Duchies in Waveney

This place has really gone downhill since the introduction of the completely unprofessional woman who'runs' the young staff members. Blond and in her 50's by the look of her, name unknown. We waited over 10 minutes to be given a menu so we took one ourselves. The table was full of crumbs and needed wiping. There were only 2 other people sitting down when we first entered so they weren't exactly rushed off their feet. Why unprofessional? She loudly sang along to the abba Mamamia soundtrack annoyingly for the full duration of our stay and flirted with a poor young lad working in the kitchen who was young enough to be her grandson. We won't be going back. It used to be the premier place to go when the lady from Lowerstoft used to run things. Now it's around about the second division.

Most disappointing young staff took order waited twenty minutes not even a drink even though three tables in after us had their food and drink. Asked the young lad if he had forgotten us he snapped No! Then carried on taking orders and passed a ticket to the young girl. Coffee not hot, cakes delicious such a shame.

Delicious cakes and bakes. We didn’t order other food but it looked very good. Nice busy ambiance. Only complaint was that it took a while for our order to be taken and we had to ask for the waitress to come over. Recommended and we will return next time we’re in Southwold.

6 of us arrived at around 11.00 ordered straight away, waited 25 minutes for two tea's, then a further 5 minutes for 2 cold coffees which we returned then a few minutes later for the remaining two drinks, then the food, OMG it again came in dribs and drabs, four of us had finished eating before the last two orders came with no apology or a reson to why it took so long, no coke zero and no alternatives offered, ordered a childs carton of juice they bought a glass of orange juice which is four times the price which we questioned when paid, no answer again so we just paid it. Such a shame as we are regulars here all the year around, it wasnt even that busy, to be fair the food when it did arraive was good as always just the service and general attitued let it down....wont be returning.

Decent drinks but no gluten free options when looking for a cake. Giving one loyalty stamp when buying 4 drinks does not generate any loyalty. I suspect we won't be back as there are plenty of other options in Southwold - in fact after we left here we walked around Southwold and then ended up at Jakery Bakery where we all had drinks and they had numerous Gluten Free options

Lovely potato and leek soup, served by equally lovely staff, thoroughly recommend. Think we’ll be visiting again when we’re in Southwold.

Run by kids who don’t know what they are doing prefer to stand around lip sinking to music than concentrating on taking an order! Lady year this place was a good alrounder then served by a mature woman who ran it super efficiently. What does it take to get an order for two People correct? Todays experience was rubbish

We visited Southwold around Saturday lunchtime and ended up in Duchies for a sandwich. Nice bustling little lunch place with great tasting coffee and sandwiches and friendly service. One bagel with beef, sauerkraut and cheese and one chicken wrap later we were very satisfied.

Over friendly staff just as another reviewer has said when tables and customers to serve! There’s chatting and there’s chatting! Small bowl of soup rip off just cause it’s Southwold. Will not be returning

Inattentive staff ,greeting friends at the door and chatting whilst tables needed to be cleared and served . Very expensive for a very very very ordinary sandwich. Ordinary shop bought loaf of bread with an undercooked sausage 😞😞. I nearly sent it back as looked so anemic.!!!! I also noticed the sandwiches and wraps in the chiller which were £4 cheaper to take away …… Are rates so very high in Southwold? I guess they must be .!!! I wouldn’t return to this cafe as think they are taking the P …..

Just having coffee and cake orange drizzle cake (absolutely delicious) And lovely friendly staff Highly recommend will definitely be back

Lovely cafe, dog friendly, staff couldn’t be lovelier especially Chelle. Avocado breakfast a winner. Highly recommended.

Really friendly and efficient cafe with delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch options and home made cakes. I’ve been a few times this week and it has the vibe of a family run place. Michelle and Chelsea are super-friendly in particular!

Came here for breakfast on holiday. Can honestly say it was the best breakfast I’ve ever had!! All had full English and I had halloumi on the side. AMAZING!

Clearly a very popular cafe we had lovely flavoursome freshmade breakfast baps and very good coffee it took ages to get served on a busy morning but we weren't in a hurry and didn't mind lovely friendly staff

The restaurant is absolutely lovely and has a cosy atmosphere, the staff are so kind and happy and the food is delicious! We always go and eat there when visiting Southwold. Whether it be breakfast or dinner, I would definitely recommend going to Duchies!

