Concert Hall Restaurant in Suffolk Coastal

Possibly the worst coffee I've ever tasted. Horrible crab dinner for 22 pounds. smash burger acceptable - but only fries were on menu "with skin on" however, they tasted like they came from the freezer and were terribly boring and tasteless. desert - dreadful - a tiny bit of cooked fruit at bottom of bowl of broken up meringue and possible cream topped with very green tasteless ice (definitely not ice cream. supposedly sorbet - never tasted anything like it in my life other than ice with food coloring) The view was great!

This is a review of the main (top level) restaurant. The splendid views over the reed-beds must be the main draw of the restaurant, along with convenience for concert-goers. We have been a couple of times recently. It is run by courteous and polite young people with no sign of anyone experienced or 'in charge'. The food is good and choices adequate; think of a very smart cafe rather than a fine dining restaurant. Value is good. I find their refusal to accept American Express annoying. I also find their application of a 12.5% 'service charge' and then using a card machine which immediate asks for options to give (another) tip unsatisfactory. I leave with the impression that the main aim is to separate customers from as much of their money as possible. So it is at the level of 'good' and could, with a bit more attention from managers (assuming there is one!) could be outstanding.

We visited this restaurant on our way for a couple of days to a nearby hotel. As we were eating in the evening we only wanted something light to eat. They had cheese scones which was perfect so we ordered 2 with coffee. However, the scones were stodgy and apart from a little cheese on the top didn’t taste of cheese so we left some. The coffee was adequate. When I checked the bill later I discovered we had been charged £4.80 per scone, which made me think they must have overcharged us. I rang and they confirmed it was the correct price, which in our opinion was way overpriced.

We had the 3 course pre theatre set meal, good choices across all the menu and all we ate was well prepared and tasty. The staff were very friendly. Happy to recommend.

We called into the restaurant while making a short visit to The Maltings hopefully for a cup of tea and a cake or scone. We were met by a sullen waitress who said we could sit anywhere as most of the tables were empty. We chose a table only to realise it was covered in crumbs and spilt drink so we moved to another hoping it would have been cleaned it hadn't after looking across the other tables most were in the same state. The waitress did nothing to improve the state of the restaurant and as there was no sign of any cake or scones we got up and left and went to the very nice and clean Earsham Tearoom at the front of The Maltings. As a local person to Snape who also runs a Tearoom I was shocked at the poor service and dirty state of the Consert Hall Resurant.

With this stunning building and the vistas over the river and reed beds this is a very special setting and has the potential to be one of the best places to eat…BUT… the managers of the River View Cafe (and to some degree the upper level Restaurant too) and totally incompetent! Pleas fire them. This setting deserves better. Young teenager staff who have clearly had zero training are sent out to do their best but alas they have never been taught the basics. What a shame! What a waste!

With an elevated view over the river & marshes and accessed from the steps of the impressive concert hall, this was a real find. We've been to Snape Maltings many times over the years without venturing in. But we called in on a hot day for elevenses. The team were friendly & efficient, showing us to a table, & taking our order quickly. Menu looks interesting & sensibly priced. We opted for cold drinks, tea, & a scone. All really good. Definitely recommend the warm scones. Very much worth the stop.

Since our experience at the Concert Hall café was so awful we tried here a few days ago but overall were not impressed. We only had coffee which was fine, except that when my husband asked for more milk the server said there was enough for two - surely they can afford a bit more milk if a customer asks for it? We did need more milk so he had to squeeze back through to get more! We decided we wouldn't eat here for a couple of reasons: just by the main entrance was a lot of uncovered food next to the queue with people coughing etc etc. The sandwiches were pre-made - unbelievable when they'd used up so much of the room for a service area - so you might as well call into a supermarket or garage on your way here. Much of the seating was uncomfortable with bulky stools and so crowded in you couldn't help brushing past people to get through. We went into the lovely deli and bought delicious and good value spanakopita rolls and a slice for lunch.

