Having been to the Secret Garden Cafe a number of times, was keen to try out the new restaurant but only just got round to it. Following our first visit, it certainly will not be the last. This restaurant is just what Sudbury, indeed the region needs, it was outstanding in every respect. The first thing you notice is the wonderful building, a weaver's house, dating from the 14th century and retaining many of it's features. At the front is the bar area with a splendid fireplace and comfortable sofas. Then through to the dining room, flooded with light from the large window, lofty with a wealth of original timbers. After arriving, the next thing that is so noticeable is the wonderful hospitality and charm of the staff. They could not have been more professional and attentive throughout our lunchtime visit. All of this would be nothing, of course, if the food did not come up to scratch but no worries on that count either, it was of a very high standard and for the price an absolute bargain. The menu is not vast - a good sign - but there is plenty for vegetarians and fish eaters to satisfy them too. The style leans to France but not overly complicated, relying on quality ingredients and spot on cooking. We were given a lovely amuse bouche of a blue cheese gougere to whet our appetites and it certainly did the trick. Both of our starters were delicious, smoked trout and crab in delicate toasted sandwiches, both accompanied by interesting and well dressed salads. For the main course we both choose the calves liver, served with a very generous, well seasoned portion of carrot and swede mash. The cooking of the liver was perfect and all arrived piping hot. Desserts were an equal triumph: a panacotta with a piquant tropical fruit salad and a home made coffee ice-cream bombe, crusted in a hazelnut praline with chocolate sauce. There is good range of wines by the glass, the Mendoza was first rate and perfect with the liver. The final flourish was a plate of petit four, which sadly we were too full to eat. A special mention for the French maitre d', who was so welcoming and clearly running things beautifully. All this for £22 at a lunch time, you'd be bonkers not to go. We will undoubtedly return and very soon, I hope!

Ten of us shared an excellent occasion where ambience, service and food, each of which is of an exceptionally high standard, combined to provide a lovely evening. At The Secret Garden there is attention to detail in all areas of the 'experience' making every visit memorable. We all agreed we would return - again!!

The Secret Garden Cafe has been open for some time and we have enjoyed it but it was always a lunch time spot only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday.
They have now opened the Secret Garden Restaurant next door open Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. We recently had our first meal in the new facility and really enjoyed it.
The upstairs room has a lovely ambience and the food was very good. Service was very attentive and the wine selection was excellent.
We will definately go back.

The Secret Garden in Sudbury have now opened a wine bar and restaurant in the building next to its original cafe (which is still very much open).
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, offering top end French cuisine - with a strong British influence. It is a perfect place to celebrate special occasions - and there is space in the upstairs room to accommodate larger parties. The setting is lovely - in a half timbered medieval house. The atmosphere is warmly formal.We visited the restaurant as a mixed family group and had a thoroughly good experience.
The food was excellent, as was the service and welcome, and there was an unusually good choice of wine (including by the glass recommendations for each course).This is a top end restaurant and is priced accordingly - although we felt that the meal was very fairly priced, given how special it was. The 'a la carte' choices change regularly: £25 for two courses or £30 for three courses (not including wine).
Overall, we would highly recommend this for a special treat.

Unassuming and relaxed dining in a lovely Tudor building in the centre of Sudbury. We were met with a warm welcome in a snug bar with the restaurant opening up across two floors
The food was fresh, wholesome and seasonal. The dishes were portioned really well, full of flavour, texture and cooked with care. The braised beef Rib with Sweet Potato Mash was beautiful and tender.
A lovely meal with lovely service and hosts. Will visit again

What a lovely little place, great food ( almond croissant is best but get there early ) lovely people who have a passion for top quality food, local products and a great environment

Lovely setting with attentive and polite staff. Excellent food that was reasonably priced, I would certainly visit again. Compliments to all the staff and the owner

The cafe is always a pleasant experience and we were full of anticipation when we knew the restaurant was planned. Took some while to try it though but will go back very soon. The menu is relatively short and changes regularly but the food reflects the seasons and local produce where possible. We had fish and the rabbit and both cooked excellently. A quality choice of wines that do complement the food and advice is always at hand. Stephane has created a wonderful environment, converting the old building and it is a real bonus for Sudbury to have such an excellent choice to eat. Easily matches some of the better restaurants in the area and deserves success. The entrance lobby Is also a wine bar so just a drink and a snack are also in order. Stephane loves to talk about what he is doing and worth a discussion. There is also a patio area so looking forward to the warmer weather.

