Places to eat in Ipswich

There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy locally sourced produce within the town’s unique independent restaurants, where you can discover the world’s cuisines without ever leaving Ipswich town centre. You’ll find cool waterfront bistros, hummus and belly dancers, the freshest sushi platters and much more in our guide to the best restaurants in Ipswich.

Applaud Café is a popular spot, supplying great coffee, breakfasts, light bites and lunch options in its small tearoom or sunny garden. It’s always bustling with locals and visitors sampling colourful salad bowls, a huge selection of homemade cakes, as well as unique options for sandwiches and wraps to suit all dietary needs. Try the vegan lattes or freshly squeezed orange juice for a perfect pick-me-up. And the garden is a great sun trap if the English skies clear up.

If your coffee cravings require a true Italian fix, head no further than Café Basso (just round the corner from Buttermarket Shopping Centre). Serving everything from espressos to cappuccinos in the real Italian style, you can also refuel with homemade pizzas, pasta dishes, paninis and ciabattas. And of course you must finish off with one of their sweet delights.

For a more traditional English offering, Ipswich has many cosy independents for you to visit. Blend’s Coffee House serves great coffee and excellent tea – served as loose leaves in a traditional teapot – as well as tasty milkshakes and a hearty selection of English café fare. You’ll also be welcomed with a friendly smile at Pickwick’s (conveniently located for a refreshment stop whilst you’re out shopping), where you can sample toasties, scones and of course tea and coffee in the charming oldy-worldy atmosphere. They’re also great at accommodating dietary requirements, so all you need to do is ask.

Last but not least, head to Cult Café Bar for great views of the marina along with your drink. Less than a 10-minute walk along the waterfront from our Town Centre (Quayside) hotel, it’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends, with comfy sofas, a laid-back vibe and floor-to-ceiling windows. Benches outside offer even more great views, and you can enjoy this location any time – grab coffee and casual food during the day, or stay for drinks and even live music events in the evenings.

For the best selection of local produce sourced from proud Suffolk farmers, visit the Suffolk Food Hall, just a mile away from our Ipswich South hotel and with views over the fields and River Orwell. The spacious farm shop offers a traditional carcass-to-customer butchery and fresh bakery, as well as delicatessen, fishmonger’s and much more. Grab a bite to eat at the food hall’s café or Cookhouse restaurant, or stock up your home larder with Suffolk’s finest produce.

Ipswich Country Market is a weekly co-operative run event, offering true farmers’ kitchen produce, plants and crafts. Usually held on a Thursday morning at Rushmore Village Hall, visit for a taste of the countryside and of course plenty of Victoria sponge cake. Ipswich Market also offers foodie delights if you’re looking for a casual bite whilst you’re in the town centre. Located on Queen’s Street, there’s a dedicated section for street food and tasty goodies. Biryani Hut is a popular food van – widely praised as the best Indian in town, they offer no-nonsense street food from their trailer in the food quarter on market days. With Indian wraps, burgers and great vegan-friendly bhajis, it’s a popular lunch spot for office workers, so be sure to visit before they run out.