The Pantry in Forest Heath

First time visiting The Pantry Fine Foods and as the saying goes, it does what it says (on the tin) ... best summed up as a hint of USA but the best of Brit versions of USA food which remains, better than actual USA scran. It's easy to understand why the place was packed...but the service was, spot on. Go and enjoy the enthusiastic servers and clearly, most capable chefs who worked tirelessly to maintain obvious satisfaction throughout the restaurant.

My food came out mostly cold and yet somehow this was still the best meal I've ever eaten. Somewhat of a religious experience for my tastebuds. This has been a long loved restaurant for me and I could not recommend more.

Great place to have breakfast if you just came to the city. Very nice service and food!

Popped in at 18.30 for a quick meal before the cinema . Often had coffee and lunch during the day time,but this was the first time we’d eaten here in the evening. It was lovely. They’ve started tapas on a Friday night of which we had 3 dishes. I also had a flank steak from the specials board with chips and onion rings. A cheese board, a 660 btl of Spanish lager and a medium glass of house red completed the selection. Total bill £60. All the dishes were lovely. My 9oz flank steak was cooked perfectly,and was great. Onion rings were home made,and proper crispy. Service was spot on,Knowledgeable and performed by staff that took pride in their work and appearance. I’ll definitely be returning and think it was good value for money too.

3rd visit and this time I'm reviewing because I've always left feeling disappointed having heard good things. Food is underwhelming and slow. Menu is pretentious - just call it gnocchi if it is gnocchi. Staff were nice but too busy for their pace. Beautiful fish. Great to see they have a vegan menu, but it had honey on it so not confident the chef understands the word vegan.

Expect a long wait for everything ,and one of the more expensive places in the town , I'm not sure if they need more staff or more chefs , I asked for white toast got brown bread lol I still enjoyed it tho but some people wouldn't like it 🤷 I go often and will go again

One of our favourite place to go for a date. We love the food, the staff and the place 🥰

Great atmosphere and this main with Cajun Chicken was 10/10!

What a little gem! Had passed it by several times thinking nothing of but when a two-Michelin star chef recommends it you have to try it out! Really delicious, good quality food and coffee well prepared. Great staff and efficient service.

Lovely clean fry up breakfast! Delicious ingredients

Lovely reasonably priced food, we think the coffee nicer than Costa (since they changed hands)

I see a lot of compliments on the food here in reviews, but to be honest I think the lack of consistency is a problem. They use good ingredients, and generally when I order a breakfast item it is okay, but there is always something that lets it down. For example, the eggs benedict is made to near perfection; the poached eggs are spot on, the English muffin and smoked ham are great, but it is then covered in a drizzle of hollandaise that is too thin (or split). Pancakes and bacon are hit and miss, usually over done, or more likely reheated, so they are like bricks. It is a shame, because I like coming here but rarely find that the food is perfect. Please just tighten up what you send out.

Good food and service, recommend going to.

Wonderful food and staff. Highly recommend. We will be back!!

Absolutely lovely food and atmosphere!

Called in after reading a review on the BBC website. What an excellent meal. The waitresses were just wonderful and the food was superb it was all just wonderful for the price and you really cannot go wrong. Call in and give it a shot, you will not be disappointed

Waited here at the door for 10 minutes. Staff acknowledged us but were too busy asking people how their food was/ delivering menus late to other customers. We left after not even being told if there would be a wait time (there were chairs free at the bar)

We had the most fantastic evening, the food was absolutely perfect. The steak and peppercorn sauce was so flavoursome and cooked to perfection. The staff were attentive and fun and the evening atmosphere was gorgeous, with lovely cosy lighting and music. An absolute gem in Newmarket ⭐️

Always nice to come here and always willing to do something not on the menu. Meat always fresh. Cakes are lovely and portions generous.

Lovely atmosphere for a Christmas get together with friends. The wood was really tasty and there was plenty of it. I've only given four stars as there was an issue with dessert. However the staff were very quick to investigate the issue and to offer alternatives.

Absolutely love the pantry such a lovely place. We had dinner for my 70th birthday food was amazing

Went here with my son, wife and two very young children, for Sunday lunch,, had to pre book as my D, I, Law, is strictly Gluten Free, they were very accommodating,,... Good food, roast beef beautifully cooked as was the rest of the food, lovely, polite efficient attentive waitress service, and good value for money, it was great that the boys were able to share a child's portion, well worth a visit 🙂 I have eaten there during the day, it's a nice atmosphere but a little expensive for just a light lunch

Very nice food with a relaxed atmosphere

Lovely restaurant that went out of their way to cater for my dietary needs, being that I am gluten and dairy intolerant, they cooked me something off menu and it was delicious.

