Old Dairy

This outpost of the Realpubs empire is a neighbourhood favourite, thanks to its friendly staff and efforts to create a community spirit. There are BYO nights on Mondays, quiz nights on Tuesdays, and regular daytime parent and toddler music sessions. Staff are extremely helpful, and the building (yes, an old dairy), though cavernous, manages to be welcoming due to the evidence of its past life (the intricate relief panels on the exterior are works of art) and some judicious carving-up of interior space into bar and restaurant areas. The new banquette seating near the open kitchen is highly popular.

The menu (the same in bar and restaurant) gives only cursory nods towards provenance ('Suffolk farm chicken' tells us little), but the choice of food is tempting: from spaghetti with chilli, clams and mussels, to lamb rump with broad bean and mint salad. A starter of ham hock salad, puy lentils and crispy poached egg was excellent, and puddings (lemon and orange posset, chocolate brownie) were also very good. Main courses let the meal down, though, with an overcooked grilled sole, and limp vegetables accompanying the roast beef - but you forgive a lot when service is so good.