Pea Porridge in St Edmundsbury

Was really looking forward to eating here, but sadly feel really let down, firstly no bottled water just filtered, started with free bread with pea hummus, just tasted of hummus to me. We ordered scallop for starter, only the one and cooked in shell so had to prise off shell to eat, great at £20 each, then mail, my wife chose the ham which was just sliced gristle and 1/4 of a pepper, I had tagine which had 4 pieces of meat and portion of rice which arrive from Lilliput! My wife’s food was so bad she could not cut into it and just left it, we shared what we could of the tagine and had to leave, we had had enough, due to the fact my wife had to rerun the food she could not eat, we only got charged 1/2 price, so after refusing the 12.5% service charge we only had to pay £95 for the privilege. Really think you can do better, happy to accept refund as to be honest I was expecting beadle to pop out!

Disappointed with the food quality, considering it is a 1 Michelin star restaurant. I ordered turbot, mussles with mash potato, the fish was a very small square, it was not fresh, you couldn't taste the sea from it apart from salt, the whole dish was far too salty, it's not worth £38. My friends ordered 2 different steak cuts, from shoulder and bottom part, the waitress couldn't tell the difference between these two, said it was up to our preference, we ordered one each, one was fine, but the other one was chewy, not the quality and taste you'd expect from wagyu beef, certainly not worth £43 each, there was no garnish at all apart from one shallot. During our meal, nobody came to ask us how our food was, so we couldn't tell them our opinions. My 3rd friend didn't like rare to medium steak, the waitress offered her beef short rib with mash potato which wasn't on the menu, , she said yes thinking beef short rib is normally a lot cheaper than steaks. When the bill came, it was the same price as the steak £43, which was a shock. I think it's appalling that they offer you a dish without telling you the price first, it's a bit deceitful. We had 4 starters and 4 main courses without ordering any drinks, the whole bill was £282. I don't mind paying good money for good food, but not the quality we had here, after all it's a 1 Michelin star restaurant, that's why we went there in the first place.

Superb food that is well presented and with great flavours Excellent wine list Very good service Basically for me it ticks all the boxes.

Second visit to Pea Porridge, our first was in July, and it did not disappoint it was as fabulous as the first time. Such a cosy unpretentious restaurant with a great ambience. The staff are courteous but friendly - just the right balance, the food is extraordinarily good, seasonal and unusual but not fussy and over processed - the flavours sing out. The wild sea bass I had was standout a thick, beautifully cooked fillet - I felt like I’d eaten sitting in a harbour side restaurant in Greece - wonderful. It was our wedding anniversary and the little card on the table wishing us a lovely day was a nice touch. We did not find anything overpriced, although obviously not a cheap meal - but for the quality and service - perfectly priced. Thank you we will be back soon.

Visited on a weekend in Suffolk and it was one of the most delicious meals I have had in years. Everything was bursting with perfectly balanced but phenomenal flavour. Highly recommended.

Lovely place food was excellent and staff very friendly and informative will go again.

Really disappointed tonight been a bunch of times but the wine and food was meh

A knock meal from start to finish 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I was taken here for my 30th birthday and what a special way to round it all off. I don’t say this lightly, this is one of the best places I’ve eaten in a very long time. We loved the build up from walking from town onto a very unassuming residential street into this absolute gem. This isn’t the place for your foams and jus, but where care is taken into the sourcing of their ingredients and each plate is a hearty flavour bomb. The food and the cooking does all the talking, just how it should be. The service and the wonderful staff which made our experience so special. They were knowledgeable and worked with humour, which made us feel so comfortable and at home. We just loved it, and how lucky is Suffolk?! We have to come back!

Absolutely outstanding. From the moment we entered, Jurga welcomed us with warmth in a very relaxed manner. Knowledge of menu in general as well as local ingredients and methods applied was impressive. All servers were very friendly and the relaxed nature was spot on. Something that’s clearly worked on to ensure diners are happy without being overbearing. Where to begin… The sourdough bread (from Grizzly oven) and olives were sublime. Followed by anchovies, roasted leeks and king prawns to get us in the mood. Starters: My Greek Mostelo cheese was incredible. So tasty and the detail and accompaniments of pistachio and beets were almost too nice to spoil. Slightly jealous of my friend’s Dover slip sole starter which was plentiful in volume and apparently extremely tasty. Mains: Difficult to choose, but the Iberica pork was a solid choice. Again, the accompaniments impressed and complimented the dish. Lobster and Wagyu Beef other mains and both friends were suitably impressed by quality, quantity and presentation of their dishes. Deserts: Despite being full, we were going to make the most of the experience. Greek cheese for me with the honey and frozen fruit was a great finisher. The chocolate mousse was however the pick of the bunch, with cheesecake also commended. Wine: We got through a few bottles of Italian red and both the Valpolicella and Dolcetto were really nice bottles. The initial one very smooth with the second and third a little more punchy. Visited with 2 lifelong friends and we don’t get the chance to get together often. The food, wine and ambiance made it a fantastic and memorable evening. Topped off with a nice chat with Justin and some whisky to end the experience. If you are ever in the area, this is simply a must visit. You will not regret this. Michelin star well earned and the price isn’t not exorbitant for such quality.