Wow indeed is the word! Food is amazing!!!
From the second you walk in the atmosphere is one of home. It's absolutely beautiful relaxing and inviting. A hidden gem we should all know about. The bar/waitress at the bar was very knowledgable of cocktails and even looked after our belongings as we left to have a cigarette (which I know is not socially acceptable!) our waiter terry was amazing and looked after my friend and I as if he had known us years. Invaluable customer service! Only down side was lack of music in upstairs rooms. Even piano music would have created s barrier to our private conversation and that of the next table however it did not affect the experience. If you do not visit it will be a sad loss on your part so book now ( and to the doubters no I am not in any way connected just a very satisfied customer!)

We had Dinner there the other evening and were so impressed we had to let others know. The food menu is changed regularly, the service excellent attentive, without being oppressive. if you have not been then you must give them a try. The proprietors are French and so the experience reflects this. There is nothing like this around Sudbury or Lavenham. We hope they do very well with this new venture. It was not as expensive as one might think.

We had high expectations of The Restaurant as The Cafe is always superb. We were not disappointed. The menu offered only five or six dishes in each category which I really like. For starters I had the Wild Boar ham - my husband the red mullet. My dish was exceptionally good with quite unusual combinations of flavours. The salad had a beautiful dressing. For the mains I was very impressed that the two 'vegetarian' options were first on the list, not relegated to the bottom of the page as is usual. Hence I chose the roasted cauliflower with chickpea pancake. This dish was full of flavour and very satisfying. My husband chose the Hake and reported that it was beautifully cooked. For dessert I ordered the chocolate beignets with caramel ice cream. It was delicious. I nearly opted for the cheese (my husband did) as it came on a wonderful cheese trolley which we remembered from the 70's. The selection of French and English cheeses was ample. The only slight reservation I have is that the lighting (we were on the ground floor) was a little cold.

We have visited The Secret Garden restaurant before and also know the adjacent Tea Rooms very well. The restaurant is located in a delightful building that is simply and appropriately furnished in order to show off the distinctive features of the building itself.
Front of house staff are all personable, professional, friendly and attentive, efficient yet not intrusive.The menu is interesting, varied and there is a good wine list. All the food is delicious, beautifully presented and there is a high level of attention to detail. Whether you are a carnivore or a vegetarian, there is something to tempt everyone.
I would unreservedly recommend the restaurant that is efficiently run and well-managed by people who have experience, flair and passion. The Secret Garden is a gem. We are due back next month.

We heard great things about the Secret Garden so we were looking forward to a great evening. However we had to wait ages for our table and the food was ok when we did finally get to eat it. The waiters were courteous as were the bar staff. If you like French food then give them a go.

Exciting to be challenged by new combinations of food in this antique house in the middle of historic market town near Gainsborough House Museum.

3 of us went for lunch. It was a really cold day and mulled wine was on offer. It was an excellent way of making us feel warm! We had the special. The food is always freshly prepared and very tasty. Vegetarians are catered for. Service is friendly. I would recommend it.

We went to this restaurant on the advice of the local librarian and we could not have asked for better advice. We booked in person in the evening of the night before and the chap who took our booking was friendly and efficient. He suggested we arrive at 6:15 for our 6:30 table. NB we prefer to eat early rather than late. We arrived to a fulsome welcome had our drink and perused the menu. I am always impressed by a limited menu as it generally means that the chefs are concentrating on creating meals from scratch with fresh ingredients. There was a choice between approximately five starters and a similar number of main courses. I had the trout, followed by the slow cooked rib of beef. Both were cooked to perfection and were followed by a creme brulee which was equally good. My wife's food was equally well prepared.
The wine list was extensive and not too expensive. We followed our meal with coffee and tea with a pleasant Cognac. The whole thing came to about £120 which I thought was good value for a meal of this quality.
If you don't live in Sudbury it would be worth a visit just to go eat here.