Like most of the reviews here, this review is for the River Cafe on the middle floor, and NOT the River Restaurant on top floor. Overall this place has massive potential, given its stunning location yet sadly it is very poor. The food is very average and the prices high but by far the biggest issue is its mindset of exceptionalism and being in denial. The main problem is that many of the waiting staff are young teenagers with very little experience or training. This would be fine if there was someone taking charge and directing them but alas the female who seems to be responsible just stands at the bar smiling whilst chaotic disorganised slow service unfolds! What a shame. BTW. The more formal restaurant on the top floor suffers same problem.

Called in for lunch before walking on the beach at Aldeburgh. Great from beginning to end. We were greeted straight away and, after a short wait, were shown to a good table with wonderful views. Service was efficient throughout. The lunch menu is limited and there's no problem with this. We each choose different dishes. The Shakshuka was particularly good. Great coffee. Good value for the location and quality.

I'm not sure if we're all visiting the same site, as truthfully we couldn't see any evidence of any of the problems in the below reviews. Food was good, quick and nice coffee. Brilliant views and the place was packed. If that doesn't say enough, then I don't know what does.

Stopped off for lunch after a walk along the river. We waited almost 40 minutes for our food. I ordered wild mushrooms on toast. It was inedible. One slice of sourdough toast (burnt) with a less than generous helping of mushrooms all soaked in oil. I ate less than half even though I was hungry after my walk. It was so unpleasant and cost an exorbitant £12! I live in Suffolk not far from Snape. I’ll never eat here again. My advice is to take a picnic and find a lovely spot to eat it. So much more pleasant-and cheaper!

We sat ourselves down near the door (probably naughty!) and ordered two Americano coffees. We waited quite a while, probably because even though there were several staff around, mostly doing very little, including an older manager type, the young person making coffees also had to get saucers, plates, trays etc etc. I could see our coffees on the counter, but the young woman who took our order walked past them and us twice to greet people waiting to be seated! At last I tasted my coffee and it was revolting - husband tried his and agreed. We've had bad coffee before, but this was quite possibly the worst ever. The server had slopped some in a saucer and when she returned with a napkin we told her, and since we hadn't paid and had no intention of doing so, we left. Another member of staff called over to ask what was wrong with the coffee - we think it was the dreadful taste you get when water has been continuously boiled and reboiled - perhaps if there'd been any coffee flavour at all it might have masked it. We used to love the downstairs café - such friendly staff, a tasty light menu at sensible prices - there's really no longer a reason to stop off at the Maltings during a walk.

What a shambles all we wanted was 2 coffees, nobody seemed to know what their job was . I went in to order our coffees and maybe some cake but was told we couldn’t be served unless we were sitting on the patio and not on the grass benches. So I ordered 2 coffees then got my husband and 2yr old grandson with his bike and our dog up the steps and sat on a bench and waited for over 20 minutes before I went back in to see how much longer, and as I had seen someone come out with take away cups I asked if that would be possible to change it too. So waited outside again with a 2yr old for another 10/15 minutes and by then we had gone back down onto grass area when I saw a young man come out with our coffees, which I went to collect, only to be told again that they don’t serve where we were sitting and don’t do take aways, even though I had gone up to collect the coffees, for which I told her that it wasn’t ideal up on the patio area to be waiting over 30 minutes with a toddler and they had already served other people with take aways. Not the best customers service I’ve come across with such bad management. We weren’t the only ones confused about the service as there was at least 4 other couples and a family that were in the same situation as us. Not a place that I will be returning to.

Arrived at 9:50 before they opened at 10:00, after dog walk from Aldeburgh and looking forward to a bacon roll and a coffee. Staff acknowledged us through window and signalled 10 minutes til they opened. Fair enough. We sat in the cold outside with the dogs and waited. We knew dogs not allowed in which is perfectly understandable. Went in to order food and drinks but adamantly no food nor even coffee allowed outside despite outside eating area - we had eaten outside here previously. I said I would bring the plates and cups back inside and would be quick. Lady seemed to take pleasure in telling me no to every permutation and took even more pleasure in telling me outside coffee shack available…. But not til 10:30! On a cold and windy February morning we decided to spend our hard-earned elsewhere and walked back to Aldeburgh with a very negative memory of this place. One of those cafes where they don’t need your custom clearly… conveyed via petty, short-sighted management. Dog walkers and anyone who prefers warm human interactions should stay away.