A truly unforgettable dining experience. The service was impeccable, the atmosphere refined, and the food simply sublime. Every dish was a masterpiece, but the Grizzly oven grilled lobster was a standout – enormous, succulent, and bathed in the most heavenly garlic butter. The Burnt Basque cheesecake was a revelation; its delicate balance of flavors was astonishing. Paired with the refreshing poached peach and rose petals, it was a symphony on the palate. The orange wine was a perfect complement to the meal. Even the complimentary wholemeal sourdough and pea hummus were exceptional. While the price tag is undoubtedly steep, it's justified by the unparalleled quality of the food and service. A Michelin star is well deserved. Pea Porridge is a must-visit for any food lover seeking an extraordinary culinary journey.

It’s tricky to know where to begin. It has to be the most underwhelming Michelin Star experience I have ever had. To begin with, my husband’s gluten allergy was not catered for, and whilst I was able to tuck into some (ordinary burned bread and ‘claggy’ textured humous), he was offered nothing. We were given the specials options and the scallops sounded delicious and we opted for that. The other starters were all around the £12-15 price point. We were not told the price, but you make an assumption based upon the restaurant baseline. The one scallop arrived and it was indeed delicious, but when the bill came, it was £25!! There was no way we would have had it and we felt utterly ripped off. Andrew’s hake was perfectly cooked, but overwhelmed by dill flavour and under seasoned, my duck confit was dry and disappointing. The waitress was lovely, but there was no overseeing manager and it just felt awkward and uncomfortable to say how we really felt, so we left, on my birthday, feeling frustrated, underwhelmed and ripped off. Maybe we’re too discerning (my husband is an incredible cook), the diners on the next table seemed inexplicably satisfied.

Food was incredible. Best sourdough bread I've ever had! Service was super friendly too. Definitely recommend.

Just had birthday meal here, from the outside it does not look anything special. Inside we had a warm friendly welcome and were shown straight to our table. There was a birthday card from the restaurant on the table which was nice touch. The food is amazing! We were given complimentary bread with a pea hummus while we waited for our starters. We shared a skewer of duck hearts, which neither of us had had before and they were delicious. I had a starter of Moroccan fish soup which was beautiful then main of Atlantic cod and stuffed courgette flower. Hubby had Duck and Muntjac kofte to start and for mains he had Rabbit wrapped in prosciutto with black pudding and beets. This was all washed down with a nice bottle of wine. I would 100% recommend this restaurant, you won’t be dissapointed.

Excellent place - good service tempo, slightly too big portions but amazing food!

Every aspect of our visit to this restaurant was wonderful. From the moment we arrived to our departure the whole experience left us feeling well fed and happy ! The food and flavour combinations are sublime - all our food choices from starters to dessert were excellent- as you would expect from a Michelin star restaurant . In particular the lobster I chose for my main was superbly cooked and a really decent size . My husband really enjoyed his chicken tagine , I tried some and wow was it good! Chocolate mousse for dessert was sublime . What really enhanced our meal was the was the warm , friendly service , and the informal relaxed ambience of Pea Porridge - often this can be lacking in high end restaurants. All in all we felt we’d been enveloped in a warm food hug! For a special treat you can’t go wrong if you eat here .

A great experience at Pea Porridge, very good flavors, good wines, very good service.

What an absolutely gorgeous little gem of a place. Really well hidden, but when you walk through the doors it's gorgeous. The service was exceptional and the food was as you would expect-stunning.

Delightful! Everything we had was such a wonderful compliment of flavors. We also enjoyed their carefully curated wine list. Staff was so welcoming and attentive. For a special occasion, definitely book the Pea Porridge as a special treat!

Hidden gem that looks like a post-office from the outside but offers a fine dining experience with a relaxed atmosphere a d excellent service

One of only a small handful of fine dining restaurants in the town. Emphasis is placed on quality and fresh ingredients used in combinations to provide original and unique dishes. Excellent service and a relaxed atmosphere. A most enjoyable dining experience.

Absolutely amazing meal, staff and atmosphere were brilliant. Despite being on the higher price point, every bite feels worth the money. Only comment would be that a couple of the plates that were given to us between dishes has some visible dirt or something on them aswell as being chipped on the corner. Not exactly the standard expected by a Michelin meal. But again only a minor point as this was overshadowed by the excellent food

We really liked some dishes, whilst others didn't quite work for us and were a little underwhelming. Something just didn't click with the starters especially. Price/quality 6/10.

We had a really super meal here a few nights ago. The staff were friendly and helpful, but were also happy to let us chat and relax, which was great. The atmosphere was lovely - there was a buzz but it wasn’t too noisy. We had some fabulous Scottish scallops and white asparagus to start. We followed this by some delicious Mediterranean-inspired iberica pork and venison for our mains with some veg and chips. The basque cheesecake & Syrian cake desserts were also fab. Also loved the wine selection. Would thoroughly recommend and will be returning!

