and no worse off for it. This steampunk-inspired restaurant near the Ipswich Waterfront serves charcoal-grilled meats, fish, and vegetable dishes along with the weirdest and most wonderful cocktails.

Under £30

Steak

British

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Takayama

13 St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TH

A warm and welcoming cherry blossom-clad restaurant on St Nicholas Street, Takayama serves an envy-making assortment of Japanese signatures. Think teriyaki, tempura, sushi and nigiri to enjoy with bubble teas from the specialised bar.

£30 - £49

Pan Asian

Sushi

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The Mariner Restaurant

Congress Road, Glasgow, Glasgow, G3 8QT

The Mariners Restaurant is as waterside as you can get. It’s a brasserie-style eatery within a renovated 1899 boat furnished with subtle nautical features and an upper deck perfect for sunset dinners with views of the marina.

Under £30

Scottish

International

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The Salthouse Eaterie

Salthouse Harbour Hotel, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AX

Located on Neptune Quay, Salthouse champions short supply lines and independent producers with a menu demonstrating earthy but refined seafood and grill dishes. This one is best reserved for celebration dinners and romantic evenings.

£30 - £49

Afternoon tea

International

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The Restaurant at Kesgrave Hall

Hall Road, Kesgrave, Suffolk, IP5 2PU

Set in a Georgian hotel on the outskirts of Ipswich, The Restaurant at Kesgrave Hall serves a selection of British fine dining and brasserie-style dishes in a stylish dining room illuminated by intimate Italian lighting.

£30 - £49

British

Afternoon tea

Bistro

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At Twenty5

25 St Nicholas Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TW

A family-run restaurant dedicated to local seasonal dishes, The Grill at Twenty5 specialises in charred steaks, burgers, and classic pub fare. It’s a rustic pub restaurant with low timber beams and a sun-trap courtyard.

£30 - £49

Modern European

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The Moloko

8 Lion Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DQ

The Moloko has fingers in every pie, and we don’t just mean Spanish empanadas. This tapas restaurant offers a downstairs bar with creative cocktails, along with a romantic upstairs dining room serving flavour-packed Mediterranean small plates.

£50 - £79

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The Bildeston Crown

High Street, Bildeston, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 7EB

Awarded three AA Rosettes, this former coaching inn has nailed the recipe for elevated gastropub fare - the kitchen practises an ‘estate to plate’ philosophy to maximise flavour and minimise food miles. Plus, the interiors are perfectly charming.

£50 - £79

Gastropub

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If you’re on the hunt for great restaurants in the Suffolk area, why not take a look at our roundup of the best restaurants in Bury St Edmunds - including one we rate so highly we’ve included it on our top 100 restaurants list.

Alternatively, if you’re searching for occasion dining restaurants closer to home, we’ve got the perfect solution. There are several impressive options for private dining near Ipswich, and nothing screams celebration more than hiring an exclusive space to indulge in a meal for your nearest and dearest - particularly when you don’t have to do the washing up!