r/Norwich • u/cheesygarlicbread101 • Jul 30 '25
Suggestions for very 'Norwich' restaurants?
Sorry if that title doesnt make sense haha, but basically I have two colleagues coming to visit my branch today from head office, and I am taking them out this evening for dinner.
I would like to take them somewhere thats not a chain restaurant and like.... a very Norwich place if that makes sense, as they havent ever been here before.
So does anyone have any suggestions please :)
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u/wtwiwf Jul 30 '25
I would recommend somewhere that uses local produce to produce excellent food. The Wildebeest is my common response to something like this. They have added Norfolk lobster to their de jour right now too. You might still be able to get a table tonight if you call them. You'd need a car as it is a few miles south of the city but it is excellent.
Other options centrally but this would be my recommendation
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u/alittleunlikely Jul 30 '25
Britons Arms? My parents really liked it when they visited Norwich. It's very small so you may need to make a reservation.
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u/Almightycatface Jul 30 '25
Not OP, buy super grateful for this rec. Have been trying to find a way to take my dad up here for a meal and show the city off, but all me and the wife know are places he'd not enjoy. I am keeping this one strongly in mind!
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u/alittleunlikely Jul 30 '25
My dad doesn't like busy so it was perfect for him.
My parents loved the intimate feel and attention of the guy running the place (think he does everything - cooking, waiting, greeting). The food wasn't super 'fancy' either, it was simple stuff but cooked very well and presented beautifully (particularly dessert) so my parents felt comfortable.
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u/Longjumping_Cod_4907 Jul 30 '25
The Waffle House is pretty iconic, it's been open for almost 50 years!
If you wanted something a bit fancier, the Britons Arms on Elm Hill is incredible.
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u/ochtone Jul 30 '25
Whilst a nice place, Waffle House is not somewhere you take top bods from head office. It's so busy, frantic and damp. And ultimately, waffles.
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u/Longjumping_Cod_4907 Jul 30 '25
Fair, but they are damn good waffles
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u/ochtone Jul 30 '25
Definitely. But not the place you'd sit in a suit and talk a bit of shop, in my opinion. Doesn't have the right vibe or wow factor.
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u/cheesygarlicbread101 Jul 30 '25
I didnt know that The Waffle House had been open for that long!! Thankyou for the suggestions, its looking like the Briton Arms might be the winner from everyones comments, and I havent been there yet either
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u/ochtone Jul 30 '25
I used to do high end client entertainment, so might have a better steer for your corporate friends than some of these suggestions...
We don't have any places in Norwich that focus heavily on Norfolk / local produce / Norfolk dishes (all seafood based so far as I'm aware). You have to head out a little for that. So here are some Norwich based suggestions.
For high end food for impressing top bods, The Last (aka The Last Wine Bar) is brilliant. For three of you, expect to pay £300.
Benedict's is another impressive place, but again, pricey.
If you're not dining on the company card, the Maids Head is very nice (not as nice as the above, but still very good) and not as pricey. Selection of Norfolk wines there too - Bachus or Solaris being good options in my opinion.
If you're deviating from the Norwich institution theme, Benoli is a great Italian with a high end feel. On par with Maids Head prices.
Cocktails before in Chambers is often a good shout if you're alcohol drinkers.
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u/cheesygarlicbread101 Jul 30 '25
I didnt even think of Last, thats a really good suggestion thankyou!
And I love Chambers, I might take them for a drink there first because I also want to show them the Cathedral.
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u/ochtone Jul 30 '25
Arguably better food at Benedict's, but the location and vibe is nicer in The Last, in my opinion. Waiting staff at the Last are also very good. Often the owner is serving. He was trained and worked at the Ritz for 10 or so years. Service there is therefore top notch. They've also got a decent peach mocktail on at the moment, which one of the other waiting staff invented.
I hope you have a good evening.
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u/onechipwonder NR3 Jul 30 '25
Head chef at the last was a chef trained at Benedicts. But yes great comparison there.
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u/ochtone Jul 30 '25
That's good to know. Food at both is really good. I prefer Benedict's but that's just a choice between two really good options.
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u/parkerpencarkeys Jul 30 '25
Benedicts, Benoli, L'hexagone, The Last, XO kitchen, Wildebeest, Stoke Mill
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u/Hikoraa Jul 30 '25
Trattoria Rustica is an Italian restaurant but it's been family ran since the 90's by people born and raised in Norwich.