We visited Pea Porridge for an evening meal on Saturday 4th May for a birthday celebration. My partner has a known severe intolerance/allergy to shellfish and so, as most people who suffer with allergies, stated this on the booking form. I was quite surprised to then be seated, have a drinks order taken, and then the first food we were offered as a special was ‘scallops’… There was no acknowledgement from any of the staff regarding the shellfish allergy stated on the booking so on placing our order, I raised this with the waitress myself, to confirm the food we had ordered did not contain any shellfish/traces of/potential contamination. Without confirming with the chef, or checking any allergen information, she confidently replied ‘No’ and that food preparation was completely segregated. Admittedly, at first I was quite impressed and assumed she obviously knew her stuff having so confidently answered, and perhaps what you would expect from a Michelin star restaurant? By the time we arrived home, my partner began vomiting profusely and feeling increasingly unwell; Exactly the reaction he has had previously when ingesting shellfish. We contacted the restaurant directly to make them aware of this, and to confirm the food we had ordered definitely did not contain any shellfish. Rather strangely, the response we received was actually more of a challenge as to whether my partner had ingested shellfish, and it was implied possibly food poisoning instead. Yes, the symptoms my partner experienced could have been either of those 2 things, although being a medical professional I was not convinced, given the absence of diarrhoea/fever/stomach cramps which are characteristic of food poisoning. I’ve also witnessed my partners response to ingesting shellfish before, and this was an exact replay. Either way, each scenario is unacceptable after paying £150 to dine in a Michelin star restaurant. I was very surprised that the chef suggested my partner arranges a stool sample, rather odd given that Salmonella is a notifiable disease, which would more than likely be traced back to the restaurant if it returned positive. We responded to the initial email detailing our disappointment in the lack of acknowledgement of the allergy and that the response was just more of a discussion doubting the allergy, rather than offering any apology or form of compensation (not that this was the aim of getting in contact). The second response we received was much the same as the first, and despite previously suggesting possible food poisoning, stated that by apologising or offering compensation would be accepting blame in the situation… We’re real foodies so were really excited to dine here. When contacting the team we made sure to compliment the high quality produce, attention to detail and mentioned the waiting staff were incredibly attentive and friendly. All in all a disappointing visit and really do not recommend, particularly for those with food intolerances/allergies. We tried to deal with this with the restaurant directly and privately, but after little understanding and apology, I’m not sure they grasp the impact of such an experience, and hope this review will prevent anyone else experiencing the same. Certainly not the Michelin star experience we had hoped for!

I’ve eaten here twice and I’m not sure the Michelin Star is warranted. The food was pretty good, but not amazing. Not worth the price.

Best in town. Always something special on the menu. Our absolute favourite eatery.

We had an absolutely incredible meal at Pea Porridge. It was worth every single penny! We will be returning to try some other delicacies from your unique menu. Service was exceptional, even to the very fine details.

We had not expected to celebrate our anniversary in Bury St Edmonds, but circumstances forced us to change our dates. A week later, we were in Suffolk for a few days and searching for a good spot to enjoy the meal we'd been denied a week earlier. Lucky us, then, to find Pea Porridge. Jurga alternated between charmingly welcoming and patiently knowledgeable about the extensive menu. That one person can cook all of this, with only one other in the kitchen to help with the prep, seems almost ludicrous. Delicately spiced flatbreads and fresh pea hummus came first. A lamb sweetbread starter with saffron and pasta was rich and unctuous but not heavy. I did manage to finish my classily rustic rabbit main with bacon and girolles, but the last mouthful of duck pastilla defeated me. That's no judgement on the kitchen, though: this is really hearty stuff, cooked beautifully with great ingredients. We managed to share a rich chocolate mousse(ish) sitting in a swirl of pistachio cream and a very decent coffee. We even made it through the date petit fours, spiked with tiny biscuit pieces and a touch of middle eastern spice. Jurga did not quite have to roll us out into the street, but it was a near thing. Thanks Jurga, thanks Justin. A really memorable evening and the best meal we've eaten this year. Next time we're in Suffolk we will undoubtedly be back.

We had an incredible lunch 4 course tasting menu yesterday. Very well priced and we left extremely full - unlike many other tasting menus that I’ve had in the past. A must visit and deserving of their accolades.

The positives: - food was decent - large wine selection - main waitress was polite and knowledgeable - pleasant decor - I left full The negatives: - food lacked the ‘wow’ factor expected from a Michelin star place - we waited 30 minutes before some took our drinks order - had to give up dessert as it took the staff 20 minutes from when we said we wanted to order dessert till someone came to collect our order - service charge automatically added to the bill Side notes: - plenty of rules and requests upon booking which is fair, but uncommon - hard to find a parking space Overall if it was a pub/restaurant and the prices would reflect that, I would recommend it, but as a Michelin star restaurant, it was an underwhelming experience.

Great things lie behind the pea green door. A really interesting menu of Morish flavours made using excellent local and British ingredients. Well informed and friendly staff add to a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The Michelin star is well deserved but don't think for moment it suggests a restaurant that is stuffy or inaccessible. If you are planning a visit, The Old Canon pub and brewery has comfortable rooms and is almost next door so a very short walk to your bed.

Fantastic food, great wine, attentive service. An establishment of this caliber, however, really should accept American Express.

vegan food not very tasty! over prised! Not many options for people who doest’t like meat! Only enjoyed nibbles!

Wonderful relaxed dining experience! Loved the atmosphere from arriving into a little curtained entrance and receiving a very warm welcome to enjoying the calm unpretentious dining room. It really felt like we were eating in somebody’s house. The front of house lady was exceptional explaining the menu and options. The best bread ever but try not to fill up too much on it! Every bite we ate over the evening was just so flavoursome and interesting. We’re thoroughly looking forward to our next visit.

