THE BEST PLACES TO DINE IN NORFOLK

Last Updated on 30th April 2024 by Bejal

Norfolk is a popular place to dine and home to a plethora of restaurants, bars, delis, cafes and tea rooms sourcing fresh and local ingredients in stunning surroundings from idyllic coastal locations to bohemian lanes and traditional country pubs. Many boast a string of accolades including the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, AA Rosettes as well as local and national awards.

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Here are some fantastic options including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and snacks scattered around Norfolk which I’d recommend personally for some quality seasonal fodder as well as great vegetarian and vegan menu alternatives.

Frank’s Bar

Located In the Lanes, Frank’s Bar is eclectic and boho, aiming to use the best locally sourced products possible from free-range, home-made to Fairtrade and organic with an ever-evolving menu. As well as the regular weekdays and Saturday food menu, Frank’s Bar also serve great tapas as well as a Sunday breakfast.

We went for the breakfast where we grabbed a seat outside on the mis-matched furniture along the lane-perfect for Sunday people watching! Definitely a distinct Mediterranean vibe with cool music choices! Frank’s Bar has been recommended by a number of places and I’d say it was one of my favourites for breakfast to dine in Norfolk

• Address: Frank’s Bar 9 Bedford St, Norwich NR2 1AR
• Tel:  01603 618902
• Website: Frank’s Bar
• Opening hours: Closed on Mondays. Check website for particulars

Be-lavie Recommendations – Frank’s Bar Full English & Vegetarian Full English Drinks:  mocktail – The Papple (passionfruit, apple juice, lemon and soda) and coffees

Be-lavie Tip: Breakfast was on a drop-in basis so booking not always necessary.

The Wildebeest

This two Rosette award winning, relaxed fine dining restaurant is close to central Norwich in the South Norfolk village of Stoke Holy Cross. Chef patron Daniel Smith together with head chef, Fabio Miani takes great pride in serving up the freshest ingredients to produce a medley and coming together of seasonal dishes showcasing the greatest ingredients from Norfolk. The service is impeccable, with a dining affair that is special and memorable. Stunning plating meets traditional ingredients to produce modern cuisine. 

• Address: The Wildebeest. 82-86 Norwich Road. Stoke. Holy Cross. Norwich. Norfolk. NR14 8QJ
• Tel: 01508 492497
• Website: The Wildebeest
• Opening Hours: 7 days a week, check website for particulars
• Restaurant Accolades: 2 AA Rosettes, Eat Norfolk Food & Drink Awards 2018 – Best Restaurant – Runner Up, Eat Norfolk Food & Drink Awards 2018 to mention a few.

Be-lavie Recommendations: Starter: leek and potato velouté with potato puff Main: Norfolk foraged Chanterelles Risotto with crispy shallots, parmesan crisp and shallot ash. Dessert: white chocolate and passionfruit cheesecake with honeycomb and lime sorbet. Wine: Pinot Noir Rosé (Viña Echeverria Rosé Reserve, Curico Valley, Chilé)

Be-lavie Tip: Pre-book a table to avoid disappointment and Vegetarian and Vegan options available, which should be stated at time of booking. Sample the six course taster menu on offer. The Wildebeest is a great place for a special occasion dine in Norfolk meal.

Folly Tea Rooms

The most cutest tea rooms at the bottom of Hoppers yard, filled with creatives, lies an enchanted garden and tea room oozing vintage charm. A calm oasis from the bustling streets of Holt, sit back, relax and sip on some fine teas, coffees and cakes or take the weight off your feet from a day of shopping.

Folly tea rooms serve breakfasts and afternoon tea including a traditional tea but also a sparkling Folly, which as the name suggest includes some bubbles and a Gentleman’s Folly which swaps two cakes with quiche and a warm sausage roll and chutney.

Time truly does stand still at Folly tearooms and the homemade delights are completely delicious and the service is attentive and accommodating. Adorable charm and quintessentially English.

Traditional Afternoon Tea: A mixture of four finger sandwiches, a fruit and plain scone, preserves and clotted creams, a selection of miniature cakes and a refillable pot of tea or coffee.

Be-lavie Tip:The afternoon tea is quite sizeable so don’t be shy to ask for a box so you can enjoy the rest later. Book to avoid disappointment as it can get very busy in Holt over peak holiday times.

• Address: Folly Tea Room. Hoppers Yard. Bull Street. Holt. Norfolk. NR25 6LN
• Tel. 01263 713569
• Website: Folly Tea Rooms
• Opening Hours: Closed Sunday & Wednesday, Otherwise open 10:00-16:00

Thornham Deli

This cute deli and lifestyle store are a perfect alternative to restaurant food serving delicious locally made produce from savouries to cakes, sandwiches, great cheeses, chutneys, preserves, jams, meats and so much more. Either sit in the relaxed café environment or grab a few bits for a picnic as we did and trust me you won’t be disappointed!

Be-lavie Recommendations: Red pepper and feta pasty, duck breast roll, lemon drizzle cake, Bakewell tart, farm raspberry lemonade and ginger beer.

Be-lavie Tip: If you plan to sit in book ahead but the deli is also great for picking up a picnic to enjoy at Thornham Nature Reserve and Wetlands. Picnics are always so romantic and a complete al fresco dine in Norfolk favourite!