One of the best home-made cinnamon buns I have ever had, and a decent mocha to go with it. This is a nice little local independent cafe that is popular with locals and tourists alike. Lacks a little atmosphere with glaring lights and chairs that aren't particularly comfortable, plus quite a lot of kitchen noise, but the food and service make up for it.

We went out for dinner last night and it was the first time for my wife and I. We went with friends and it was actually really good. We were made to feel properly welcome. We kicked things off with the Tapas and every dish was absolutely banging. Couldn’t fault a thing. In fact, we were halfway through scoffing it all when we realised we probably should’ve ordered more. Classic mistake, but there’s always next time. For mains, I went for the Ribeye steak. It came out exactly how I’d asked for it and cooked to perfection. My wife had the Nourish Bowl with chicken, and even that was cracking. She said it was delicious. I took her word for it, but wasn’t about to swap my steak for Quinoa! Then came dessert, and oh my days, the Chocolate Brownie with ice cream was next level. It was so good, my wife couldn’t finish hers, which was obviously tragic for her, so polished it off like a hero. We’re now seriously considering going back just for coffee and another Brownie. It was that good. The real star of the night, though was our waitress. What a legend! She was so friendly, proper funny and had us laughing all night. By the end, we were ready to adopt her or at least buy her a drink. Absolute gem and so infectious. Keep hold of her, what an asset to your team. Now, if I’m being picky, it was a bit nippy in the restaurant. I wasn’t exactly sitting there in a parka, but still, it was cold enough to notice. Maybe turn the heating up a notch? That being said, it didn’t ruin the evening, not with food and service like that. So, hats off to the team. You’re smashing it. We’ll definitely be back. Thanks to all.

Good cheap food. Staff always friendly.

Our favourite restaurant in town! 🙏

Lovely place. Food was lovely and the staff were very friendly.

Had a fantastic lunch yesterday at The Pantry (Grilled mushroom, guacamole and halloumi sandwich and side of potatoes). I have some specific dietary requirements/allergies which the staff could not have been more helpful about - even cooking my side dish in a different way to accommodate me. The food and drinks arrived promptly. The restaurant was very busy with a really lovely atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive, checking that everything was ok and asking if we wanted more drinks etc. Will definitely go back. Thank you.

If there’s a perfect dining experience, Pantry Fine Foods’ Pudding Night has achieved it. This bistro-style gem blends the warmth of family dining with the finesse of fine cuisine, all at an unbeatable £29 per person. Every detail of the evening felt tailored for comfort and indulgence, making the drive from a neighboring city more than worth it. The Welcome The night began with a homemade focaccia sprinkled with sea salt and rosemary, fresh out of the oven and wonderfully aromatic. This simple yet perfect start set the tone for the evening, reminding us of why we keep coming back to this place (this might be our tenth time there, we come religiously every Christmas Eve breakfast). It’s the type of bread that makes you feel instantly at home. Main Course Magic For the main, I chose the Honey Roasted Chicken Thighs with Chorizo and Broad Bean Rice, and it did not disappoint. The chicken was succulent (melt in your mouth), the chorizo added a beautifully smoky depth, and the broad bean rice tied it all together with a hearty, wholesome touch. Every bite was a celebration of flavors, crafted with a level of care you don’t often find. It was comfort food elevated, and it captured the essence of what makes a bistro meal so special. Dessert Extravaganza Then came the grand finale and la pièce de résistance (the point of the evening) – the desserts! The selection was a dessert lover’s dream, with classics like Toffee Apple Self-Saucing Pudding and Chocolate Fondant with Almond Brittle, each executed to perfection. The Burnt Pumpkin Cheesecake and the Brûléed Rice Pudding Cake with Pear Compote were standouts, adding an unexpected twist that made this dessert course feel fresh and inventive (I had to have mine to go but there were empty plates in our group of 6 :-). It’s rare to find a place where every dessert hits the mark, but Pantry Fine Foods nailed it – each was indulgent, comforting, and a perfect end to the meal. Ambiance & Service The atmosphere here is spot-on, striking that bistro vibe perfectly with its cozy, inviting feel. The staff was warm and attentive, creating an experience that feels like dining with family rather than at a restaurant. It’s that elusive mix of sophistication and warmth that makes you want to linger a little longer. In summary, Pantry Fine Foods’ Pudding Night was a 10/10 experience from start to finish. If you’re looking for exceptional food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a place that truly values its guests, this is the spot. An absolute must-visit, and I’m already counting down to our next visit!

