The best restaurants in Alton Babergh East of England

If you’re after a classic country pub with no frills, just timeless charm and great food, The Wheatsheaf is the place to go. This old-fashioned gem is full of character, with its rustic interiors, warm ambiance, and a proper traditional pub vibe. The menu stays true to its roots, offering comforting, classic dishes without the need for modern twists. I tried the fish and chips, and it was everything you’d hope for—crispy, golden batter encasing tender, flaky fish, served with perfectly cooked chips. It’s hearty, satisfying, and exactly what a pub meal should be. Dog lovers will especially appreciate The Wheatsheaf, as it’s wonderfully dog-friendly. After a countryside stroll, it’s the perfect spot to unwind, with water bowls and even treats available for your four-legged companions. The staff were friendly, attentive, and clearly take pride in maintaining the warm, inviting feel of the pub. Whether you’re looking for a classic meal, a pint in a cozy setting, or somewhere to bring your dog, The Wheatsheaf is a true treasure.

We had the Christmas menu yesterday. From the moment we arrived it was a very pleasant experience. Food and staff excellent. We will definitely be revisiting in the future.

Recommended cakes and baguettes. All homemade.very good food. You can also sit at tables. Old fashioned good grub

Great pub, friendly staff. Darts and a pool table. Nice atmosphere and welcoming feel when you walk in.

It amazes me how this bar has a decent rating, well, they must be from friends of the bar. The bar is only open part time, and why is that? Because the only people it attracts is the local druggies and lowlifes. You won’t find anyone with any kind of standards drinking here, and trust me, you’ll be surrounded by 16 to 25 year olds. It seems the Ark is happy with this clientele, as the majority of Brantham know it’s known for this kind of thing. This “bar” is a failing business and will continue to be, unless it actually makes the effort with attracting the right customers who will make others comfortable drinking there. This bar is bad news and I would avoid. I have lived in the village for a long time and it’s such a shame, but you hear all kinds of rumours about it. Every time I drive past it seems it’s never open. If you prefer somewhere a little more classy then try the Brantham bull. The Brantham bull makes effort to provide a service for the elderly and actually wants to succeed.

Old pub with pub food which was lovely

Beautiful location so a shame to be met with unwelcoming staff at the cafe. Food was ok, coffee was nice but was made to feel a nuisance and didn’t see any service with a smile. I don’t think we’ll be returning and will enjoy the views around the cafes in manningtree instead.

The King’s Head is situated in the pleasant village of Stutton. It is around four miles north east of Manningtree and around eight miles south of Ipswich. It can be reached by bus 92 which serves both towns. However it is an infrequent service. It doesn’t run after around 18.00 on Monday to Saturday and not at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays. We stayed for two nights just after Christmas on a Sunday and Monday night. We were allocated a room called Balmoral which was very cosy with modern fittings and good Wi Fi. The shower was decent and the bed comfortable. Breakfast was supplied in the fridge with bread, ham, cheese and tomato plus cereals, fresh milk and fruit juices. This was adequate for our needs although no knives were supplied nor coffee. Spoons, forks and tea were provided. Two nights’ accommodation came to £180. We had an enjoyable Sunday lunch in the main pub building. I had roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and various vegetables including red cabbage. This was really good with a generous helping of beef. The horseradish sauce supplied was excellent too. For dessert, I had crème brûlée which was home made and very palatable. To drink, I had a lovely pint of Adnam’s Southwold bitter. We all enjoyed the food and the friendly service. The cost for four adults and two children came to just over £150 without service which was good value.

What a lovely place to eat, food was exceptional, will 100% be coming back.