Couple set to open doors of The Paddocks Restaurant and Bar in Lakenheath after transformation from café

A couple are set to start a new adventure together ahead of the opening of their village restaurant after transforming it from a café.

Kellie Nafile, 49, and her husband Umut, 43, took over The Paddocks Coffee Bar in Station Road, Lakenheath, a couple of months ago and have now turned it into a new restaurant and bar.

A soft opening was held on Monday ahead of the grand opening on Saturday which will have live entertainment.

The couple have previous experience in the hospitality industry having run the Fork and Fire food truck for the past few years which visited the RAF bases in Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell.

Kellie, who lives with Turkish husband Umut in Lakenheath, said: “We’re quite excited and we have lots of plans for the future.

“It’s a new adventure for us so hopefully we’re successful and we’re proud of all the work we’ve done so far.

“We have excellent chefs and amazing food and we’re just trying to give something different to the village.”

The menu will have a Mediterranean style with shish, chicken and steaks, as well as vegetarian, gluten-free options, and more.

In addition, breakfasts and bottomless lunches will be on offer, which includes a three-course meal with endless drinks.

The Fork and Fire food truck will be used to cook the dishes on the menu as the family-run restaurant does not currently have a kitchen, with one lined up to be built at a later date.

Customers will also have the option to try shisha pipes in the garden, depending on the weather.

The restaurant will be open every day from 8am until 11pm, apart from a Tuesday when it will be closed.