I was a rather stressed chap on arrival, I had no idea that parking would be a challenge nearby, stupidly, I could have worked that out with a little effort. I had a quite long walk in the rain after finding a spot, knowing I was already late. I expected that quite fairly the restaurant would be quite annoyed with me therefore. However, I was warmly welcomed and my mood immediately began to lift as we enjoyed a refreshing Sherry and got to delving into the menu. We ordered too much. These are not dainty little tasting menu courses but hearty, generous and rich dishes. A gorgeous Orkney diver scallop in its shell with zinging spices and sticky lemon-oil freshness, a smoky herring dish where the smoke tastes like wood smoke instead of chemical smoke, so delicate. The rabbit with mushrooms and prunes, and an incredible sauce to luxuriate in, not just with a hint of, but absolutely belting you with tarragon, a steak ordered rare and perfectly rare, and a light velvet chocolate mousse with pistachio cream and a pistachio brittle so wonderful. The black tempura fish (today skate, seems that it is often on the menu with what fish is around) gets its own little paragraph because it was sensational, soft flakes, hard shattering batter, unbelievable hot sauce soused grilled pineapple and freshened up with what all samphire garnishes should just give way to, agretti or monksbeard. There was no regret however despite being overly full. The ingredients and the cooking are thoughtfully put together and special, the flavours are huge, the hint of the charcoal is a delight. The wine list is extensive without letting you get lost, and keenly priced. The service throughout was friendly and efficient, and we could happily leave with a promise to return and to recommend to friends. Thank You, Pea Porridge.

I was a rather stressed chap on arrival, I had no idea that parking would be a challenge nearby, stupidly, I could have worked that out with a little effort. I had a quite long walk in the rain after finding a spot, knowing I was already late. I expected that quite fairly the restaurant would be quite annoyed with me therefore. However, I was warmly welcomed and my mood immediately began to lift as we enjoyed a refreshing Sherry and got to delving into the menu. We ordered too much. These are not dainty little tasting menu courses but hearty, generous and rich dishes. A gorgeous Orkney diver scallop in its shell with zinging spices and sticky lemon-oil freshness, a smoky herring dish where the smoke tastes like wood smoke instead of chemical smoke, so delicate. The rabbit with mushrooms and prunes, and an incredible sauce to luxuriate in, not just with a hint of, but absolutely belting you with tarragon, a steak ordered rare and perfectly rare, and a light velvet chocolate mousse with pistachio cream and a pistachio brittle so wonderful. The black tempura fish (today skate, seems that it is often on the menu with what fish is around) gets its own little paragraph because it was sensational, soft flakes, hard shattering batter, unbelievable hot sauce soused grilled pineapple and freshened up with what all samphire garnishes should just give way to, agretti or monksbeard. There was no regret however despite being overly full. The ingredients and the cooking are thoughtfully put together and special, the flavours are huge, the hint of the charcoal is a delight. The wine list is extensive without letting you get lost, and keenly priced. The service throughout was friendly and efficient, and we could happily leave with a promise to return and to recommend to friends. Thank You, Pea Porridge.

Thank you Pea Porridge for a marvellous meal. Truly beautiful food, prepared with love and creativity. The whole culinary experience was exceptional, from the succulent Scottish Scallop starter to the Syrian Basbousa cake. Looking forward to visiting again.

Really really wanted to enjoy this place, as I’ve eaten in many fine dining and Michelin star eateries internationally over the years , and having one in Suffolk was a treat. The service was full of anxiety. The staff looked incredibly anxious and would not give recommendations or personal favorites because “we would hate to influence a very personal choice.” Perhaps I wasn’t clear that I was not looking for the staff to order for me, but simply wanted to know their personal highlights. The food was- honestly, incredibly bland and uncomplicated. This sometimes works, but sadly, it fell flat here. It felt like someone attempting to play “fancy restaurant” and not quite pulling it off. The tagine was earthy but needed salt to make it more exciting, and frankly the bread was the most interesting flavor of the entire meal. I’m not going to comment on cost because I’m very happy to pay for quality and art, and expect to pay at higher rated restaurants, however this was disappointing and honestly I’ve had better food at local pubs.

Excellent food and service. Very high standard of English produce delivered with finesse. Great to see a michelin star restaurant with decent portions too.

Great night, fantastic food, great atmosphere nice and relaxed, wonderful staff. Well priced for Michelin starred restaurant.

What a fantastic find. An unpretentious yet exceptional restaurant- it’s all about the amazing food and excellent service. The food is delightful and you certainly don’t leave hungry.

This was our first visit after often walking past wondering what delights were behind the green doors. We weren't disappointed. After stepping out from behind the quaint curtain the greeting was warm and friendly. The staff were informative (we needed half the menu explaining lol) friendly and quietly attentive. The food was excellent as expected. No it's not cheap but definitely worth it as a treat. Would recommend.

Long overdue visit to Pea Porridge one again. Excellent front of house and customer service. Lovely, varied menu. No fuss, relaxed, attentive staff, wonderfully presented big flavour food, faultless.

Went here with my mum and we were both seriously impressed. The bread was the best we've tasted, the menu was varied and creative. We found the service to be friendly and helpful. . I think some prospective diners see the Michelin star and expect a very rigid idea of traditional fine dining. Pea Porridge is meticulously focused on flavour, the best ingredients and Moorish cuisine. It absolutely hits its mark.