We booked our work function here after a few of us had eaten lunch next door. We had a good choice set menu, upstairs in a great private dining room, which takes up to 50 I think.
The food was just excellent, every course as good at the last. I really cannot think of many other places where I have eaten a better meal. Great fresh produce, very tasty.
It's also worth mentioning just how welcome and helpful the staff were. Thanks guys!
The best place to eat in Sudbury.

What a lovely little find. Food so fresh and a little unusual to. Took a friend for lunch and we both really enjoyed our meal. Recommended.

We had eaten at the Secret Garden's tea room before and so were delighted to hear that they have opened a restaurant next door. In today's climate this is always a risk but are we pleased they took it!
With an emphasis on the friendly and personal service in their tea room, the French owners have created a truly fine place to dine.Entente Cordiale at its best.My partner does not eat meat so was delighted with the attention to detail in her Beetroot Goat's Cheese Mousse and Cauliflower chick pea 'socca'(a crepe). My preference for meat was answered fully. A Wild Boar 'Hummus' followed by the tastiest slow-cooked soy glazed rib of beef I can remember. We both had Grapefruit and Grand Marnier Mousse for desert and it was simply gorgeous. Our only complaint that we were provided with a pudding spoon when a small one would have done. But if that's our only concern........
Service was discreet and attentive. Value for money was excellent considering the high quality of everything.Long overdue in Sudbury. A great find!

Our 1st time at the new Secret Garden Wine Bar & Restaurant. Made really welcome in the downstairs wine bar, then upstairs to the new fine dining room. Food and service very good if a little pricey by Sudbury standards, but deserves more patrons.

I have dined at The Secret Garden before and enjoyed it very much. I decided to take my husband for a birthday celebration lunch to the new setting into which The Secret Garden have recently moved.
The dining room is both elegant and comfortable ; the service is very efficient while being friendly and attentive . The food was splendid....thoughtfully and imaginatively prepared . We passed a most enjoyable time here and will certainly be coming again very soon.

Having eaten several times in the old one I was keen to try the new wine bar and fine dining restaurant which opened a couple of months ago. It did not disappoint. The food was excellent and so was the service. It may be a little more expensive than other places but it is excellent value for money. Top marks to the team, I will be back.

Made very welcome at champagne reception. Initially portions seemed small but over 7 courses we left very satisfied. Inclusive wine choices were carefully chosen and well matched although we felt the Chateauneuf du pape overwhelmed the venison dish. The Jerusalem artichoke soup was amazing. All beautifully presented and served in a very efficient and friendly manner. Given the fact the function room was 2 flights up narrow stairs the waiters did an amazing job. Our first visit to the new restaurant although previously been to the original. Will definitely be returning. Thank you to all involved.

Ate here in Dec 2016 for my birthday. Wine pretty good value but champagne a little on the dear side. Starters were main issue. My scallops were £10.50 so I expected minimum two king scallops (maybe three if not hand dived). I got two queen scallops with accompaniments that made them look almost invisible. My wife's pate starter was more like a terrine texture too. However the guineafowl mains were of adequate size and delicious as were the desserts of slow baked apple. All in all a expensive night out that would have been worth the money had the starters not been such a disappointing size plus the champagne had been a little more affordable. Our bill for two, which included 5 glasses of Chalmers plus 2 dessert wines and 2 wines with food, was £140. Not sure for that price it was fantastic value given other local restaurants in that price range though?

The Secret Garden's Buzzard's Hall in Sudbury offers a quality dining experience that successfully combines the upmarket with the unpretentious.
Staff are friendly, professional and attentive.The menu describes the options clearly and the dishes chosen by every member of our group were all rated highly. Presentation, attention to detail and delicious food were appreciated by us all. There is a good range of wines on the list. We will return.