Food Review: The Beagle, Ipswich

We arrived at The Beagle on an autumnal Friday night to find a bustling pub with a lively atmosphere. Situated just off the A14 outside of Ipswich, the traditional pub has a cosy décor with fireplace, wood beams and welcoming charm.

I’d been invited by Vintage Inns (the owners of The Beagle) for dinner and asked my dad to join me as he knows a lot about food and always gives me his honest opinion.

We were greeted by the friendly barman who poured us drinks as we waited for our table. There was a bit of a mix up with our booking, but the staff were fantastic and seated us promptly.

The pub has a seasonal menu which has recently changed for the autumn months. There is also a 2 or 3 course set-menu and weekend treat option of 2 courses with a bottle of wine to share. There was lots to choose from, but in the end we decided to go for the new seasonal menu.

I’m a big fan of scallops so I opted for the seared scallops and pink grapefruit to start. The scallops took on a fresh, zesty flavour from the citrus elements to create a tasty, light starter.

My dad went for the salt and pepper calamari with chorizo-flavour seasoning. He noted that they were perfectly cooked without becoming rubbery, which can often happen with squid dishes.

For main course I chose the handmade lobster fishcakes with a bouillabaisse sauce, served with broccoli and baby potatoes (which I swapped for chips). The fishcakes were crispy on the outside, yet soft and tender on the inside, yum! The bouillabaisse sauce was a delicious accompaniment to the seafood without being overpowering.

Dad really enjoyed his slow cooked beef rib. It was a special dish that evening and came with horseradish bubble and squeak, honey roasted carrots and red wine jus. A proper hearty, autumn recipe – he practically licked the plate clean!

The Beagle does traditional pub food to a high standard in a cosy, relaxed setting. It’s the ideal spot for after work drinks, catching up with friends and family, and enjoying cosy autumnal evenings with scrumptious food.

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. I was gifted our meal at The Beagle to review the menu but did not receive payment for my blog post.
This is an account of what I experienced and I am not in any way responsible for what you experience. For my full disclaimer policy, please click here.