My wife and I and two staff were very much looking forward to visiting the restaurant just before Christmas. My wife fell ill the morning we were due to dine and rang through to confirm our two colleagues would still attend but that my wife and I could not. My colleagues spent £341 at the restaurant including a 12.5% discretionary tip which probably isn't far off what 4 covers would cost on average anyway. Even so, this outfit seems to think it is reasonable taking £60 post dining as a cancellation fee. No mention was made of this when my wife spoke to them on the telephone. Maybe they would have been happier if we turned up and gave all their staff and dinners what turned out to be a stomach bug/sickness. What is more, the restaurant has considered our position and believes their view is fair. I am all for fairness but a strict interpretation of their T&C's is this instance is pathetic. Restaurants have to look after themselves but this attitude stinks. As the business owner I ended up paying £401 for a meal and experience my wife and I never had - maximizing profit ahead of trying to build customer loyalty. As for the food and service report - apparently it was ok.

It out of the way and a bit of a chore to walk back to the town to get a cocktail or a taxi. Its small and the tables are not so large for a group, it's all a bit tight, the people on the table next to us were somewhat spoiling the evening with their loud chat and cackling (they seemed t be regulars too which bothered me as the staff pandered to them rather than perhaps keeping them down a bit). On that note though the staff were excellent. Attentive and knew their "food stuff" (or so it seemed, I'm no foodie, they seemed to answer my questions easily). When it arrived the food was excellent and lived up to billing (although the Wagyu beef was not as special as expected), my squid started was exceptional. So, all in all, perhaps good food is enough BUT I like to enjoy my dining out experiences overall and I just didn't. Basically at £170 per head I expect a bit more from the evening and not just decent food. On that basis I will not be going back and therefore cannot recommend.

Have enjoyed many visits over the past few years and fully endorse the well deserved Michelin star. Great innovative food, simple honest ambience and service have made this restaurant well worth our visits; 200 miles round trip. 👍👍👍👍👍

Excellent quirky Ambience, good food

Delightful evening. Food delicious, amazing flavours, very rich. Celebrating local produce with a Mediterranean Middle eastern twist. Good size portions. Service excellent. The restaurant has a certain charm about it, not at all stuffy. Very relaxing environment. Of note parking can be difficult around the area. We look forward to returning in the foreseeable future.

I have mixed feelings about Pea Porridge. One one hand the service and food was excellent (although I will say my first experience of Wagyu beef was not as good as I expected). The dishes are however creative, stylish and tasty. On the other hand. The atmosphere was not for me. The decor is much like a pub "country kitchen" feel to it and it's location, effectively down a bank alley is poor. Also the unlucky (for me anyway) collection of cackling witches on the table behind us further spoilt things for me (in fairness, Pea Portidge can do little about who they cater for). Ultimately the food was great but after the hype around the Michelin star and at £170 per person, I just expected a better evening, so it's not somewhere I can recommend.

Fantastic experience. Easy to find but at the same time, tucked away and intimate. Very kind staff and my goodness, the food was incredible. Everything was 5/5. Will definitely be coming back!

Pea Porridge is more than deserving of its Michelin star and is well on its way to its second. Homely, but sophisticated. Cosy but refined. The staff are kind, attentive and knowledgeable, proudly telling you about the produce and it's provenance. The food is to die for. I'd be delighted to go again and experience more of this expertly crafted restaurant. 10 / 10.

Fantastic flavours and attention to detail. Every bite was savoured... the staff were very attentive, friendly and pleasant. Great choices in menu and wine, definately a little gem in the heart of Suffolk.

The restaurant is quirky, interesting and novel in terms of the decor. I was expecting white linen tablecloths and all, but no it’s more shabby chic with mis-matched plates. I thought this to be very different to the Michelin Star restaurants that I’ve been to before, but they don’t class themselves as fine dining. The menu is more local produce that has been well cooked and presented. The food was very good, the menu for me was very game heavy. But that’s personal, what I did have was delicious and the same for my husbands meal. Fabulous bottle of wine recommended by our waitress as well. Service was A1 could not fault it. Value for money? Yes I’d say so, it’s not your average go to restaurant, but for a treat I would definitely recommend it.

We recently enjoyed a superb evening with lovely food and fantastic service. The Lady / Owner that runs front of house is exceptional! Thank you very much.

Pea Porridge surpassed my culinary expectations! The sea bass was exquisite, and the chocolate mousse was a divine finale. The exceptional service, complete with expert wine recommendations, made the dining experience truly memorable. Highly recommend this restaurant for a delightful gastronomic journey.

Disgusting behaviour from the staff. We called to see if they had any tables and they said yes. We specified we had a baby and there was no problem on the phone. We got there and an incredible rude waitress greeted us and said we are welcome to say but we have to control any crying. I made a joke and said ‘aw first baby here!’ And the waitress replied ‘and last’. Apparently our booking was ‘a mistake’. All of this would have been fine if we hadn’t walked for 10 minutes in the freezing cold to get there. No issue with them not welcoming babies, massive issue with the ignorant and downright rudeness of this one waitress. AVOID. And definitely don’t cry in the restaurant as an adult. They’d probably call the police.

This was our regular 6 monthly pilgrimage to Pea Porridge and we are thrilled and delighted to say that little has changed. It is still a truly spectacular restaurant that delights in being very different to your average typical restaurant. The menu is truly unique as indeed is the wine list. It is still a fabulous place to visit and we would recommend it to anyone.

A warm welcome from front of house was the perfect start to a lovely evening. Pea Porridge is set in a quiet area of the town and is a little gem of a restaurant. The food is interesting and we were helped with our choices over a glass or two of Champagne, this was our first time dining here. The evening went quickly, attentive staff, great food and a good bottle of wine helped us along. Yes we will return, you can see the amount of hard work that has been put in to achieve the all round level of excellence at this restaurant.

