Sur-Mer at The Suffolk

When we say Sur-Mer at The Suffolk is right on the Aldeburgh seafront, we’re not kidding. Just a stone's throw from the sea (granted, you might need a good arm at low tide), the restaurant serves up exactly what you want in this quaint little seaside town - boatloads of local fish and seafood, and quality wines to wash it down with.

The Suffolk’s extensive refurb has been worth the wait, adding a set of charming rooms to an already impressive portfolio. The dining room is smart, with herringbone parquet floors, open fire and sleek wishbone chairs, and a grey blue palette that mirrors the North Sea beyond. A set of stairs also leads to a lovely roof terrace, where you can enjoy a snack in full view of Aldeburgh’s stony beach, or you can plonk yourself on a plush banquette in the lounge for a seaweed poppadom and a sea buckthorn Martini.

Pell has made Sur-Mer a place where classics are appreciated, and what better way to start than a dozen fat, sweet Butley Creek oysters, or escargot swimming in parsley and garlic butter? There is a focus on excellent seafood - Sur-Mer’s dressed crab with pickled cucumber and avocado is one of the best we’ve had anywhere - but the Suffolk offers plenty for less fishy folk too. A cote de boeuf cooked over coals, served with a mountain of chips and bearnaise sauce is something that will never go out of style, especially when it’s done this well. Specials change up frequently depending on what is available on the day, and it’s worth going with a group so you can order a whopping flat fish, roasted on the grill until the gelatinous flesh slides from the bones.

Desserts are simple but well executed - a treacle tart delivered a comforting payload of sugar in a neat shortcrust package, with a dollop of creme fraiche on the side. As for drinks, there are neat cocktails and a smartly-curated wine list where house bottles come in under £30. Throw in impeccable friendly service and The Suffolk really has everything covered. There are lots of reasons to make a trip over to Aldeburgh but The Suffolk is right at the top of the list.  

Sur-Mer at The Suffolk is a restaurant with rooms in Aldeburgh, just minutes from the coast. Boasting truly beautiful views of the sea, this is not a restaurant to miss.

With a stunning location on the coast at Aldeburgh, Sur-Mer at The Suffolk must boast one of the most beautiful views of any restaurant in the country. Sure, you wouldn't want to jump in the sea on most days out here - not without a wet suit at least - but gazing out to the North Sea and watching the sun glisten off its surface is good enough for us. 

Sur-Mer was renovated in 2022, and today it's back open for business as a seafront restaurant with rooms, just minutes from the water's edge. Restaurateur George Pell - also the man who looks after gallic Soho institution L'Escargot - has brought the restaurant back to the present day, and instilled it with a new purpose. Food at The Suffolk celebrates the beauty of the local east coast, as well as the bounty of local produce available along its shores. The menu kicks off with a choice of oysters - Butley Creek, Maldon or Pembrokeshire - before offering up inventive bar snacks like monkfish nuggets with curried tartare, braised salsify with lardo, potato and celeriac rostis and a deep-fried oyster and caviar sandwich. 

There is also a selection of breads cooked over coals - mussel and anchovy with seaweed butter, for example - and that's all before you get to an a la carte of starters and mains. Small plates include lobster bisque with crab toast, dressed Suffolk crab with pickled cucumber and Aldeburgh asparagus and hollandaise, with mains featuring the likes of roasted langoustines with aioli, barbecue monkfish tail with samphire butter and crab linguine. There's also a daily special fish, cooked over coals and served with chips and hollandaise, and a selection of sides.

No meal in Suffolk would be complete without the option of a cheese board, and there are great desserts too, including a chocolate delice with salted caramel and hazelnut, and a classic tarte au citron.