by Katie Thompson
Here in Norwich, there’s no denying our love of food and drink. This is where cocktails are drunk to the sound of DJs in an Art Nouveau arcade, you can devour donburi bowls in a medieval market, and higgledy piggledy pubs are packed with the latest local craft brews.
With our itinerary you can taste the best Norwich has to offer! There’s fresh local produce, worldwide flavours and tempting aromas around every corner. This food-filled weekend will let you savour every second in our fine city. Is your mouth watering yet?
Keep reading for our foodies itinerary in Norwich!
Where to Eat in Norwich | Best Roasts | Best Afternoon Teas | Best Brunches | Fine Dining | Food & Drink Experiences | Eat on a Budget
Beer, Sausage Roll & Pastry walking tour (we kid you not!)
Yalm, a contemporary food hall
Street food and Sir Toby’s Beers on a medieval market
Award-winning local produce in an independent department store
Beforenoon Tea (think afternoon tea for breakfast)
Whether traditional, sweet, savoury or vegetarian, The Waffle House is a wonderful spot for breakfast!
We always recommend arriving early to make the most of your visit here. This time, make sure to keep room for all the delicious dishes you’re going to tuck into too!
Set yourself up for the day with brunch at The Waffle House on St Giles Street. This unique cafe-restaurant has been a mainstay in the Norwich Lanes for over 45 years and it’s not hard to see why! Specialising in- you guessed it- waffles, each one is prepared from scratch!
For brunch (served until 12pm), there are traditional flavours like The Big English- paired with a freshly squeezed orange juice. Or there’s a halloumi and hash stack for veggies. Whilst the chocolate and honeycomb mousse is a VisitNorwich go-to.
Browse Jarrolds’ brilliant food hall before an exciting food-themed tour with Cheryl Cade
Now you’re ready to embrace what Norwich has to offer, head down St Giles Street towards Jarrolds. Our flagship independent department store is a must-visit when you’re in our fine city. Enter through their London Street entrance and head downstairs to Jarrolds’ fabulous food hall.
Grab a basket as you peruse shelves stacked with local wines, beers and spirits to preserves, condiments, chocolate and cheese. Their deli display is a mouthwatering selection of sweet treats, flaky pastries and savoury nibbles!
For the main event, treat yourself to a Cheryl Cade food tour! Cheryl’s an award-winning tour guide, so it’s safe to say you’re in the right hands. We suggest her Beer, Sausage Roll & Pastry tour. It’s four hours, five venues, five beers and five pastries (including at least three sausage rolls)! Starting in Tombland, Cheryl will take you on a journey packed with tales of Norwich’s rich history, through the Lanes and to our 900-year-old market.
Take note: Tombland is home to the Maids Head Hotel. As the oldest place of hospitality in the country, it would be rude not stay here, right? Especially when you can sample some of Norfolk’s best ales before heading up to your very own four-poster bed!
Yalm is a buzzing food hall- keep an eye out for their events!
End your day on a high at Yalm. Housed in our beautiful Art Nouveau Royal Arcade, this buzzing food hall is perfect for any palette thanks to its selection of global kitchens. Think freshly made pasta, steaming bowls of ramen, juicy grilled meats and zingy fish tacos. If you time it right, there might be a DJ to dance the night away to!
The Details:
Brunch: The Waffle House, Monday – Sunday.
Dinner: Yalm, Tuesday – Sunday.
Visit: Jarrolds, Monday – Sunday
Do: Cheryl Cade’s Beer Sausage Roll and Pastry Tour, £53pp, select dates.
Stay: Maids Head Hotel, 2 adults from £130 per night.
How to make breakfast super special? Beforenoon Tea at The Assembly House!
After an indulgent night’s sleep, you’ll wake feeling re-energised ready for another day full of tasty promise!
As the most important meal of the day, head to The Assembly House for breakfast. This Georgian gem is known for its incredible themed teas, so this is the perfect opportunity to try something new.
Enter Beforenoon Tea (served daily, 9am – 11am)- a breakfast to be reckoned with. Start with a small fry-up, eggs benedict or smoked haddock souffle, before three tiers of breakfast-themed treats. Make your way from the bottom up, from the all-important cheese scone to a cornflake jam tart. Yum! And if you can’t quite fit it all in, there are boxes to take any cakes home for later!
Treat yourself to some incredible street food on Norwich Market
While you’re here, explore our storied streets. Head towards Norwich Castle (recently re-opened following a £27.5 million renovation) and see if you can spot the visitors looking down from the battlements above?
From here, use Norwich Cathedral’s towering spire as your guide to our characterful Cathedral Quarter. Head through quaint Cathedral Close towards the River Wensum for a peaceful walk beneath weeping willows, explore the Harry Potter-esque monastic cloisters of our Romanesque cathedral or make your way towards cobbled Elm Hill. It’s the most complete medieval street in the city- and straight out of a fairytale!
Follow your nose back to Norwich Market for a late lunch. With many a stall serving enticing dishes like curries, chillies, New York-style sandwiches, albondigas and more, one of the best ways to experience the market is by trying a bit of everything. You won’t regret it- we promise!
End your visit right- with a cherry beer from Sir Toby’s Beers
And if you’re heading home by train (or perhaps you’re in the passenger seat), stay on the market to soak in Norwich’s afternoon buzz at Sir Toby’s Beers. This continental beer bar and bottle shop is the perfect people watching spot. Experience the latest craft beers from across the world, local real ales from East Anglia and we suggest trying their famous cherry beer- it packs a fruity punch!
The Details:
Breakfast: The Assembly House, Monday – Sunday.
Late Lunch: Norwich Market, days and times vary for individual stalls, Monday – Sunday.
Afternoon Refreshment: Sir Toby’s Beers, Monday – Sunday.