AMAZING !! 👏 this was for a birthday 🎂 there was a card waiting we had a lovely table. Brilliant fast service. Both the ladies were very knowledgeable, with all the dishes very friendly, polite, and courteous. The young gentleman very polite, could not fault anything all spot on. OMG the chef and all his team can certainly cook. The bread soo good, the hand dived scallop yum yum. Never had wagu beef but again what a treat. My husband had the slip sole, and then the fallow deer.the paprika chips yum yum. Then I tried the cheese cake, and my husband had the cheese. Lots of flowing wine, and finished with again 2 cappuccinos. We was there just over 2 hours . Well worth going here . Not surprised mitchilin star They know how to make dishes taste so exceptional that's different, but like you've never tasted like anything before Heaven Thank you so much 💖 And for making my husbands birthday soo special. You will go a long way . Lucy & John x

Amazing experience. Will be back for sure.

We have wanted to go here for a long time. Finally got the opportunity last weekend, the food was excellent and well worth the wait. Will save up and go again, can't wait.

wasnt sure what to expect - it was excellent I would def return. Charming knowledgible and efficient service , imaginative and delicious food . V interesting wine list and all in a relaxed unfussy setting. Refreshing! a great and welcome change from overpriced london offerings.

One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking.......and that is the challenge. It sets an expectation that the food will be exceptional and every element of the evening will leave you gasping with delight. The varying reviews reflect this. Everyones expectation will be different. Everyone's experience of fine dining will be different. Everyone's experience of Michelin dining will be different and sometimes expectations are unrealistically high. We came with friends and all of us enjoy dining anywhere that catches our eye. Pea Porridge promised to be a good evening and it was - our experience of Pea Porridge was good. Loved the history. Thought the restaurant had a great relaxed feel and the staff were friendly and unobtrusive. Service was a little slow, but the restaurant was busy and we were in no rush. The menu was different and had some interesting choices. No tasting menu but not a problem - starter, main and desert works perfectly well. The food was reasonably priced in contrast to the wine list, but complimented the food well. The portions were generous and reasonably well presented. In terms of flavours, it was good but not memorable. It was competent rather than exceptional. What I might expect from a decent gastropub.......but then we are back to expectations. Make your own decisions - good food in a relaxed setting, family restaurant, interesting menu and reasonably priced, if you avoid the wine. We were glad we tried it ........but it's not on our list for a return visit.

The food is absolutely amazing, 5/5 for sure on the food. The service is where the score really drops. The longer we were there, the longer it took for our items to arrive at our table. Dessert alone was just under 45 minutes from when we ordered it to when it arrived. A huge saving grace was an employee named Will who has the best customer service I’ve ever seen. Our main waitress was rude and unapproachable, ruined our night.

We were happy to start our three day break with some good eating and Michelin star quality food and service. The food was OK nothing special a bit disappointed with taste and presentation. The service was OK rather slow at times and we were not asked if we needed anything. Mind you I am comparing this to what I would expect a Michelin Star restaurant should be like. The biggest problem was the table across from us with parents and two small kids. The whinging and loud noises of the children were a complete distraction to our meal. The children were getting up and waking around. The worse part was it clearly says on your website that you do not serve children under 12. Why then when we turn up do we find them there.????? False advertising . Sorry we chose to eat in places where we can eat in peace not have to listen to other peoples kids whinging. Call me a snob I don’t care. Why parents insist on taking their kids to expensive restaurants is beyond me. Or they just have no regard for other dinners around them. The little boy was given a cheese cake for dessert and spent most of the time hitting his spoon up against the side of the bowl. The cheesecake was left half eaten of course. Disappointing.

Wonderful service and amazing food. An imaginative menu coupled with an excellent wine menu provided a top class enjoyable experience. We had first class attention from one of the charming owners and felt thoroughly spoiled throughout our meal. Even though we went for the more expensive al a carte option there was an interesting and more affordable set menu option that I will certainly be coming back to try.

They need to invest in aircon! The restaurant was hot, sweaty and uncomfortable. Not a pleasant experience on a summer’s evening. The food was nice but doesn’t reach the heights of Maison Bleue.

Lovely restaurant, very comfortable, fresh ingredients with extreme flavour. Nice sized portions, unfortunately had absolutely no room for a desert !!

Relaxed atmosphere, delicious food beautifully presented. Welcoming, friendly service. Our 3rd visit and still impressed.

Delightful food and experience. We were a little early but the door was open a few seconds after midday, all good to go. Staff were welcoming in an understated way, as befits the ambiance of this place. Loved the green aprons and personalised touch of discussing the specials at the table : a blackboard would simply not work in this cosy layout of small dining rooms. As expected, food was fresh, imaginative and with lots of variety to tempt most diners. Wines were good value and well chosen. Portions were generous and 3 courses plus the complimentary warm bread were quite a feast. Parking nearby is quite a challenge, so accessing this place needs careful planning. The car park we used was a good 10 to 15 mins walk away: thankfully downhill on the way back. Would love to bring friends to dine here, but the walk would be too much.

We have had the privilege of dining in a number of Michelin stared restaurants and in our view this is one of the best based on a very good wine list and the layering of fabulous flavours in a comfortable non pretentious surround that can be described as relaxed and friendly.This was our second visit and the staff were as wonderful and made everyone feel very welcome.The food is adventurous and provides a real journey into full flavours with full tummies and big smiles and a clear adventure into great cooking so thank you we will see you again soon and I sincerely hope people reading this review will go and enjoy your restaurant.

