Harden's survey result
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.”
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 32 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?
Restaurant details
Pea Porridge Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Almost but…… Arrived at my time of booking and was taken direct to my table. Restaurant got busier as time went on eventually becoming almost full. The menu is reasonably varied though mains wer a little limited for a non cheese eater. Had a wonderful bread that tasted like a delicious flavoured naan Started with cured silver mullet, delicious and very beautifully presented. Main I eventually chose the confit duck, elements were delicious but presentation was a tad messy. Coming from a Jewish background I like my butter beans soft these were a bit too Al dente for me. Dessert was a sensational chocolate dessert with hazelnut custard, truly stunning! As my profile shows I am no stranger to Michelin food nice but no cigar for main. Staff are delightful very efficient and skilled. Toilet clean and well presented. Was it worth the 165 mile round trip? For the starter and dessert YES!"
Prices
 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 | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Best Mediterranean restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Dedham
Mediterranean restaurant in Wansford
Mediterranean restaurant in Barnet
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Stanton
British, Modern restaurant in Bildeston
British, Modern restaurant in Stoke-by-Nayland
