The Secret Garden Cafe, Wine Bar & Restaurant
Latest Reviews
For years the Secret Garden has been serving evening dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Now with the acquisition of Buzzard's Hall next door, it has translated that service to finer surroundings with the food and service stepping up to the plate accordingly. We had a splendid dinner of wild boar - the lady having langoustine tartare as starter, venison pte for me. All as delightful and competently executed as before.
Quality of course comes at a price and while the move has led to an inevitable increase in the prices to reflect the surroundings (the dinners in the original building had been a real steal) the experience overall is well worth it and prices still remain slightly below what one might expect to pay for similar quality elsewhere in West Suffolk.
Quality of course comes at a price and while the move has led to an inevitable increase in the prices to reflect the surroundings (the dinners in the original building had been a real steal) the experience overall is well worth it and prices still remain slightly below what one might expect to pay for similar quality elsewhere in West Suffolk.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had previously used the Secret Garden cafe and were keen to try their new venture when it opened. We had a really good 3 course lunch with excellent wine (recommended by the staff). The food was beautifully cooked and presented and the portion size was just right. The staff were friendly and attentive. The building itself is full of historic character. All in all a splendid lunch.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The recently opened Secret Garden Restaurant a few doors from the same owners established Cafe seems to be what the area needed. Fine dining at a level hard to find in the area.
Staff are knowlegeable and the menu sensibly offers a modest choice of excellent dishes, the feeling you are dining in a good French restaurant comes through in the food and service.
No longer will we who live close to Sudbury have to travel 20+ miles for a really fine meal in charming surroundings.
Thus far we have experienced an evening meal and a lunch, both were excellent.
Well done and keep it up.
Staff are knowlegeable and the menu sensibly offers a modest choice of excellent dishes, the feeling you are dining in a good French restaurant comes through in the food and service.
No longer will we who live close to Sudbury have to travel 20+ miles for a really fine meal in charming surroundings.
Thus far we have experienced an evening meal and a lunch, both were excellent.
Well done and keep it up.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fabulous food, service, atmosphere and surroundings. Fine dining has come to Sudbury.
This new wine bar and restaurant has added a new dimension to the Secret Garden.
This new wine bar and restaurant has added a new dimension to the Secret Garden.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having heard how good the Secret Garden cafe was, I decided to have an evening meal for two at their restaurant. I only booked a table the night before and they went out of their way to make one available.
The service was so friendly and the food was excellent. I would not suggest that you go there if you want a massive plate of food, but if you want nice portions, out of the ordinary dishes and good wines then I can think of no better place near Sudbury.I will certainly be going again and would have no hesitation in recommending this.
The service was so friendly and the food was excellent. I would not suggest that you go there if you want a massive plate of food, but if you want nice portions, out of the ordinary dishes and good wines then I can think of no better place near Sudbury.I will certainly be going again and would have no hesitation in recommending this.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Secret Garden has been around for many years and is good for coffee and lunch and has been open some evenings. However we now have a really first class restaurant run by the same people two doors down. Lovely old beamed building and the food is outstanding. We ate Venison Pate with chutney and baby leaves, and a Salsify mousse, followed by Roast Guinea Fowl with roast potatoes and pearl barley, and Wild Boar on mashed potato and red cabbage, All absolutely delicious. My only criticism is that there ought to be a few cheaper dishes as not everyone wants to spend over £10 for a starter and about £20 for a main course. Likewise there could be some alternative cheaper wines. I do hope this new venture does well, as it deserves to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The cafe is a delight, but the new restaurant is sublime. The food is delicious, coupled with fabulous and friendly service, gorgeous wines that compliment and a relaxed and stylish venue all help to make the dining experience second to none. I definately recommend it ☺
