Dolphin Inn Restaurant in Suffolk Coastal

Lovely spacious beer garden. Order food and drink at the bar. We had sandwiches & king prawns and both delicious. Nice to see condiments served freshly rather than in a sachet or been left in the sun all day . Will definitely return

We all ordered sandwiches (£9), crayfish, Brie and bacon, hot roast beef, cheese, ham and chutney. All served with a lovely side salad. Sandwiches were big, well filled and tasty. We were all very impressed. 👍🏻

The restaurant is clearly popular. The service was very good. The place was welcoming. Overall the food portions were a bit large and we wished that the cooking was more consistent. Some food was good but some average and below. My hamburger was very good. My wife's brill was just OK but the samphire was well cooked and tasty. The other couple felt the same. Their boiled potatoes were overcooked. The meat pie was quite good but the massive accompaniment was not so nice. Adams Southwold bitter is lovely. We would come again as we felt the cooking is usually better.

Second rate gastropub. Food terrible, generic and microwaved. Expensive. Poor service. Just awful and very disappointing.

Absolutely superb. Thorpeness itself is such a wonderful place to visit anyway, but staying in the Dolphin was the icing on the cake. Central. Lovely homely warm comfortable rooms. I ate in the restaurant in the evening, had 3 courses all of which were delicious. Breakfast in the morning was superb too- quality ingredients and a lovely portion size in a pleasant environment. Add to this, the staff were all wonderfully friendly and welcoming. Thank you.

Eat here quite a lot... Very relaxed atmosphere..... Great location by the sea Ample parking either outside or in the adjacent car park... Great food and for me, good vegan choices....

We had lunch here on the recommendation of a Aldeburgh local resident Great winter menu which other local Aldeburgh pubs should take note ! . Amazing lunch and excellent service (Maddie) Warm welcome , log fire . Specials board , Excellent choice of starters ,We ordered grilled Sardines x3 , Chicken liver pate , and beetroot tart . Mains x5 . Amazing pork belly , brill , fish pie , duck , celeriac and potato gratin . All very generous portions with seasonal vegetables , highly recommended you won’t be disappointed! . Too full for puddings , but the stout cake was tempting.

A very popular establishment - with the locals and visitors (so at peak times advisable to book). The staff are friendly and helpful - and the food is good pub grub (just what you need at the end of a walk).

Wow,wow,wow,what a gem. Great pub, great food, great ambiance. We rented a cottage 1 minute away so we ate in there 3 days in a row, staff even knew our dogs name after day 1.thanks for the great experience

Visited with friends who live in the area for lunch. Excellent Sunday lunch which was great value with the crumble deal which you can order with a roast for just an extra £1.

Booked a table for 5 & we could only be fitted in at 2:30pm. We were staying in Aldeburgh & walked along beach to pub. Perfect spot in a stunning location. The pub was packed. We all had a roast & desert option for £19.95 Good choice for veggies. Food was served promptly & was delicious. My only criticism would be “can I have a bit more veg” ? Well worth a visit - definitely book & we would 100% go again. 😃

We love coming here as always receive a warm welcome and that includes our 2 small dog's. There's always plenty to choose from on the menu + special's board. The meals are well presented and as usual very tasty. Can highly recommend as consistently good.

If you enjoy poor and rude service a Sunday lunch which was cold and of a quality not worthy of the price then this is the place to go. A real disappointment and a day with friends spoilt

We had lunch in the garden of the Dolphin pub on a very sunny sept 4th lunch time and from start to finish the service was great and such friendly waitresses making sure we were having a lovely time !

We stopped in for lunch on a nice sunny day. Lots of seating available outside. A very friendly pub with excellent staff. The food was tasty and a decent quality, a little better than you’d get at an average pub. A little pricy but overall not bad value.

Lovely welcoming staff and great food! I booked the covered area and they let me change to outdoor with no hassle. Beautiful setting. There's a premium on the price but it's Thorpeness!

Excellent. Great service from the team. Food was good. A burger and chips at 17.50 was a bit pricy but given the service and the ambience well worth it. Staff very quick to respond and always on hand. We'll done all.

