Butley Orford Oysterage in Suffolk Coastal

We are locals and find the food beautiful and fresh. However it does lack atmosphere and the service last night was not good or friendly, which is a shame. I agree with another review that the side salad is very over priced. Lovely food but probably won’t return for awhile.

What a delight it was to return to the restaurant after such a while We had a lovely meal I had oysters and then moules both top quality and delicious So glad to see that you were busy yet we didn’t have to wait long and we’re Looked after beautifully by the lovely Emma a very happy and cheerful young lady It was a pleasure to be with you Thankyou Emma for your kindness and your smiles we will return definitely

A bunch of us came here for lunch on a Saturday and it was a great experience. The restaurant is quite small with pretty basic decor, but that all adds to the rustic feel. The most important thing is the food, and that was delicious. We shared Oysters and I ordered the crab cakes for a starter and the sea bass for the main. The oysters were excellent quality and the sea bass off the bone was cooked to perfection. It was all washed down with a couple of bottles of crisp white wine that made for a most enjoyable afternoon. The bill came to £64 per person, which was reasonable considering the amount of top quality food we devoured! To see glossy films of some of our trips and experiences, please click on the 'Around the World in 80 Stays' icon and follow the YouTube link to our dedicated channel. And don’t forget to subscribe for lots of interesting films, constant updates, and even more hot travel tips!

My husband and I had lunch here yesterday. The restaurant was full and we had a booking for 1.30pm. We sat in the main part of the restaurant which was light and airy. We didn’t order wine as we had a longish journey back. It was my husbands birthday and he ordered oysters which were impeccable. I had smoked prawns. We had Dover sole and griddled prawns for mains. I actually had two Dover soles which were served with hot new potatoes. My husbands main came with bread. We were too full to have desserts. The service was quiet and unhurried. All in all an excellent mea.

By the time we'd parked the car down by the quay and walked to the Oysterage we'd more or less decided to move there. It is very beautiful and every house is stunning. Once our food arrived I was even more keen to move there, Angels on Horseback were delicious and the smoked selection (large) was just about enough for the two of us. However, and this is not at all the fault of the restaurant, our lunch was ruined by the table behind us, made up of two older couples that were over-privileged, loud, haughty and obnoxious. I hate to sound like a reverse snob but when one of them talked about working on a plantation in Malawi I could feel the socialist worker in me trying to get out! Looking around the room it became clear that we were surrounded by men in pink trousers and loafers and women with Harvey Nichols accounts. We were almost certainly the only non-tories in there, which was (almost) enough to put me off my delicious lunch... My apologies to the staff at the Oysterage, who were all excellent, the service was very good as was the food. The oysters were outstanding!

Really superb seafood in this "little old house" dining room. I had potted shrimps to start, and husband oysters: both delicious served with good bread. Mains were a selection of smoked fish with salad, and a really good fresh (wild) sea bass with chips. Strongly recommended and prices, whilst not cheap, show good value for the quality.

The most wonderful experience, fish as it should be cooked. Lovely staff and atmosphere. Oysters, Lobster and Treacle Tart.

As good as the reviews. Simple quality seafood served in simple surroundings. Food was of a high quality and beautifully cooked. Only criticism was that some portion, mixed griddle, were very small for the money. Service was excellent.

Fresh seafood beautifully presented, fair prices and great service. The location is just up from the Quay which makes a nice walk after lunch

Been going here for about 20 years and always enjoy it - the fish is excellent - don’t expect anything much else - the service is friendly and the food fresh and mostly local

First outing back to the Butley Orford Oysterage since Covid. Trip out with daughter holidaying from Australia, first to the shop to pick up loads of lovely smoked goodies followed by lunch at the restaurant (pre-booked). Lovely welcome and it just got better. If you are a pescatarian you're in for a treat. Nice fresh fish and freshly cooked to order. Not much more to say really! Oh, yes there is - it's still very good value especially by today's standards.

I’ve been twice before to this restaurant but on this occasion I didn’t enjoy my meal nearly as much. I found the griddled fish rather tasteless and the expensive side salad unimaginative. The crab cakes were very good though. My husband enjoyed his Dover sole and our friends enjoyed their oysters so I was in the minority, perhaps I chose badly this time. Service was friendly and helpful. It’s difficult to get a table so make sure you book in advance.

