Maison Bleue

As the name suggests, there’s a certain Gallic charm to this relaxed but classy seafood venue in the centre of Bury St Edmunds. The decor is stylish, while menus keep things accessible with an array of daily fixed-price set deals (lunchtime plats du jour with coffee cost just £8.95). Elsewhere, the full carte cranks up the ante with a couple of book-in-advance plateaux de fruits de mer – ‘The Royal’ version features lobster, crab, langoustines, oysters, whelks, tiger prawns & mussels. If that doesn't appeal, there’s an extensive selection of spanking fresh fish – say, whole Dover sole meuniere or skate wing served off the bone in a tomato butter sauce. A couple of meat offerings are always on the menu if you are not in a fishy mood.