Whether you are by the coast or in the town centre you will never be far away from a great restaurant in Suffolk. 

Here are 10 that have received national recognition in 2023. 

1. The Suffolk, Aldeburgh

This coastal restaurant was named in the top 100 restaurants in the UK by Square Meal

Stowmarket Mercury: The Suffolk in AldeburghThe Suffolk in Aldeburgh (Image: The Suffolk/Rebecca Dickson)

The restaurant, which has six uniquely-designed bedrooms to stay in, began as French pop-up restaurant L'Escargot Sur-Mer in 2020 before plans were finalised to make a permanent move to the site in 2021.

The Suffolk has been described as a "truly impressive" gastropub by Square Meal, which conducted the survey. 

2. The Maison Bleue, Bury St Edmunds 

The restaurant was included in the Good Food Guide's 40 under £40 list

The list rates the best restaurants in the country that have a three-course meal under £40. 

The Good Food Guide described the west Suffolk restaurant as "classy" and a great place to relax and enjoy superlative service and lovely French Food. 

3. Sutherland House, Southwold

This restaurant was included in the prestigious list of the best places for a date night in the UK

Sutherland House, located on the high street, is an adult-only fine dining experience that specialises in seafood and plant-based cuisines. 

The accolade adds to its AA five-star rating and two AA Rosettes for their outstanding food. 

4. Pea Porridge, Bury St Edmunds

Pea Porridge in Bury St Edmunds retained its Michelin Star for 2023. 

Stowmarket Mercury: Pea Porridge in Bury St EdmundsPea Porridge in Bury St Edmunds (Image: Charlotte Bond)

According to the Michelin Guide, the restaurant is of a high quality and worth a stop

Pea Porridge is on a residential square and the restaurant's name is a nod to the old town green, which was once outside the front. 

The restaurant regularly changes the menu from North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. 

5. Lark, Bury St Edmunds 

The restaurant had only been open a couple of months before it was added to the prestigious Michelin Guide in November

The Michelin Guide said of the west Suffolk restaurant: "This small, sweet building overlooks an abbey and a cathedral in the centre of this historic market town.

"Choose from a great range of modern small plates that deliver satisfying, carefully judged flavours with a definite Mediterranean influence."

6. The Anchor, Walberswick

The coastal restaurant was named in the Good Food Guide for 2023 as a go-to destination

Stowmarket Mercury: The Anchor in WalberswickThe Anchor in Walberswick (Image: Newsquest)

Colourfully painted, The Anchor is impossible to miss when driving through the seaside village of Walberswick. 

The bright blue façade is just a hint at the colours inside, where pops of reds and blues brighten up the pub and make it a stylish place to spend an evening enjoying some fresh local food. 

7. The Eaterie in The Salthouse, Ipswich

The Ipswich Waterfront restaurant was named among the best in UK after it was included in the Food Awards England 2023 list

The awards honours the exceptional talent, dedication and passion displayed by restaurants, chefs, eateries, suppliers and various food establishments across England.

8. The Greyhound Inn, Pettistree

The much-loved east Suffolk pub was named one of the best gastropubs in the UK for the second year in a row. 

The Greyhound Inn in Pettistree reopened in November 2022 under the ownership of friends Cassidy Hughes, Will Orrock and then-head chef Harry Mckenzie.

Though it had only been open for a few months, The Greyhound was named one of Estrella Damm's top 100 gastropubs.

9. The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell

The Unruly Pig is no stranger to national recognition and it received plenty during 2023. 

Stowmarket Mercury: The Unruly PigThe Unruly Pig (Image: Newsquest)

The restaurant came second in the Estrella Damn's Top 50 Gastropubs guide for 2023

The pub was top of the list last year and hosted the award ceremony this year but was beaten to the top spot by Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland, in Lancashire. 

10. The Grill at Twenty5, Ipswich 

This family-run Ipswich restaurant won a national food award

The Good Food Awards recognise the hard-working teams who strive for culinary excellence within their field. 

The Grill at Twenty5, in St Nicholas Street in Ipswich, won a 'highly revered' Gold Seal which is given to restaurants that consistently achieve high customer ratings over three years.