The Packhorse Inn

Restaurants nearby

• The Packhorse Inn Set near the green in a pretty village, is this smart modern pub named after the 15C flint bridge which spans the river. Understated modern dishes have subtle yet effective flavour combinations and use the best local ingredients. Ultra-stylish bedrooms have plush furnishings and roll-top baths.19m
• Pea Porridge★ Michelin Tucked away on a residential square, this neighbourhood restaurant is warmly and personally run by a husband and wife team, and the unusual name is a nod to the old town green which once stood out front. The daily changing menu of North African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes involves a range of ingredients cooked over charcoal. The sourdough flatbread fresh from the oven kicks things off perfectly and the unfussy dishes deliver bold, well-defined flavours which are skilfully executed. The esoteric wine list champions organic and natural wines, while the lunch menu provides great valu15.7km
• Upstairs at the Mill Plenty of original features have been left intact at this delightful 18th-century watermill. Downstairs is a stylish bar where the old workings are still in situ, while above this sits the beamed restaurant with black furnishings and its own share of characterful touches. Good quality seasonal produce is showcased in modern dishes available from both a tasting menu and an à la carte, with the chocolate marquise a great way to end if you get the chance. The attractive outbuildings play host to some of the bedrooms.8.0km
• Bellota Those who like to see chefs at work will find their paradise at this 20-seater counter in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A chef-led operation, where the kitchen team both cook and serve their dishes, it’s the brainchild of Spanish chef Ruben Aquilar Bel and his Hungarian-born wife Gabi, who makes the desserts and the excellent bread. Sharing plates are an option at lunch, while only a tasting menu is served for dinner, showcasing Spanish flavours with a degree of restrained creativity. "Yaya Bel’s Iberian Ham Croqueta" is a lovely snack to start, paying homage to Ruben’s grandmother.15.7km
• Maison Bleue A converted 17th-century house plays host to this town centre restaurant that – as the name would suggest – is firmly French at heart. The cooking is classic Gallic in base, with occasional modern and international touches on show. Seafood is a strength, with fine produce like fresh tail of turbot cooked with obvious skill by the kitchen team. Your final course will be a treat too, with desserts like brûlée of pear as well as excellent French cheeses from the trolley – accompanied by some fine wines by the glass.15.8km
• Lark This small, sweet building overlooks an abbey and a cathedral in the centre of this historic market town. Over the years, it has been a police station, a bus shelter and a florist; now it’s a pared-back restaurant with modern art adorning the whitewashed walls. Choose from a great range of modern small plates that deliver satisfying, carefully judged flavours with a definite Mediterranean influence. Dishes could include cod cheek tempura or sopressini cacio e pepe – if you can’t make your mind up, go for the ‘Kitchen Selection’.15.8km

Includes Michelin / Black Pearl / guide picks (reference quality, no prices); data from Overture, Michelin Guide and others.