Date night by candlelight. Surprise birthday parties. Special celebrations, rare occasions. Or just an excuse to treat yourself to a memorable meal: something cooked fresh, with local ingredients, by the professionals.
In Norwich we’ve got some of the best fine dining restaurants around (and the critics agree). If you love food then this is your city – and if you love fine dining then these are your restaurants…
Psst… If you’re looking for even more suggestions on great places to visit, check out our ‘Eat & Drink‘ section, it’s got plenty of recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!
Perhaps one of the most popular spots in Norwich for fine dining, Benedicts has quite the reputation. And there’s a reason for that! A modern British restaurant run by Richard Bainbridge, his credentials speak for themselves. He worked under Michel Roux Senior at the 3 Michelin starred Waterside Inn and won BBC 2’s Great British Menu.
And since starting the restaurant in 2015, Benedicts has been named in The Times Top 100 restaurants in the UK, was awarded 3 AA Rosettes in 2018, and included in the Michelin Guide 2022. So, Benedicts should certainly top your list for a meal you won’t forget. Enjoy a tasting menu from £61 or sample the set lunch menu from £32.
Benedicts’ dishes will have your mouth watering!
If you’re looking for fine dining without the pressures of smart dress codes and a formal atmosphere, Farmyard is the place to be. Since opening their doors in 2017, Farmyard have rapidly risen to critical acclaim. Listed in the Michelin Guide, visited and praised by Grace Dent and Jay Rayner, as well as being awarded 3 Rosettes by the AA, you can rest assured you’re in for a treat at this restaurant.
The best part? Here, fine dining doesn’t have to break the bank. Visit between 12 – 2:30pm Thursday – Friday or 12 – 2:45pm on a Saturday, and you can tuck into their set menu, which costs just £27 for two courses, or £32 for three courses. It’s incredible food at incredible value, what more can you ask for?
Farmyard believe in fine food, not fine dining!
With its beautifully decadent interiors, The Ivy exudes luxury. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a fantastic dinner for any occasion, and perhaps you could be tempted into sampling some of the magnificent cocktail creations they have on offer. The Ivy offer a huge range of menus, from Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, A La Carte, and many more. So, you’ll find something tasty to tuck into! Booking for the restaurant is advised.
And if you’re looking for something to accommodate a really special celebration, The Ivy can even accommodate private dining in their luxurious Kingfisher Room, which holds up to 24 guests seated and 40 standing. Booking for this room is essential!
The Ivy’s interior is just as good as the food!
Having opened in early 2022, Brix and Bones is still relatively new to the Norwich food scene, but it has made quite the impact in this short time. In fact, its made such an impact, that its already been named in the Good Food Guide. Located above Gonzo’s Tea Room on London Street, this restaurant is a real gem, with plenty of delights to discover inside, and sustainability at its heart.
Many of these delicious dishes are cooked over an open fire, which the restaurant say is used to ‘take food back to its ancestral roots’. Try the 200-day aged Hereford sirloin steak, or tuck into the pork chop with Korean pesto. Whatever you opt for, you’ll absolutely love it. Round off your plate with a side of Wagyu beef fat potatoes and don’t forget to sample a staple of the restaurant – the bone marrow fudge donut.
Brix and Bones’ unique way of cooking will give your food flavour unlike any other in Norwich.
Set in the historic courtyard of The Maids Head hotel, you’ll find the 2 AA Rosette WinePress restaurant. Here, you can enjoy fine dining right in the heart or Norwich. It’s a fantastic experience. The WinePress has been highly commended in The Taste of East of England Award at the East Anglian Tourism Awards 2021, and you can see why for yourself.
It’s a delightful food offering here, featuring produce from local suppliers, which give the food an extra fresh taste – it won’t disappoint. Treat yourself to two courses or three courses with seriously good dishes, and you’ll leave more than happy. Especially if you’re staying at the Maids Head straight after.
Enjoy a sumptuous meal at the WinePress, right in the centre of Norwich
If you want luxury, you simply can’t pass up afternoon tea at The Assembly House. Whether you go for the classic afternoon tea, or one of the themed teas that The Assembly House is renowned for, you are guaranteed a sumptuous experience. Right now and until Sunday, September 17, you can indulge in their delicious limited-time Peter Pan Afternoon Tea, which was set up in partnership with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity! For every afternoon tea sold, the Assembly House is donating 50p to this fantastic cause.
Opt for a glass of fizz to enjoy alongside your savouries, cakes and scones to make the most of the decadent food! Then, if you fancy really making the most of your visit, stay the night in one of their beautiful, individually decorated rooms. Gorgeous and comfortable, each night is more than worth the stay here.
Plus, after waking up in comfort the following morning, you can also enjoy ‘before-noon tea’, which features a smaller version of their cooked breakfast combined with a three-tiered tower of even more wonderful savouries and cakes!
The Assembly House is the place to go for a great afternoon tea.
If you like to dine in gorgeous surroundings, The Norfolk Mead hotel will surely satisfy. In the idyllic village of Colitshall and situated next to the river, it’s not just the view that will prove impressive, but the food will too.
Awarded two AA Rosettes, the restaurant only uses fresh, local ingredients sourced from the finest farms and markets in Norfolk. Their menu is seasonal, so often changes, but have a look at their tempting sample menus on the Norfolk Mead website, good luck resisting booking a table!
Stower Grange is a traditional countryside hotel, offering up classic dishes at its restaurant. With fresh and local ingredients (the meat is sourced from a local butcher within a mile of the hotel), a menu that changes monthly, vegetarian and vegan options, and a tempting selection of dishes – it’s no wonder this restaurant has received an AA Rosette.
Tuck into a tasty new menu every month at Stower Grange!
The award-winning brasserie at Barnham Broom offers contemporary cuisine alongside stylish elegance. The menu regularly changes to reflect the changing seasons, and to put local produce that showcases the excellent offerings of the region at the forefront. There’s often delightful daily specials to complement the menu too, meaning you won’t be stuck for choice here!
Want to discover more fabulous food and drink in Norwich? Check out our Restaurants in Norwich listings to gather some more inspiration.