Took the dog for a walk from Aldeburgh to Snape. Understood that I couldn’t take the dog inside - but even though there is an outside dining area - the staff now refuse to either serve outside, or even to let you take a coffee outside to the terrace. The manager (I presume he’s the manager) is snippy with customers and clearly encourages this culture amongst his staff. I presume this place is just an Arts Council gravy train and doesn’t need any business - which is good because that’s clearly what’s going to happen. Very disappointing. Avoid

We thought our third visit might have been third time lucky for lunch as we braved the river side cafe one more time. WRONG. It's so shambolic I don't know where to start. Wait 5-10 minutes to be seated. Wait 10-15 minutes to be noticed in order to actually order anything, in the end one of us had to get up and walk over to the front of house staff who took our order. Then the 15-20 minute wait to pay the bill. Despite numerous attempts to make eye contact it was futile. There's either too few staff or the staff that are there need a tad more micro managing and need to be way more attentive. My advice if you do go, take a megaphone or a giant foam hand....and be prepared to be overwhelmed by the setting and underwhelmed by the service.

Restaurant was comfortable, views were lovely - our waiter very charming and helpful. The food however, was a lunch to forget - vastly over priced, vaguely lukewarm and partly inedible. Should have complained of course - but calling out the waiter who was doing his very best seemed unfair. All sounded OK on menu - but all 4 of us disappointed. Avoid.

Lunch with my Daughter last week, welcome and seating were very good and attentive, drinks came quickly.. unfortunately the food was disappointing.. lukewarm and waited a while.. portions very small considering the prices … one slice of rarebit!!! And 2 slices of pancetta!!! Hash was nice but not very hot … pricey for very humble ingredients… scones excellent… but service very slow … and had to ask for the table to be cleared … overall disappointing visit should be much better … food needs looking at … not great…

Enjoyed our visit to Snape Maltings today. However, we were very disappointed in the Riverview Cafe and bar. I ordered the Welsh rarebit with pancetta not knowing that it would be just one small slice of bread with rarebit topping. Although, I enjoyed that one...

Came here for hot drinks and light snack with family. I had an amazing hot chocolate with a warm fruit scone which was served with jam and plenty of cream! My mum had vegetarian sausage role with a bowl of chips. It’s a lovely place...

We went to the cafe at lunchtime. Unfriendly atmosphere, poor quality food and top prices for what they offered. The fruit scone was certainly from the previous day, stale and chewy, contained literally 2 currants or sultanas, and the jacket potato with the fancy name...

My online booking hadn't got through for some reason but the staff could not have been more helpful. The food was delicious and the service was prompt and friendly.

We were dumped at a table in the back of the room by an open door. When I complained to to the waiter(who was rather offhand) he said all other tables were reserved. I pointed out that I too had reserved a couple of weeks...

Friendly staff. Amazing views. Lots of choice if you are wanting breakfast and are vegan. Would be good to see the cake choices expanded or at least a move away from the usual brownie.

The restaurant is set in a nice location, with good views, They have adjusted to the Covid situation well and you felt very safe there. The menu is quite extensive with lighter/snack food, sandwiches and cakes etc. The food was very tasty, large amounts, served...

Great place to watch concert etc but advise to take a padded cushion as benches can be uncomfortable after a while

We are staying at Snape Maltings and have done so several times previously. After a walk today we decided to go for a coffee and a cake at this cafe. Obviously things are a little different than previous visits due to Covid which is fine....

Although we live in challenging times with covid restrictions/tier 2 etc, there is NO excuse for rudeness! We popped to snape today with two friends, friends that make up our bubble at these times. We had enjoyed a look around the shops at the maltings...

We were spoken to like children when I was sat on a chair at a 45 degree angle talking to someone on an adjacent table. Literally told to sit straight on our chairs and do not talk other people. Sorry but I don’t need to...

It's a captive market really if you're visiting Snape Maltings, so maybe the competitive pressure is off. Pretty average-to-poor food (one dish we sent back). Service was OK. Pricing was much too high, even if the quality had been better. Take a packed lunch instead.

