Shortlist: Ten Bury St Edmunds Restaurants That Locals Love!

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Last updated on October 16, 2022 by Wandering our World

Proclaimed as the “nicest town in the world” by essayist and traveller William Cobbett, Bury St Edmunds thrives in natural beauty. This town is perhaps best known for its abandoned Abbey, which is one of Suffolk’s hidden beauties and stands close to the town centre, but it has much more to offer than that.

As you’ll soon find out, Bury St Edmunds is not only rich in history, but it is also rich in mouthwatering cuisine and beautiful adventures.

In fact in someways this historic town is a culinary mecca! That’s because there’s a vast array of fantastic restaurants in Bury St Edmunds, many of which are award winning. However that also makes it difficult to decide which one to visit.

That’s where we come in! We know this town well, so below we share our ten favourite restaurants in Bury St Edmunds. Bon Appetit!

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/SeventyFour

The Ten Best Restaurants In Bury St Edmunds For Food & Experiences

1. Maison Bleue

French restaurant Maison Bleue has a sophisticated a la carte menu with fresh, seasonal ingredients that’s sure to impress even the harshest of food critics.

How can we be so sure? Well this upmarket eatery has been awarded a Michelin Sommelier star and is listed among the top 100 restaurants in the UK. Pascal Canevet of Maison Bleue has even been voted Restaurant Chef of the Year in the past! So it’s no exaggeration to say that Maison Bleue is one of the best restaurants in Bury St Edmunds.

This classy restaurant may look modest from the outside, but inside you’ll find an elegant interior and a truly upmarket experience thanks to the visually appealing dishes and exceptional service. However, the real star of the show is of course the fine dining French cuisine, which quickly transports you away from the ancient streets of Bury St Edmunds into one of Paris’ finest bistros as soon as the first entrĂ©es arrive.

You’ll get a three-course fixed lunch and dinner menu here, and while it’s not cheap, considering the quality of food on offer we believe it’s very reasonably priced. Although it’s hard to recommend anything specific as the menu changes frequently depending on what’s in season, Maison Bleue is especially renowned for their seafood dishes, photogenic desserts, and one of the best curated wine lists in Suffolk.

For one of the best fine dining experiences you’ll have in England – in a place that surely isn’t far off earning a Michelin Star – Maison Bleue is well worth a visit.

Address: 30-31 Churchgate St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1RG

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Oleh Veres

2. Sakura Japanese Restaurant

In the centre of Bury St Edmunds you’ll find Sakura, an authentic Japanese eatery situated in a Grade 1 listed building. Decorated inside with cherry blossoms – albeit fake but tastefully done – this place is as Insta-worthy as any other eatery in town.

Since its construction in 1693, the stunning Cupola House in Traverse City has stood in the town square and is now host to the colourful Sakura and its array of Japanese classics, like sushi, terriyaki, noodle dishes and more.

This restaurant aims to encourage healthy eating by introducing people to genuine food and delivering fresh, healthy, nutrient-dense, and delicious Japanese fare at affordable rates in a welcoming setting. Think of it as a better, tastier, more authentic and photogenic version of Yo! Sushi.

The sushi platters are, of course, the main draw. But if this is your first visit then we recommend trying their Terriyaki Chicken – it’s the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. And of course you shouldn’t leave without trying one of Sakura’s Bubble Teas. If you’ve never had Bubble Tea before you’re in for a treat – it’s a sweet flavoured milky drink that’s has a variety of sweet toppings.

As an added bonus the service is fantastic, and for the price of one person in one of Bury St Edmunds’ more ‘posh’ restaurants, you can feed 2-3 people easily here.

Sakura opens at midday every day, bar Tuesday when they’re closed.

Address: Cupola House, 7 The Traverse, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1BJ

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/AtlasStudio

3. 1921 

This historic market town in Suffolk has a burgeoning restaurant scene, and one of its most important players is the multi-award-winning 1921, a restaurant and canape bar that is housed in a gorgeous medieval timber-framed building.

