Eating out: the best places to buy seafood
Let’s
Talk! looks at the best places in Norfolk and Suffolk to buy fresh seafood
Give us your favourites! This is just our selection of the best places to buy seafood in Norfolk and Suffolk. If we’ve missed your favourite, leave a message on
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The Wash, Norfolk
In the area from Old Hunstanton to Burnham Overy Staithe, Pacific oysters,
mussels and cockles are grown and harvested.
King's Lynn, Norfolk
The historical “Fisher Fleet” operates from the port with several
shrimping vessels bringing their catch to be sold in the town.
Thornham
Oysters are delicious and they're good for you. They provide a natural source
of minerals such as calcium, copper and iron. They are rich in iodine, low
in cholesterol and have a high zinc content. Zinc - and they have a reputation
as an aphrodisiac. Call at Thornham Oyster Company but telephone first;
01485 512163.
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk
Lobsters, muscles, oysters and crabs from the clear harbour waters of Brancaster
Bay from Olive House close to the Jolly Sailors Public House on Brancaster
Staithe.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Frary's crab stall has been on Well's quay for more than 50 years. Crabs
and lobsters caught by Martin and Andy Frary are sold on the stall by Martin's
wife Pam.
Stiffkey, Norfolk
Sadly the famous cockles, Stewky Blues as they are known, are no longer
harvested commercially but their reputation makes them worth a mention.
These distinctive cockles got their name because of their dark grey-blue
shells.
Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Fresh fish products including locally caught crabs. Cley Smokehouse, telephone
01263 740282
Sheringham, Norfolk
Try Richards wet fish shop in Church Street for fresh lobsters and crabs.
Also potted fresh fish products from the Norfolk Kipper House, either telephone
01263 820320
Cromer, Norfolk
The town is synonymous with the crabs. They are regarded as the best in
the country - succulent and fleshy, with rich, dark meat. They are taken
from crab pots in the morning, and sent to local outlets on the seafront
and in the town. The season runs from April to late autumn.
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Plenty of fresh fish available along the Golden Mile and in the town but
sadly none caught by vessels sailing from what was once the home of a flourishing
herring industry.
Lowestoft, Suffolk
As at Yarmouth the fishing fleet has been disbanded but there is an active
fish market which trades fresh fish including cod, sole and herring caught
off the Suffolk coast. You can buy it from outlets at the market or fishmongers
in the town.
Southwold, Suffolk
Besides an excellent fish and chip shop there are two outlets selling fresh
fish at the harbour.
Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Possibly the best place to buy fresh cod, especially in the winter, in the
world. Your best bet is to wait until the boats come in and then buy from
the traditional black huts on the beach.
Orford, Suffolk
Well worth visiting as there's not only a choice of good places to eat out
but opportunities to buy as well. Locally landed fish and shellfish are
available from the foreshore but traditionally smoked fish including bloaters,
mackerel, sardines, trout, haddock and prawns can also be purchased in the
village as well.
Felixstowe, Suffolk
Ferry One of the most picturesque hamlets on the east coast. Walk down to
the river Deben and you'll find there are a number of places to buy fish.
Harwich, Suffolk
Although you can't buy off the beach as such there's a fish shop on the
Halfpenny Pier that sells freshly caught fish.
Mersea Island, Essex
This is the place to go for fresh fish and unbelievable oysters. There are
two sorts of oysters available - The Colchester Oyster is a much-praised
gourmet ingredient that graces the menus of the finest restaurants across
the world.
Giga, or rock oysters, are also available which originate from Pacific imports.
If you want to eat out The Company Shed serves fantastic fish and oysters,
but if you want to drink take your own wine.