We came across this pub by chance last year and thought the food and service was so good we would come back. We wasn’t disappointed, service and food was excellent and the dog made very welcome, highly recommended

On a day trip to Thorpeness in June 2023 and I had already looked online and read good reviews about the Dolphin. Walked in at lunchtime, had not booked, and was greeted and offered a choice of where to sit ( we wanted to sit inside) and had a table for two in a quiet part of the restaurant. There is another area which looks out on to the gardens but that area was busy and noisy so we were very pleased with our table location. Now on to the food : the waitress that came to our table was very friendly and we chose to have the Dolphin’s deal of two steaks and two glasses of house wine at an inclusive price. Wife asked for a glass of water as well and we were promptly brought a bottle of chilled water which we enjoyed with the food and the wine. Although it was a ‘house’ red wine we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Shame it was the middle of the day and driving otherwise another glass would have been ordered ! Two steaks duly arrived with gorgeous chips and a flavourful mixed salad. My steak was perfectly cooked medium and my wife was delighted with her medium-to-well done. You might be bored by now, reading this lengthy review but when a pub/restaurant provides such good food with excellent service they deserve to receive a good review. Well done to the chef and waitresses at The Dolphin. Wish I lived closer and could visit again.

Due to having some of my stomach removed I can't eat an adult meal so I had a child meal I had the child stake and it was cooked lovely will definitely go again

Fantastic experience. Great service, we were a party of 7. Everyone enjoyed their food all dishes very tasty. Lovely setting.

Lovely food, very helpful and friendly staff, efficient service and a super location. Been here once before and will return again. *Booking advised on busy days*

My husband and spent two nights at this lovely Inn and restaurant in the quaint village of Thorpeness. Room was stylishly furnished and very clean. We ate in the restaurant both nights and the food was excellent. We found all of the staff to be...

After a fabulous visit a few years ago we were looking forward to returning during our short break in Suffolk. We were sat in the conservatory which was lovely. The service was good and friendly though the staff didn't seem very knowledgeable about how items...

Well what a great restaurant, The service was friendly very efficient and faultless we felt valued. The menu choice was excellent. I and the pork chop and my wife had the mushroom tart with vegetables. The chop was one of the best I have ever...

Disappointing from so many previous excellent lunches. The menu is ill conceived and doesn't gel related to what they used to do. The staff appeared to have a "not bothered" approach when previously they were very customer focussed. We used to always look forward to...

Booked a table for lunch today and so pleased we did as very busy. All the staff are lovely and welcoming + excellent service. We had 3 courses each all presented extremely well and very tasty. The Salter and King burgers are the best I've...

We booked in for Sunday lunch greeted by lovely friendly staff and shown to our table a good choice of food available but we went with the Roast Beef very good and large portions we had crumble to finish and a bottle of wine a...

We had lunch at the Dolphin between Christmas and New Year. Neither of us are vegan but the vegan options on the specials board looked so tasty we went for them. Definitely wasn’t disappointed and recommend the Arancini. Service was good too. They are busy...

We stayed overnight here and so naturally used the restaurant for dinner. We took advantage of the steak deal thinking it might be a risk as we are particularly fussy about our steaks. No need to worry -- the steaks were delicious - cooked to...

Lovely service in a great place. Food was very good with some dishes better than others but overall high standard with good quality. Absolutely packed on a wet Saturday night so book ahead.

We had an evening meal. Delicious food and very attentive staff. Would definitely recommend. The garden looked nice too

Alway very good food at the Dolphin. Advisable to book well ahead as the exclusive holiday village of Thorpenss is small, fashionable and this is the only public house. As you would expect, prices are no bargain, putting it mildly.

Went for dinner and ordered the baked cod which arrived very wet and sloppy I don't think it had seen the inside of an oven. Tasted ok but not what I expected.

We visited the Dolphin on a bank holiday Sunday. It was extremely busy but despite this we were seated promptly and service was excellent. Lovely food, all in all a very enjoyable lunch.

