Pea Porridge, Bury St Edmunds

Pea Porridge is an independently owned neighbourhood restaurant in Bury St Edmunds, named not for its food offerings (thank God), but rather for its location on the old “Pea Porridge Green”. It’s a homely, rustic place that still features an original 19th century baker’s oven in one of its three dining rooms. This lack of pretension completely belies the quality of the food: Pea Porridge is the only restaurant in Suffolk to hold a 2021 Michelin star, and this is only the latest in a long list of awards since it opened in 2009.

The owners, married couple Justin and Jurga Sharp, believe in produce-driven food, something that’s illustrated by their current push of excellent dishes centred around goat — be it milk, cheese, or meat (don’t knock it till you try it). ‘Nose-to-Tail’ dishes are a regular staple on the menu, which changes daily and always champions seasonal produce, with a North African flair. Vegetarian and vegan options don’t feel like an after-thought, and wine is a priority: discerningly sourced from a number of smaller scale producers.