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5 places to go and eat at in 2024 including Bury St Edmunds restaurants, a pub near Southwold, a cafe close to Stowmarket and Thetford Garden Centre





Whether it’s a romantic night out with your partner, a joyous family celebration or a much-needed catch-up with friends, there are plenty of great places to eat in and around Suffolk.

From sticky chicken burgers and overnight slow roasted beef sandwiches to fine-dining and restaurant chains, here are five of the most exciting and interesting places we have reviewed that you will want to book in 2024.

Rustico

The simple but deliciously moreish tomato bruschetta. Pictures: Kev Hurst
The simple but deliciously moreish tomato bruschetta. Pictures: Kev Hurst
A slow-roasted main course marvel - Ossobuco alla Milanese. Picture: Kev Hurst
A slow-roasted main course marvel - Ossobuco alla Milanese. Picture: Kev Hurst
The tiramisu that took me back to Verona. Pictures: Kev Hurst
The tiramisu that took me back to Verona. Pictures: Kev Hurst

This authentic taste of Italy in Bury St Edmunds is an absolute must, I went in October and can’t wait to go back again.

The tomato bruschetta, Ossobuco alla Milanese (slow cooked beef shin with saffron risotto) and Tiramisu were all heaven and the 18th century building complete with aged timbers and wooden tables could trick you into thinking you were in rural Tuscany rather than Risbygate Street.

The Lakehouse Café in Onehouse

Sam chose the sticky chicken burger with fries - priced at £14.95. Picture: Suzanne Day
Sam chose the sticky chicken burger with fries - priced at £14.95. Picture: Suzanne Day
We chose the halloumi fries from the tapas menu. Picture: Suffolk News
We chose the halloumi fries from the tapas menu. Picture: Suffolk News
The gyro and halloumi fries we tried at the Lakehouse Cafe near Stowmarket. Picture: Suzanne Day
The gyro and halloumi fries we tried at the Lakehouse Cafe near Stowmarket. Picture: Suzanne Day

After hearing some many good things about this picturesque village location, near Stowmarket, our reporter Suzanne Day went for lunch and was not disappointed.

With one of the best coffees she has had in a while, the food hit the right spot too with choices including the sticky chicken burger, fries and Asian style slaw, halloumi fries and a fantastic looking Korean Barbeque beef gyro flatbread.

Star Inn at Wenhaston

I visited this highly interesting pub near Southwold back in February last year, and with its ever changing eclectic mix of menu offerings on its blackboards such as Keralan curry, Madagascan coconut chicken and Sino-Mauritian chicken and pork dumplings as well as its beautifully random decor, it is definitely one that gets my vote for a trip to this year.

The Madagascan beef and pork stew, Sino-Mauritian chicken and pork dumplings and gateau piment (Mauritan chilli cakes) from the Star Inn at Wenhaston. Pictures: Kev Hurst
The Madagascan beef and pork stew, Sino-Mauritian chicken and pork dumplings and gateau piment (Mauritan chilli cakes) from the Star Inn at Wenhaston. Pictures: Kev Hurst

Mowgli, Bury St Edmunds

When the restaurant chain from founder Nisha Katona opened a place in Bury St Edmunds in November, a team of our reporters took up the hard task of trying it out.

The Abbeygate street site offers up a wide range of choices including Angry Bird (chicken thighs marinated and roasted in tandoor spices, yoghurt, ginger and garlic, served with popped mustard Mowgli Slaw), Goan Fish Curry and Yoghurt Chat Bombs.

Yoghurt Chat Bombs
Yoghurt Chat Bombs
Mowgli’s Angry Bird
Mowgli’s Angry Bird
Treacle Tamarind Fries
Treacle Tamarind Fries

Lime Kiln Kitchen

And finally, this one may be just over the border in Norfolk but it was by far and away my most read food review (and story) of 2023 – when I went for lunch at Thetford Garden Centre.

It has a great great seasonal menu, which when I went included garlic mushroom and rosemary soup and overnight slow roasted beef sandwich with house fries, as well as its huge selection of cakes (don’t get me started on their chocolate brownie – wow).

Garlic mushroom and rosemary soup with my slow roasted beef sandwich. Picture: Kev Hurst
Garlic mushroom and rosemary soup with my slow roasted beef sandwich. Picture: Kev Hurst
The chocolate brownie and millionaire's shortbread. Picture: Kev Hurst
The chocolate brownie and millionaire's shortbread. Picture: Kev Hurst

Having won 'Independent Garden Centre Caterer of the Year' in 2023, this place is a winner in my book in any year.