Harden's says
Special midweek stay offer at The Great House Hotel: From £257 dinner, bed & breakfast for 2 people sharing a king-size room, staying 1 night, Tue-Thu. Email or call to secure a reservation (quoting 257).
Harden's survey result
Summary
After 32 years the Crêpy family were a tough act to follow at this “lovely” old (in parts 14th century) inn, on the square of a picturesque town: “a unique, quintessentially English building, whose other defining features are essentially French: this includes the staff, food, wine and especially the cheeseboard!”. “There’s very little to fault in its classic French cuisine”, and although the ratings awarded by its huge and dedicated fan club have slipped a fraction in the transition period, most reporters are optimistic: “since the Crêpys have retired the new owners have tried to keep the Great House just the same, and although it’s not 100% as good it’s getting there” is a sensible middle view. However you cut it, it’s “certainly one of the best East Anglian restaurants”.
Summary
After 32 years the Crêpy family were a tough act to follow at this “lovely” old (in parts 14th century) inn, on the square of a picturesque town: “a unique, quintessentially English building, whose other defining features are essentially French: this includes the staff, food, wine and especially the cheeseboard!”. “There’s very little to fault in its classic French cuisine”, and although the ratings awarded by its huge and dedicated fan club have slipped a fraction in the transition period, most reporters are optimistic: “since the Crêpys have retired the new owners have tried to keep the Great House just the same, and although it’s not 100% as good it’s getting there” is a sensible middle view. However you cut it, it’s “certainly one of the best East Anglian restaurants”.
Summary
“An old time favourite that’s recently changed hands with no obvious downside”: this “very special” landmark – “magically situated” in an old inn dating from the 14th century on “a beautiful town square” – was sold by the Crépy family this year after their 32 years at the helm, but “the staff have all stayed on” and “everything has continued seamlessly”. It delivers an “outstanding all-round” and “very French” experience, with “excellent classical French cooking plus a wine list to match” and “special mention going to the sublime cheese (selected from a large trolley with a superb variety of options)”.
Summary
“People will drive many many miles to eat at the Great House – one of the finest French Restaurants in Britain, in a stylish 14th Century old inn on the market square of the perfectly preserved half-timbered medieval village of Lavenham”. “Classically French by cuisine, it’s also classically French-run by owners the Crepy family (Regis and Martine) complete with old fashioned heavy eating irons, and pure white tablecloths” and “flexible and charming staff”. “Much of the food is locally sourced, all ingredients of the highest quality” and results are “impeccable” down to “the most extravagantly rich cheese trolley anywhere!”
Restaurant details
The Great House Hotel & Restaurant, Lavenham Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Second visit lived up to our memory of the first. Local Produce. Very strong finish in the puddings! Excellent value lunch. Selection of wine by the glass could be wider."
"Lunch at an favourite from last year. Still good value fixed price - under £80 with glass of wine, coffee etc. This is a sort of French restaurant which uses local ingredients to be different and relevant. We had lamb which was not super-tender in the hotel style but instead so juicy and tasty. We chose the lunch menu but perhaps should have ventured to the tasting menu which is only £40 and one extra course. So often, tasting menus put me off with the seeming amount or implication that everything is tiny. Basic lunch had Coley which is a sign of cost cutting, that said it was good. Desserts were the highlight which I totally approve! We wondered if the Almond would be too insipid - no. Plenty of chocolate options, ours was perfect balance of strong. All have home made sorbets. Service is not 5 as they forgot our vegetables and were sometimes erratic. Room was cold, so wrap up. But a lovely place to relax with a few others. Covid: much ado about wearing masks except at the table (good) but then menus are handed around and not cleaned(bad. Servers wear masks (essential)."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £22.50 | £27.50 |  |
|
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| Dinner | £32.50 | £37.50 | |
|
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| SundayLunch | £32.50 | £37.50 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 58.00 | D only | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £12.00 | £26.00 | £3.50 | £8.95 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £20.95 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Market Pl, Lavenham, CO10 9QZ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 7 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm |
Best French restaurants nearby
French restaurant in Bury St Edmunds
French restaurant in Ipswich
French restaurant in Cambridge
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Lavenham
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British, Modern restaurant in Stoke-by-Nayland