We had morning coffee here one sunny September morning, and the views were great. Dependent on the weather you can sit inside, where you have elevated views over the countryside, or outside where you can see the reed beds, river bank etc.

Arrived here yesterday afternoon thirsty for a pot of tea with my sister and dad. We were sat by the window looking out and ordered 3 pots of tea. When they arrived, all 3 cups were dirty (still had lip marks around the top of each cup), the tea pots were grubby, watermarked and one pot didn't have a strainer for the tea leaves. At a price of £7.50 for 3 pots and for a lovely venue, we would expect much better than that. Quite concerning to see mouth marks on the cups, when we have a global virus, they clearly haven't been washed properly, potentially harboring germs. Terrible!No thanks, we left without drinking any of it.

Due to COVID19 the Cafe at Snape maltings has been re-located to the Concert Hall Restaurant .... and what an improvement it has made to be able to have "coffee and cake" -or what ever you fancy from their menu of snacks and light meals...

Snape Maltings has a very dear place in our hearts so it pains me to have to write this review. 2stars is probably generous but I do hope they can improve quickly as people continue to venture out again. This is currently the only cafe...

We enjoyed our cakes and coffees, very fresh, tasty and good size. I didn't like the way the cakes were served, though. Why put a napkin on a plate and the cake on the napkin? It made the napkin unusable afterwards, as it was wet and greasy and with pieces of cake stuck to it.

As we were attending a concert it seemed sensible to eat at the on site restaurant- what a mistake. We were not shown to a table but invited to choose with a vague waft of the hand. We waited for at least 15 mins for someone to come and take our drinks order and food choice. There was an unacceptable wait between each course and we had to prompt their attendance each time. We ordered our desert at 6:40 and by 7.05 it still hadn’t arrived. As the concert started at 7:30 we decided to abandon the 3rd course and asked for the bill, which when it arrived showed all three courses. When we pointed out that the third course hadn’t arrived there was some confusion, before a revised bill was produced. In total, we were there for two and a half hours, and paid over £70 for two courses of average food one glass of wine and a soft drink and were made to feel invisible. Love going to snape for its concerts, but won’t eat there again.

Just a small bit at lunchtime. Well laid out and offering a selection of dishes. Good selection of wines.

Fish pie returned, another portion served without reheating it. Upset stomach for the evening and the next day. £25 for two small portions of food left lying around.

Had a 1730 3 course dinner for £76.50 (including 1 x 175 ml wine) for two. Quality of food was good but not spectacular. The waiting staff were friendly. As it in the same building as the concert hall it is very convenient.

I went with a group of friends to have a Christmas lunch followed by Nutcracker show. We arrived at 2pm having pre-booked and we ordered our meals. When it arrived the plates were cold and the food was luke warm so we sent it back. The food was replaced and this time it was steaming hot. Then two of us ordered Christmas pudding for dessert - again it arrived on cold plates and was cold - not nice - so back it went to be replaced. Seven servings thrown away - talk about food waste!Lovely views across the marshes, but they need to get the basics right.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of attending a concert by the Suffolk Youth Orchestra, the Suffolk Youth Strings, and the Suffolk Youth Wind Ensemble. The setting was absolutely ideal and the acoustics made the various performances a joy to listen to. The great talent amongst the members of the varying groups shone through, particularly by a young lade - Acer Smith, who was leader of the Strings and played first violin.There is a restaurant at the Maltings, but I only had a coffee. The view from the restaurant window looks across the marshes and is obviously frequented by many folk. There are also a few interesting shops to browse round.

We enjoyed a fabulous 3 course meal before Sunday’s Jazz Concert. Although the menu is limited, everything we ordered was beautifully cooked and presented. Roast lamb was especially good. The waitresses were all very helpful too. Given the quality the meal is good value.

Wanted coffee before concert - sorry coffee machine not used before shows - I can appreciate that an hour before a show but this was over 2 hours before the show and the cafe was empty! Ok I’ll have filter coffee and it came in a grotty paper cup. I wouldn’t bother coming here before a concert again. Very poor quality service.