Greeted at the entrance, very friendly staff, that way the same all the way through the visit. Having a 3 month old was no trouble to them, and they were very accommodating. Toilets / changing area were absolutely spotless, I mean the cleanest pub toilet...

We tried this lovely pub for our first time visit to Thorpeness on a very hot and busy Sunday lunchtime (the last day of the heatwave). It was packed with holidaymakers and a large party in the garden so it didn't bode well but on...

Lovely food- specials were perfect and great selection. There was a lovely beer garden and it definitely is our favourite pub in thorpeness

We last visited The Dolphin in August 2018 - Covid prevented a return until the end of June 2022. The menu was excellent (especially the choice of fish), the food wonderful and the staff friendly and efficient. It was so good, we returned later in...

A lovely dog friendly pub, plenty of room inside and out. Good choice of food and drink with friendly staff. A good place to finish or start your exploration of the area.

We went there for lunch in the garden. The surroundings are lovely, well maintained and pretty. The food was below average standard . The French onion soup had no baguette or cheese on top, was extremely sweet ( not sweet as in caramelised onion) and...

Sunday lunch, table booked for 12.15. Greeted promptly and taken to table. Drinks and food order taken quickly and the food came in a timely manner. We both had the Sunday roast, choice of beef, chicken and nut. There was a deal with a roast...

This is the second time we have visited for Sunday roast and crumble for £16.95, amazing! We had booked for 12.30 pm and couldn’t believe how busy it was. Great roast dinner with a lovely selection of vegetables. Crumble and custard, my favourite! Definitely recommend...

We ate at the Dolphin at 7:30pm. The restaurant section was busy but the service was great. Our waitress was engaging, friendly and professional. She made recommendations around both food and drinks. We ordered the special of smoked haddock with samphire, new potatoes etc and...

We sat in the garden and it was lovely... Really lovely food.. We both had the burger and our was very good... The staff are very good and very efficient.

Lovely atmosphere, great service and Lovely Food. Very busy Saturday Lunchtime with customers inside and outside, the staff coped brilliantly and service was quick and efficient.

A group of us were on holiday in Thorpeness, so we had dinner one evening at the Dolphin. Everyone enjoyed their meal, and clean plates all round. I had the fish pie which was outstanding. Washed down with a pint of bitter from Southwold. Had...

We had a lovely evening here. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was very tasty, the fish pie is a must. Good, reasonably priced wine list.

We were a party of 6 and the mains were great! I had the fish pie which was amazing! Everyone enjoyed the main meal! Sadly the deserts were rather basic and too to long to arrive! But good value and mostly good service

Really friendly and helpful staff, great selection of Adnams and guest beers. Great experience all round

We have been to the Dolphin for a few drinks and loved the cosy atmosphere and British pub vibe so decided to come for Sunday lunch. It was lovely! Fish pie and veggie roast dinner was amazing and so was the apple and pear crumble!...

Rude staff. Recently popped in to see if they might have a table for 8. We were greeted by saying “No it’s a Saturday”. Not oh sorry we’ve got outside undercover seating which you can sit in. Or we can split you up on smaller...

We had booked a table and received a very warm welcome. Great to visit another dog friendly pub. Our lunch - we all had Steak sandwich and chips - was excellent with lovely Adnams beer to wash it down.

Out of season (Oct) but we were lucky to get a booking, but there was ample room between tables so we felt safe. We were warmly welcomed for our evening meal. Staff gave us time to choose and our waitress was efficient and pleasant. Five different meals appeared promptly and portion sizes were good and not over facing. We were a little greedy in choosing puddings to follow but we were glad we had!