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lunch yesterday at the new venue 2 doors away from the well known old Secret Garden restaurant/tearoom. We were welcome by Alexis, front of house, who guided us to the downstairs restaurant . The owners have chosen to keep the decor in character with the beautiful listed building : it is classy but welcoming with the superb old beams giving a warm atmosphere to the place. The blend of friendly Suffolk tradition and delicious French cooking at its best! We particularly enjoyed a tasty dish of roasted wild boar with parsnip puree and wild mushroom. We look forward to go back to try the wine bar where one can enjoy a glass of wine with a platter of charcuterie or cheese.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Secret Garden in Sudbury is probably my favourite restaurant anywhere, ever - and having just been to their new location next door, I don't think that's going to change! The style is French cuisine using fresh local seasonal produce and they consistently deliver perfectly matched plates of food, and will recommend perfect wines to accompany all dishes. I'm in awe of their knowledge of food and wine; you'll never be disappointed! The Secret Garden is also very welcoming with friendly but professional service at all times.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Met with a friend to catch up over lunch, I'd never been to the secret Garden before, but highly recommend it. Its popular and i think its due to its non standard menu. If you want jacket potatoes or bloomer sandwiches then there's plenty of other establishments to choose from!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Small, personal and interesting place to eat (brunch, lunch or evening meal). Soon to expand into the listed building next door, for added attraction (and more space). We didn't book for lunch, but you'd best book for evening meal. It's popular and locals regularly eat and meet there. Slightly disappointed by the pan roasted duck breast and salad - not much salad and the duck was not nicely sliced but diced (so could have been anything). Also, heavily spiced with either choritzo or paprika. Failed, I'd say. Also, the Tartiflette was not as we expected it to be. Firstly, you cannot cook it (or warm it up under a grill). Secondly, the potatoes should be sliced not diced and more importantly, it should be rich, creamy and succulent. There was no sign of cream and no sign of onion. The bacon was just slices of back bacon laid on top - it should be cut up and integrated with the rest of the ingredients. Failed, again, I'd say.
The home made quince and plum dessert with yoghurt sorbet was a triumph. Well done. Would we return, if we were in Sudbury again .... yes, because the food promised to be better and the atmosphere was very good - relaxed, jovial/friendly.
The home made quince and plum dessert with yoghurt sorbet was a triumph. Well done. Would we return, if we were in Sudbury again .... yes, because the food promised to be better and the atmosphere was very good - relaxed, jovial/friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Various visits as its in our nearest town. Always warm and pleasant greetings with a French flavoured menu. There actually is a secret garden out the back where we have been able to take ourselves with our 2 little dogs on a sunny day and eat such as almond croissant and coffee or more substantial meals which we have always hugely enjoyed.
Attended an evening wine tasting......glad we booked a taxi home! Great evening, knowledgeable and entertaining hosts!
Attended an evening wine tasting......glad we booked a taxi home! Great evening, knowledgeable and entertaining hosts!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The seating is in two areas of the property, not grand, but pleasantly rustic. Lovely inglenook with stove on one wall. Stove is lit during cold weather which helps create a very comfortable ambiece in the front sitting area.
I was only there, meeting a friend, for coffee. We sat by the fire chatting for over an hour and were not bothered by the waitresses, nor were we made to feel that perhaps we should leave and free space up for other patrons who wanted to order food.
I was only there, meeting a friend, for coffee. We sat by the fire chatting for over an hour and were not bothered by the waitresses, nor were we made to feel that perhaps we should leave and free space up for other patrons who wanted to order food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Ate lunch here with my partners' mother and we had a very tasty light lunch. Service was excellent as was the food and ambiance. Highly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went for lunch at the Secret Garden as June had got her art-glasswork on display there.We had tartiflette with a side salad. Both were excellent and i would certainly choose that again. i also had a pot of tea made with loose tea which is unusual nowadays plus extra hot water in a jug, also really nice.
It was very busy and we were lucky to get a table for four....next time we will book a table.
It was very busy and we were lucky to get a table for four....next time we will book a table.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Chose this based on Trip Advisor reviews as we were visitors to Sudbury; very pleased that we did. We have since read more of the reviews and have to go with the positive ones. Our lunch was delicious, the goat's cheese melted on home made bread with very good dressing on the accompanying salad leaves and the smoked bacon and brie on focaccia. Lemon meringue pie followed, with a wonderful thin, light pastry. My favourite coffee ( monsoon malabar, not often found) and a good choice of cold drinks made this a great lunch after an equally good visit to Gainsborough's House.