Had a meal from the buffet before a concert. The ‘steamed rice’ was dry, clumpy and crunchy. The curry was bland, with undercooked chick peas and no moisture. The whole meal was barely warm, glad I didn’t have the chicken curry at that temperature. Won’t be returning.

Stopped off for a casual lunch on a non-concert day. Beautiful view and ambience with limited but delightful choice of salad and topping. Nice wine and then cake and coffee served by pleasant waiters.

Booked into the restaurant for the first night of our run of concerts for the festival and what a great surprise.It helps that the restaurant is such a lovely space, great views out across the reedbeds and river, a delightful airy room. Great service and really surprised by the quality of the food, inventive, interesting and a genuinely delicious three courses. A simple list of good wines at sensible prices adds to the all round great value, three courses for £30 is pretty damn good, especially when it's all this good.Our only sadness was that we'd already booked the other nights in other restaurants and had no time to come back, next year I hope.

Had a pre-concert dinner here on June 20th.A delightful venue looking out over the river Alde and reed beds with martin's flying around.We had the smoked fish platter and liver pate for starters followed by sea bass with prawn risotto and lamb for main followed by a local cheese board and summer pudding.We had a glass of wine each.Our waitresses were polite, charming and lovely.This was a very enjoyable and high quality start to an evening of world class music.Our bill was just over £75.It is very easy to modestly overlook the fact that this concert hall is a world famous venue in the same class as many other top Euopean music festivals and so our meal was very good value.Will definitely return soon.

Excellent Lemon cake, very good banana cake, delicious coffee and tea. Lovely outside seating area overlooking the salt mashes and river. We use this cafe whenever in Snape. Highly recommended.

Pleasant venue, friendly staff and friendly fellow customers. Despite the food coming from a servery, the food was of excellent quality, I really enjoyed the cauliflower and parsnip korma (not a vegetarian), my husband had an excellent tray baked venison pie. Everything you need from a drink and a snack to a full meal. Staff were quick to clear away the trays and the empties.

What a truly stunning place to consume fine musical culture, food ad wine in a fabulous reuse of formerly redundant buildings, symathetically and sublimely reinterpreted as a Concert Hall & Restuarant overlooking the vast expanse of the Suffolk Coast & Heath ANOB. FAB!!!

The venue itself is lovely, with views of the river, and is light and airy. It was not busy when 4 of us arrived; indeed we were the only people queueing to order food. The two members of staff didn't acknowledge us as we stood for quite a while waiting to be served. There were vast amounts of used trays piled up at the end of the counter. After a while more people came in, and the staff member who was dishing up salad started to engage with them. It was a bit exasperating after we had been ignored for so long, and when we mentioned this, she remarked " there are plenty more places to eat on site". Sorry, this is a really rude way to talk to customers and not acceptable. The girl serving drinks was at least pleasant, so after she had served us we sat with our drinks at a table for 10 minutes waiting for the other to place two portions of salad on each plate & bring them over. The food was very nice and the portions ample, although curiously there is no butter to go with the bread. Next visit, shall probably forgo the view and eat in Café 1885! The staff there were lovely!

Despite its wonderful first floor outlook a disappointing experience for mid-week lunch. There seems to be lack of supervision and young staff lack training. Only single copy of menu available for whole restaurant. Limited buffet choices lack inspiration.

The restaurant overlooks the marsh. The food is quite good and if you are going for a pre-concert meal, it is advisable to arrive well ahead to get a seat.