We asked to eat outside in early evening as still being cautious but they were also fully booked inside and it was no problem. On ordering drinks and food, staff were both friendly and accommodating. We were told they were starting a new menu today and we were impressed with the choices..lots of fish and veggie options which worked for me but my husband was happy with the options too. I had skate wing with apple, green beans, potatoes, capers and parsley...the fish was cooked perfectly and flavours delicate and beautiful. My husband had a pork dish with noodles, pak choi and other vegetables and he said the dish was delicious also. We'd thankfully spotted the desserts so had laid off the starters to leave room. We had sticky date pudding with salted caramel ice cream and a rich chocolate pudding with black cherry ice cream and candied orange peel. Again amazing flavours and despite the fast fading daylight, we had no problem finding our food!The lady came to collect our empty dishes and checked in with us how we got in with the new dishes, so we were able to give excellent feedback. Based on today's experience, we are more than happy to return and sample more of the dishes and hospitality. Thank you to The Dolphin for helping us to have our first 'special meal out in 18 months...see you soon!

The food here was good. Although had to sit outside with two dogs. The service was pleasant and staff friendly. Would happily come back as all very but nothing to set this apart from many other pub meals I've eaten or to put into the v.g. category

Thank you for a great Sunday roast - both the staff and the food were great! Very courteous!We also enjoyed drinks in the spacious beer garden!

We always make a point of the walk up from Aldeburgh to Thorpeness with a stop off in the Dolphin for lunch. Friendly and welcoming staff, dog friendly and great food... what's not to like. Settle down with a pint of Mosaic and a Salter and King Burger!

My wife and I had enjoyed Sunday Lunch here when last in Aldeburgh so was very happy to return for Sunday Lunch this time with 2 friends.All had an excellent meal in very pleasant outside area, with COVID rules very well practiced.Will definitely return.

Great food. Great beers and well-staffed for the sudden rush of customers Lovely location. Interesting interior and gardens

Stayed at this pub for one night in June. Evening meal was very nice, my husband had burger and chips and I had salmon pasta, both were very fresh and tasty. Breakfast the next morning was very good. A very good choice and big portions, coffee selection was great too. Highly recommended.

Out on our Mountain Bikes, topped by for a drink, garden area very nice, service was excellent, will be back.

After a particularly tricky few months coming to The Dolphin Inn this evening was heavenly...vegan options were delicious, service was outstanding, atmosphere warm and welcoming... looking forward to our next visit...many thanks The Dolphin Inn, the Birthday Boy was delighted.

Food was very good. Quick to come out and tasted very nice (roast dinner). I must say the service from the younger members of the team was impeccable. I could not fault it. However we had a more mature gentleman that came over to take out desert order who we found extremely down beat and miserable. It spoiled the overall service of the evening. I’m so glad to see the younger generation is keeping the restaurant industry alive.

We really enjoyed our lunch at the Dolphin Inn. Of course, we had to sit outside but the weather was good so that was ok. The tables were well spaced. We had W alked along the beach from Aldeburgh so had built up an appetite. The food was excellent as was the service. Hope to return soon.

Lovely meal from the festive menu. Great value and great quality. We were supposed to visit the Partot their sister pub but due to a power cut we were offered the Dolphin. Very nice ...Would recommend a visit

Hats off to the chef - on a weekend away I’ve visited for breakfast and now just a lunch. Great for vegetarians and meat eaters. Food envy when my friends fish pie arrived but then the risotto was so good that was forgotten. Great menu and even better tasting. Friendly service too

Absolutely loved this place. Fantastic food for all the family, vegan meal was divine. A must visit!

Really enjoyed lunch in the garden - the seafood platter was excellent, tasty, well prepared and very good value. Highly recommended.

Ate here twice whilst on holiday nearby. High quality pub food, friendly, prompt service, lots of space and cosy atmosphere.

A great find on our walk from Aldeburgh in the wind and rain. Lovely staff, good beer and tasty food. What more could you want?

We lunched here in mid-September and the place was very busy, but they were able to find us a table outside in the garden. We had light snacks which were freshly made, and served by pleasant staff. It's worth reading the board detailing the history of The Dolphin.

We had the roast beef Sunday lunch. Service was good, but the beef was 1/3 gristle and fat, and the veg was tasteless and seriously overcooked. There are many other places nearby- I would suggest going elsewhere.

