by Katie Thompson
We all love to try something new, right? It’s the excitement of the unknown as well as that feeling of making memories that last. And here in Norwich, there are so many unique experiences to try– especially if you’re a foodie!
The City of Stories is perhaps the undiscovered food capital of the country – with hundreds of fantastic restaurants and cafes to take a seat at, as well as a host of locally made produce. And better yet, there are food and drink experiences aplenty to get stuck into. Whether you want to discover how award-winning whisky is made, have a go at making your own cheese, or taste local tipples on a gin-tasting tour!
Take a look at our favourites below.
Pub & Paddle is one of Norwich’s favourite warmer weather past times
One of Norwich’s favourite warmer weather past times is without a doubt Pub & Paddle. This fun experience allows you to canoe, kayak or row along the river Wensum and get a unique perspective from the city’s waterways. And that’s with a stop or two at a choice of lovely riverside pubs. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert rower or complete beginner!
Based next to The Ribs of Beef pub on Fye Bridge (one of the aforementioned waterside pitstops), you can follow 4 different routes (starting at £14 per person). And all of them have been given ample time for the much-anticipated pub lunch and pints!
From here, you can row towards the colourful houses on Quayside and onwards to Cow Tower and Pulls Ferry. Or you can head the opposite direction which will take you to Norwich University of the Arts, the old Bullard and Sons Anchor Brewery and the Eastern Electricity Building, which has Sir Thomas More’s novel Utopia painted on it.
Enjoy tasty food and drink tasting on a Cheryl Cade tour!
Cheryl Cade is a beer sommelier and an Academy of Cheese member, offering up a huge range of food and drink tours in Norwich. Learn the history of some of our most loved drinks and snacks (as well as having plenty of samples – for educational reasons, of course) on one of her many tours.
We love the sound of the Beer and Cheese Tour (£48.76 pp) which consists of visits to 5 different pubs to sample delicious beer and cheese combinations, carefully considered by Cheryl. Or there’s the Gin Tour (£51.94 pp), which will see you travel through the history of Norwich and its gin, visiting 5 different venues, sampling 5 unique gins. Where do we sign up?! Fancy some more? There are also other regular tours you can book onto – check out the details on the website.
There’s a saying that Norwich has enough pubs for every day of the year!
If you’ve been to the City of Stories before, you may have heard an old saying that describes Norwich as having a pub for every day of the year, and a church for every week. Well, it turns out that wasn’t just true, but it was an underestimation as of 1884! So, it’s only natural that The Shoebox Experiences have got a unique tour for the historic pubs of our city.
Join the Tavern Trail Tour, where you will see some of these gorgeous pubs while learning about Norwich from a new perspective (£15 per person). And if you want a few more drinks to enjoy, why not join the Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour, where you’ll get an extra hour and four drinks to enjoy in these pubs (£45 per person)!
Discover the newest craft beers from the UK and worldwide at Sir Toby’s
On Norwich Market, you’ll find Sir Toby’s Beers, a craft beer bottle shop and bar offering the newest beers (over 100!) from across the UK and around the world, as well as local East Anglian real ales.
The stock is always changing, so you’ll have to keep coming back! Sir Toby’s’ seating area makes it the ideal spot to people watch with a pint at any time of year– take delicious food from stalls across the market to accompany you! And if you want to try local gins, ciders, and wines, you’re in luck, but we suggest a pint of their cherry beer for something different.
A refreshing local beer at Redwell Brewery is perfect after a long walk or cycle ride
A refreshing local beer or a slice of stone-baked pizza sounds like the perfect reward for an invigorating walk or cycle around Whitlingham broad. Redwell Brewery is run by a small, passionate team and showcases locally farmed Norfolk malt brewed in small batches on site. And it’s dog friendly.
You can taste their full range (all gluten free and certified vegan) in their beer garden or taproom- alongside the working taproom equipment! This truly immersive experience is made even better by the open-plan kitchen of their resident pizzeria, The Redwell Vault. And on Sundays, pop-up vendors offer more mouthwatering street food from across the region.
Norwich Market’s multi-coloured rooftops are a staple in the City of Stories
Norwich Market is almost as iconic as our famous castle- its multi-coloured rooftops are a staple in the City of Stories. And beneath them, rows of independent food stalls abuzz with worldwide cuisine and enticing aromas. This is an ancient market (over 900 years old) made for modern munching.
Here, New York-style sarnies meet Spanish albondigas and bao buns steam seconds from their swirly cinnamon cousins. And you can wash it all down with a cup of tea, craft beer or a warm cocktail! So, if you’re a love of spicy, sweet, or savoury, look no further.
Moor up alongside The Ribs of Beef for a refreshing pint!
The Ribs of Beef is a picturesque free house serving up a great choice of real ales and delicious pizza. And it’s unique for its riverside location and free mooring. Their outdoor terrace above the river is one of the best places in Norwich to eat and drink al fresco.
Book a Pub & Paddle & Pizza (late afternoon, evening from spring) experience right here at The Ribs of Beef for delicious fresh stone baked pizza on the premises, (prices from around £24 per person) after enjoying a couple of hours paddling!
Bowling House is a cocktail bar, karaoke venue, restaurant, oh, and a retro ten-pin bowling alley!
Bowling House is a cocktail bar, karaoke venue, restaurant, oh, and a retro ten-pin bowling alley! So, as you might’ve guessed, it’s a great one-stop shop for a fantastic night out with friends. Not least in part thanks to their tasty dishes and sharing menu (that you might not want to share after all!).
With a list that includes chimichurri steak frites, loaded Lanes nachos, slow cooked BBQ ribs and vegan mac’n’cheese- followed by waffles, a banoffee jar or affogato- you’ll leave full of great food and great memories.
Grosvenor Fish Bar has been a Norwich establishment for 100 years!
When a fish and chip shop has been a Norwich favourite for 100 years, they must be doing something good, right? At Grosvenor Fish Bar, you can taste delicious traditional fish and chips- think crispy batter and fluffy potatoes- alongside an intriguing selection of other seafood.
Here, you can try sea bass with spicy mango salsa, tuna steak and wasabi mayo, a homemade clam burger, and even squid rings with aioli. (Keep an eye out for their special Christmas dinner, too.) We also suggest their warming mussels in garlic butter sauce- with a glass of fizz for an extra special treat. And everything come with chips, of course!
The Goat Shed offers an all-things cheese-making experience!
Visit the Goat Shed in the Norfolk countryside near Honingham (a 20-minute drive), where you can have an immersive experience of all things cheese-making. You’ll learn the science of the process, tour the state-of-the-art factory, and get hands on to make your very own goat’s cheese. At the end of your course, you’ll enjoy cheese and crackers (including the spectacular Fielding Cottage cheese) and other local specialities, before taking home your own cheese creation.
Courses start around 9am and run until 3pm (approximately), holding up to 8 people. Tickets are available from £95.00 per person and dates in 2025 run from January to November.
Distillery tours at the English Distillery are a great gift for any whisky lover!
The English Distillery is known as England’s oldest and most prestigious whisky maker, so you can bet on a tour here, you’ll learn some interesting history (as well as having a drink or two!). There are several different tours to choose from, and a create your own whisky experience.
All tours will allow you a behind the scenes glimpse of the working distillery, a guided tasting, a voucher to spend in the shop and a small gift to take home. From £20 per person – £100 per person (discounted children’s tickets are available which do not include tasting).
Want to discover more fabulous food and drink in Norwich? Check out our Eat & Drink page for inspiration or read our blogs on fine dining, afternoon teas and roasts for our favourite recommendations.
