Harden's survey result
Summary
“Mediterranean (meets Middle Eastern) fine-dining without the Michelin faffing or prices” awaits at this “quirky” restaurant (est. 2009) from Justin Sharp and FOH wife Jurga. It’s “in a most unlikely location” (a residential square), but there’s no quibbling with Justin’s “unusual” food, and “in a world of commoditised wine lists”, Jurga’s “perfectly curated list is a joy”, with “plenty of interesting wines from small producers, including organic options, natural wines, etc.”.
Summary
“Allow your eyes to feast on the gorgeous colours and your nose to savour the rich perfume of the dishes” at this “small restaurant run by a husband (chef) and wife (front of house) team”, which is “tucked a bit away from the town centre”. One of the more commented-on restaurants outside London in our annual diners’ poll, it has won its more-than-local following with Justin’s “richly styled” Moorish/Iberian food, “cooked with real flair and passion”: “big flavours, with interesting combinations from top-quality ingredients”. There’s a “very interesting wine list” too – “a real eye-opener” – and “Jurga is always very happy to suggest which wines will go well with the food you've ordered”. “You never leave hungry!". It’s Suffolk’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, but not especially ‘haute’ in its approach: it’s closer to “a proper neighbourhood place, serving top-notch food”.
Summary
“Small and perfect... now with added Michelin star...” – Justin & Jurga Sharp’s “quirky spot in the centre of the town” (a tucked-away townhouse) has long been one of the most popular and highly rated destinations in the county. “The couple deliver a wonderful experience” in a “stripped-back” bistro setting which scores highly for its “appealing exotic menu” – “big and fresh and simple and complex, all at the same time”. One or two long-term advocates for the place, though, feel their recent accolade was mis-judged. One feels “the chef is now trying too hard”. Another long-term-fan says: “Not sure what the Michelin inspectors had been smoking when they visited Bury St Edmunds. This is a great, small restaurant, run by the delightful Jurga and Justin, but is definitely Bib Gourmand, rather than star material. Tasty and interesting food, great service, but not quite ‘WOW’!”. These are quibbles though. The overall verdict – “undoubtedly excellent”.
Summary
One of the most popular and highly rated neighbourhood restaurants in the country – Justin & Jurga Sharp’s “delightful” bistro occupies a “tucked-away” townhouse in the heart of the town and “though a little off-the-beaten track is worth seeking out”. “Often combining quirky ingredients”, the “exciting” cuisine is “unusual, hearty” and “brilliantly realised” and supported by a “very interesting wine list”: “of diverse inspiration, with lots of natural wines and perfectly complementing the food”. Service, meanwhile “could not be more welcoming or accommodating.”
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 Pea Porridge?
28-29 Cannon St, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1JR
Restaurant details
Pea Porridge Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Fabulous seasonal food. Great wine list. Attentive and fun wait staff and a lovely small space make this a fabulous place for a special meal. "
"Scrummy. Very accomplished spicing to both the Moorish fish soup and the muntjac fillet & moussaka. Charming service. Off pitch location in BSE means parking nearby at lunchtime is impossible. Pricing is aggressive for the locale. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £40.00 |  |
|
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £11.00 | £26.50 | £12.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £24.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
28-29 Cannon St, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1JR
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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