The Cottage Restaurant — Restaurant in Ipswich City

✨ Dining Review: The Cottage Restaurant – Ipswich ✨ 📍 Visited Saturday night, 12th July 2025

If you’re looking for a charming, intimate dining experience in Ipswich, The Cottage Restaurant is a must-visit hidden gem. Tucked away in a quaint corner of town, this beautifully restored cottage offers not only a warm and inviting ambiance but also an unforgettable culinary journey.

From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable — the staff were warm, friendly, professional, and wonderfully attentive, striking the perfect balance between knowledgeable and unobtrusive.

🍹 Drinks: We kicked off our evening with a lemon cocktail and a Whisky Sour, both of which were absolutely delicious — vibrant, well-balanced, and beautifully presented with fresh mint and citrus garnishes.

🥖 Entrée: We ordered the mixed olives and bruschetta as tasters. The olives were fresh and bursting with flavour, and the bruschetta was the perfect combination of crisp bread, juicy tomatoes, red onion, herbs, and a light dusting of parmesan — so fresh and tasty.

🥩 Main: For mains, we had the sirloin cooked medium with a side of baby potatoes in creamy mustard sauce. The beef was cooked to perfection — tender and full of flavour — and the sides complemented it beautifully. Every element of the dish was thoughtfully prepared, fresh, and beautifully plated. Compliments to the chef!

🍨 Dessert: We finished with the Honey Semifreddo — a delicate, creamy dessert with a drizzle of golden syrup and a crisp tuile for texture. It was the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal. So, so yummy!

🌿 Atmosphere: The atmosphere is romantic and peaceful, enhanced by candlelight, soft lighting, and elegant table settings. Perfect for a relaxed and intimate date night.

💬 Final thoughts: The Cottage Restaurant delivered an exceptional experience from start to finish. The food was faultless, the drinks were stunning, and the service was warm and genuine. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply want a quiet night out with incredible food, I couldn’t recommend it more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5...

My partner booked a table for us to have a romantic dinner. Our first night out since the corona virus pandemic. He was told 8 pm was good, allowing plenty of time to order our meal as the kitchen didn't close until 8.30 pm. We arrived just before 8 only to be lead to an empty room with 3 set tables. one for 6, another for 4 and OURS, this table in the attached photo. A table for two in the corner with the chairs facing the walls and a bared window. (not very romantic). Within a few minutes we were asked if we wanted water or any other drink? Then we were told we needed to choose our meals quickly as the kitchen was closing. We felt annoyed at the positioning of the table we were given, (more so the direction on which it faced). Wondering why we weren't offered a table that was a little more spacious and facing the room as there was a good chance that they weren't expecting anyone else, due to the kitchen closing at 8.30. After my partner communicated his disappointment to the young lady serving us. We were then confronted with another woman, (perhaps the manager)? Asking us, "Is there a problem here"? Again my partner communicated to this woman that he would have preferred not to be placed in a corner facing the walls for a romantic dinner, only to be told, "Well Corona virus is here you know". Are you kidding me! This woman was rude and unprofessional, not even offering a resolution or an apology. Due to this he told her he felt like this was not good enough and maybe we should leave, only to be told, "Yes, that's probably a good idea! Again, unprofessional and down right rude. With that we left and were served a delicious meal and treated in a professional manner at Heisenberg Haus. We will never return to this restaurant or recommend it to anyone. Totally disgusted in their attitude and service. This restaurant actually doesn't deserve the one star I had to give it to complete my review. 0 out of 5 stars for two very unhappy customers. I wonder if they have ever heard of the saying, "don't bite the hand that feeds you",...

Firstly, the food was decent, the young wait staff were attentive and helpful, however; this is how the story goes.

I tried to book online, it got stuck loading so my wife tried and it worked.we arrive on time, the hostess, I presume to be the owner, greets us and we tell of our names for the booking. She sees both our names on the sheet and immediately gives us a hard time and doesn't hide her anger that now there are two tables booked for only two people. She tells me that she had discussed this when she rang me. I tell her I received no such call. She clearly doesn't believe me and mutters something under her breath, I point out that the phone number beside my name, I do not recognise and that perhaps it's coincidence, my name is somewhat common. She shows us to the table closest to the reception.

10 minutes later, a gentleman rocks up, "hello, booking for Bell" "oh, Andrew?" She says, "yes" he proclaims and is ushered inside.

Now, one may see her side of the story and appreciate that she'd have been frustrated in the moment. I do, but she showed her frustration and made our night less than pleasant.

One would expect a professional host might even return and apologise given she was mistaken, though a remarkable coincidence. But no. No such swallowing of one's pride.

We had to settle for laughing about it in ye ole; fking karma. Though in hindsight she probably didn't feel bad at all, she didn't strike me as the type, which would explain why the wait staff, as lovely as they were, seemed as if they were walking on egg shells.

Oh. And your spirits are no where near top shelf as your menu states.

There is my review. One bag egg spoiled what may have been a...