Celebrated table

Sole Bay Fish Company

A family-run seafood spot on Southwold Harbour that earned Good Food Guide recognition for its fresh catches, platters, and unpretentious harbour dining.

The story

Sole Bay Fish Company Southwold | Award-Winning Harbour Seafood

Harbour origins and family roots

Sole Bay Fish Company in Southwold has built a steady reputation for honest coastal seafood since opening in 2001. The venture began when the founders sold their daily catch from a modest harbour hut that has since expanded into a combined fishmonger and restaurant. You can still notice the practical maritime history in the fishing equipment arranged along the canopied terrace. The venue recently earned a Good Food Guide Good rating for maintaining its unpretentious charm through recent industry shifts.

Kitchen focus and signature plates

The kitchen relies on straightforward techniques that let the morning catch dictate the menu. Chargrilled crevettes arrive swimming in a warm blend of lemon, ginger, and garlic butter alongside fresh cut chips. Diners frequently order the luxury homemade fishcakes packed with cod, smoked haddock, and king prawns. Pan-fried Dover sole and olive oil-seared sea bass follow a simple method that preserves the natural texture of each fillet.

Room atmosphere and local pairings

Dining takes place in a relaxed space where tables sit near the water and vintage nets line the walls. The bar stocks regional ales like Adnams Ghost Ship and Southwold Bitter, which complement the briny seafood selections. Guests can also choose from a curated list of Italian whites and French rosé when they prefer wine. Dessert stays equally uncomplicated, ranging from a classic ice cream cone with a chocolate flake to rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good
Cuisines Seafood
Services Dinner, Lunch, Table Service, Takeaway

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Good

In the past, it has faced floods, fire and the pandemic, but this photogenic gem on Southwold Harbour stands strong and seems to get better with every challenge – without losing any of its no-frills charm. A business that started in the early 2000s selling the family’s daily catch from a small shed, has matured into a characterful and wildly popular restaurant, bar, takeaway and fishmonger with plenty of canopied outdoor space, and fishing ephemera piled up to good effect. Come here for laden platters of Cromer crab or lobster with cockles, mussels and whelks (you can build your own combo), or chargrilled crevettes doused in lemon, garlic and ginger butter with a pot of chips and salad. Fillets of sea bass are cooked tenderly, and there’s enthusiastic praise for the fishcakes packed with cod, smoked haddock and prawns. Dessert could be as simple as a Mr Whippy with a flake or as hunger-busting as an ice-cream sundae with doughnuts, Maltesers and hot chocolate sauce. To drink? You’re a hop and a skip from Adnams Brewery, so maybe go for their Ghost Ship pale ale or Southwold Bitter. Booking is advisable for prime-time summer tables, and don’t miss their equally characterful sister-business, the Little Fish & Chip Shop, in Southwold itself.

Established

Location

Find us

Shed 22e, Blackshore, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6ND
Southwold, United Kingdom
01502 724241
Restaurant@solebayfishco.co.uk
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Map showing Sole Bay Fish Company