By Katie Thompson
Home to an abundance of creative dining, Norwich is the cultured capital of Norfolk. This is a county which produces some of the best and tastiest seasonal produce, including fresh fish from our North Norfolk coastline and vibrant fruit and veg. So, if you’re tempted to try it for yourself, Norwich is the place to do so!
And whether you want an amazing coffee or a sumptuous breakfast, a mid-morning brunch, great value fine-dining lunch, afternoon tea, tapas or an 8-course tasting menu – Norwich has it.
With so many drinking and dining options in the City of Stories, check out our blogs to help you plan your self-guided gastronomic tour around our city!
Food & Drink Experiences | Where to Eat | Fine Dining | Afternoon Tea | Roasts
Sit in The Sainsbury Centre’s cafes with a view of the Sculpture Park!
No matter which area of Norwich you’re in, you’re sure to find an inviting independent café or coffee shop- and one that’s likely supporting our local coffee roasters too. Just walking our cobbled streets, you can smell the fresh scent of flaky pastry and the mouthwatering aromas of tempting savouries. From the long-established to the locally-run, tucked down our Lanes and even in our churches and cathedrals. All year round, we’re taking a seat al fresco or people-watching at the window. You could say we’re café connoisseurs here in the City of Stories.
Starting at the iconic Norwich Market (where else?), you’ll be spoilt for choice. With worldwide street food stalls, steaming coffees and fragrant teas, you could easily eat here breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Look out for incredible sandwiches stacked up, home baked goodies, and crispy bacon sarnies with sizzling sausages. In one of the buzzing seating areas, immerse yourself and watch the world go by.
As just one of the many eateries in our flagship independent department store Jarrolds, Café Benji brings a little je ne sais quoi to Norwich. This Parisian-inspired spot is a love letter to French foodie favourites where you can indulge in a quiche Lorraine, croque monsieur, goats cheese tartine and French onion soup.
Old meets now in Norwich Cathedral’s Refectory Cafe
Above the amazing monastic cloister at Norwich Cathedral is the Refectory Café. Here, you’ll find Bread Source, a name well known to Norwich and Norfolk natives. This bright open space boasts views of Cathedral Close and a delectable selection of treats. Open daily, it’s the perfect place to pop in for a light lunch or a freshly baked loaf!
And that’s not the only cathedral you can visit for a tasty meal. At St John the Baptist Cathedral, their airy Garden Café (you can sit outside in the warmer months!) prides itself on using local suppliers and offering undeniably good food. We’ve got our eye on the cake…
If you’re out of the city centre, worry not! The Sainsbury Centre’s Modern Life Café (we marvel at the huge wall of glass with sculpture views) is popular with locals, visitors, and lecturers alike. Their tasty offering includes various salads, fresh ciabattas, daily soup and quiche specials, and sausage and vegan rolls. This is without mentioning the sweet treats (we suggest going for the brownie!). Plus, the more casual Terrace café boasts snacks from local patisserie Figbar with views of the Sculpture Park.
Take your pick from Cafe Gelato’s amazing flavours!
Thanks to our fine city’s creative community, there’s a plethora of independent eateries and cultural influences to discover here. And as much as we might want to keep our favourites secret, we also want to shout about them! You’ll be wining and dining like a local in no time.
If you’re southeast of the city centre, we recommend paying a visit to continental beer bar Bier Draak on King Street. It’s a cosy establishment that’s ideal for trying something new- Bier Draak’s knowledgeable owners are great at recommending flavours depending on your likes and dislikes. Whether it’s a lager, ale, trappist or stout.
Above tapas bar Makers House, you’ll find Hawthorn, a speak easy-style bar with an amazing array of unique and bespoke cocktails. There are 200 bottles of spirits to choose from! You enter through a discreet side entrance just off St Benedicts Street- it’s like it’s especially for those in the know. And inside it’s chic and cosy with low lighting to create an intimate atmosphere.
For traditional Italian gelato that’s handmade in store with only the best local ingredients, visit Café Gelato. Alongside all the classics, like fresh Norfolk strawberry, their vegan selection is deliciously bold, too, with zingy Sicilian lemon, sharp raspberry, and dark chocolate sorbets (a VisitNorwich go-to!). And it’s affordable, at only £2.90 for one scoop. We suggest their unique flavours, like cheesecake and tiramisu- just wait until you try panettone at Christmastime.
Coffee and cake in the Britons Arms’ hidden courtyard
Speaking of authentic Italian… Saporita offers typical Italian street food, including pizza, panini, focaccia, and panzerotti that’s perfect for lunch. Here, you can expect traditional tastes packed full of Mediterranean freshness. We recommend a slice of Zucchinina pizza or Calabria panzerotti. And it wouldn’t be a trip to Saporita without a slice of salame al cioccolato (yes, chocolate salami)!
You might know The Assembly House (understandably) for their amazing afternoon teas. But have you considered a light lunch or grazing board beneath its Georgian splendour? There are scrumptious staples like the show-stopper sausage roll and warming soup (with chips), or even a baked camembert. And some dishes have been on the menu for decades, including twice baked cheese souffle and baked chicken and ham pancake! It’s quite the treat!
Sitting at the top of Elm Hill, you’ll find the Britons Arms. This charming, thatched coffee house and restaurant is where old meets now. You can munch down on one of their famous toasties (we suggest ‘The Norfolk Toastie’) beneath grade-listed beams, tuck into their hearty roasts or start the under the sun with a Britons Arms’ breakfast in their hidden courtyard.
Pizza Express offers great food and great views
On top of our city’s thriving independent scene, Norwich is home to plenty of familiar feeds too. They’re dotted across the city, but we recommend stopping at Tombland or Chantry Place if you’re haven’t quite decided what you fancy.
At Chantry Square, you’ll find flavours from Asia to the Mediterranean, with dishes including juicy burgers, creamy pasta, and spicy rice bowls. Here, try the honest and authentic flavours of Rosa’s Thai’s classic Pad Thai or signatures like stir-fried aubergine.
Across Rampant Horse Street, housed in The Forum, you’ll find Pizza Express. This is a great pre-theatre pitstop with reliable dishes that everyone will want to tuck into- especially when it’s made fresh-to-order right in front of you. And, of course, you must have the doughballs! (If you want a lighter bite, try Café Marzano downstairs!)
In Norwich’s Cathedral Quarter is Pho. This Vietnamese restaurant serves steaming bowls of its eponymous noodle soup, alongside zingy rice dishes, tasty curries and refreshing salads. Plus, a third of their menu is vegan, so it’s a go-to for groups.
And for a Thai take on tapas, try Giggling Squid in the heart of Tombland. It’s a great way to taste multiple carefully curated dishes. For an evening meal, their popular lamb shank Massaman curry is a must (just make sure you’ve got room!).
