The Deli at the Boathouse opens in Woodbridge at Whisstocks

The former teacher’s first restaurant, The Boathouse in Woodbridge, opened just before 2020’s winter Covid lockdowns. 

And she was struck by Covid herself in the holiday period. 

But the determined restaurateur fought on – and has created a really vibrant destination dining room and bar overlooking the town’s striking Tide Mill. 

Today, she takes her local foodie empire a stage further, opening The Deli at the Boathouse in neighbouring premises. 

“It’s an exciting new project for us,” Emma says. “Despite the setbacks we’ve had in recent years, I really do love Christmas, and this is the best time of year for us to being starting this up. It’s been wonderful to see it all come together, and hopefully people will enjoy coming down to see us – it's a little bit quirky.” 

The deli sits in what was the Happiness at Home store, whose owner decided to move the business online during the summer. “She offered it up to me. And it was a little earlier than I’d wanted to do something new...but I couldn’t miss the opportunity,” Emma adds. 

In line with her mandate at The Boathouse, to keep everything as local as possible, Emma has filled the food store with some of her favourite things from Suffolk and beyond – including lots of cheese (“I really love cheese and crackers – who doesn’t?”). 

In the counter, customers will find the likes of Baron Bigod and Norfolk White Lady, perched alongside modern classics such as toothsome, tongue-tingling Welsh Black Bomber. 

The restaurant’s chef is making sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, scones, cakes and traybakes. “I love her Oreo biscuit traybake and her cookie dough cake,” Emma adds, saying there will be local bread, available to pre-order, and daily filled bagels, baguettes and croissants. 

Across the shelves she’s brought in trusted names such as Stokes and Tiptree, and the range from one of James Martin’s favourite brands, Mrs Darlington’s, as well as lots of crackers, chocolates, biscuits and more.

"We're always adding things," Emma says. "We would really like customers to come and chat with us, to tell us all the items they want to see us get in stock."

Right now The Deli at the Boathouse is stepping into the festive spirit, hosting Mrs Claus’ grotto on weekends from this Sunday onwards (10.30am to 12.30pm) – with a gift for all participating children (£6.99 per child). 

Adults haven’t been forgotten either. While she awaits a license to sell drink for customers to take away, Emma is converting the deli into a twinkling wine lounge on Friday and Saturday nights. 

“They’ll be able to pop over and buy drinks in the restaurant to enjoy in the deli. From January we should have our own selection of wines in there and we’ll be doing wine tasting events.” 

The Deli at the Boathouse is open from 10am to 4pm daily at the Whisstocks, Tide Mill Way. 

While you’re there... 

Planned railway closures in the two weeks before Christmas mean the usual route to this part of the town will be shut off to the public. To get to the deli and other traders, you’ll have to use the access point from Woodbridge Railway Station. 

Here’s what you’ll find. 

The Boathouse 

Emma’s first venture. The restaurant has enviable views over the Tide Mill, with a terrace that bustles in summertime. 

Right now, it’s all toasty and cosy inside, with warm lighting and fluffy throws over chairs for snuggling. The restaurant specialises in small plates (all very generous in size), with a deal offering three dishes for £25. That could include five spice duck leg bon bons with hoi sin sauce, tempura cauliflower with pickled cauliflower and curried yoghurt, or chilli squid with garlic aioli. 

The cocktails are fabulous. And there’s even a long list of well-made mocktails. 

The Woodyard 

A cool new addition to this part of the town – and often very busy at weekends, so be prepared to wait for a table as they don’t take bookings (unless you’re a group of six or more). 

Expect cocktails, melting balls of burrata smothered in delicious dressings, puffy Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked over biscotti stones, and locally-made H&J gelato. 

Super family and dog-friendly. 

Aardvarks & Dragons 

We could all do with a bit of an escape from reality right now – and what’s better escapism than indulging in a flight of fantasy? 

This hobby and boardgame shop has everything you need to get started, or to expand your realms in the likes of Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer and Master of the Universe Battleground. 

Stay and play, meeting up with other enthusiasts, or buy games to get stuck into at home. 

Coffeelink 

Suffolk’s coffee experts. All the coffee served and sold at Coffeelink has full traceability, down to the region and farm it’s from, through to the processes used, variety, and even the altitude the beans are grown at. 

Coffee is sourced from all over the globe, from Uganda and Rwanda, to Indonesia and the Yemen. 

There are teas too – Spiced Chai, Chocolate Orange or the Christmas Blend would all be good options about now. 

Pop by for a cuppa, or to fill up your coffee jars at home. 

Suffolk Coffee Pod 

Antony’s red coffee van is a regular cheery sight at Tide Mill on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. During the weeks the railway line is shut, he’s taking up a spot at Elmhurst Park, so go pay him a visit. He serves a cracking cup of Crude brand coffee, and very good hot chocolate. 

Emily Mortimer Jewellery 

Inspired by her travels in India, and to this day working with ethical suppliers in the country, Emily’s jewellery is classic and timeless. Renowned for incorporating colourful semi-precious stones into her work, the jeweller’s pieces have been seen on the Princess of Wales, Laura Whitmore and Ellie Goulding.