The Best Christmas Food & Drink in Norwich

The Best Christmas Food & Drink in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

Norwich is no stranger to fabulous food and drink, not to mention tempting independent eateries. The icing on our Christmas cake? Long festive lunches, lively get-togethers and cosy dinners in candelit corners.

There’s no better time to indulge in a tasty treat than Christmas. Whether you’re a lover of sweet or savoury (or both!), Norwich has a table for every occasion. From warming roast dinners to fabulously festive afternoon teas, Norwich is serving up the warmest kind of Christmas spirit, brimming with moreish bites, seasonal sweets and festive feasts! 

Here’s the best Christmas food and drink in Norwich.

Image: Nathan Neeve

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A Twist on Traditional

In Norwich, we do Christmas a little differently and nowhere embodies this better than Grosvenor Fish Bar. This is a Christmas dinner meets chippy tea, for just £11.50. Take notes for the big day and tuck into turkey sausage with chips, gravy, battered stuffing balls, and cranberry sauce!  

At local favourite The Waffle House, forget the bread. Instead, treat yourself to the likes of rosemary and sea salt waffles dipped in oven-baked Camembert, a boozy mince pie and Bramley apple waffle or a spiced ginger cheesecake waggle with baked figs!

And if you want to make a night of it, we suggest feasting on the fantastic food at Bowling House before a game of retro bowling or a sing-it-loud karaoke session! (Especially with sharing plates like maple-glazed ham and cauliflower cheese bake.) 

Then indulge in a long Sunday stroll before heading to Redwell Brewery for a Giant Yorkie roast dinner and pint of locally brewed craft beer. You can thank us later.

Festive Flavours 

For lunch, look no further than Logan’s! Their menu boasts a whole host of seasonal specials. You won’t need to wait until Boxing Day for that turkey sandwich thanks to festive baguettes, paninis and focaccias- Brussel sprouts, stuffing, pigs in blankets and brie included.

When you’re in need of a break from all the Christmas dinners, Yalm has it covered. With 8 different kitchens serving festive bites and drinks, we suggest flavours like fennel sausage, brie and cranberry pizza and mince pie crepes with brandy sauce!

Or if you prefer a relaxed catch up with friends, head to St Andrews Brew House and The Georgian Townhouse for sharing platters (think pork, sage and chestnut scotch eggs, mini braised ox cheek burgers and cheese straws) or William & Florence for one of their signature grazers (camembert with pigs in blankets, toasted focaccia and more). 

If you like classic Christmas-inspired dishes, Cosy Club will tempt you with roast turkey and smoked ham hock pie and mustard-glazed pork belly, while Cote Brasserie offers a French take- think chicken liver parfait, roast turkey ballotine and mulled wine trifle.  

For other internationally influenced Christmas menus, we’ve got our eye on Amelia’s (for vegetarian Moroccan couscous) and Namaste (whose menu is brimming with tasty Indian dishes like herby tikka with cranberry chutney, pilau with cranberries, roasted almonds and cashews, and halwa with cardamom and brandy butter)!

Seasonal Sweets 

Who says ice cream is just for summer? At Cafe Gelato, you’ll be persuaded otherwise thanks to their traditionally made flavours. With a seasonal selection that’s super creamy, try a scoop of panettone, Christmas pudding and mince pie! (Thankfully, you can get more than one (from £3.70)!) 

Speaking of Italian desserts, a slice of Saporita’s salame al cioccolato (that’s chocolate salami to you and me) is a must-try. This delightful dessert boasts cocoa, crushed biscuits and a splash of port or rum! Accompany it with a shot of limoncello or a slice of traditional panettone. 

Another of our favourite sweet spots is Macarons & More in the Royal Arcade. Whether you’re in need of a last minute (and mouthwatering) gift or want to treat yourself after a day of Christmas shopping, their seasonal specials (including spiced rum and pineapple, and almond and apricot) always go down well!

December Drinks

A trip to Norwich isn’t complete without a treat from Norwich Market! Hug steaming mugs of hot chocolate topped with all the trimmings or sip on a spiced glühwein from Sir Toby’s Beers, as you tuck into mouthwatering multicultural menus.

And to try more of the city’s great craft beer offering, head to continental beer bar Bier Draak for a smooth Irish coffee and seasonal sours, as well as bottle shop Beer Hatch for Christmas blends with hints of liquorice and caramel.

Or if cocktails (and mocktails) are more your thing, Gonzo’s Tea Room are stirring up seasonal tipples, on their rooftop no less, whilst Tipsy Anchor creates refreshing concoctions with Bullards’ gins like spiced Holiday Negroni and Chambers Cocktail Company’s impressive and extensive drinks list includes winter warmer mulled cider. At Melville & Sons pair a curated wine and cocktail list with elevated festive plates (last year’s menu included cranberry buffalo fried chicken and cinnamon apple cheesecake). 

For a non-alcoholic indulgence, embrace the cosy warmth of Alchemista with a seasonal hot chocolate, like black forest, topped with a cherry (slug of cherry brandy optional). 

Yuletide Fine Dining 

If you can’t treat yourself at Christmas, when can you, eh?  

At Brix & Bones, you can expect an intimate culinary experience. Think flavour, fire and theatre. From their open kitchen watch skilled chefs use the coal-fired grill to elevate sustainably sourced local ingredients like wild Norfolk venison. All paired with a carefully chosen wine list. 

The Last’s festive menu du jour promises a selection of exceptionally crafted dishes in a buzzing and unique venue (2 courses £45; 3 courses £49). In this former shoe factory, savour kedgeree arancini, winter truffle risotto and mincemeat frangipane tart or chocolate delice with stme ginger ice cream.

A meal at Michelin Guide-featured, 3AA Rosette Benedicts is always special. Here, it’s all about local produce (whether meat-eater, vegan, veggie or pescatarian), including Norfolk Partridge, Binham Blue cheese and fresh seafood like Cromer Crab. And when you’ve licked every plate clean, a Benedicts gift voucher is the perfect excuse to come back in the new year. 

And for an elevated meal in a historic setting, opt for WinePress at the Maids Head’s festive lunch menu (2 courses £40; 3 courses £48)– the perfect blend of style, cosiness and warmth.