Envy the residents of Rattlesden because their village pub is a rather special one. Rescued from permanent closure back in 2018 by two local couples, the pub has been lovingly restored and brought bang up to date with an exciting menu that celebrates local food, a fabulous choice of drinks and a wonderful atmosphere that welcomes everyone, including dogs.

Inside it’s exactly what you’d hope from a Suffolk pub – all cosy beams, a roaring fire and characterful exposed brick walls, and in summer it’s just as special, with a charming courtyard garden full of twinkling festoon lights. In fact, the garden is such a heavenly space to while away an afternoon or evening that it was named as one of the UK’s prettiest pub gardens in The Times.

If you don’t live nearby, we can assure you this is a destination pub that’s worth travelling for. But don’t just take our word for it – The Brewers has been awarded both 2 AA Rosettes and has a Michelin Plate and is definitely up there as one of the best pubs in Suffolk after winning Best Newcomer 2020 in the Eat Suffolk Food & Drink Awards.

The menu is all about celebrating the taste and flavour of seasonal, local produce sustainably sourced from indie butchers, fishmongers and veg suppliers. Current menu highlights include: hand dived scallops with sweetcorn, cauliflower and chicory; baby beetroots with pickled shallots, goats cheese and hazlenuts; stone bass with cauliflower, romanesco, pomme puree and compressed cucumber and pork tenderloin with turnip puree, black cabbage, pork croquette and pickled girolles.

As well as an à la carte menu there’s a set lunch menu, a chef’s tasting menu, and special one off nose to tail – a celebration of beef menu. There’s plenty on offer for veggies and vegans too. It’s the sort of contemporary food you’d expect from a restaurant in the centre of a city, so it’s a delight to find it in the bucolic surrounds of Rattlesden, a lovely little village between Bury and Stowmarket.

The choice at the bar is not what you’d expect from a small village pub either. Wine is a big deal here and there’s certainly no house white and house red situation. Instead expect to deliberate over some rather exceptional wines made by small independent producers, some more classic examples and even a few mature bottles. More into your beer or spirits? Don’t worry because there are plenty of bottles of locally-sourced tipples as well as choices from further afield lining the bar.

And, if you’re looking for more than just a new pub or restaurant to add to your list of regular haunts and have an event to plan The Brewers has an elegant private dining room that can seat 22 for parties, corporate events, weddings, christenings or whatever gathering you can think of.