Cold due to the ac being on full blast. Waitress had to take drinks order first and could not deal with us selecting food and drinks at the same time 🧐 Got the order wrong. Asked for granary bread and got white. Expected sourdough to be available ? The big surprise was! Half a tomato was £1.50 !!!!!! Everything was overwhelming and overpriced .

For breakfast in Southwold, you can do much better than this, and especially at the top-whack price of £13.95. Only one sausage & two very small rashers of bacon, and not of any real quailty. Quite a long wait even though not full, very young staff, who I think are still learning - and they aren’t in any rush. Three out of five is generous, actually.

Lovely place for breakfast - eggs all cooked perfectly, beans in a pot, v nice black pudding. Prices ok for Southwold. Will come back.

A really lovely cafe/deli in Southwold. Had a delicious lunch of Eggs Forestiere (that's a poached egg on a field mushroom on a muffin) and a ham and cheese toastie. Really tasty and good value. But, the table next to us had ham, egg and chips and it looked utterly AMAZING!!! and loads of it! If we revisit later in the week we will definitely have that :) Will revisit and do recommend

Excellent service,amazing food.We all enjoyed ourselves.Our second visit for Christmas get together.We will be back I am sure

Went for cooked fling ish and was excellent. Could even swap out the black pudding for an extra sausage. Also choice of granary or white bread🥳. Dogs also allowed if your wondering.

Great breakfast, in fact possibly the best I’ve ever had in a cafe. Everything was cooked perfectly and the drinks were nice too.

Greeted by a very friendly lad, coffee and breakfasts all delicious! Highly recommended for breakfast/brunch in Southwold!

Wonderful cafe-great food, perfectly cooked, friendly staff :) Enjoyed my trip, thank you :) Would definitely like to visit again 👍👍👍

We searched and searched all the pubs, cafes and restaurants for a baked potato! We found one here at Duchies! It was brilliant! Sometimes all you need is a baked potato and this is the place to go! We also had very tasty panini and amazing coffee! The service was very good and friendly. Highly recommend.

Wandered around looking for breakfast at half eightish , no where open apart from duchies . So glad we went here ! Delicious breakfast , friendly welcome , excellent value !

Popped in just passing by to ask if we could bring our dog in. Such a lovely friendly owner said of course. We all came back next day and she remembered us (truly customer friendly) and thanked me for coming back. Sweet lovely lady. Had a fantastic breakfast and drinks. Lovely place

Popped in after a disappointing time at another cafe. The ladies in here then proceeded to make us feel so comfortable as well as making the best Chai latte we had ever had! They were accomodating to changes in milk and let us try it to check it was how we wanted it. Top quality service and such a delicious drink. Thank you so much, sure we will be back again soon.

In Southwold for the day so popped in for some sandwiches to eat in a shady place on a scorching day. We had the Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese and a Prawn. Both fresh and tasty. Great place for a tasty take out .

A bit if of a hidden gem in Southwold. Friendly excellent service, good quality fresh food, and cakes that are simply delicious.

Everyone was so helpful, they were able to adapt the menu to help with my food intolerances, this was much appreciated. Nothing was too much trouble.

This is such a great dog friendly cafe .The staff are fantastic and the food is always outstanding . Highly recommended.

I have called here several times and got a take away coffee when in Southwold on business - the coffee is good. However I have tried eating here on 2 occasions recently once on a bank holiday Monday in early May at 3.20pm and again on Sunday 4th May at 2.30pm on both occasions I was told they were closed - this time I was told they closed at 2pm on a Sunday. Southwold on a busy Sunday afternoon and closed at 2pm - sorry but why! Is it just Southwold? I know places usually close around 4pm on a Sunday and I was prepared for that but was hoping to get a coffee/drink and a meal. Having tried twice now and in an effort to support an independant I have now given up on Duchies - I took a walk to Gunn Hill and had my food and drink there and will continue to do so

Just been to supper club at Duchies. Lovely food and great service. Would thoroughly recommend it as a delicious, friendly, fun and unpretentious place to have dinner. Perfect for the whole family and the BYO policy makes it great value.

All the normal quality cafe foods - plus really good vegan & vegetarian food. Generous portions, good kitchen craft and presentation. I would recommend for all!