The Five Bells in Claypole, just outside Newark, is a strong option when you want proper pub food in this part of Lincolnshire. It is a handsome village pub with four comfortable letting rooms and a clear focus on seasonal cooking and local sourcing.
The menus have real personality. You might see glazed cider ham and smoked cheddar sandwiches on Welbeck croissants, triple-cheese toasties on local cornbread or house kippers with poached egg and sourdough. There is comfort food too, like burnt leek suet pudding. On our visit we tried the slow-cooked beef bourguignon with cornbread: rich, generous and deeply flavoured, and remarkable value at £9.
Sunday lunch is taken seriously. Expect dry-aged beef, pork and goose with proper gravy and all the trimmings, alongside options such as charcoal-roasted salmon or vegetarian roasts. Beyond roasts, the kitchen covers steaks, burgers, mac ’n’ cheese, seafood and creative vegetarian dishes, so it works well for mixed groups.
Service is friendly and the atmosphere stays relaxed, which makes The Five Bells worth seeking out for a quick lunch, an easy evening meal or a weekend stay. If you are searching for the best pub food near Newark, it belongs on your list. It also deserves a mention among the best Lincolnshire restaurants for straightforward cooking done with care.
