Top 5 Norfolk Food & Drink: Must-Try Local Gems

Norfolk, that big, beautiful county in East Anglia, is actually more than just pretty coastlines and picturesque Broads; very frankly, it’s truly a treasure trove of fantastic food and drink experiences, and too it’s almost, just a bit, one of the U.K.’s top foodie locations. You know, with a really stunning combination of fresh seafood from the North Sea, locally farmed produce from really quite rich agricultural land, and a brewing heritage that is quite historic, Norfolk is, in fact, basically, like your, very able to offer something to tickle everyone’s tastebuds, and that is it. We’re talking everything from fancy fine dining affairs to really pretty cosy gastropubs. Anyway, so, right then, finding the real gems in Norfolk can just be a bit tricky, but that’s where this handy guide comes in; at the end of the day, like, you’re going to find my hand-picked selection of top spots that definitely provide memorable eats and treats. Here are places where the locals, those discerning food fans, actually, often, seemingly like to hang out – now that is good for you too.

1. The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market

The Gunton Arms is certainly somewhere a little bit special, nestled in, more or less, Gunton Park, that is very beautiful, so the setting here itself really makes a grand impact, right, yet there is plenty more besides. This isn’t really your, actually, sort of, usual pub, and in some respects it comes as really not that surprising. The Gunton Arms offers, basically, extremely delicious food and drinks plus really beautiful art – you know, just really exceptional quality all round; that really should have you sitting up to take note. So, in other words, it’s basically part pub, yet part really fashionable, kind of hip art gallery. Any way, the parkland around the pub also happens to host herds of, just a bit, pretty tame deer, so, like your, view comes with extra wholesome interest. Head Chef, Stuart Tattersall, and Simone, the landlord’s wife, and also an art dealer, combine their skills with style in this interesting gastropub, to be honest. Simone has basically provided the impressive artwork around the walls, so, okay, while Stuart basically keeps the cooking focused on interesting local seasonal fare.

When it comes to the menu, think, arguably, delicious venison from the surrounding estate, cooked over a fire pit for full-on depth of flavour, plus really freshly caught seafood from the Norfolk coast, naturally. The atmosphere is relaxed, I mean definitely very friendly, just like your, local’s local, but with that air of cultured sophistication in a way; basically, anyway, The Gunton Arms definitely gives that feeling of treating yourself in style – and yes, there is all that surrounding magnificent parkland there too, seriously! In fact, basically, The Gunton Arms is, in other words, really an unmissable visit when, arguably, you are actually checking out Norfolk, and you might very, very well think so too.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (The Gunton Arms)

2. Benedicts, Norwich

Looking for somewhere really special to try in Norwich? I am honestly so here to recommend Benedicts. So, naturally, chef patron Richard Bainbridge really, literally, steers the ship at Benedicts. And what Bainbridge provides is genuinely fantastic modern British food in this particularly relaxed setting, to be honest. It’s been gathering a few awards along the way, to be honest; I mean this really might tell you all that you could really do with very immediately, just saying. That, arguably, makes it extremely really ideal for anyone, you know, looking for the somewhat finer dining experiences, certainly. But still, naturally, wanting to kick back in comfortable surrounds, right. Head on over to St Benedicts Street, in Norwich City Centre, very frankly. A few people very, very, fairly consider Benedicts as “something really good”, so, honestly, the popularity is continuing to, like your, rise! The awards for service, for this brilliant food, like your, stunning tasting menu are well-earned and really deserved, to be honest.

Richard really shows a genuine love of top quality local produce, you know, like your, meat from very local farms, freshly harvested vegetables and a quite impressive collection of East Anglian cheeses on display; he likes his food to support this immediate area and that should definitely be commended in every respect too. Any way, the presentation looks elegant too, yet you’ll find no annoying pretensions there, not, naturally, at all. Arguably, actually, this particular experience really, really provides truly fabulous value. To be honest, Norwich just tends to, like your, grow on people that like food, because you are, in fact, able to uncover interesting independent establishments really close to one another – that can be a lot of fun; the restaurant really suits a visitor’s mood that, actually, already suits a tour. Benedicts provides, basically, anyway, that real impression of relaxed, refined charm.

