Harden's survey result
Summary
“Gastropub? More like a fine-dining experience” say fans of this “prize-winning” and “dog- friendly” Brit-alian venue (est. 2015), which secured top honours on Estrella Damm’s Top 50 UK Gastropubs list for the second time in 2024. For all the headlines, it continues to attract cynics who feel it’s “vastly overhyped”, “not as good as it was” or who note “ever-increasing prices”. Still, all who report rate the cooking as “good” or better. Top TIp – there’s no doubting that the ‘Be Unruly’ “tasting menu on Thursday is exceptional value” (£49 per person for five courses, as per the usual £75).
Summary
“Difficult to find better”, say the many fans of this “stylish” gastropub (est. 2015), whose ‘Britalian’ food “nails the authenticity” of its influences, be it arancini; “leftfield but delicious lavender and honey custard tart”; or “simply great seafood” (not to mention the beloved ‘Be Unruly’ tasting menu, yours for a discounted £49 per person on Thursdays). Admittedly, it’s “well-hyped” these days – having garnered ‘best gastropub’ awards from many a national authority – and where there’s hype, there are inevitably skeptics, for whom it’s generally “far from cheap” and in a rather “unspectacular” roadside location too (albeit one handy for the A12, though). Top Tip – good for a business lunch.
Summary
“In the Suffolk countryside near Woodbridge” (and handy for the A12), this rural gastropub “looks a bit unprepossessing from the road but is well worth a detour” and – having won just about every ‘Top Pub’ award around in recent years – is one of the most commented-on destinations outside of London in our annual diners’ poll. Braised rabbit, venison saddle or gnocchi are typical main courses from the à la carte menu, and there is also a ‘Be Unruly’ tasting option (for £70). Its army of fans say it “hits all the right notes”, providing “truly original cooking but without losing sight of the fact that this is a pub”, alongside “a fantastic selection of wines by the glass”. Ratings are dragged down, though, by a sizable minority who view it as “very expensive” for food that’s “good-to-average” (“if there were more local alternatives, I suspect we would be diverted”).
Summary
Handy for the A12, this well-known sixteenth-century boozer strikes most reporters as a “joy to visit” for its “untypical pub food in delightful surroundings” (but also classics like a “superb Sunday lunch”) and its “lovely outdoor dining area” to boot. In recent years, however, it hasn't been without its critics, for whom a visit can be “very average” at times.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Unruly Pig?
Orford Rd, Bromeswell, IP12 2PU
Restaurant details
The Unruly Pig Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Pre concert dinner Been once before but ideal for my evening out in Ipswich. Arrived a few minutes early and was sat at my table. Was planning a three course but was seduced by the taster menu. I declined the scallops extra dish but asked them to add the octopus one instead. Each course was beautifully presented, the vast majority were superbly flavoured too, special kudos to the liver parfait replacement for the dish with cheese. Each course was varied in its presentation and flavouring. Two minor grouses, the abdominal vien hadn't been removed from either prawn. The 7th course, first dessert arrived nearly 25 minutes after I had finished the last course. Time to digest I guess! Very polite and helpful staff, an enjoyable experience. Was the long drive worth it, unquestionably yes."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £32.50 |  |
|
 |
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 75.00 | Always available | 8 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £17.00 | £31.00 | £5.00 | £10.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.00 |
| Service | 1.00% |
Orford Rd, Bromeswell, IP12 2PU
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
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