NEWS
Stay up-to-date with upcoming events, live music nights, wine tastings, and seasonal updates from Bistro on the Quay, your Ipswich waterfront destination for modern bistro dining.
Five Reasons to Visit This Autumn
As the leaves change and the Ipswich Waterfront takes on its cosy autumn charm, it’s the perfect time to visit Bistro on the Quay.
1. Cosy Waterfront Dining
Enjoy delicious food beside the marina, with beautiful autumn views and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
2. Seasonal Autumn Menus
Savour comforting dishes and fresh flavours inspired by the best ingredients of the season.
3. Relaxed Weekend Brunches
Slow down with a leisurely brunch overlooking the waterfront — the perfect autumn weekend treat.
4. Live Music & Events
Enjoy live performances and special events as the autumn calendar gets underway.
5. Wine Experiences & Candle-Lit Evenings
Discover new wines at tastings and themed evenings in the Boutique, with intimate candle-lit evenings perfect for autumn.
Plan Your Autumn Visit
From seasonal dishes to waterfront views and cosy experiences, Bistro on the Quay is the perfect place to enjoy autumn in Ipswich.
Our 2026 Events
Enjoy monthly food & wine nights, Sip & Paint events, live music on the quay, and seasonal dining experiences designed to be shared.
What’s coming up:
Spanish Night | Thursday 17th September | 6pm, £40pp
Call My Wine Bluff | Wednesday 23rd September, 6:30pm | £35pp
French Night | Thursday 8th October | 6pm, £40pp
Game Night | Thursday 5th November | 6pm, £35pp
Beaujolais Night | Thursday 19th November | 6pm, £35pp
More wine and dining events are coming soon. Book early to avoid missing out.
VAT's the Problem: Supporting Hospitality
Bistro on the Quay is proud to support the national #VATsTheProblem campaign, which is calling for hospitality VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%.
Like many independent restaurants, we continue to face rising food, energy and staffing costs. The campaign argues that a lower VAT rate would help businesses invest in their teams, support local suppliers and keep dining affordable for customers.
As a long-standing part of the Ipswich Waterfront community, we believe hospitality plays an important role in creating jobs, attracting visitors and supporting the local economy.
To learn more about the campaign and sign the petition, visit VATsTheProblem.co.uk.
Hospitality isn't asking for a handout – it's asking for a fair chance to thrive.
Five Reasons to Visit This Summer
With longer days and a lively Ipswich Waterfront, summer is the perfect time to visit Bistro on the Quay.
1. Waterfront Dining
Enjoy delicious food beside the marina, with beautiful views and a relaxed summer atmosphere.
2. Seasonal Menus
Fresh, colourful dishes inspired by the best ingredients of the season.
3. Weekend Brunches
Take your time over a leisurely brunch while enjoying views of the waterfront.
4. Live Music & Events
Enjoy live performances and special events throughout the summer.
5. Wine Experiences
Discover new wines at tastings and themed evenings in the Boutique.
Plan Your Summer Visit
From seasonal dishes to waterfront views and lively events, Bistro on the Quay is the perfect place to enjoy summer in Ipswich.
Why Seasonal Dining Matters
At Bistro on the Quay, our menu changes with the seasons to showcase the freshest ingredients from Suffolk and across the UK.
Freshness & Flavour
Seasonal ingredients are harvested at their peak, delivering better taste, texture, and quality.
Supporting Local Producers
By sourcing locally where possible, we help support Suffolk’s farmers, growers, and suppliers while reducing food miles.
Something New to Discover
From spring greens and summer vegetables to autumn game and hearty winter dishes, our menu evolves throughout the year.
A More Sustainable Choice
Seasonal produce often requires less transport and fewer energy-intensive growing methods, making it a more environmentally conscious option.
Whether you join us for brunch, lunch, or dinner, our chefs create dishes inspired by the very best ingredients of the season-offering something new to enjoy with every visit.
Our Wine Boutique
Celebrating five years at the Bistro, our Wine Boutique collaboration continues to bring exceptional-quality wines without the hefty price tag. Since April 2021, Julien and Wine Boutique - independent wine specialists from Felixstowe and Frinton - have curated a handpicked selection that proves great wine doesn’t have to be expensive.
Browse upstairs, choose your bottle, and enjoy it with your meal downstairs. Five years on, it’s still all about outstanding wine, great value, and relaxed dining done right.
Supporting Local: Dingley Dell
We’re proud to feature Dingley Dell Pork on our menu, a local Suffolk farm known for its high-welfare, sustainably raised pork.
Run by brothers Mark and Paul Hayward near Woodbridge, Dingley Dell focuses on flavour, ethical farming, and biodiversity. Their pork is a favourite in dishes like our slow-cooked pork belly and seasonal specials.
By working with passionate local producers like Dingley Dell, we’re bringing you food that’s fresh, flavourful, and rooted in our region.
Great food starts with great local ingredients and Dingley Dell delivers every time.
Supper Cruise Set Sail for a Third Year
We were delighted to return for the third year running, teaming up once again with the historic Victor Sailing Barge and our sister restaurant, Mariners 1900, for the much-loved Summer Supper Cruise - an evening filled with delicious food and riverside charm.
Guests enjoyed a freshly prepared two-course supper from the kitchens of Bistro on the Quay and Mariners 1900, followed by a relaxing cruise along the beautiful River Orwell. Great food, scenic views, and the magic of sailing made it everything summer evenings were meant to be.
Contemporary Art at the Bistro
Back in 2020, we proudly partnered with MF Gallery and Frames in Ipswich to bring a fresh, contemporary feel to our interiors, and it’s been a brilliant match ever since.
From bold, colourful acrylic paintings to striking silhouette drawings, our walls feature bespoke artwork by talented local artists, all beautifully framed by MF Gallery. It’s not just for show either; every piece is available to buy, so if something catches your eye while you dine, it could be yours to take home.
We love supporting local creatives and independent businesses, and this ongoing collaboration helps give artists a platform while offering our guests something a little different to enjoy. If you’re curious about a particular piece, just ask your server and we’ll be happy to tell you more!
