Seaside Seafood

Southwold still has a busy harbour – wander along the Blackshore and you’ll find fishermen repairing their nets or preparing to set off to sea – so it’s no surprise that this popular seaside town is home to plenty of places where you can enjoy the catch of the day.

At the lower end of the High Street you’ll find Marks Fish & Chips, where friendly staff offer traditional fare every lunchtime and early evenings Monday-Saturday. Eat in or take away, the choice is yours.

On East Street, close to the Market Place, you can’t fail to spot the cheery blue and white façade of The Little Fish & Chip Shop. Enjoy a platter of oysters at the popular window-bar, order fish and chips with mushy peas at the zinc counter or choose from the mouth-watering display of fresh fish and cook up a treat in the comfort of your holiday home. Open seven days a week, this eatery maintains its high standards even in the busiest of times and is a sister business to the iconic Sole Bay Fish Company on the Blackshore at Southwold Harbour.

An expansive outdoor seating area at The Beach Café on Southwold Pier provides the perfect setting for fish and chips in the fresh air (there’s family-friendly indoor dining space too!). And with a special nod to those with dietary intolerances, gluten-free fish and chips are served on the first Saturday of every month.

Down at the harbour, one of the famous black huts is home to Samantha K’s where freshly-landed, longshore-caught fish is sold daily. Dressed crabs, lobsters cooked to order and mackerel are among the long list of offerings here… they’ll keep your order refrigerated if you want to walk up an appetite before returning to your holiday home.

Further along the Blackshore, the holiday-season queues outside Mrs T’s fish and chip shop are testament to the tastiness of its great-value fare. Well worth the wait – and the walk from town – the portions are generous and the service friendly; if you don’t want to be pestered by Southwold’s peckish seagulls, take a seat in the restaurant. 

For a more sophisticated seafood experience, make your way to the Sole Bay Fish Company, where you are guaranteed a memorable meal of freshly prepared shellfish and fish caught by the firm’s very own boats. Lunch is served in the characterful restaurant from 12noon-3pm seven days a week; book early to avoid disappointment – this is one of Southwold’s ‘must-do’ destinations. Or if you prefer the DIY option, there’s a popular fish counter stocked with the day’s catch – knowledgeable counter staff are trained in filleting and always ready to offer some expert cooking advice too.