Chef patron Zack Deakins has held the position of Head Chef at the Le Talbooth in Dedham and the Bildeston Crown, and has worked in prestigious restaurants like the Michelin-starred Martin Wishart in Edinburgh. It’s safe to say this place, and your dinner, are in very safe hands.

The dining room is warm and inviting, with a homey touch provided by a wall display of vintage books and decorative trinkets. The room’s centrepiece is a sizable glittering chandelier, and you’ll find local artwork is displayed on the walls. It’s a photogenic setting, as well as cosy.

In addition to an aperitif and a selection of delectable canapés, like cured fish, avocado, and wasabi, visitors are welcome to peruse the menu in the comfy lounge. In particular 1921 are passionate about local produce and collaborate closely with Suffolk suppliers to source the best seasonal produce around. That means lunch or dinner here will involve tucking into creative fresh cuisine that demonstrates both culinary skill and the region, resulting in meals that are both tasty and attractively presented.

While the creative canapĂ©s are the main attraction to this place – and exactly why you have to visit – the desserts are equally tantalising. To give you an idea of those, in the past there’s been pairings like an egg custard tart with apple and blackberries or crème caramel, pear, walnut, and Sauternes.

On top of that, the impressive wine list features a wide variety of alternatives available by the glass and an international selection, while the service is friendly and precise.

The Michelin Guide, the Good Food Guide, the Hardens Guide, and the AA Guide all mention 1921 – and little wonder too. This is not only one of the best restaurants in Bury St Edmonds, but one of the best in Suffolk as well.

Address: 19-21 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1UZ

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4. Pea Porridge

No list of the best restaurants in Bury St Edmunds would be complete without including Pea Porridge. At the time of writing this was the first and only restaurant in Suffolk to receive a Michelin Star. They’ve also received the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand award for several years.

You don’t need to be worried about extortionate prices either, as Pea Porridge is known for providing exceptional food at very reasonable prices and in an unpretentious atmosphere. With that the case, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations, or for more information about any of the dishes.

As you can expect from an award-winning eatery, the restaurant’s head chef and proprietor, Justin Sharp, and his wife, Jurga, who manages the front of the house, focus on using fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. You can expect exquisitely presented dishes that you may find nowhere else in the world, including starters like grilled fowl, sautĂ©ed snails and bacon on toast, and asparagus and wild garlic soup.

For mains, items like grilled English rose veal thigh cut, Aylesbury duck breast topped wild garlic mash, and the Breckland venison haunch have graced the menu. We’ve found that menu to be quite varied, so there should be something for all tastes here, and thankfully the kitchen appears happy to improvise to accommodate dietary requirements. That’s not always the case in a Michelin starred restaurant.

So pick a bottle from the carefully curated wine list – or choose one of the local beers – and settle in for a fine-dining experience of a lifetime for a price that most of us can afford.

Address: 28-29 Cannon St, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1JR

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kuzmin

5. The White Horse

Sometimes all you want is classic pub food done well. And this dog friendly pub, with its menu of traditional pub favourites and big beer garden, is the perfect place if you’re looking for just that.

The White Horse, situated just outside of Bury St Edmunds in Whepstead, has that friendly pub vibe to it. And thanks to their mix-and-match kids’ menu, ice cream, outdoor play area, table tennis and table football, this is a very popular spot for families too.

You’ll get extremely good burgers here – the Southern Fried Chicken Burger in particular is very good – but this traditional English pub has a nice selection of other items and happens to be very contemporary when it comes to dietary requirements as most of the items can be made vegan, vegetarian or gluten free.

Couple that with the big sun-trap beer garden, and you have a family friendly pub that appears to have it all.

With happy hour from 5-6pm, why not arrive early for dinner and take advantage of their impressive local ale selection too. The White Horse do an excellent Sunday Roast as well.

Address: Rede Rd, Stonecross Green, Bury Saint Edmunds IP29 4SS

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6. The Northgate

Have you ever paid a visit to an astonishing Victorian townhouse which has been converted into a vibrant and relaxed restaurant? Have you sat at a state-of-the-art bar sipping on some refreshing cocktails? All of this can be found in the very heart of Bury St Edmunds at The Northgate. If that sounds good then grab your bag and let’s go!

