The Belstead Arms - Carte

Aqua Eight

➤ 8 Lion Street Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 1DQ, IP1 1EL, United Kingdom

Carte • Beer • Wine • Thai • Asian

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"The lunch menu is priced at £15.50 for 3 courses with a glass of wine, which is great value. We had a nice lunch on Tuesday, but were not happy when the waiter started clearing the table while one of us was still eating. The table next to us also had the same problem and their bill was reduced as a result. Perhaps the waiter needs to improve their customer service skills, as we have never encountered this issue before. However, this won't deter us from returning soon, as the food is always excellent."

ASK Italian

➤ 23 Grafton Way, City Centre, Ipswich, IP11AX, IP1 1AX, Berkhamsted, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Pasta • Italian • Gluten Free

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"Our 20 yr old student son was visiting Ipswich as part of an upcoming placement. He had to stay in a hotel for two nights on his own and eat out for dinner as nothing available in the hotel. He went to ASK at around 6.30pm and asked for a table … he was told they ‘already had too many’ despite all the empty tables and him being on his own. Very offhand and rude and made him feel very uncomfortable. On phoning afterwards we were told they were short staffed and having a difficult day. Nice of them to take it out on a young man on his own. Shameful behaviour! The reality is he was one person, it was early doors, and all he wanted was a warm meal after a long day. He wouldn’t have been taking a table up all night and making demands on the staff. If you happen to find yourself in a similar situation save yourself the trouble and just go to Prezzo. Or just go to Prezzo in any event."

Ocean Fish Platter

➤ 43 Upper Brook St, Ipswich IP4 1DU, United Kingdom

Carte • Fish • Kebab • Sushi • Steak

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"For my main course, I had the halibut steak with baby potatoes, and it was outstanding! The fish was cooked to perfection, with a delicate sear and tender, fresh meat. The chef truly excelled with this dish! The baby potatoes were soft but had enough firmness to hold their shape, and the dressing on the plate was just right for enhancing the flavor. I also decided to try an oyster for the first time. The staff were very helpful in explaining how to eat it. Following a friend's advice, I added some lemon juice and Tabasco sauce, along with a few drops of shallot vinaigrette. Instead of swallowing it right away, I let the oyster sit on my tongue for a moment to savor the flavor, and I was pleasantly surprised. I've heard oysters can be hit or miss, but this one was definitely a hit—even for a picky eater like me! The white wine I chose was a nice complement to the meal, with subtle fruity notes that were not overpowering, pairing well with the various fish dishes. If you appreciate high-quality, fresh food cooked to perfection, this is the place for you! I’d rate it a perfect 10/10 and have already recommended it to friends. A big thank you to the staff for a delicious meal and a delightful evening! For vegetarians, I noticed a few options on the menu, and the restaurant is spacious enough to accommodate larger groups, making it kid-friendly as well."

Mariners

➤ Neptune Quay, IP4 1QJ, Ipswich, United Kingdom

Carte • Kebab • Steak • French • Cheese

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"Checking in to a hotel in an unfamiliar place, it is tempting to book one 's first evening meal in the hotel 's restaurant (unless, of course, one has had chance to research the alternatives beforehand . This may seem a safe option, but is often a mistake, as it was on my visit to Ipswich. Had I only known that a minute 's walk along the quayside would have taken me to Mariners, I should have eaten there twice rather than only once! A floating restaurant can often prove to be a bit of a gimmick, but Mariners seemed to get good reviews so, on night two, I gave it a try. A beautifully restored and maintained Dutch customs gunboat from 1900, with gleaming brass and polished woodwork, the restaurant offers a limited, but well-constructed, menu to satisfy most tastes. Being aboard a boat, I opted for seafood, and was not disappointed. There being an R in the month , mussels were a good choice for my starter, followed by a seafood skewer , presented with just enough theatre to be amusing but not over the top. Not fine dining , perhaps, but well-prepared, nicely presented and very satisfying dishes at reasonable prices. A limited wine list, perhaps a bit on the pricey side, but the Picpoul de Pinet proved to be an excellent accompaniment without over-stressing the credit card. Service struck just the right balance between politeness and friendliness. My fellow diners embraced the whole age spectrum (I was by far the oldest! weighted perhaps towards the younger end, the common factor being that everyone (myself included was clearly enjoying themself. There are many other dining venues along the Ipswich quayside that my brief visit did not allow me to try, but Mariners can be recommended as a safe and enjoyable bet."

Bistro On The Quay

➤ 3 Wherry Quay, IP4 1AS, Ipswich, United Kingdom

Carte • Kebab • Cafés • Mexican • Seafood

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"We had a lovely meal here last night. I had steak and red wine jus, my husband had the maple and bacon burger. Tastiest food in the area, attentive staff, friendly and welcoming. We were staying 1 night on the Marina and definitely chose wisely where to eat! Great menu, service and atmosphere."