On our Bikes so stopped by for Drinks, as usual the place was great, service as usual very good, very clean & tidy.

Great choice of food, including daily specials. Staff are friendly and helpful. I felt safe here during these challenging times - tables are well-spaced and staff are very Covid-aware. Dinner here is part of our annual trip to Thorpeness and we'll continue to come here.

Second visit, impressed both times. Food is very good, service amazing, always seems full Yet food arrives piping hot and speedily. Rare to find a place like this these days. You have a dog friendly room and non dog, the latter is my choice as I still feel dogs should not be allowed in any place where food is served, but a minor point. I did not stay at The Dolphin, my review is of the restaurant. I hear the three bedrooms are very nice.

To sit in the garden of the Dolphin and enjoy coffee, somthing stronger or the great range of food is a delight. staff are friendly and the service is excellent. They had the Covid procedures well planned. If you want to eat inside - book ahead and remember this is a picturesque village and very popular os the pub does get busy - expect to queue a little time. But it is worth it.

We stopped for a drink on a sunny mid week afternoon. The garden tables and benches were all spaced well.Drinks were ordered and served at the bar.Then it was a case of finding an available table.Everything was conducted as you would expect during the covid rulings.A very pleasant interlude.

Nice pub in a lovely area. Staff friendly and helpful but my tai vegetable curry was inedible. It was a bowl of barely cooked chunky vegetables in an unseasoned soup. The rice was also not seasoned and left a bitter aftertaste. Having said that after calling the waitress to say I couldn't eat it she immediately apologised and I ordered a sandwich which was lovely and fresh. I wasn't charged for this so all good in the end.

We sat in the garden for an early supper. Food was OK ( lemon sole and cod) but the wine was un-drinkable. Shown on the menu as a 2017 Provence Rose, it looked like water with virtually no colour. When we took it back it turns out it's a collaboration with Adnam's brewery but sadly,this fact this isn't mentioned on the menu. We were surprised that when delivering our food to the table, the cutlery was placed directly on to the table! During the whole time we were there, no one sprayed down the tables to clean them. They don't seem to be very covid aware!

We managed to get a table near the boules court and so watched a very entertaining match going on. We ordered food and it was really good. Drinks were also much needed. Service was very safe and secure and it was all spot on.

We needed comfort food at the end of a long day and The Dolphin delivered. Delicious bread and a lovely steak.

Whilst we completely understand the need for new rules and procedures within the context of a global pandemic there is no need to be so rude and borderline aggressive about it. If you're that on edge about it all, you shouldnt be open. Won't be returning.

We had an excellent lunch here today. Bavette steaks all very tasty and perfectly cooked. A very good seabass dish. And fabulous brownies and icecream. All delivered with friendly service - and felt very clean and safe from a covid point of view too.

Very good meal at The Dolphin on Bank Holiday Monday . Waitress kindly checked that key line pie was a vegetarian option , would have been useful however to be offered candles as finished meal in darkness , however recommended.

Everything about our evening meal at The Dolphin was perfect. We were shown to a lovely round table in the window, with the candlesticks giving it a cosy ambience. The staff were friendly and attentive, but without being all over us. Every single dish we ordered was faultless - generous portions, exquisitely tasty. We shared the beetroot houmous and pitta bread to start, then had the seafood platter and the green thai curry. We finished with key lime pie. The atmosphere in The Dolphin was so perfect that we stayed for after dinner drinks before walking the 2 minutes to the beach for an after dinner stroll. Can't say any more - it was simply perfect! Can't wait to come back.

Lovely evening meal whilst staying here. Service was attentive but not overwhelming- just right. Food was excellent. We had three courses and wine. Beetroot humus and the pate starters were so tasty. Rib eye steak perfectly cooked and crab salad very tasty. Nothing not to like and all reasonable priced. In addition the safety measures for Covid-19 were just right and made for an all round excellent experience.

As a family of 3, we all had something good. My 12-year-old enjoyed a cheeseburger from the kids menu, and a side of mac-and-cheese.I had a platter of smoked fish which was outstanding; the maceral and trout and the pate are what I recall best, plus a salad.And my partner had a risotto with fish that was delicious.it was in the era of Covid19 so the vast majority of patrons ate in the garden.