Delicious seafood. One of our favourites and drove for 2 hours to get there. Recommend to book well in advance not to be disappointed.

Very tasty lunch (Skate and Cod) with pleasant and quick service. Restaurant very busy so need to book. There are a few dishes that are not fish based but they are a bit limited. Very good experience and we will return.

We had a marvellous lunch, the oysters were exceptionally fresh and tasty! We also enjoyed a sparkling bottle of non alcoholic fizz which was a real treat.

A favourite for us and we often arrange a weekend away in Orford so to eat there. Lunch and dinner and never been disappointed, High quality and fresh fish cooked to perfection. To me this is not only one of the best fish restaurants in...

Das war eines der besten Fisch Restaurants, welches wir auf ganz vielen Urlaubsreisen besucht haben. Geschmacklich ein 1a Essen

Four of us friends had a delicious light lunch on a dull March day. All of us started with oysters and then went our separate ways. For my part it was a plate of thinly sliced smoked eel. Service was friendly and prompt. What a...

Having eaten here a few years ago, we were sure to book a table here on our visit to Suffolk. The food was as good as ever - the freshest fish, simply but beautifully smoked / cooked and served. The crab cakes were delicious and...

We had an extremely pleasant Saturday night dinner with friends. The atmosphere is not the draw, it’s brightly lit like a motorway McDonalds. The chairs and tables are in the style of cafeteria postmodern. Looking in the window from the street we almost chickened out...

On a quiet Monday lunchtime when most restaurants are closed, this was a great place to eat. The welcome and service was excellent and the food delicious.

This is a go to place for fish lovers everywhere because the produce is locally sourced, fresh, simply and beautifully cooked. It's just great. And the menu, lots to choose from and so lots of reasons to come back. The ambiance of the dining space...

Simple, charming place in beautifull area, great choice of fresh, delicious seafood and gluten free options. Lovely people.

We were a party of four and had booked - although there was no need on the day we chose to visit. We had an excellent fish and seafood lunch, well presented and served in a charming manner when we visited with friends in February....

This restaurant was Recommended by one of our customers- so pleased we went today 31st October - was an amazing lunch my father and I loved the oysters as a big oyster 🦪 fan - it was what we visited Orford for - we were...

My wife and I visited Orford for an autumn break and booked a dinner at The Butley Oysterage. We were there on a busy Friday evening at the end of half-term and the restaurant was doing a roaring trade. Despite being very busy the service...

Fantastic fish and seafood beautifully cooked and great service. This is not the place to come if you want fine dining, candlelight and a romantic setting. If however, you appreciate simple but well cooked fish, decent wine, traditional desserts and friendly staff, then this place...

This is a basic restaurant serving simple fish dishes, bread and salad and little else. it is not a high dining destination yet is charging high dining prices. it is a puzzle as to why this place remains so popular and so highly rated. The...

Excellent restaurant. Really authentic seafood restaurant with amazing food and wine to go with the dishes. Really friendly staff.

I have been coming to this restaurant since the 1960s and always have the same menu. Oyster soup, smoked eel on toast, rum cake and black coffee. With a glass of NZ sauvignon blanc. The soup and rum cake were just as good as usual,...

I was lucky to acquire a table at this well known fish restaurant, which I first visited 50 years ago, almost to the day ! Wonderful choice of dishes, beautifully served, absolutely delicious fish pie followed by a “ burnt “ cooked cheese cake. I...

We had a great meal, with great service. All the food piping hot and very fresh girls who served us were v.polite and attentive whilst they were clearly busy.

Can't visit this area without having lunch here. Delicious seafood, friendly and efficient service. Half a dozen oysters, smoked seafood platter and a bottle of Muscadet. Thank you very much. Until the next time...

This place was advised by a nearby hotel owner as the best fish restaurant in the area. What can I say? It is excellent. Simple menu, fresh fish, tasty food. The only thing I can say is - it is expensive. Yes, you can argue...

Very busy and bustling vibe, and noisy. We had angels on horseback and crab cakes followed by sea bass and lobster, then cheese. Great fish dishes. Only veg served with starters and mains were piles of identical green salad: surely they could garnish with other...

