View Point Cafe — Restaurant in East Suffolk

For many years, i have ventured to the Landguard Fort and enjoyed the marvellous view of the to-ing and fro-ing of the enormous container ships shuttling in and out of Britain's biggest container port. In 'olden times', I used to catch the train from Norwich, then a bus from Felixstowe Station direct to the fort. These days, it's a train from Ipswich and a cycle ride to the viewpoint with the nearby fort, at time of writing, being closed. The cafe is run by the Yeo Group, a well-established Felixstowe business which also operates the Italian/Mediterranean-themed Cafe Bencotto in the town's former fire station and the Alex Brasserie and Cafe-Bar, which I have also reviewed. Turning up mid-morning on a really chilly and misty late December day, you might have thought I'd have been among a very few hardy souls. Not a bit of it! The place was packed, with queues of folk waiting for a table. I thought the staff very friendly and helpful and, although I was only in for a coffee, the cakes and pastries on display looked very tempting indeed. Very tasty-looking fish and chips and all-day breakfasts were being devoured with some alacrity and some of my upmarket catering chums would have given their right arm for the footfall here. I would suggest that, for ship-spotters, a download of the ship tracker app which, at no cost, will tell you which ship is which and where they have been or are destined to go. Definitely one to recommend. The cafe too, of course!

July 2025:

They do a fish and chips special on a Friday evening between 4 and 6pm. I came off the 1610 ferry from Harwich expecting it to be packed, but it was surprisingly quiet. The friendly lady taking the orders said 'it's too hot for a lot of folk'. Which was true, although Felixstowe, with the sea breeze, was 10 degrees or so lower than inland UK, which was in the mid 30's. Anyway just £14 for a splendid cod and chips, mushy peas, (which the chef and I agreed were not something either of us rated), with a drink and buttered roll part of the package. I have been coming here for years and I must say that sitting outside on a summer's evening watching the hustle and bustle at the Port of Felixstowe is undoubtedly one of my favourite things to do. Salty sea...

Lovely views across estuary towards Harwich & Parkeston/Dovercourt on one side and Shotley the other. To your right as you look out there are the large container ships being loaded or unloaded at Felixstowe terminal port. The restaurant always seems to be busy, especially at lunchtimes, so get there early or plan a late lunch if you are going for lunch. There can be a wait as food is all cooked to order. Cakes and pastries are always available though. Free water at end of counter, not sure if available all the time or just when we had warm weather when I went. Food is tasty and quite good portions, hot and served with a smile, can be expensive if you have children with you but compares quite well with other restaurants offering similar services, fast food restaurant it is not but do have nuggets and burgers. Overall, a...

Absolute joke. I asked for a one shot latte. The server said they are all 1 shot. I said in that case I want a half strength latte. She said it just comes out of the machine. I said I just want half the coffee. Then I got half a cup of black coffee. I said can tip half the coffee away and then top it up with hoot milk. No. I walked off at that stage and my wife took over before I said too much. Sat at the table and they brought over a strange looking drink. I asked what was and was told "it's a hot water coffee with milk". My wife asked who had ordered that and was told she did.

A little tip for the management, before you put people on the till check they know what they need to do and they know how to speak to customers. We won't be returning any time soon....