I'm in Suffolk and I know the area well. Most of the small towns in the area don't have that much to offer in the way of tourist attractions, decent pubs or quality restaurants.
Some people might suggest Aldeburgh. For me, it's got a rather 'snooty' image, which tends to be reflected in the high prices you have to pay for a reasonable meal in a pub or a restaurant. However, it might interest you:
http://www.enjoyengland.com/destinations/find/ east-of-england/suffolk/aldeburgh.aspx
For me, the absolute gem of the Suffolk coast has to be
Southwold. While it attracts people with money ( - you can pay over �60,000 for a beach hut! -), it's always retained its basic charm and avoided the 'snooty' image which Aldeburgh has. (Aldeburgh is characterised by art shops, selling pictures costing many thousands of pounds. Southwold has some antiques shops but you can still buy a bucket and spade!).
Southwold has some great pubs. They all serve Adnam's real ale and their meals are reasonably priced. There are also a few good quality (but reasonably priced) restaurants.
This is mainly an adverising site about Southwold but the 'Panorama' link is worth a look, as are some of the other links:
http://www.exploresouthwold.co.uk/
There's a better accommodation list, by clicking on 'Southwold & Halesworth, here:
http://www.visit-lowestoft.co.uk/subpages_tran sparency/accommodation.htm
Chris