Read our full review: Benedicts Full Review and Details

3. Adnams Store & Cafe, Southwold (Suffolk, just south of Norfolk)

Okay, slightly cheating on the location with this one, right. So, in other words, Southwold happens to be, just really close to the Norfolk border in neighbouring Suffolk; naturally this definitely warrants inclusion – a tiny skip over that border and the trip is pretty seamless to Adnams’ HQ in Southwold; I feel quite confident with that. Honestly, Southwold really exudes a, sort of, rather gorgeous kind of quaintness with this very gorgeous kind of coast to it that is quite amazing to fully appreciate. Adnams has been actually producing brilliant beer and spirits here for, in fact, very nearly 150 years. Their rather flagship store allows punters to just sample from this pretty tremendous product range plus, in short, you, like your, discover locally sourced goodies.

You are more or less, literally, really able to grab bottles, gifts and also homewares. You might literally take a moment or so in the on-site café which has just plenty for even, you know, the most avid people watcher to savour. Now, the really, totally excellent tip has to be just taking an Adnams brewery tour. This basically tells the fascinating Adnams story, too it’s almost; like your, knowledge just enhances really greatly the very pleasant sipping of those beautiful brews. I’m saying so because I genuinely feel very confident you’ll genuinely lap up the experience.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Adnams Store and Cafe)

4. The Moorings, Blakeney

Blakeney, like your, on the absolutely breath-taking North Norfolk coast, provides an amazing coastal setting and this attracts really avid seafood devotees from, very frankly, all over the shop – well, all over Norfolk, at any rate; right then, onto Moorings itself. This actually sits at the centre of all that interest here, definitely. That basically is it for an eatery famed really specifically for serving brilliantly tasty, sort of, ultra-fresh seafood that is sourced straight from the boats bobbing about just out on the quay, yet more than this too.

Naturally the Moules Marinière makes an amazing impression and the Cromer crab salad has genuine character too – that’s more or less definitely to be recommended; the Cromer crab, though very common on local menus, has, anyway, plenty of local prestige value because they provide stunning fresh flavour. This kind of reputation has a very genuinely high appeal rating, apparently, to, really, naturally, local Norfolk folk and visiting tourists and it’s arguably worth exploring that you too very soon see what is all about. It might, in fact, come across a, sort of, fairly popular spot; do, perhaps, allow time to absorb, well, naturally, a really splendid, lovely quayside stroll, and it can genuinely bring on your appetite.

Read our full review: The Moorings Full Review and Details

5. Woodforde’s Brewery, Woodbastwick

Let’s visit Woodforde’s Brewery! Here’s somewhere pretty crucial when exploring Norfolk’s drinks side – for very apparent reasons. Found, literally, pretty nearby Woodbastwick, down near the Broads, and quite historic, basically; the brewery is genuinely, really well thought of – a big deal when you think about it, I do often wonder that, so now I am mentioning it. Actually, they produce brilliant ales and these are frequently, honestly, poured in a vast number of Norfolk pubs and beyond; you know, that just makes their presence literally, just slightly pervasive! With, really, too much charm you might just start thinking that even their ordinary session bitter tastes quite lovely and you’ll like that quite a bit. Head along and take the brewery tour and enjoy the sampling for that truly full-bodied experience.

Naturally The Fur & Feather Inn really stands at Woodforde’s centre, and as you are already there this feels absolutely ideal as a calling point to have food or some beers – now then, that makes a lot of perfect sense, I am thinking that might genuinely cross your mind quite soon; like your, meals basically celebrate seasonal and local ingredients and, basically, actually, perfectly complementing these fantastic ales and beers, I would just so, seriously, encourage that plan very considerably.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Woodforde’s Brewery)