Dedham Boathouse Restaurant

Dedham lies on the border between Essex and Suffolk, separated by the river Stour, and just some 7 miles north east of Colchester town centre. 

This picturesque and tranquil village boasts some wonderful Georgian architecture, beautiful scenery and plenty of tourist attractions.  Known as part of ‘Constable Country’ the renowned artist attended the local grammar school in Dedham, and the towns 16th century church appears in many of his paintings.

The Boathouse restaurant is situated just a stones throw away from the main high street, and sits beside the river Stour, flanked by the beautiful and soothing countryside scenes that Constables paintings so vividly captured. 

The restaurant was originally a boathouse and café where locals came to hire rowing boats to take up the river, or buy a snack and sit back to enjoy the view.  After a major overhaul and modernisation in 2002, you can still hire a boat, or buy an ice cream if you so desire, although now you can also enjoy an expertly prepared, delicious meal in this stunning location.

The timber clad structure of this large and attractive restaurant still echo’s its former incarnation and gives a warm feel to the place.  The stylish décor is pleasantly minimalist, allowing the framed views from the windows to take centre stage. 

The reasonably priced a la carte menu offers a good choice of straightforward, tasty dishes, bringing together the best of quality, seasonal produce, sourced as locally as possible.  You could choose from the likes of comforting slow roasted Suffolk pork with roast parsnip thyme mash and apple sauce, or a healthy and flavour packed dish of butterflied sardine fillets with gremolata and an aioli new potato salad.  

For a lighter option, the restaurant offers a tasting menu available during the week, featuring 3 courses of smaller plates that will satisfy your appetite and stimulate your senses, all for only £9.95.  You could start with a prawn & smoked fish brandard with rye bread, followed by tomato & mozzarella stuffed pork with sauté potatoes & sage sauce, finishing off with a decadent chocolate mousse with ammaretti biscuits; fabulous food for an appealing price.

In the summer months the large balcony is opened up, providing a spacious and scenic al fresco area for diners to relax and enjoy a good meal whilst taking in the wonderful views and watching the keen rowers doing all of the hard work.

Our Summary
Set in the stunningly beautiful Dedham countryside, just a stones throw from the main high street, The Boathouse offers an extensive, reasonably priced a la carte menu of straightforward, tasty dishes that bring together the best of seasonal produce, sourced as locally as possible.  For a lighter option, the restaurant offers a tasting menu featuring 3 courses of smaller plates that will satisfy your appetite and stimulate your senses.  In the summer months, enjoy scenic al fresco dining on the balcony, or even take the opportunity to hire out a boat and work off your lunch.