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.
Summer on the Ipswich Waterfront: Five Reasons to Visit Bistro on the Quay This Season
As the days grow longer and the Ipswich Waterfront comes alive, summer is one of the most enjoyable times to visit Bistro on the Quay.
1. Waterfront Dining at Its Best
Few dining experiences rival enjoying a meal beside the marina on a warm summer afternoon or evening. The vibrant atmosphere of the waterfront creates the perfect backdrop for relaxed dining with family and friends.
2. Seasonal Summer Menus
Summer ingredients inspire lighter dishes, fresh flavours, and colourful plates that celebrate the best produce available during the season.
3. Weekend Brunches
Summer mornings are ideal for a leisurely brunch overlooking the waterfront. Whether you're meeting friends or starting a day exploring Ipswich, brunch offers the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy the view.
4. Live Music and Events
The summer calendar brings live music performances and special events, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.
5. Wine Experiences in the Boutique
From wine tastings to themed evenings, summer is a fantastic time to discover new wines and enjoy unique experiences with fellow food and wine enthusiasts.
Plan Your Summer Visit: With beautiful views, seasonal dishes, and a lively waterfront setting, Bistro on the Quay is the ideal destination for making the most of summer 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:
Summer White Wines Tasting Evening - Thursday 21st June| SOLD OUT
Cheese Extravaganza Night | 2nd July | £25pp
Bastille Day, French Night, Tuesday 14th July | SOLD OUT
Blues & Smokehouse Night with Back Porch (Happy Blues), Thursday 13th August |£47.50pp
Marsuret Prosecco Tasting Night | Thursday 27th August | 6pm, £35pp
Spanish Night | Thursday 17th September | 6pm, £40pp
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.
Wine & Cheese Extravaganza Nights
Our first Wine & Cheese Night of 2026 was completely sold out – thank you for the amazing response.
Due to demand, we’ve added a new date: Thursday 2nd July. Book now to avoid disappointment.
Wine and cheese are a perfect pairing, but knowing which wines complement which cheeses can feel overwhelming. Join us for a relaxed evening of guided wine and cheese pairing, where you’ll taste a selection of artisan cheeses alongside exceptional independent wines.
A great evening for wine lovers, cheese enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique food event.
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!