Extortionate £1 extra for Soya milk! Meatballs were all fat.

excellent experience friendly staff, very much recommend 👌

Fantastic lunch over the weekend and service is fab too!

As per usual, delicious food, great value and fantastic service. Can't fault it. I would always recommend a visit here. Plenty of veggie options if needed.

Have the most delicious fruit scones

Really nice place. Lovely coffee and quality food. The service is brilliant too.

Fantastic lunch there this afternoon for my birthday,with my family. The staff were lovely and the food great. We will be back.

What a perfect little cafe.. the food was delicious friendly staff. The bread was amazing..

Great welcome and service. We popped in here for a cup of tea in the afternoon and were so impressed we booked a table for the evening. The menu had a great range and something for everyone. The food was lovely and hot with plenty of choice. We will certainly return!

A real hidden gem. They seriously know about food and the service (blonde waiter) was really friendly and great. Definitely come here if looking for a great meal which is fairly priced.

This a Gem in Newmarket, the food is sublime, absolutely delicious! The staff are brilliant, a first class experience!

We paid a new visit and I had devil's kidney and black pudding I must admit it was cooked to perfection the staff in there we're very helpful the atmosphere was very good and with their new outside sitting very welcoming I would definitely give it a 9 1/2 out of 10 so if you ever going through the Guinness in Newmarket poppin I think your best surprised

Pantry breakfast delicious as always , we then took away homemade Chelsea buns and donuts which were absolutely divine

This place is just great. We visit several times a month as love the breakfast and brunch menu. Coffee and cakes are just divine and the service is incredible.

This was first time we had been to the pudding club meal will definitely be going again ,all the food was delicious and the desserts were amazing ,loved the idea we had to rate them ,we also went for lunch then werk before and again the food was delicious ,huge choice very friendly staff and lovely atmosphere

I loved the dessert very delicious. I would come back for ot without any doubt excellent

With plenty of parking lovely bright place for snacks and drinks.

1st time here, Great cosy atmosphere and a wide selection of food and not too busy. Although service was a bit slow. However, i was disappointed with portion sizes. I chose the pantry breakfast which consisted of 2 x bacon 2 x small sausages 1 x poached egg 1 x slice of toast 1 x mushroom & half a tomato for a very steep price of £12... i think £7? May i make a suggestion of adding hash browns beans, (which are a must), and black pudding? . This would fill the gaps in the plate, then the price could be justified. My partner had the poached eggs on toast for £6.50, again for 1 slice of toast, my thoughts in the region of £4.50. Staff were very friendly in this clean establishment. Although it did taste good, the breakfast at the Bull is more plentiful and ideal for money as it is the most important meal of the day.

I had the lamb kidneys and prawns and my husband had the rarebit and venison burger, washed down with a Aussie Shiraz. Cannot recommend this place enough. Lovely atmosphere, excellent wine list and an interesting menu which will cater for most. Will definitely return when we’re next in town.

What a lovely experience! Those working there were kind and delightful, I want to give them props first! Then, the atmosphere was relaxing in both music and decoration. The food was wonderful and I was very happy with what I ordered. My friend said her food was wonderful as well. I will say it was difficult to find only because we are not familiar with the area haha and the mall was closed and we accidentally parked near there. Worth the find!

A little bit strong coffee for my taste (but I believe most coffee lovers would enjoy it a lot) and one of the best millionaires shortbread I have had ever! The staff was above and beyond when asking questions about desserts and the WiFi password.

Quite pricey since we visited last time,steak was not that great and not many chips,no veg. Fish platter wasn't as good as it used to be.

Excellent food, great service. It's location in the shopping centre doesn't help with the atmosphere but a varied menu with some excellent tasty choices and great service. Definitely worth a visit

Arrived without a booking seated straight away outside. Varied menu good service shame about the flies being present. Waitress said was going to pop out to Germany some citronella

Lovely interior and delightful service to match! Our server Georgie went above and beyond to provide us with a memorable experience, she gave excellent recommendations and displayed a lovely mix of professionalism and friendliness (which is hard to come by these days!) Will definitely visit again

Stopped here for brunch, very tasty, lovely coffee. Service with a smile and good value

Embarrassingly slow service at 18.30 - 20.15 this evening, with a 10 year-old. Just as well it wasn’t busy!!!

