Harden's says
Two ex-Pea Porridge chefs have opened this intimate restaurant serving seasonal dishes; The Observer's Jay Rayner rated it "special" as well as "ambitious, clever, relaxed, and hugely enjoyable".
Harden's survey result
Summary
“A tiny restaurant with big flavours” – James & Sophia Carn’s ambitious yearling is “very different” by the standards of the area, but numerous fans suggest “it’s the place to be in Bury” and (“being very small – around 25 covers – booking is essential”). The menu provided a good number of diners’ best meal of the year: “a wide and diverse range of small plates” which can also be enjoyed as a tasting selection for £80 per person. “The whole underlying theme is one of care”: this is “tasty, pretty, creative food that is not fussy or pretentious in any way”, “served with professional smiles in a buzzy little space”. Top Menu Tip – “Bone marrow and oxtail pie is stunning”.
Summary
This “new, fresh and creative” venue – a former bus shelter with room for 23 diners – from “a young chef with a great pedigree”, James Carn (ex-Pea Porridge) and his wife Sophia, is already making waves with “really personal cooking and personal service”. Two reporters had their best meal of the year here this year, while The Observer’s Jay Rayner in his July 2023 review was also bowled over on an early visit, describing it as “ambitious, clever, relaxed and hugely enjoyable; in one word, it’s special”. It’s named after the river which flows through the town.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Lark?
6a Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1UZ
Lark Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Once in a while, you find a small treasure and Lark is one such treasure. It is small with an attentive and personal service that avoids being intrusive. The menu is varied and nicely seasonal with high quality food and a wide range of flavours and textures so your palate is never ignored. The wine list is suitably manageable and there are always a special wine or two which add to the joy of the meal, and that is before you get to the deliciously tempting desserts with a 'fruity' coffee to round off the meal. In the summer, the outdoor seating provides by far the best place in the area to have a meal. Lark is the perfect name for this gem; like the bird, you have a song in your heart at the end."
"What a fantastic little restaurant. It’s tiny (around 20 covers) and very intimate. The service was friendly and personal, and the food was really excellent. We had the tasting menu for £65 pp and every plate was delicious - just make sure you’re hungry when you get there as we left feeling very full! We loved the ambience, and the music playlist was as if we’d chosen it ourselves. Overall a great experience and we’ll definitely go back! "
"This place deserves a star! The Bone marrow and ox tail pie is stunning. Great wine specials (including a Pinot Noir from Uruguay). "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
6a Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1UZ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:45 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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