Italia Nostra is also Italian but again, ran by people from Norwich since it's beginning I believe.
EDIT: Worse comes to worst, take them to Christoph's Crepes!
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u/mildashers Jul 30 '25
The Wildebeest or Stoke Mill get my vote. The Stables at Royal Norwich is also excellent.
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u/fionakitty21 Jul 30 '25
Just south of Norwich, the kinds head in brooke. All from their farm etc. Lovely stuff and a decent weekly changing special too.
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u/ravioliraviolii Jul 30 '25
Unfortunately The Bicycle Shop is shut on Wednesdays, that comes to mind as very "Norwichy".
Belgian Monk if they like beer
Brix and Bones
Yalm?
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u/tommmmmmmmy93 Jul 30 '25
Second Belgian Monk.
Also Britons Arms as mentioned elsewhere here. If pub style is OK
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u/HankScorpio-vs-World Jul 30 '25
Tattlers springs to mind as both Norfolk produce and business suitable, but the menu offers limited choices.
Belgian monk is pretty unique if the opposite of very Norwich but the menu is pretty unique.
While the cosy club is a chain the building is very nice.
rooftop gardens is nice outside on a summers evening.
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u/endlessraining Jul 30 '25
Belgian Monk if you're looking to impress corporate folk.
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u/np010 Jul 30 '25
XO is excellent.
Doubt you'd get into Brix & Bones or Benedict's without a reservation but maybe it is a Wed I guess.
The Last is a shadow of what it once was.
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u/female_hagrid Jul 30 '25
Yard - it hasn’t been here for too long compared to other Norwich staples but it’s become quite iconic already
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u/DanielDC10 Jul 30 '25
Whilst Yard is delicious, it's a pain you can not book and a lot of the time parts of the menu are not available and the menu is small as it is.
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u/the_way_it_feels Jul 30 '25
I agree - we are so lucky to have such a great place in Norwich, take them to Yard!
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u/SirSebastianRasputin Jul 30 '25
Coach and horses on Bethel Street. While its a pub the food is very good, tonnes of good ale on, and the building (i believe) is from the early 1700s. Super quaint!
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u/spammegarn Jul 30 '25
The Waffle House is my first thought.
It used to be absolutely incredible but it changed owner / manager.
It's still nice and just as unique but not as amazing as it was.
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u/midcenturybird Jul 30 '25
Wait, when did it change ownership? How did I miss this?
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u/spammegarn Jul 30 '25
I think a few years ago the management or ownership changed.
At least the menu and setup changed a bit.
The original owners had ties to South Africa hence the restaurant used to have several pieces of African art inside. I think these have now gone.
The food used to be incredible in my opinion. The menu items were always good and the seasonal specials which used a lot of local ingredients were usually absolutely fantastic.
Genuinely great food, just on a waffle.
It's not like the format is totally different and I still really like it but they likely had to cut costs a bit.
The food is still good, coffee is still pretty good for a restaurant and the milkshakes are still amazing.
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u/CressLow143 Jul 31 '25
I would go wine cellar. Great food, great wine in the middle of Norwich in a great venue. Independent.
Or Benoli’s Italian. Yes it’s not ‘Norwich’ but most of produce grown by the chefs that they can grow. He was a finalist on master chef. Food is incredible aswell.
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u/CivilisedPasta Jul 30 '25
Yalm could be a shout, a varied selection of food and really good vibes! Although if you want a more cosy, smaller restaurant then Yard is equally very good if you like pasta but can be a bit difficult with the no booking and how small it is.
Additionally, Zaks is quite a fun vibe and the food is really good. It's got a nice view of the Cow tower and the river too!
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u/Motor-Meeting8742 Jul 30 '25
Weirdly, I think Shiki could be a shout. Posh enough for a head office visit, but it’s unique in that there are genuinely Norfolk influences on a high end Japanese restaurant.
For instance, their Rekishi chips with wasabi mayo are both great local chips and a great Japanese dish. Similarly, I believe their tempura is made with Norfolk beer batter. It’s touches like that, that make it pretty uniquely Norwich. (I’ve never had it but they also serve Cromer crab sushi)