We went for breakfast on our last day of our holiday in nearby Cheveley. We did not receive a friendly welcome but the waitress who later took our order was OK. The food was overpriced for the portion size. It tasted nice but we were hungry again two hours later. We asked a passing waitress for the bill and she muttered something we did not catch fully as she did not stop but we thought she said she would check. We waited another ten minutes and nothing happened so we went to the counter to pay. We assume this is the way to pay at this establishment but the waitress could have explained this rather than being rude. We come to this area quite often but will stick to our usual breakfast destination as the service is so friendly there. Very disappointed with the service at The Pantry and won't be back on our next visit.

Breakfasts are good. Nice space to be in. Better during the week and first thing before they get really busy.

Delicious food and great service. Staff particularly went above and beyond for a member of our party with food intolerances, creating off the menu dishes especially. Thanks for a fantastic meal!

1st time visit,will definitely be going again,highly recommend 👌.

Another jewel in Newmarket! Fab place to meet and catch up with friends! Consistently gold standard service provided by Helen and the whole team who work so hard to make every visit a special one! Range of food (from breakfasts to lunch and, even, tapas in their candlelit evenings) is outstanding! Well done to all staff at The Pantry!

Return visit sat in outside area as a nice day. We had tea, cheese and fruit scones. The tea was good on previous visits as was the cheese scone. The improvement was the fruit scone this was very good tasty and moist ( previously very dry). This was severed with wonderful raspberry jam. The only let down was the butter was melting and oily, l know it was a warm morning but it came out like this. Either store pre plated in a refrigerator or cut butter when required. Service good throughout.

Great food, friendly staff, amazing atmosphere 10/10

Stopped in for a quick coffee and lunch. This light, spacious restaurant didn't promise a Costa-experience, but it did serve up some memorable moments. The staff was friendly and welcoming, though their speed could use a little turbo boost. The menu had more options than my recipe book, so we had to try of several things. The rarebit, however, had a texture that could have been overcooked. The sponge cake was on a mission to "stale." But redemption came in the form of a grilled mushroom bun that was unexpectedly delightful and filling. Despite a couple of culinary missteps, I'd still visit again. As a first-timer, it was a pleasant surprise overall. If nothing else, go for the coffee and that mushroom bun!

Delicious shakshuka - will absolutely return! Lovely latte and a sparkling water, lovely people. Lovely outside area

The food is delicious, the staff are so helpful and friendly. A fantastic place to eat.

We stopped off here on our way down to Suffolk. This was a great little find. It was fairly busy which generated a lovely atmosphere, and the staff were welcoming and attentive. The coffee was good and the food delicious. The portion sizes weren’t too overpowering either. I had a full English which contained some good local produce, and my partner had the smoked salmon.

Excellent service and excellent food. Highly recommended.

Service was friendly and efficient.

yummy food and friendly service, plenty of seating inside and out for busy lunchtimes

From the moment I rang and booked our meeting of three families coming from three separate directions, for my son’s 50th birthday, I knew everything would be top class - and it certainly was. With an aged range of 7-80, we were all well catered for. The food, service, and atmosphere were great. Topped off by the lovely Katie who sorted out our table arrangements and was so very helpful all round. Even arranging for the cake to be brought in with the youngest two accompanying her. Cannot wait for us all to do it again. Many thanks and well done

Only called in for a quick drink and a scone. The scones were amazing.

Super delicious food and great value with the midweek starter and main for £20 deal. Good sized portions and a great selection of dishes (especially with the specials too!). Service was really good too woth everyone being friendly and attentive. Definitely coming back here!

Sorry to leave a bad review but unfortunately I feel its needed,, came in with my daughter for mothers day lunch, lovely surroundings and atmosphere and very busy, service was good and polite staff everything about the place was good but was let down by the food it may have just been what we ordered and if so that's ashame but was very disappointed and not impressed at all not sure if we will return as not cheap to eat out these days I could have done a better meal at home for my mothers day treat.

High noise level but the food is great.

