news and reviews
We are extremely proud of our hard won reputation as one of the best breakfast and lunch restaurants in South East England. But we wouldn't want you to take our word for it; here's what just some of the reviewers say:
Voted best breakfast in East Anglia by readers of The Observer Food Monthly Magazine, March 2007
Waitrose Food Illustrated March 2007
"Everything in his café and farmshop is bought locally, from kippers to ketchup. Newspapers, cappuccinos and a roaring wood burner make the place welcoming for all. Corned beef hash, partridge casserole and stuffed breast of lamb are on offer. "If you start with really good ingredients it's difficult to go wrong," says Paul. How right he is."
The Times 25 February 2006 The Knowledge Magazine
Top 10 spots for breakfast
"Owned and run by local people and serving locally sourced food, Farmcafé delivers friendly, warm service and freshly prepared food for travelers on the busy A12. Breakfast is the business, served from 7am, with local sausages, exemplary bacon, free-range eggs and brilliant sauté potatoes."
The Independent 'Information Magazine' 20 January 2007
The 50 Best Brunches
"Once Marlesford village's petrol station, it's now an unpretentious eatery. "Everything is sourced locally," says Mario. "Sausages, eggs, bacon and chips go into the standard brunch for £7.40; extras include black pudding and lamb's kidneys. And they do really good kippers."
The Times 25 November 2006 The Knowledge Magazine
Top 10 breakfast venues in the South East
"....Lunch brings tomato and fresh basil pasta, fillet of fresh haddock, or something meaty such as local Suffolk ham with two free-range eggs and chips."
With Kids Magazine October/November 2006
Best breakfast in town
"When people drive 150 miles for breakfast, you know you're on to a good thing. Recently voted by The Times one of the top 10 breakfast places in London and the South East, this unassuming Farmcafé is on the side of the A12 in Suffolk. It has a large south facing veranda for alfresco dining and a garden away from the road where children can play. The views are lovely and it is an area of outstanding beauty.
Owner Paul Thomas says, "It is extremely popular with families, often led by the children - parents say 'The only way we can get them to visit the grandparents is to promise to come to this café."
But it's obviously no hardship for the parents for the grown-ups to be dragged here, with its continental ambience, award-winning sausages, great coffee and mellow music playing in the background. Children choose what portions they want from the menu. The produce is mostly local and you can even buy it from the on-site shop."
The Independent 'Information Magazine' 11 March 2006
The 50 Best UK Cafés - Number 3, Farmcafé
"Paul and Linda Thomas's Farmcafé showcases Suffolk produce such as sausages and bacon, fruit juices and jams, kippers and crabs, cask beer and more, from more than 35 local producers."
BBC Olive Magazine October 2005
"Six years ago Paul and Linda Thomas decided they wanted to take the roadside caff concept and turn it around. After a lot of hard graft they've now succeeded in bringing a little café culture to Marlesford's hard shoulder.
Unsurprisingly, Farmcafé is no longer simply a pitstop for those who spot it on the off chance; word has spread and it has become a real attraction for the area.
Paul and Linda know they couldn't have done it without the great local produce available in the area - and on sale in the food market adjacent to the café. Even more reasons to spend your weekends on the A12."
We really welcome customer's feedback, good, bad or indifferent, so please let us know what you think by contacting us at:
feedback@farmcafe.co.uk
Café
7am to 5pm every day
Shop
7am to 6pm every day