• Address: Thornham Deli. Hunstanton. Norfolk. PE36 6LX
• Tel: 01485 512 194
• Website: Thornham Deli
• Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 08:00-17:00

Wiveton Bell

A beautifully renovated country pub featuring beams, stripped floors and wood-burning stoves; with picnic tables out the front and tastefully landscaped rear terrace. The seasonal menu offers pub classics that are carefully crafted from quality local ingredients. The Property also offers accommodation in the form of stylish, cosy bedrooms.

The Wiveton Bell truly has some of the most delicious food I tasted in Norfolk with a a great vegetarian menu. With prior warning the chef can also create special vegan options based on your preferences. Although I was fond of all of our gastro-pub experiences in the county, The Wiveton Bell was definitely top of my dine in Norfolk list!

Be-lavie Recommendations: Starters – red pepper and tomato soup (v), Torched mackeral fillet. Mains – Beetroot textures (v), Free range confit pork belly, Desserts – Tonka bean cheesecake, chocolate Cremeux. Wine: Merlot Trapiche, Argentina

Be-lavie Tip: Book in advance and choose to sit in the marquee, which is decorated with local artwork, mismatched comfy seating which creates a great dining atmosphere.

• Address: Wiveton Bell. Blakeney Road, Holt NR25 7TL
• Tel: 01263 740101
• Website: Wiveton Bell. https://www.wivetonbell.co.uk/
• Opening Hours: Food served 12 till 2 pm lunch & dinner 5 till 8 pm daily. Sunday’s 12 till 7.30 pm
• Accolades: Prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand 2020, 2 x AA Rosettes

King’s Head, Bawbugh

The King’s Head is a family run gastropub and luxury B & B on the outskirts of Norwich and the perfect place to dine in Norfolk for village vibes. The King’s Head is one of the original pioneers of gastropub dining in Norfolk. The pub prides itself on having a close relationship with local producers and markets to provide the freshest ingredients for their menu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a grazing menu is served at The King’s Head. As well as the finest seasonal cuisine, the pub has an extensive range of real local ales, lagers and carefully selected wines.

The atmosphere is super cosy and quaint at the pub and the service friendly and welcoming.

Be-lavie Recommendations: Mains: Banana blossom, soft tacos, baby gem, tomato, red onion and spicy sriracha & Duck breast, confit duck leg, plum. Rosti potato, tarragon in a cherry jus. Wine: Glass of Merlot.

Be-lavie Tip: Have a walk around the cute village of Bawburgh pre or post food. Booking is essential. If you fancy staying outside of the Norwich the rooms and two apartments have been stunningly decorated and are named after people associated with the King’s Head.

• Address: Kings Head Harts Lane, Bawburgh, Norwich NR9 3LS
• Tel: 01603 744977
• Website: King’s Head 
• Accolades: 2 x AA Rosettes , 4 x AA Gold Stars, Good Food Award 2020, Good Hotel Award 2020 to mention a few.

Picnic Fayre

Located in the picturesque village of Cley next the sea, Picnic Fayre brings you a wide range of local produce mixed with a vast selection cheese’s, our own brand of chutneys, carefully selected wines and homemade treats. Recipes that go back generations and it’s most definitely noted that the quality of food here is exceptional. Their Norfolk honey is pretty exceptional as is much of teh produce from Millionaire’s shortcake to the ice-cream.

Warm and friendly staff, with pick your own fruit and veg outside. Perfect place to stop off whilst walking the coastal path or en route to Wiveton.

Be-lavie Tip: Stock up with a delicious locally sourced picnic from the deli and head over to Cley beach to enjoy through the marshes with sweeping views of Cley Windmill.

• Address: The Old Forge, High St, Cley next the Sea, Holt NR25 7AP
• Tel:  01263 740587
• Website: Picnic Fayre

The Art Cafe

Located close to Cley, Art Cafe is North Norfolk’s only vegetarian restaurant, gallery and licensed cafe. A place to buy beautiful creations, enjoy award winning coffee from our own Grey Seal Roastery next door, indulge in delicious vegetarian and vegan food and cakes from our onsite bakery and relax in delightful surroundings.  With a sunny courtyard for summer and a cosy wood-burning stove for the cold Norfolk winters, Art Cafe is an all year round destination for foodies, coffee and nature lovers, walkers and arty types.  

Be-lavie Reccomendations: coffees from the Art Cafe’s, Grey Seal Roastery as well as the vegan sausage rolls. End with a sweet treat of gluten free Bakewell slice or classic vanilla muffin. On a nice day grab a pew and enjoy!

Be-lavie Tip: Great place to refuel after watching the seals at Morston Quay or as a pit stop for many of teh walks in the area.

• Address: Manor Farm Barns, Glandford, Holt NR25 7JP
• Tel:   01263 741711
• Website: Art cafe

2 Magpies Bakery

Taking a stunning position in Blakeney in front of the Guildhall and metres from the famous Blakeney Hotel is 2 Magpies bakery. Delicious bakes including pastries, fresh breads, coffees and hot food be sure to drop by here for a coffee, breakfast or anytime treat. Oh and not forgetting the fishing boat fringed views!

Be-lavie Recommendations: the tasty, flaky cheese twist or Moroccan pastry, washed down with a cappuccino!

Be-lavie Tip: If you’re on one of teh earlier Seal Trips leaving from Morston. Collect your tickets from Blakeney and grab some breakfast or snacks en route.

• Address: Back Lane, Blakeney, Holt NR25 7ND
• Tel:    01263 741368
• Website: 2 Magpies Bakery

Related Norfolk Reading

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• A Guide to Exploring the best of Norfolk
• A Guide to the Very Best of Norwich

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