Having recently moved to the area we looked for a nice place for breakfast and already it's becoming our regular place for it! This time I had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs which was delicious with plenty of good salmon and nicely cooked eggs, and previously I've had the Pantry breakfast, which contrary to another review I think is all the better for the absence of beans and a hash brown - personal tastes I'm sure, but I prefer a reasonable plate of tasty and good quality items like this over one filled up with lesser things as is often served elsewhere. The atmosphere is good and the service has always been very welcoming and friendly, and so we're looking forward to going the for dinner sometime soon - the tapas night sounds great!

Fantastic surprise party organised by our lovely daughters at the Pantry on Saturday evening! The high quality food, drink, decorations and atmosphere were amazing, Everyone was looked after so well and made to feel so welcome by the amazing staff team. A big thank you to the team, Mat, Katie, Chloe, Vince, Mark, Darcey and Jazz the wonderful singer (I hope I didn’t leave anyone out). We would highly recommended you visit the Pantry.

having been before my daughter @ i enjoyed the service was great the staff were friendly and we had a enjoyable time. how ever decided to come again with my family we sat in the new seating area was told two staff ill was seated by a grumpy women @ left @ forgotten the service went wrong it was the worse birthday meal my poor husband had. no i would not go again.

A fabulous meal beautifully cooked and presented. Excellent wine. Impeccable service. I don't know why it wasn't busier. Anyone in the area should go

You are welcomed the second you Walk in, and show to a table, and a menu with lots of delicious opinions to choose from so they caker for all, staff are very helpful and knowledgeable on all food on menu if you want to ask any questions if you have dietary needs, well happy to return again and Thank you for a Pleasant and welcoming time 🙂x

Was recommended The Pantry for dinner at my hotel and I am so glad they did. Food was fantastic and service excellent. Will definitely be back.

really unhappy with our meals this is 3rd visit we havnt been happy with its time to call it a day now

Fantastic atmosphere and food great service family feeling Chicken and mushroom pie

Went for lunch with friends here food was fantastic very family friendly

First class restaurant, great atmosphere excellent food and very friendly service.

Disappointing chicken club sandwich. Several Small bones found in mashed chicken filling and not that hot when came to table. Mentioned to waitress and she said she would let the chef know! Service a bit slow. Shame. Used to be a good restaurant. Will not be returning.

Really busy but staff very friendly. But my burger was totally cold and raw in the middle. Manager took burger off bill and offered to replace. But I couldn’t face the same dish again after eating raw mince. Pudding was excellent.

Lovely welcome. Food was delicious.

Staff are brilliant. I had the deli picnic platter. It was a disappointment. The egg in the half a scotch egg was tastless, it definitely didn't taste free range. The sausage roll was a slice which was less than an inch wide and pretty bland. Nothing outstanding. Oh had fish and chips which he said was nice but value for money? We have been several times before hence the return visit today but I'm don't think we will rave it like we have previously. Was it value for money?? No It wasn't

Absolutely loved our visit to the Pantry! The food was fantastic quality and well priced, we were looked after by Helen who was an amazing server. Would highly recommend to anyone in the area.

Food was okay, cake was lovely, service was good too. I ordered the quiche, and it wasn’t great. Made me feel a bit sick. It was served lukewarm. I’d return but for just tea and cake. Very overpriced.

Highlight of the breakfast menu is the eggs and chorizo

A wonderful place to come to eat a real highlight of Newmarket. Always feels special to eat here and always look forward to coming back. Can be very busy!

Had dinner at The Pantry last night with friends. Lovely food and very good service as there were special dietary requirements. A special mention for Holly, who could not have been more helpful.

Popped in for a light bite whilst in the area as usual really hit the spot! The restaurant was busy however we were promptly and warmly greeted shown to a table. Feeling cold the waiter asked if we would like to order drinks now we absolutely did. Our coffee's arrived delicious. Even though they were busy food didn't take long to arrive I had soup, piping hot delicious bread. They always seem to just get it right here love this place and would strongly recommend it.

This was 2nd year in a row we had our works Xmas party here and 2nd year running, the food & atmosphere were perfect! The improvement this year was an in-house DJ so we didn’t need to move on after our meal for cocktails & a boogie! Would totally recommend this for a Xmas party night! Only negative was that with all that dancing, it was boiling inside the restaurant so we had to keep stepping outside to get some fresh December area to cool down.

Had the fish and chips, which was ok. My partner had the schnitzel but it was extremely oily and thick. Coffee was really good. So was the cake. Service was ok.

Waited a long time for our food to be served. Very expensive and small portions.