We would thoroughly recommend especially as, surprisingly for a Saturday lunchtime, it was not overly busy. If there was any criticism, it would be that the very pleasant waitresses needed to keep just a bit more of an eye on their customers' progress but we enjoyed it nonetheless and the French influence was both apparent and much appreciated.
We would thoroughly recommend especially as, surprisingly for a Saturday lunchtime, it was not overly busy. If there was any criticism, it would be that the very pleasant waitresses needed to keep just a bit more of an eye on their customers' progress but we enjoyed it nonetheless and the French influence was both apparent and much appreciated.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went for lunch with friends and had a delicious meal.ordered what I thought might be a small plain choice (grilled goats cheese on ciabatta),it came out as a full plate with a large piece of bread with lots of cheese and a dressed salad.very filling,so full of flavour and completely delicious! Would highly recommend+++
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was our first visit to The Secret Garden cafe and we and our dog were made more than welcome. We chose from the 'specials' board and were impressed with the simple, flavoursome food and the great choice of red wine. We shall not hesitate to return again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff were very friendly and attentive and clearly genuinely keen to please. Sadly our food was not very special. The vegitarian aubergine fricasse resembled a can of sweetcorn with the tiniest slice of aubergine - OK we chose not to have the quail's eggs but this was extremely unimaginative and left us hungry. The lamb was wonderful and the sword fish tasty although not very filling. We appreciated the discount and the staff were genuinely concerned when we provided that feedback. We have heard so many good reviews from friends that we were rather surprised.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I had a lovely dinner here together. Great food, great presentation and we went with the wines matched to the menu which were delicious! The owner came out to explain each wine choice. Service was excellent too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a fantastic meal here with my family last weekend. The food was incredibly tasty and you can tell a lot of attention had been paid to the flavours that were being served. The Guacamole was insanely good!
Best of all the service was tremendous, Kirsty and Daisy were extremely attentive and made an extra effort to ensure we had the best night possible. Keep up the good work guys! The Mortgage Man :)
Best of all the service was tremendous, Kirsty and Daisy were extremely attentive and made an extra effort to ensure we had the best night possible. Keep up the good work guys! The Mortgage Man :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have eaten here many times. Very nice dishes and great cakes!
The menu isn't extensive, but what is on offer is really good.
The menu isn't extensive, but what is on offer is really good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We ate here for the first time and it was a lovely experience. It's a very quirky restaurant and the staff are very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious, we would recommend the swordfish or pork and the creme Brulee was exquisite! We will be back! Merci beaucoup!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lunch with a friend. Ate in the garden which is delightful! Food very good if a little sparse! Staff always friendly and accommodating, will visit again soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I popped in here for lunch while in Sudbury. We walked through the main restaurant into the garden out the back. Sat in wrought iron garden chairs surrounded by a wall of flowering plants.
Menu is impressive they have a variety of coffees and have soya milk which is great for me as I don't drink dairy. They also have a variety of teas, all served in a pot which is a nice touch. I had an Americano and then a cafetiere of a blend recommended by them. We each had a salad, I had crayfish, hubby had smoked chicken. Sourdough bread also came with the salads. Tasty salads, lovely dressings. They also have an extensive specials board. We didn't try the desserts this visit. They also serve wines.Such a lovely lunch. Highly recommended.😊
Menu is impressive they have a variety of coffees and have soya milk which is great for me as I don't drink dairy. They also have a variety of teas, all served in a pot which is a nice touch. I had an Americano and then a cafetiere of a blend recommended by them. We each had a salad, I had crayfish, hubby had smoked chicken. Sourdough bread also came with the salads. Tasty salads, lovely dressings. They also have an extensive specials board. We didn't try the desserts this visit. They also serve wines.Such a lovely lunch. Highly recommended.😊
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