Si estás de visita en la cafetería o el restaurante arriba antes de un concierto, bien, y hemos disfrutado de las comidas, pero este comentario es sobre el otro extremo del día. Las horas de apertura de la cafetería son 10-5. 30 veces diarias, además de conciertos. Para la tercera vez recientemente hemos planeado para tener un excelente desayuno que el cafe sirve. Nos las arreglamos, una vez de regreso en la primavera. Hoy llegamos a 10 y otros 5 grupos de personas llegaron a la cafetería después de caminar por el río. Todos ellos a la izquierda después de un poco, ya que el café no estaba abierto. Esperamos hasta las 10. 20 cuando nos demasiado a la izquierda. Inicialmente un buen miembro del personal dentro de la Maltings dijo que el personal de la cafetería era a disparar y sólo sería un minuto. No había señal de alguien dentro de la cafetería (y sin duda sin disparo) aunque como caminamos lejos para comer en en el excelente café jamás 1885 que pudimos ver, a través de una pequeña ventana, alguien están preparando el almuerzo. Elegimos este café por sus bellas vistas a la cañadas. Tuvimos suerte porque vivimos localmente, pero en un día soleado de Agosto cuando muchos visitantes querían que comer aquí, perplejo por las indicaciones que dice 'Cafe está abierto, parece un pobre espectáculo y es la tercera vez que nos ha sucedido. Este es un signo de mala gestión.

Lovely place to have a coffee during the day or a drink during interval if you are here for concert.

Estábamos asistiendo a un recital de piano y decidimos comer en 6. 00 antes del concierto. Dos eligió un vegetariano de ruibarbo y los otros dos tenían un pastel de carne - todo estaba delicioso y generosas porciones. Había otras opciones que parecía tentador. Servicio amable.

This is not in the main shopping area of the Maltings but attached to the Concert Hall and overlooking the marshes. Excellent coffee and service, wonderful views and loads of space. They do lunches too.

Fuimos a comer esta semana. El lugar estaba prácticamente vacío. Pedimos un aperitivo almuerzo dos de nosotros tuvimos lleno y dos rollos de ciabatta queso de cabra flan eligió con ensalada el flan era demasiado frío y no tenía sabor alguno. Positivamente desagradable. No había una gran variedad de comida para elegir. Según este, no me alojaría aquí de nuevo.

Although much seems to have been made of changes all seems to be much as it was before and it was always OK anyway.The choice of pre-concert meals was excellent and reasonably priced.

We attended the superb King Singers concert as part of the current Snape Proms on Tuesday, meeting up another couple, old friends, for a meal beforehand in the first floor Cafe cum restuarant. We've done this a number of times over past years. There has been much space given on their website, emails, and brochures about impressive changes made to the 'new Concert Hall Cafe', but rather like the Stork margarine advertisement, we couldnt see, nor taste much difference! A selection of hot, and cold main meals, desserts, and soft drinks to the left of the entrance, plus a few snack items. And a long bar to the right with the full range of drinks. We had home made thick fish cakes, with new potatoes, and salad, followed by a tumbler serving of lemon posset, my wife one of summer pudding. With a coffee each, it came to £35. Reasonably filling, and likewise in taste. I would say though that it's the musical experience you go to Snape fonot and the setting, not the levels of fine food, though.

The Concert Hall has opened the café area and bar for lunches and teas. This makes it a super place to sit elevated above the marshes with views of the river and scene to Iken and the coast.It is not well signposted to casual visitors to Snape as the main approach is from the rear. It is designed to serve the large crowds at concert times so for this casual visit you have to sit at large tables and you seem remote in a largely empty area. There is an outside terrace which has good tabling and seats which is the place to be in fine weather.Food good and simple salads predominate. Good selection of cakes. Service reasonably quick.Access to concert hall toilets and the adjoining exhibition area.Worth the visit when walking round the area.

Had a quick prosecco before going into Snape proms. We were served pretty quickly considering the amount of people and the staff were pleasant and polite.

The Maltings Concert hall has opened a new cafe beneath the restaurant. You get the same view, some quality food but slightly cheaper. I enjoyed the crab salad whilst my wife had Brie and asparagus tart. Both were lovely and reasonably priced. A great way to eat before the evening concert.

We have been to many concerts at the Maltings but the in house restaurant is far to over priced and pretentious it would be better aiming for local quality produce rather than aiming for looks alone without out taste.

We booked a pre concert meal at the concert hall.We arrived at 5.30 and got our main course at 6.50!We were ignored for over 40 mins and it wasn't until I pointed out we had been waiting longer than other people did they take our order, Again another long wait and again had to alert the waiter we had been waiting an hour and a half.Other tables were being well taken take of but we were sidelined every time, To add insult to injury when we finally got our main course,mine was incorrect.I have to say the food was delicious but we will not be frequenting this venue again.I did receive numerous apologies from the waiting staff but no offer of compensation.Very unprofessional.