This was meant to be a very special day. I have been going to the oysterage for over 30 years and have always considered it to be one of my all time favourite places to eat. Not this time. It was busy, but it always...

Lovely village. Lovely restaurant. Lovely menu (if you like fish and are not a vegetarian). Lovely staff. Definitely worth a visit.

The oysters are, of course, exquisite. Beautifully prepared. The interior is a bit like a work canteen, but this matters not a jot. The other fish dishes were excellent, but accompanying vegetables could be a bit more imaginative, perhaps.

It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it. Excellent food, as we expected, but we were on notice the minute we arrived for our mid-week 6:30pm reservation. We have no problem with the restaurant running two covers every evening but we...

A wonderful experience overall. We were celebrating my husbands birthday and nothing was too much trouble. The food was of the highest standards and the service was excellent. Highly recommended and would eat there again in a heartbeat.

Took my parents out to lunch here today as a Birthday treat for my mum. My parents have been coming to this restaurant for over 40 years. The food was excellent as it always is. I highly recommend the crab cakes, griddled squid and the...

My advice is if you don’t like anything smoked,don’t go everything is smoked even the prawns!! It’s only my opinion obviously but I think it’s over priced,for people who like to think it’s the “place” to be seen

We came for the sea food and were not disappointed. Orford is beautiful and the Oysterage is on the square near the castle. There's parking right outside if you're lucky. Inside it is like a cafe The food is very good as is the service....

Outstanding fish and seafood dishes and customer service. Great attention to details and helpful staff. In my views, it is the best fish restaurants in the country. We visit as frequently as possible, over the past 17 years, and when in town, it is for...

No fancy white table cloths. No blobs of velouté sauce or celeriac purée. Simply top quality fish cooked to perfection. My skate wing was the best I’ve ever had. Not cheap (~£20 a main) but generous portion size and outstanding quality make this very good...

We are, in fact reviewing the Pinneys shop just up the road from Orford Quay which is the same ownership. Great array of fresh and smoked and fresh fish some of which is available at other local deli outlets. We particularly enjoyed the trout snd...

Excellent fresh seafood. No frills restaurant where food is king. Lovely knowledgeable waitresses. Scalloped prawns delicious as was the fish pie. No chips here. Sides are boiled potatoes or salad.we were lucky enough to have a 25% off voucher from our holiday let hostess too.

We were treated to a surprise lunch here by friends who live in nearby Ufford and what a treat! A new experience for us, a very well patronised restaurant based totally on fresh, local and smoked fish in all its guises. Our friends who visit...

Wonderful staff wonderful food throughly enjoyed my birthday lunch! Though please mister Boss man put a sigh outside stating Pinneys please😁

We visited on a Sunday lunchtime, the food was delicious, we had fresh mussels, smoked fish pate, delicious skate wing and fish pie. The service was friendly and efficient. Anyone who complains about the furniture just doesn’t get this place! It’s old fashioned and people...

Oysters were the freshest and tastiest we have had in the UK. Angels on Horseback were really tasty (personally, less bacon, to really saviour the firm plump cooked oyster). mains of mixed grilled seafood and sardines and Cheesy prawn pie - delicious. puddings lovely especially...

Simple beautiful food, lovely service, homely restaurant…i love it. Nothing bad to say, visit after visit consistently very good.

We visited with 2 friends and were really looking forward to to the experience. We came away a little disappointed. Oysters were the smallest we had ever eaten. The grilled squid,prawns and sardines were better. The service was very good. The thing that really let...

Lovely place. Very simple so definitely lunch rather than dinner, but delicious seafood and friendly service. Smoked fish is very good.

My girlfriend and I have stayed in Orford a few times in recent years and we make a point of eating at this restaurant. It’s not flash or overly posh but the food is top class. Anne had sea bass and I had Dover sole...

Short staycation in Orford. Visited restaurant twice. Top quality food. Service 1st class - special mention to Meryl. Save room for dessert!

We had a very average to poor meal. Uninspiring whitebait, tough Angels on horseback, skate swimming in disgusting butter obscuring the taste of the fish, diver sole dry and tasteless. If fish is the only thing a restaurant provides we would expect it to be...

