Suffolk Restaurant Guide

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”.

“Beautiful and atmospheric, with lovely décor” – Chis Haley’s fifteenth century wood-framed inn pleases all who comment on it, with its “beautifully presented” local grub. “Was it worth the 125 mile round trip? Oh yes!”

A “great place to eat in Lavenham”, this wine bar and restaurant-with-rooms in a beautifully converted fifteenth-century brick-and-timber house rates strongly across the board. Hosts Jo Knight and Rod Benson are locals.

“A lovely building” – dating from the reign of Henry IV and most famous to oldies for its associations with 1970s TV-chef Robert Carrier – this imposing country house hotel attracted too few reviews for a rating this year, but was tipped for “delightful afternoon tea in the garden”, or one of its stately lounges.

“Fantastique!” – Pascal & Karine Canavet’s “little piece of France in Suffolk” goes “from strength to strength”, providing “an absolutely first rate” combination of “fabulous and exquisitely presented” Gallic fare, “charming” and “so professional” service and “elegant surroundings”. In particular the “super fish dishes always hit the mark”. “We usually visit at lunchtime and have to drive through two counties to get there!!”

“The influence of a committed chef-patron is obvious” at this “fab old building” – a “lovely old house just off Angel Hill”, modernised with a “smart interior”: Zack Deakins’s “phenomenal” food is “ambitious yet well-executed” (“I was genuinely left speechless it was so good!”) and delivered by “a well-led front of house” who provide “slick, discreet service”. “Do try the canapes, but get your own set or you will fight over them!”.