On this virtual tour, we’re taking you to the marvellous Northgate, just a brisk walk from the town’s iconic Abbey Garden. Enjoy a delicious bite in the relaxed and eclectic setting here and discover their locally sourced, seasonally inspired British food. While you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu, do try the Beef Cheek if it’s there.

The Northgate offers not only masterly prepared dishes and a wonderful selection of beverages but also a real food experience if you end up sitting at the chef’s table – those seats give you the best view in the house as you can watch the chefs at work and chat to them about food as they work their magic.

Address: Northgate St, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1HP

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7. The Angel Eaterie

We must confess, we have a soft spot for this place. It’s chic, upscale, and offers guests the finest in regional British cuisine prepared and dishes out in a very classy setting.

This restaurant has excellent set meals, an a la carte lunch, plenty of dinner options, and wonderful views of Market Square and St. Edmundsbury Cathedral.

This breathtaking place sits in the recently restored Angel Hotel and the dining space simply breathes style and modernism. The dining room looks fantastic with its new design, and when you step inside you ought to be blown away by the elegant, contemporary décor and the warm, inviting atmosphere.

For fantastic food in an equally fantastic setting, this restaurant is hard to beat.

Address: The Angel Hotel, 3 Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 1LT

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/iMaximFesenko

8. Voujon

The food journey continues at Voujon, which combines the best elements of Indian cuisine with the sophisticated aesthetic of a modern Bury St Edmunds restaurant.

This place is laid-back, yet thanks to the elegant decor, it feels quite upmarket.

The food is just as good too, with the wonderful lamb jalfrezi, spicy chicken, and rogan josh some of the best you will find in the region. As an added bonus, we’ve found Voujon to be particularly good at accommodating allergies, so that’s a big plus point.

Address: 29 Mustow St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1XL

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/LunaMarina

9. The Weeping Willow

The Weeping Willow sits in one of the oldest structures in Barrow, a village beside Bury St Edmunds, but it’s the modern touches that make this gastropub really stand out. That includes being able to eat al fresco under the teepee, or in the dining room which has gorgeous wall to ceiling windows.

The menu, which is made up of dishes that have many local ingredients, really does have something for everyone. You’ll find mostly UK fare, and some of the standouts for mains include the rib eye steak with triple-cooked fries, the Willow burger and Willow halloumi burger, paella mixta, oyster mushroom risotto, and beer battered fish and chips.

The delicious white chocolate crémeux sautéed in honeycomb and raspberries, or chocolate brownie are two delectable dessert options we think would round off your meal well.

After loosening your belt after all that good food, head through to the ‘snug’. This cosy area of the Weeping Willow has an original fireplace and stone walls. It’s the perfect spot to sink into a sofa and top off your evening with a drink.

Address: 39 Bury Rd, Barrow Hill, Barrow, Bury Saint Edmunds IP29 5AB

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/karandaev

10. Afternoon Tea at the Priory Hotel

We solemnly swear that if you haven’t sat at the Priory Hotel’s Garden Terrace, you haven’t truly lived! In 2018, the gorgeous Garden Room Restaurant, with its lovely views of the gardens, came into existence, and with it so did an elegant Afternoon Tea experience in Bury St Edmunds.

Having afternoon cream tea here will have you enjoying just the right combination of sandwiches, pastries, tartlets, fruit scones, and a variety of hot beverages made by their award-winning team. These guys know how to do afternoon tea, so sit back and enjoy!

Address: Mildenhall Rd, Bury St Edmunds IP32 6EH

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Aiselin82

The Best Restaurants In Bury St Edmunds: Our Final Thoughts

We know you must be feeling hungry now – and we take full responsibility for it! But if you are currently in Bury St Edmunds it should be no problem with all the restaurants, bistros, and eateries this place has to offer.

There are a ton of places to eat and drink here, each with its own ambience. From award-winning fine dining to high-quality home-cooked pub fare from Suffolk.

In fact the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the county is located in Suffolk’s gastronomic town, where you can easily spend a day or an evening with friends.

So, which of these restaurants in Bury St Edmunds are you eating next?

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.