Whether you’re new to the city or you’re familiar to the food scene, if you’re looking for the best places to eat in Norwich we’ve shared some of our favourites which should not be missed.
Where to eat in Norwich if you’re a coffee lover
If you’re a coffee fanatic visiting Norwich, there is no better place to stop than Strangers Coffee House.
This tiny cafe in the heart of the city sells ethically sourced coffee from Costa Rica, Rwanda, Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia and Guatemala and if you find a blend you love, you can buy a bag to take home with you.
Brunch lovers will love the cafe’s array of fresh pastries and Strangers is also a good place for a light lunch, serving a selection of rocket-garnished sandwiches and paninis, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels and succulent cakes. It’s very small so if you’d like a table, be prepared to get there early.
The main cafe is located at 21 Pottergate, but if you’d like to see where the beans are roasted and ground (or you just can’t face the queue), Strangers Coffee Roasters is just around the block at 10 Dove Street. You can buy takeaway coffee from the roasters, making it the perfect pit stop.
Where to eat in Norwich if you fancy fish and chips
The Grosvenor Fish Bar is legendary in and around Norwich for being the best chippy in the city. Serving delicious chips with everything from classic cod to mackerel, sea bass, squid and salmon, fish lovers will be delighted by what’s on offer.
Although the Grosvenor is a takeaway, you also have the option of eating in an underground room – known as ‘the bunker’ – which is located directly underneath the main shop. The decor is part rustic cabin, part WW2 bomb shelter and can be booked for large parties.
If you’d like to eat your meal above ground level, the Grosvenor also has a deal with the Birdcage, an esteemed Norwich cocktail bar which is located opposite. Place your order and pop across the street for one the best cocktails in the city (or two, or three – it’s a slippery slope at the Birdcage!) while you wait. They’ll even deliver your food to you.
Where to eat in Norwich if you love afternoon tea
Biddy’s Tea Room is quite possibly the quirkiest afternoon tea parlour you’ll ever set foot in. Make sure that you do set foot in it – a visit to Norwich isn’t complete without a trip to Biddy’s.
Vintage lovers will no doubt appreciate the tea shop’s top to bottom 1950s decor, the highlight of which is the iconic taxidermy fox dressed in a top hat and tails that waits in the window to greet you.
Once you’re inside, choose from any one of a dozen different afternoon tea menus and sample quintessentially English delights such as pork pies, pate, cheese and crusty rolls, all accompanied by homemade chutneys and one of more than 50 different blends of tea.
All of the cakes at Biddy’s are superb, but cream tea traditionalists will enjoy freshly baked scones with local jam, clotted cream and lemon curd alongside the county’s signature tea, an Earl Grey blend known as Norfolk Lavender. Book to avoid disappointment!
Where to eat in Norwich if you’d like an authentic curry
Those who think that vegetarian food is boring are in for a revelation. Namaste is one of the best curry houses in Norfolk and there’s not a trace of meat in sight.
Known for its deliciously spiced curries, Namaste is the perfect place for any curry lover, whether they’re veggie or not. Everything they serve is aromatic, fragrant and delectable.
The restaurant is conveniently located on Opie Street in the centre of town – drop in for a dinner you won’t soon forget. In classic Norwich style, it’s BYOB.
If you’re a committed carnivore or looking for a more varied selection of Asian foods, you could also pay a visit to COSMO Norwich. This authentic world kitchen takes the all you can eat world buffet concept to a new level, with live cooking stations where you can watch expert chefs at work.
Enjoy teppanyaki dishes from Japan or a carvery with all the trimmings. It’s food theatre – and as it costs just £7.99 for lunch, there’s no excuse not to pay COSMO a call.