Oh, my! What a wonderful place to eat. It would be very difficult to top Pea Porridge in Suffolk. We visited on Friday evening and had a very warm welcome. No need to look at the menu as the day’s specials sounded ideal. Everything was sourced locally, even down to the Bury St Edmunds brewed beer… neither of the big local breweries, but a very fine ale called Ale Hambra. The complimentary sourdough bread and pea hummus was a fine prelude for what was to come: caramelised hand dived scallops with samphire 👌🏻 perfection. The lobster main was sublime with samphire and paprika chips. And for desert, just a light meringue with pistachio custard to cleanse the palate. The food was beyond compare, the service was extremely friendly and the atmosphere was like being in your favourite dining room. We will return!

Phenomenal food and great service. All the dishes I had were incredible with fresh ingredients.

A beautiful birthday meal here. Friendly staff, amazing food and buzzy atmosphere. We’ll be back!

I live just around the corner from Pea Porridge and feel incredibly smug about it.... Great wine list, attentive - yet relaxed - service and excellent food. 👌

We thought we might. The last thing you should expect here is a welcome. Lunch is billed to start at 12.00 ( " we only keep your table for 15 minutes etc.. " ) but bilious green door remains tight shut. You knock, no-one answers. You telephone, recorded message. Shortly after 12.00 the Ceremony of the Keys & we gain admission. We are confronted by Madame la Patronne. This one has not the faintest conception of hospitality. She takes exception to any query : why is the door shut, what are her recommendations for parking ? ( " I don't know how fast you walk " ). We are shown to a table & Madame reappears, overtly hostile, to tell us she could " do without this aggravation ". On balance we thought we could, too, so we left her to her radish parfait & salade fatiguèe ( guessing ) & went across the street to the Old Cannon Brewery, where there is not only a welcome but good honest pub grub. Can recommend. ( or would you rather be a mule ? )

Great food, attentive staff, great selection, honest advice and warm, friendly atmosphere. Went with a few friends last night. They’d been before. Found the whole experience enjoyable. Certainly not stuffy like some similar Michelin restaurants I’ve been too. Highly recommend.

A spur of the moment decision this morning to go out for lunch after a rather difficult week resulted in our “ meant to be “ meal at this lovely, unpretentious restaurant! Very assured and professional service but friendly and warm .. All our dishes were delicious; starters , mains and I even had the chocolate mousse to complete a lovely relaxed lunchtime . Wonderful that Bury St. Edmunds has such a fine place !

I think some people have a very fixed idea about what a Michelin-starred should look like - tablecloths and cotton napkins, waiters constantly at your elbow topping up water, food that consists of tiny portions of meat with purees, gels and foams... Pea Porridge is none of these things and it is all the better for it. Superbly unpretentious and welcomingly relaxed, eating here is a real pleasure. The food is exceptional, very generous portions, and with its focus on North African and Middle Eastern flavours, it offers something really very different to your standard "fine dining" experience. I had a beautiful duck breast with saffron mash, charred fennel, dates and a pastilla made from the duck gizzard. And it really was a whole duck breast, not just a sliver out of the middle (which I have been served elsewhere). Perfectly cooked, too. What I particularly love is that the ingredients are presented in their natural state. The menu said "medjool date" and I got a medjool date, not some date foam or over-processed gel. It was large and sweet and the perfect accompaniment to the spicing in the rest of the dish; it didn't need anything else doing to it. Pea Porridge trusts the flavours of the produce and their cooking techniques to let the food shine. The wine list deserves a special mention for its breadth of countries offered. Some really interesting additions from places like Morocco, Turkey and Czech Republic, and staff were very knowledgeable about the list and offered recommendations. Service was friendly and informal, but respectful and not embarrassingly over-attentive. You pour your own water, for instance. Frankly I prefer this as it treats you like an adult and just lets you get on with your meal, rather than that uncomfortable feeling of having someone hovering over you. Though again I suspect for some people this would fall short of their pre-conceived Michelin expectations. But I say bravo to the Michelin Guide for picking a restaurant like Pea Porridge. The Guide has been making an effort in recent years to focus on food rather than presentation, with additions like that street food stall in Singapore, because it's starting to recognise that the superficial elements of a restaurant's service and decor are not nearly as important as the taste of the food you're paying for. Pea Porridge, with its friendly, unfussy ambience and exceptional flavours, wholeheartedly deserves its star.

When we are on holiday we like to try a Michelin star restaurant as part of the treat. Pea Porridge is the only one in Suffolk. We were due to go in December for my husband's birthday but the accommodation we were to stay in had frozen pipes so had to cancel at the very ast minute. PP was so understanding and it gave us something to look forward to. The restaurant is very informal, totally unpretentious and more like a "pop up". Run by a husband and wife team - Jurga who is front of house and absolutely brilliant at it, we were made to feel like friends and Justin is the chef, tucked away in the kitchen. Very different, mainly meaty, menu including hogget, kid goat and rabbit which my husband said was delicious as was his Cornish crab soup which was more like a meal in itself! I am a fish eating veggie but there was still enough chice for me. I regretted not trying the lobster as I realised the fishermen who catch and deliver it were also enjoying a meal there! However, that is not to detract from the sea bass which was beautiful. I started with the asparagus which I have eaten many times but never as delicous as this was! Every mouthful of the whole meal was full of flavour and just melted in your mouth! Sadly, we had no room for pud! We thought the price, about £180 including a bottle of wine and service, was very reasonable and worth every penny. We have decided it will be worth the 135miles each way to return to Pea Porridge and look forward to going again soon. Thank you Justin and Jurga for a fabuous evening! Final tip, go on a Wednesday or Saturday and combine with the the local market.

