The Eel's Foot Inn — Hotel in East Suffolk

Overnight family B&B stay with dinner 1st August 2023. Location is superb. Proximity to Minsmere is excellent. Room was clean and spacious. TV doesn’t work well- channel reception is poor. The family room is situated adjacent to the beer garden. Pub garden is large. Kids climbing tower/slide is rotten and falling apart. Pub and restaurant are dirty (floor filthy, bar is either soaked or sticky, tables unwiped, all bottles of ketchup only had half a teaspoon of sauce left in them and were grimy) and some advertised ales aren’t available. Dinner was appalling. We ordered two kids burgers from the kids menu. Part-way through eating we realised that one of the kids burgers was oozing blood. We sent it back and declined a replacement- my son had unsurprisingly lost his appetite. We didn’t pay for the burger. When I settled the remaining bill, I asked to speak to the person in charge. A young man came from the kitchen and informed me that there wasn’t a manager on duty and the owner was away, he was the only person available. I explained my concern that the advice from the Food Standard Agency regarding burgers is that they should always be served well done, particularly for vulnerable customers such as children to prevent the risk of food poisoning. We were also booked for breakfast the next day, however we wouldn’t be eating here again if the kitchen doesn’t have regard for advice from the Food Standard Agency. The young man informed me that when the two burgers left the kitchen, they had been checked with a probe and were both 85deg C. That didn’t reassure me- it doesn’t ensure that a burger is cooked well enough to avoid food poisoning. If we don’t have breakfast as part of our stay, then that’s found to choice. This young man seems to think he knows better than the Food Standard Agency, therefore I wasn’t reassured by his response. There’s no way I will risk the health of my family and eat here again. Not much of a choice on that score. Then to top off an already poor experience, at midnight the fire alarm went off and woke the 4 of us. Then again at 12.25am. We went to find who was on duty (no-one had bothered to come and explain what was going on) and were told that there was a fault with the fire alarm and that someone had been called- not sure when this will be fixed. With the prospect of us being woken up every 25 minutes by a faulty fire alarm indefinitely throughout the night, we decided to leave so our kids could get some sleep. Whole place reeks of...

First time I went here it was great, they seemed to be coping well with the pandemic, you ordered as you went in the front door, took a seat outside with your drinks and simply waited for your food to be brought out. However, my most recent visit here was terrible. With a new 'flag system' in place, you put your flag up when you are ready to order. However, it was 45 minutes before we finally flagged somebody down to come and take our order. By this time (as we were about to leave) we had witnessed someone who obviously knew the staff there, pick his nose and eat it several times, and then proceed to carry pizza boxes out to where the food was being cooked (they have an outdoor pizza oven) and then stand inside the kitchen area whilst chatting with staff etc. It is my understanding that the person in particular has special needs, and obviously cannot help his behaviour. But for staff to allow him into the area where food is being prepared and cooked (with no face covering) was not acceptable. After this we simply couldn't eat the food and so left it uneaten in the boxes. Considering this lunch cost us over £60 with food and drinks, we really weren't happy. But finding a member of staff to complain to was out of the question as they seemed about as present as any hygiene protocol. Got to say, after initially being quite excited to eat here again after the pleasant experience the first time and with it being the first time I had seen my elderly mother in 6 months due to the pandemic, I left feeling not just disappointed but downright upset and annoyed. I won't...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a charming establishment on the 11 September lunchtime that exceeded my expectations in every way. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, setting the stage for what would be a memorable meal.

The service was impeccable—attentive without being intrusive, and our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations. It was clear that the staff takes pride in providing a top-notch dining experience.

Now, let’s talk about the main event: the food. I ordered the Hunter's Chicken, which was absolutely delicious. The combination of flavors was superb, and the dish was cooked to perfection, juicy and tender. My dining companion opted for the grilled mushrooms with Stilton, which also received rave reviews. The richness of the Stilton paired beautifully with the earthy mushrooms—definitely a must-try!

One aspect that really impressed me was the variety of options on the menu. They had an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, which is a huge plus for those with dietary restrictions. It’s refreshing to see a restaurant cater to different tastes without sacrificing quality or flavor.

Overall, I can confidently say that I will definitely be back. The combination of great service, delicious food, and diverse options makes this establishment a gem. Whether you’re a meat lover or a fan of plant-based cuisine, there’s something for everyone here. Don't miss out on experiencing this delightful...