Pump Street Bakery — Restaurant in East Suffolk

Seriously.... This sets the bar that others should aspire too. From the delightful croissants to the wonderful and very artfully prepared food in the cafe. It's easy to while away a good few hours (and we have) and you best prepare yourself to get there early (if visiting on a weekend) as there is always a queue out of the door.....and that's a very good thing indeed.

The croissants are the equal of anything you'll get in Paris. The bread is how I remember it being as a child. Delicious, hearty and doesn't rely on being loaded with chemicals to ensure its taste and freshness. The sourdough is a delight. We've named our starter "Chris" as a tribute.

Get your orders in to the shop whilst you relax at the café (as the wonderful array of goodies will soon disappear due to their popularity). And you'll have a bag of memories to carry home with you.

A new menu has seen some fantastic taste combinations. The bacon sandwich with prune sauce is inspired. And the smoothies both refreshing and satisfying. And that's just breakfast. There's so much to try (and you'll want to) and something for everyone.

And coming soon (we had a sneak treat) you'll be able to whet your appetite with a "fresh fruit shrub". An iced combination of fruit and vinegar. Refreshing, tangy and delicious.

The communal table in the café is a great place to enjoy some interesting conversations, swap stories or find some quiet contemplation.

And to top it all. These fine folk have created a chocolate you'll rave about (as we do). One small piece, melting on your tongue is an instant hit of pleasure. Which, will keep you going going all day. Or you can try a hot chocolate shot. Not to sweet, spoon coatingly thick. A little taste of heaven in a cup.

The passion skill and commitment of the entire team is as lovely to partake in, as it is to behold.

We can't recommend highly enough. It is one of our go to places. We don't live in the area and have (and will continue to happily do so) driven miles just to visit for...

Stumbled across this little bakery on the way to the castle, it is an absolute local gem. We arrived as doors opened at 10am which was needed as there was a queue of people! We bought an assortment of pastries, bear claw, rhubarb donut, custard donut, pain au chocolate, ham and cheese croissant, chocolate chip cookie and a large white sourdough loaf. Along with both the 70 and 80% hot chocolate and a flat white, the drinks came with little gingerbread stars.

There were so many wonderful options and they were all high quality. The donuts had a good jam to dough ratio and weren’t oily, the croissants were flakey and buttery and the chocolate was high quality.

There is a small area to sit inside along with a few tables and benches outside. The set up allows for you to see the baked goods before you reach the till. If you order a drink the barista section is in the second room which helps not to block the queue. If you are eating in the bring the drink to your table and if you are taking away you wait outside for your drink and they pass it through the window (which I personally thought was very charming, and helpful for people with multiple dogs).

They also have their own chocolate brand, some minis are available to buy here, if you would like to try more their chocolate shop if across the road. The man serving here was very knowledgeable and told us a little bit of the background of the shop and details of each other...

Literally outstanding quality food. We followed recommendations to visit, so our expectations were very high. We were greeted by welcoming smiles at the door along with breads and pastries that couldn’t have looked more appealing. We had the Baker’s lunch and the Baker’s breakfast in the restaurant and were delighted with our choices. It’s one of the best meals I’ve ever had...above many of those offered at top restaurants in London. Each ingredient complimented each other perfectly and was evidently fresh and expertly prepared. We completed the meal with an equally amazing hot chocolate, topped with an instagram worthy marshmallow. The interior of the restaurant is simple and stylish, as all good design should be. We had no choice but to leave the restaurant with a large bag of pastries and focaccia. The bounty we brought home made our evening dinner equally enjoyable. Pump Street Bakery is an absolute must and is one of the highlights of our visit to Suffolk. Please open a restaurant...