With so much pasture and farmland, it’s hardly surprising that Norfolk produces some top-quality ingredients that are prized throughout the country. A visit to Norfolk can be a gastronomic extravaganza, but to save you from any potential foodie disappointment and to make sure you’re only enjoying the best restaurants and experiences, we’ve put together this guide to the top foodie experiences and best places to eat in Norfolk.
Looking for somewhere to stay during your holiday? We’ve got a fantastic range of luxury cottages in Norfolk to choose from for your foodie holiday.
So, without further ado:
Thanks to its stunning coastline, Norfolk is most known for its Cromer crab – a sweeter variety that’s full of flavour! You’ll also find asparagus featured on many menus from late April until end of June, while Norfolk black turkey is especially popular around Christmas.
There were 15 Michelin 2021 listings for Norfolk. Morston Hall and The Neptune retained their one star for the 22nd and 11th year respectively, while various others in the region received Bib Gourmand or Michelin Plate status.
Connoisseurs of Scottish single malt whiskies sniffed at the idea of an English distillery, only to be thoroughly surprised by the quality of the spirits they made. Take a guided tour of the factory where all of the malts are fermented and distilled, and learn about all the processes that go into crafting English Whisky’s unique flavours; children are welcome to join these tours. Naturally, the journeys end with a tasting session that lets you experience these drinks for yourself.
Price Range: ££
Location: St Georges Distillery, Harling Road, Roudham NR16 2QW
Bookings: Online at The English Whisky Co.
The days of instant are long, long gone; stay on-trend by learning about the craftsmanship behind artisan coffee and discern what separates the good stuff from the gross. At Grey Seal Roasters, you’ll be let in on the tricks behind creating the perfect brew, from choosing the beans to roasting and serving them in any number of different ways. You’ll leave their two-and-half-hour session with your own hand-roasted bag of beans, specially designed for whatever method of coffee drinking you enjoy at home, but if you want to try new flavors then a recommended coffee would be an 11 oz colombian whole bean coffee for a nice bold cup of amazing flavors.
Price Range: ££
Location: Glandford, Norfolk, NR25 7JP
Bookings: Online at Grey Seal Coffee Roasters
Veganism is very much in fashion at the moment, and even the carnivorous among us can understand why: it’s often an ethical, environmentally friendly way to eat and the restrictions necessitate creativity with the dishes. Amandines manages to create animal-free food with style and flair, serving up vegan and vegetarian dishes that will make the mouth of any hardened carnivore water. The menu changes regularly according to the produce they source from local farms, but expect hearty dishes like vegetable chilli, goat’s cheese quiches and multi-coloured salads. Alternatively, just enjoy Amandines as a café, having a cup of coffee in the cosy, red-brick courtyard.
Price Range: £
Location: Norfolk House Courtyard, St Nicholas St, Diss IP22 4LB
Bookings: Call 01379 640449
The elegant Jacobean exterior of Wiveton Hall hides an interior of brightly coloured dining areas and art galleries, as well as a shop of produce taken straight from the mansion’s extensive gardens. The café serves food grown at the estate and caters to all tastes and requirements. In season, you can wander through the farm and pick strawberries, meeting the various animals that live in the grounds as you go. The on-site shop allows you to take a taste of Wiveton’s home with you.
Price Range: ££
Location: Wiveton Hall, 1 Marsh Ln, Wiveton, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7TE
Bookings: Online at Wiveton Hall
There is quality and care put into everything that the Dial House serves, from their own personal blend of coffee beans to the meticulously sourced ingredients. The hearty menu takes inspiration from all over the world, using seasonal produce as the launching point for dishes like Moroccan lamb with quinces, squash pangrattato and a ragout of duck legs. For a quintessentially English experience, head to the Dial House on a Sunday for a roast dinner, slow-cooked in the kitchen’s aga. Have a pint or two of locally brewed beer to accompany your big lunch.
Price Range: £
Location: 7 The Market Place, Reepham NR10 4JJ
Bookings: Online at The Dial House
Grey Seal Coffee Roaster – Norfolk
Overlooking the marshes of Brancaster Slaithe, a large part of the White Horse’s appeal is simply the views you will enjoy while dining on the terrace. Thankfully, the beauty of the location is matched by the quality of the food. The awards-laden restaurant serves food straight from the sea on your doorstep, offering trout, mussels and shellfish, depending on what time of year you visit; you can even watch fishermen bringing in the catch as you eat. For those who prefer meat or vegetarian food to fish, then expect to feast on hearty dishes like potted rabbit and kale couscous.
Price Range: ££
Location: Main Road, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk PE31 8BY
Bookings: Online at The White Horse
Hickman’s is all about honest-to-goodness flavours. The meat and fish are sourced from the farms and seas of Norfolk, so you know the produce is fresh, and they are served with carefully chosen accompaniments like quail with pearl barley and lamb with a caviar, pepper and potato terrine. Accompanying each course is a recommended wine list to bring the flavours to life even further.
Price Range: £££
Location: 79 Upper St Giles St, City Centre, Norwich NR2 1AB
Bookings: Online at Roger Hickman’s Restaurant or Call 01603 633522
Creake Abbey is a dining establishment that comes with its own smokehouse. All the free range, local pork served in the dishes is smoked using the Abbey’s traditional recipes, which gives the meals flavours that you won’t find anywhere else. You can dine on these meats for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the café, or buy some to take home with you from the food hall. When eating at Creake Abbey, be sure to stop by the titular ruins – a spectacular monastic complex that dates back to 1206.
Price Range: ££
Location: North Creake, Norfolk NR21 9LF
Bookings: Email bookings@creakeabbeycafe.com or call 01328 730399
A traditional pub with an arty twist – upon first inspection you’ll find the trademark vibes of a local pub: original features, fireplace (complete with large elk head), and dark wood furnishings. But this thriving country house hotel also houses a great selection of modern art from top artists such as Lucian Freud and Tracey Emin. Eat your tasty, locally-sourced meals while admiring the adorned walls, and afterwards enjoy the surroundings of Gunton – a 1000-acre deer park.
Price Range: ££
Location: Cromer Road, Thorpe Market, Norfolk NR11 8TZ.
Bookings: Email or call 01263 832010
The Gunton Arms
The county of Norfolk is the inspiration for the dishes served in the Ingham Swan, a traditional inn that turn out gourmet food with a real aesthetic flair. Dine on one of their tasting menus so you can try a wide selection of haute-cuisine courses. Over seven dishes, you can experience seasonal delights that could include sautéed wild mushrooms, shellfish bisque and garlic and artichoke velouté, each served in a manner that looks as good it tastes.
Price Range: ££
Location: Sea Palling Road, Ingham, Norwich, UK NR12 9AB
Bookings: Email info@theinghamswan.co.uk or call 01692 581099
Norfolk’s foodie scene has so much more to offer – we could have gone on for hours with this food and drink experiences list! But why not see for yourself? If your appetite has been whetted for a foodie holiday to Norfolk you’ll need somewhere to stay, so why not talk to one of our helpful concierge team? They can help you narrow down your options so you get the perfect place, as well as answering any questions about any aspect of your booking.
Want more holiday inspiration? There’s loads more great blogs and articles to read, including our best group activities in Norfolk if you’re thinking of travelling with friends, some amazing kid friendly activities if you’re taking the family, and a round up of more foodie experiences.
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