This is an experience from the past - great fresh fish dishes in an unpretentious honest environment - loved it! Great proud staff too!

Have not been back here for a couple of years, and nothing has changed, as good as ever, but just a small niggle. I love oysters and my wife can’t eat them so a good opportunity for me. But I also love smoked fish and...

We had friends visiting from the other side of the country, and as the weather looked greatly improved, we decided to have a day out in Suffolk heading for the coast. En route we had booked a late lunch at Butleys and it was absolutely...

A really nice little spot by the market square. Incredible meal. Seafood and fish were very good. Lovely service too. Strongly recommend!

The message on answering machine says to ring during opening hours as that is only time phone will be answered. Rang during opening hours, phone wasn’t answered. Left message for callback to make reservation. No call back. No reservation, went elsewhere.

This was a return trip after 20 years and we had the same fish and wine from the same vineyard. Exemplary skate and Dover sole, oysters and smoked eel to start. Not cheap but not expensive for the quality, and worth it.

Went as a large group of 8 on the last day of our holiday and really enjoyed it. Oysters, fish and squid cooked to perfection and presented to look amazing. Would definitely return. Was quite on the expensive side and did take a long time...

I'm actually leaving a review about the shop rather than the restaurant. It is absolutely first class with regard to quality of smoked fish and service second to none delivered with a smile. As well as making a pilgrimage there each time we go to...

Wow! What amazing food. I cannot fault the food, service and atmosphere. This restaurant has an informal bistro-style feel about it, but the food was superb. The range of dishes on offer is incredible and it is so deliciously fresh and local which is an...

Been coming here for over 30 years because it was always fantastic ! Somehow it’s got even better ! The bacon on the angels on horseback is thinner and a sweeter cure and they are amazing. Everything was absolutely top drawer and utterly faultless. The...

We had a lovely meal with some great locally-caught seafood, the menu is quite simple but very well executed. The puddings were delicious too! The team were really friendly and welcoming, and we felt very well looked after. There are some great measures in place...

If you like seafood, this is the number one choice in the region. Superb food, fresh and reasonably priced. Imaginative menu, nice service. Need to book.

Decidedly average. Hard to see why this place has such a good reputation—perfectly adequate seafood, but overpriced for what it is. Serving staff were very nice, though.

Quite disappointing - many items no longer available at 7.15pm. Portion sizes either too big or too small. Some dishes overcooked, cold soup or tasteless sardines. Would not return.

A very nice unpretentious little place. Very relaxed but professional and a joyous atmosphere. After reading some of the negative reviews I can only think I went to a different place. The staff were excellent without being too intrusive. The food was outstanding and the...

Glad we managed to get a table here before the end of our holiday. We had oysters to start, then I had the Dover Sole and hubby had smoked fish selection. Finished off sharing the cheese board. Hope to visit again.

We had a really delicious meal here. Lovely fresh and smoked fish cooked to perfection. Thank you for making sure it was gluten free for me too. The lobster and the oysters were superb.

This restaurant is a little gem serving outstanding seafood. Great menu with plenty of choices. Service is very efficient and they really care about pleasing you. Good wine menu including local and English wines. Emma our waitress was brilliant. Definitely return.

We were SO looking forward to eating at the Oysterage...how disappointed we were. We asked if sole could be pan fried..like the salmon but were told it was not possible. So my husband chose cod in parsley sauce.I have never tasted such a poor sauce....it...

Oysters really are one of the few dishes that you really have to eat in a restaurant. Difficult to keep fresh at home, difficult to shuck, and never that satisfying. So Covid really put a dent in my Oyster eating. I wonder what happened to...

We had a lovely return visit to Butley Orford Oysterage. So good to be back to one of our favourite restaurants. They certainly know how to do fish and seafood. Pinneys seafood is the best. It has all been very well organised and felt very...

My wife and I had a really nice lunch at this seafood restaurant that we had not previously visited. They have a good range of seafood and smoked seafood on offer at an exception level of quality. The service was very friendly and efficient. We...

