The Packhorse Inn

Gastropub·
££££
·

SquareMeal Review of The Packhorse Inn

Total refurbishment by a local entrepreneur has elevated the Packhorse Inn from ‘heart of the community’ village boozer to aspirational dining destination – although drinkers can still prop up the light-filled bar and sample a little of what the kitchen has to offer (perhaps a plate of charcuterie or a burger with mooli slaw). Meanwhile, those ensconced in one of the elegant but snug dining areas make the most of a brief menu that includes quirky takes on pub favourites and more ambitious fare such as confit chicken wing with cauliflower and toasted yeast, fillet of Hereford beef and ‘Jacob’s ladder’ with shallot jus or monkfish with braised oxtail, parsnip and caviar. After that, save some room for banana soufflé with cream-cheese ice cream or blackberry trifle with whipped custard and blackberry sorbet. The reasonably priced wine list offers plenty by the glass, and there are bijou bedrooms upstairs if you need to recuperate.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Gastropub

The Packhorse Inn is featured in

Location

Bridge Street, Moulton, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8SP

01638 751818 01638 751818

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 8am-11pm

Reviews

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6 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Christine T

29 January 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 5
Value 4
Lovely gourmet pub with great bar

Lovely pub with great bar. Food was good . The pork was delicious but the bread and butter pudding was very dry. Although staff were friendly and welcoming the service was very slow. We had no problem having to wait for the meals but we ended up helping ourselves to dessert menus and then had to find a waiter to order teas and coffees. Even so we would go again.

Oliver G

05 September 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 3
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
We’ll worth a try though make sure your wallet is full!

Pretty good food but too pricey.Service could have been better though we understand that all restaurants are challenged for staff. But everyone very friendly and tried hard. Will definitely return. 

Mark D

28 March 2019  
Continues to hit the spot with a heady mix of good quality grub and Farrow and Ball style design. No wonder this small pub group is continuing to expand.

Mark D

19 March 2018  
The food was amazing, I had the crab for my main and lemon drizzle for dessert. I also loved the piggy bites so much we had them as a snack by the bar and again as a starter with our dinner. The service was great and we had a very relaxing evening.

Mark D

10 April 2017  
One rendition of a growing gastropub chain that prides itself on beautifully executed but not overly fancy food in a setting that any top end interior designer would be proud of.

BoatLady

06 October 2014  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
Perfect country pub
Whilst most country pubs would happily host a girly catch up dinner for 5 not every one would accommodate one on a Saturday night that comes with 3 black labradors, one baby and one very unsleepy toddler determined to explore the entire bar area so it's a testament to the hospitality of the friendly staff and clientele at The Packhorse Inn that we were not only tolerated but actually welcomed. The food here is more than you'd expect from the average country pub too. Yes, there are a few classics like steak and chips (reassuringly modern in its emphasis on provenance of the meat) but most dishes seem to include something to tickle the imagination. My fishy main came with "cockles popcorn": a bit adventurous and unusual but with echoes of something traditional, perfectly cooked (delicious, little, light batter-y mouthfuls) and a great complementary element to the dish. The star of the dessert show remains the gorgeous fluffy baked doughnuts, an absolute bargain at a mere £3. We didn't go mad on the drinks (the disadvantage of country dining is the driving, boo) although we managed a decent bottle of white (a Picpul I think although can't quite remember) from the longish list. The whole meal (3 courses and drinks) came in at a very reasonable £45 a head. If you want to go somewhere where a tolerant stranger will dandle your child on his knee, where staff croon over your dogs, and where you can eat great food, then this is the place for you. My only complaint is that it's a bit too far out in the country. Still, the owner is about to take over The Rupert Brooke in Grantchester which, being much closer to Cambridge, I hope will be be the perfect country pub not quite in the country.
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01638 751818 01638 751818

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