Oakes Barn — Restaurant in West Suffolk

While trying to find our way to the Apex Centre for a gig we drove past this pub which had large signage announcing it as a local CAMRA Pub of the Year. Having parked and purchased tickets we returned to Oakes Barn. There was a wide variety of interesting beers available at very reasonable prices. My first pint wasn’t spectacular but I’m laying the blame for that with the brewer not the pub. My second pint - JHB from Oakham, an old favourite I’ve not had for a while - was excellent. We also ordered food from the limited evening menu. This was also reasonably priced. Two of us shared a large portion of nachos (just under £10) and they didn’t stint on any of the ingredients - plenty of tortilla chips with loads of cheese, salsa and soured cream. The bar normally closes at ten but on learning there would be a number of people going to the gig who would like to return the man behind the bar said he would remain open until eleven. Unfortunately we didn’t make it back as the gig finished later than expected. I would definitely visit again and thoroughly understand why CAMRA awarded it Pub...

Great food and atmosphere, but disappointed with customer service

I’ve been to Oakes Barn several times, and honestly, their burgers are among the best I’ve had in England. The beer selection is excellent, and the atmosphere is always welcoming — it used to be one of my favorite pubs.

However, during my last visit with my wife, we had a disappointing experience. We pointed to the beer she wanted, but the server brought a different one. When we mentioned the mistake, the response was simply that it was too late and nothing could be done.

As regular customers, this felt dismissive. My wife was left with a beer she didn’t enjoy, or I was expected to pay for something we wouldn’t drink. I understand the business side of things, but I’d never expect someone to consume something they didn’t want, and it left a bad impression.

That said, the food and drinks are still great — I just hope they handle these situations with more flexibility...

I had asked Paris in Wright's restaurant on Friday where would be a good place to have a decent Sunday lunch. Oakes Barn or the Mason's Arms said she. Oakes barn responded to me first, so won the gig. So a splendid meal ensued, a large helping of roast lamb (£15.95) with nice roasties, a bowl of four perfectly cooked vegetables, a huge jug of lovely gravy and lots of mint sauce in a little pot. (I was delighted it wasn't in a sachet, unlike the pepper, which was. The only disappointment was a limp and cold Yorkshire pudding. I was surprised nobody came to ask if everything was OK or to try and upsell the £6.50 puds. Starters, by the way are £7.50 and cauliflower cheese, as an extra to the main course, is £2.95. The downstairs loos are smelly and need a revamp. But the main event was...