The positives:- food was decent- large wine selection- main waitress was polite and knowledgeable- pleasant decor- I left fullThe 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 billSide notes:- plenty of rules and requests upon booking which is fair, but uncommon- hard to find a parking spaceOverall 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.Wheelchair accessibility: No access
Howard Partridge
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.
douglas williams
Fantastic food, great wine, attentive service.An establishment of this caliber, however, really should accept American Express.
Urszula Szczech
vegan food not very tasty! over prised! Not many options for people who doest’t like meat! Only enjoyed nibbles!
Ben C
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.
Mark Goody
Simply
Katie Lee
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.
R SOSES
Excellent food and service. Very high standard of English produce delivered with finesse. Great to see a michelin star restaurant with decent portions too.
James Reid
Great night, fantastic food, great atmosphere nice and relaxed, wonderful staff. Well priced for Michelin starred restaurant.
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.
John
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. ?????
J AB
Excellent quirky Ambience, good
Alexander W
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.
Steven H
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.
The positives:- food was decent- large wine selection- main waitress was polite and knowledgeable- pleasant decor- I left fullThe 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 billSide notes:- plenty of rules and requests upon booking which is fair, but uncommon- hard to find a parking spaceOverall 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.Wheelchair accessibility: No access
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!
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.
Simply
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.
Very disappointing
Restaurantji Recommends
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.
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
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.