Had a lovely meal at the Dolphin yesterday. Everything was really tasty and well presented. The place was packed but there was no delay and timings were perfect. The service from the staff was lovely, considering they were rushed off their feet. Perfect day in Thorpeness.

Great food and nice local food choice on the menu. The staff are very good all round and COVID compliant. Many areas to sit out, sit in or undercover and enjoyed sitting in the garden.

Went here for lunch and all was outstanding 9 of us and was very impressed with all meals the steak was amazing. Very impressive high quality meal

What’s a wonderful effort from restaurant Team to make this beautiful pub/restaurant feel so comfortable with all restrictions brought by covid. Thank you for allowing us enjoying your wonderful food stress free in your charming place. What’s a superb service 👌

Lovely place grumpy and rude staff busy restaurant food good and all hygiene all in place. Dog friendly and lots of outside space.

Enjoyable. Lovely garden which was pretty rammed. Couldn’t get a table initially then said we were having drinks only and she said grab a bench by the front. Fine by us. Bar area all screens and good protection. We saw No masks by host, waitresses or asked our addresses etc for track and trace. Perhaps you don’t have to if outside. We thought strange however. Up to you to decide.

We cycled from Southwold to enjoy a Sunday lunch here. We were glad we booked as they were very busy. Big garden, set up with bench tables to accommodate large groups and families. Very clean - properly done after each use. Friendly service - it was a little slow but it was so very busy, and once the order was taken, the drinks and food came quickly. But we weren't rushed, and enjoyed several drinks and very good food. There are multiple, delicious vegan/vegetarian items on the menu. I would really recommend this place - and it has online booking in advance.

Staff were lovely and helpful. Set up well for social distancing. Food was good, we ordered chorizo and hummus and pitta for starters, slight mis-step when we got olives instead of hummus, but soon rectified.We decided to order the chickpea and sweet potato burgers, we are not vegetarian but the promise of avacado combined with tomato and mint salsa seemed delicious. We think there may have been a breakdown of communication between the kitchen and the front of house, as the avacado and tomato and mint weren't there, and when we asked we got a tiny pot of chopped tomatoes.Was a shame, but I think they were maybe a bit busy, but it did make the food a bit dry. Lovely location.

We went two times during our stay in Thorpeness and weren’t disappointed. Food is very good and service as well. Nice atmosphere.

Blimey, you don't go out for three months and Tripadvisor completely change the look and feel of the website!But anyway we are not here to write a review of the website but of the Dolphin in Thorpeness. I guess that a new segment of the review must now be about compliance with social distancing and the compromise that this makes on the experience.We visited on a sunny day and sat in the extensive garden at the front. They have invested in some chunky picnic style wooden tables and benches. These are well spread out and it feels very much that you are sat in a beer garden as per normal.Disposable menus were handed to us on arrival and all staff members were wearing masks.I assume that the menu has been abridged but it was still very good from fish and chips all the way to honey glazed Suffolk chorizo. Yum. Service was prompt even though the wait staff are probably hitting their step counts by lunchtime and walking further than normal. We had the beetroot hummus and the cold meat and cheese platter. Servings were generous and flavourful.So good effort and well done the Dolphin. You get a 4 out of 5 social distancing and quality of experience score from me, and this is a great place to either start or end your visit to Thorpeness

A poorish lunch today - dry meat and very dry roast potatoes - tasted like yesterday's warmed up a bit. The roast and crumble deal on the website doesn't exist now, so it's extra for dessert. Certainly not worth the money - you'd get the same or better at a self-service motorway cafe. But three stars because of the lovely, charming staff and good wine and beer. Won't be returning, though.

Had a good meal and the waitress was excellent, other staff seemed a bit disengaged. Steak wasn’t cooked as requested. Nicely chilled wine and an average Pimms. We wouldn’t rush back but still a ‘nice’ venue.