Many coastal destinations come to mind when thinking about gastronomic getaways, but one delightful Suffolk seaside town has been declared the foodie capital of East England by Which?, featuring multiple award-winning restaurants and an annual festival celebrating its local produce08:15, 07 Jul 2026Piping hot fish and chips, Cornish pasties, and freshly prepared crab sandwiches are quintessentially part of a classic British seaside getaway.‌Whether it's fashionable Margate with its wide array of restaurants, Brighton for classic fish and chips, Whitstable for its renowned oysters or sophisticated Deal, numerous coastal spots spring to mind when considering gastronomic escapes.‌However, one charming town has been crowned the foodie capital of East England, boasting multiple award-winning eateries and an annual festival showcasing its Suffolk produce.‌Consumer guide Which? named Snape Maltings the leading regional food destination for 2025, awarding a full five stars for its culinary scene, following a survey of 8,952 experiences from 3,872 members, beating popular Suffolk competitors including Southwold, reports the Express.Among the key attractions is the nationally acclaimed Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, which returns this year for its 21st anniversary on September 26 and 27, a few miles inland at Snape Maltings.‌Throughout the rest of the year, fish takes centre stage as you'd anticipate for a town overlooking the North Sea. One of the most beloved spots is Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop - find the queue, and you will have found it.For a truly exceptional dining experience, the Regatta restaurant specialises in seafood and operates its own smokehouse, while meat lovers may be better suited to The Suffolk, the East Anglian outpost of the renowned Soho institution L'Escargot, celebrated for its superb meat and fish dishes, albeit at a hefty price.This waterside venue features in the Michelin Guide and earned glowing praise from well-known food critic Jay Rayner. "My dinner took me to a whole bunch of very happy places," he wrote for The Guardian.‌With a shingle beach and no train station, visitor numbers remain lower than at busier Suffolk hotspots, allowing diners to enjoy their meals in a relatively tranquil setting.The Which? survey backed this up, awarding it five stars for peace and quiet. Should you opt for public transport, however, you'll need to catch a connecting bus from Saxmundham station.Article continues belowOnce you arrive, food is far from the only draw. The Suffolk town boasts an array of independent shops to explore between culinary visits, with the usual mix of art galleries and boutiques on offer.For those seeking something more active, there are countless breathtaking coastal walks to enjoy, complete with sweeping vistas of the town's charming and colourful buildings.