Visit Snape Maltings around 6 times a year, and the Concert Hall 2 or 3 times. First visit to the Restaurant and what a let down, food was ok but wildly over priced, £35 for three courses, the service was a comedy side show the waiting staff were all well educated, friendly and pleasant, however they needed basic training. Example should a waiter tour all the tables searching for the customer that had ordered what he was attempting to deliver?. No sign of any management the staff had to continually apologize, even at payment point as it had a poor internet connection.

Excellent meal after an hours walk from the cottage we were staying in. The table was overlooking the ground floor, which at this time of year has a glorious display of Christmas decorations. First class food and service.

Lovely view, great wine, staff so nice and nothing too much trouble. Drinks at half time completely organised.Highly recommended if you are in Snape or going to a concert.

I've been lucky enough to have dinner here twice in the past week.The location is wonderful. Being on the top floor, it has a fantastic view of the marshes lit by the evening sun visible through a single window which runs the full length of the building.The staff are helpful, courteous, efficient, and unremittingly smiling.The menus change regularly so that although my visits were only a few days apart, almost all the dishes were new on my return.The menus provide a classic textbook example of how best to devise a very limited menu (only 3 main courses) which needs to be delivered in a very limited timeframe - and not only were the menu choices wonderful, but they were cooked and presented perfectly. I must say that the "Moroccan marinated lamb with saffron and roast veg mash potato with a lightly spiced citrus tomato sauce" was the tastiest lamb dish I can remember eating.Portion sizes were perfect, service faultless and at £25 for three courses it is unquestionably good value for money.

The restaurant offers two or three courses from a set menu with three or four options at each course. The food comprised fresh local ingredients, simply but well cooked. Vegetables were excellent with carrots being particularly praiseworthy. I chose a duck parfait starter, followed by Hake for the main and "Chocolate Nemesis" for dessert - awesome!On a sunny August evening it was bliss to watch the wildfowl settle over the marshes through the sliding windows and to gaze upon the Barbara Hepworth sculpture in the grounds of the Maltings whilst digesting such tasty food.

We booked a table for a pre concert dinner on Sunday 2nd August & arrived about 5 minutes early. The food was very tasty, the views beautiful & the staff very pleasant and polite. However, having to wait 15 minutes for a glass of wine, half an hour for a jug of tepid water (requested three times) and eventually being given the wrong main course (which they offered to change, but time was pressing) somewhat spoiled the overall experience. We did not have time for a dessert or coffee because of the slow service. We were given a discount on our bill without it being requested and this gesture was appreciated, but surely it can't be beyond an established business to get the basics right. We were told the difficulty is that everyone needs to be out in time for the start of the concert!!!

My wife and I attended a concert last weekend and booked into the restaurant for a pre-concert dinner.The staff were very friendly and helpful, the food was beautifully cooked and the price was reasonable given the setting.The ambience was delightful and the view of the reed beds fantastic.Very happily come here again.

My wife and I and two friends went to the Christmas Show by the Coop Juniors yesterday and we had a pre-show dinner before we went in. For £12.00 for a two course dinner it was good value for money. My wife and our friends really enjoyed the meal although unfortunately for me it was spoilt by the red cabbage, which I did not like and it seemed to taint the rest of the meal. The serving staff were very welcoming and friendly and made us feel like valued guests. I did feel that the two foreign female waitresses could have done with additional training. They did not serve the ladies before the gentlemen, they leaned across with the meals and they cleared the plates whilst the last person was still eating. The pear Bakewell and custard more than made up for my main course because it was absolutely delicious. I would certainly have another meal there and avoid the red cabbage.

As its name suggests, this elegant restaurant is located within the concert hall building itself and has glorious views over a sea of reeds and to the distant horizon beyond. The food is competent if a little expensive and the service is charming and very willing. It is a pity that on a hot day a restaurant with a wall of glass along its longest side had virtually no ventilation because for some reason it was not physically possible to open any of the windows although they are designed to be opened.