Great friendly people with energy and a smile

Phenomenal food and great service. All the dishes I had were incredible with fresh ingredients. Would highly recommend visiting pea and porridge.

Incredible food and service. Undoubtedly worth every penny. Will happily go back again and again and again.

Just a short walk from carparks & the main part of town in a quiet square, we enjoyed a drink beforehand in the garden of the pub next door and then a pleasant & warm welcome from all the restaurant staff in this marvellous restaurant....

I took my elderly mother here for lunch as a change from the (generally very good pubs in Long Melford). To keep it simple I went for the set lunch for both of us and a glass of local Sudbury red and white wine. Neither...

Food is incredible. Worth a special trip!

Such a lovely place to have a good meal. Staff is nice and there is a good atmosphere, unfortunately there is no Air conditioning and it can get quite hot in the summer. Overall it is very clean.

We went for an early evening meal to celebrate an 80th birthday. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. We were welcomed and the food was excellent. The standout dish was the monkfish which was perfectly cooked. We also had the lobster special. At the end...

We had the most wonderful evening. The food was amazing, and the portions were generous. The service was impecable. We can highly recommend Pea Porridge for a great meal.

We loved this place. It was our first visit and won't be our last. The service was perfectly executed, the food was delicious and it's very reasonably priced for a one Michelin star restaurant.

Second time for us at Pea Porridge, sadly we are not local to Bury St Edmunds. Food was outstanding, amazingly clever flavours. The staff were attentive, very knowledgeable yet unobtrusive. Overall, a superb evening, we cannot recommend Pea Porridge highly enough. Thankyou. We will return.

Fantastic! A treat on my wife's birthday last Saturday, not the cheapest meal in town but worth every penny. The octopus terrine was certainly unusual, a bit heavy and I would probably not order it again but our shared main dish, a kid goat tagine...

Taken for a surprise birthday meal so had no expectations. We had a nice time, but the food was average, no atmosphere and nothing special to remark about the whole restaurant experience. Then read afterwards about the Michelin star and hype this place has, so I was quite surprised. Lovely staff so wish them all the best!

We had lunch here today. Faultless service, food and experience. Attentive service and lovely relaxed surroundings. We opted for a combination of the set menu and the a la carte just to try everything. The octopus terrine was to die for - amazing! Wine list...

I was really looking forward to my visit to Pea Porridge for a special lunch with my husband, but I left rather disappointed. I’m coeliac and had specified my need for a gluten-free meal when I booked. However, for a Michelin star restaurant, the service was lacking in this area… the wait staff couldn’t tell me if the Merguez sausage was GF because they didn’t make it - surely they should know this from their supplier?! Then for the main course, our rice arrived topped with fried onions - I asked if they were GF, as often coated in flour. The wait staff said that they would check but, if they were NOT GF, I could “just push them to the side” 😩 I had to ask for them to be sent back and a fresh portion of rice served. These days, there is no excuse for this type of disregard for allergies & serious food-related health conditions… I’ve had better service regarding my allergy in average pubs & high street cafes. What a shame 😞

Personally, the best restaurant in England so far .( been living 6 y in uk )

I went to Peas Porridge for the second time a couple of months ago and had a truly terrible experience. Honestly, it was so bad that I’m still thinking about it, and I felt that I had to come back to leave this 1-star review of the place. First things first - the co-owner and hostess was rude and pushy from the get-go. We had a reservation for 2 hours, but she couldn’t wait to rush us through the order and wouldn’t even give us bread with our drinks until we’d placed our entire order. It was an incredibly unrelaxed atmosphere. The specials were clearly yesterday’s leftovers yet she aggressively pushed us into them. 2 of us ordered the lamb tagine, which turned out to be expensive yet absolutely flavourless. But here’s the best part - I bit down on something hard (a couple of weeks later finding out my tooth had chipped). Turns out it was a screw! And when I quietly and delicately mentioned it to the hostess, she had the cheek to suggest I’d put it in there myself! As if I’d go to all that trouble, seriously?! I was completely shocked and outraged. To make matters worse, they got our wine order wrong, and then cleared away the bottle with a quarter of it still left. In the end, after all of this, including 1 chipped tooth, they took 1 measly cheesecake of the bill to make amends - between 4 of us. This is extremely poor customer service. I will not be coming back, the food was subpar, and the service was terrible - especially from that hostess. It’s clear they no longer deserve their Michelin star, and they are resting on their laurels. Do yourselves a favor and don’t bother with Peas Porridge - save yourself the money!

Took my mother there for lunch yesterday: she and I were blown away by the food! Despite the fact that the chef was Scottish (and his wife Lithuanian), there was lots of evidence of North African and Middle Eastern inspiration for the the food we...

Beautiful restaurant with very interesting menu. Thank you to everyone who looked after us. Service was great, knowledgable and attentive. Food packed some powerful flavours, it was hard to decide what was my favourite dish. First time here and will certainly be coming back. Very...