The Crown & Castle Restaurant
Market Square Orford IP12 2LJ
Founded by former hotel inspector Ruth Watson and now part of the Hotel Folk group, the Crown & Castle is an outstanding 'restaurant with rooms', where the emphasis is very much on local ingredients and the service a perfect blend of attentive and relaxed at the same time. What you eat really depends on the time of year, but there's usually a good selection of fish and seafood – lots of goodies from Pinneys nearby fish shop and smokery and a great selection of simple meat and fish options, including fish and chips, steaks and homemade pies along with more adventurous and/or exotic fare like a great 'fritto misto' with local fish. They use lots of local Suffolk suppliers like Sutton Hoo chickens, bread from the Pump Street Bakery across the square, even a local supplier of ketchup, and it's all deliberately – and successfully – understated; plus you can sit outside in the garden, either to eat or to enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif. Over twenty very comfy rooms too, if you want to stay.