Recommended Restaurants

All within 10 to 30 minutes drive of our Suffolk holiday homes.

This list includes some special award winning restaurants and places to go for everyday eating. It’s a good idea to call and book as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment. Or if you want to 'stay in' and eat something special without having to go anywhere try our private chef.

The Great House – A** Top UK Restaurant 2000 - 2008' Harden's Guide Market Place (main square) Telephone - 01787 247431 - 20 minutes drive

Exceptional French ‘fine dining’ restaurant with outside canopy eating area in the summer. Serves lunch & dinner. Vraiment fantastique. Situated in a historic Grade I building, the dining room is very intimate beautifully furnished with antiques it feels like a front parlour. Eating al-fresco in the summer is sublime: lovely white crisp table linen, gleaming glasses, pretty flower displays, handsome french waiters.

East of England Restaurant of the year 2009, Which? Good Food Guide.

'One of the 10 top French Restaurants in London & South East' Square Meal, March 08.

'The Great House is a cracking restaurant' Sunday Telegraph.

TIP ~
When you visit the Great House Restaurant ensure you visit the sites of lovely medieval Lavenham.

• Lavenham Guild Hall – National Trust (main market square)
• Numerous antique shops
• The Wild Life Gallery – High Street The Crooked House Gallery – High Street
• Paul Evans gallery – High Street (Bury end of High Street)

  The Crown Pub & Hotel in Bildeston – High Street, Bildeston. Telephone: 01449 740510 - 10-15 minutes drive

  Posh pub nosh in the bar or more formal a la carte in the restaurant. Another lovely building with beams and character yet lovely and spacious. Outside table & chairs. AA three Rosette status. Recognition from publications such as the Good Food Guide. Believe passionately in good food. This means quality produce, sourced locally whenever possible, and used when in season to get the best results. Great place for pre-dinner drinks; then you are called into dine.

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Il Punto now Mariners – Ipswich Docks. Telephone - 01473 289748 Dining aboard historical boat. 20- 30 minutes drive

  The Il Punto - renamed Mariners - Brasserie by the Quayside in Ipswich is an authentic French Restaurant based in an old gunship boat moored at Ipswich docks. Built in 1899 this traditionally lish boat came to Ipswich in 1990, and was used as an Italian Restaurant after it changed hands to Régis Crépy in 1994 he transformed it into today’s award winning French Restaurant with fine French food and Al Fresco eating on the patio deck in fine weather. A sister restaurant of The Great House in Lavenham (featured in our Recommended Restaurants).
  
  The British Larder Suffolk - Bromeswell, Woodbridge. Telephone - 01394 460310 35 minutes drive
  
  
  
  The British Larder Suffolk does things slightly differently. They change their menus every day because they're dedicated to using fresh ingredients, trying new recipes and creating wonderful dishes.

  Most of the food that goes into creating the dishes on the menu is sourced from Suffolk and East Anglia. Of course, not everything is available locally, so they go a bit further to get some things, but local is always the goal.
  
  Take a peek at a sample mouth-watering menu.

  
  
  The Boat House – Dedham (off the A12). Telephone - 01206 323153
  Dining next to the river Stour.30 minutes drive

  The Boathouse in Dedham is known to many locals and visitors as the place to hire a rowing boat or enjoy an ice cream down by the river, where there is also a Restaurant. It’s modern and contemporary yet warm and inviting. The Restaurant hires out 26 rowing boats during the summer months from Easter – September. They also serve teas; coffees, ice creams etc, and have a large outside seating area next to the Boatshed.The village of Dedham is worthwhile visiting because it is so pretty. So why not stop to take out a rowing boat and then lunch afterwards? A good place for an informal Sunday lunch when it’s sunny. Dedham is near Constable Country and Flatford Mill which inspired the famous painting by Constable ‘The Hay Wain’, now in the National Gallery.

  The Crown Pub – Stoke By Nayland. Telephone - 01206 262001. 20 – 30 minutes drive

  Large pub restaurant, fabulous terrace with epic Suffolk views. Inside a welcoming atmosphere with a mix of tables and arm chairs of differing sizes. Manages a good mix of intimate spaces and larger tables in an open plan area. Bistro style. Open fire. Wine shop. Particularly recommended for sunny eves and large groups because of the large terrace. If you book they can manage large tables inside too. Gets a bit busy and hectic at weekends so you have to be patient…

  Also see this link to fine dining restaurants.

   

  Everyday eating

  The India Villa (IV)

  Hadleigh: Indian/curry. Very good food and takeaways. Need to allow time for a takeaway as they cook fresh. 10 minutes from the holiday lettings.

  The Bell pub 

  Kersey: Basic pub nosh. Good for fish & chips on a Friday eve perhaps or light ploughman’s at lunchtime. Nice local for a pre-dinner drink or pint at lunchtime. 2 minutes walk from Stay Barn. 15 minutes drive from Wheelers Cottage holiday letting.
  
  The Red Rose Inn

  Lindsey: Gastro style pub. Good for Sunday lunch. 10 - 15 minutes drive.
  
  The China Garden

  Hadleigh: Chinese. Large place. Nice atmosphere. Good for takeaways or eating in. 10 – 15 minutes drive.
  
  Fish & Chips 

  Hadleigh: Choose from the shop in Hadleigh High street near the post office or up the top end of Angel Street and one at the town end. 10 - 15 minutes drive.
  
  Crabtrees coffee shop 

  Hadleigh: Good for a light lunch or cup of tea which a wedge of yummy home made cake… 10 - 15 minutes drive.
  
  The Swan Hotel, Lavenham

  Good for a cream tea in the lounge or garden: if you happen to be there after a bit of sight seeing. Lunch & fine dining available in the restaurant. 20 minutes drive.

  The White Hart 

  Boxford: Good for lunch or supper. Contemporary interior with fancy pub food. 15 minutes drive.

  Drop-off food

  A private chef is not just for fine dining! Everyday food can be prepared for you and dropped off ready for you to cook or serve.

 Enquire here or

call 0044 (0)1473 822620