I have eaten seafood around the world and it doesn't get any better than this. I have eaten at Pinneys for more than a decade - I was blown away at just how good it is. And I am relieved to say that it hasn't...

We had a really great experience here, great food, great decor and ambiance. Would definitely return.

The Pinney family have been catching and smoking fish for decades. This is a restaurant simply devoted to just great fish and seafood. Nothing fancy, just great fresh fish.

Came here the first day that restrictions were lifted on May 17th (been coming here since 1975) and they had organised the front restaurant, extremely well in spacing the tables out and with screens around the tables. I started with lovely crispy whitebait, then onto...

I have been raving to all my friends ever since I dined at the Butley. Absolutely lovely service as well as the one of the best meals I have had; the fish cakes and the grilled cod with herb crust top was to die for....

Whilst visiting Woodbridge we decided to book an evening meal at the Butley. Wow so glad we made the journey......... the food and service were 10/10 from the moment we arrived until we left. Thank you to the waiter who was attentive but left us...

Having been slightly put off by the photos online we were drawn in when we walked past this small restaurant in Orford. Feeling lucky to get a table for that evening we were extremely impressed by the service, our waitress could not have been more...

Food was excellent and reasonably priced for seafood. Service was friendly. The restaurant was full which gave the atmosphere which is often lacking in the current Covid situation. Reservations are essential.

We looked forward to this meal for weeks - you know the scene if you don't get out much for obvious reasons. But Butley Orford Oysterage, turned out to be disappointing. I had a fish mixed grill (not the given name) and few squid were...

Having read the reviews we thought this resturant would be good. How foolder we were! The ambience was... absent. When it came to ordering the meunu wasnt the same on the website, which was disappointing. When we did order the grilled fish selection was over...

The restaurant looks very basic -it always has -but the staff are knowledgeable and the fish and shellfish as fresh as you can find and simply and perfectly cooked. No frills just flavour. Excellent!

This popular eating place in Orford has risen to the challenge of Covid 19. Telephone to book a table and then tap on window or call again when you are outside. Satisfied diners are counted out and You are then welcomed in once your table is sanitised and freshly laid.My griddled squid was perfection and my husband’s prawns likewise. Accompanied by a very decent bottle of Muscadet - perfect way to spend a couple of hours in this lovely village.

Went there with friens for lunch on Thursday.Good system regarding covid.Had to wait 25mins for a waiter to take our order.Food was just Ok but not at all memorable There were only 4 other couples there at the time.Bill for 4 of us £220VERY uncomfortable seating and the atmosphere and decor of a transport cafe.We will not be returning

A gem of a restaurant serving beautifully fresh fish and sea food caught locally. The platters are great as you get to try and little bit of everything. They specialise in the local catch so it's not really for veggies but they do offer a quiche option to be ordered in advance. The veggies will still enjoy the delicious deserts though!

We ate here in early September - it was simply decorated but my goodness the freshest seafood ever ! Absolutely worth every penny - a very pleasant evening

This is a little like an up market cafe rather than a restaurant but please do not let that put you off. The quality of food on offer is first class and the service is very friendly and attentive. Booking essential as it is well patronised.We had a delightful meal consisting of moules followed by whole soles that were perfectly cooked. An interesting but limited wine selection but I can definitely recommend the Albarino and not outrageously expensive. We would definitely eat here again when in the area.

Run by the local fishery which farms its own oysters. Quality seafood. I was disappointed that as it serves fish dishes it doesn't do chips which would have complemented my griddled seafood. Good for a special occasion.

Went last night to the Oysterage and the food and service was outstanding. Smoked cod roe was very tasty and then followed by the skate with capers and new potatoes. Great wine list. Keep it up guys and see you soon.

Super Friendly staff made us feel so welcome. Food cooked well and tasty. Covid secure lovely and clean.

Visited here on a Thursday lunchtime, luckily managed to get a booking as they were fully booked. The food was excellent - large juicy oysters, perfectly smoked trout, prawns and grilled seafood. It's not cheap, but you pay for the food quality. Would definitely recommend for seafood lovers!

What a perfect find! We only live 10 miles away and we’ve known about the restaurant for years, just never been! Perfect, unpretentious restaurant, delicious food, great service. We will be back!