by Katie Thompson
Ask any local the best place in our fine city for street food and they’ll tell you Norwich Market. Your trip to the City of Stories isn’t complete without visiting this iconic award-winning spot! You can’t miss it- centrally located with eye-catching multicoloured rooves, chances are you’ll smell the market’s enticing aromas before you see it!
As the largest permanent covered market in Europe, there’s something for everyone- and it’s not just food either. Tempt your taste buds with global flavours before browsing vintage fashion, second-hand books, plants and flowers, fresh produce and more. It’s hard to know where to start. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to everything Norwich Market has to offer. Keep reading to find out!
(Top tip: keep an eye out for exciting pop-up stalls throughout the year!)
Norwich Market is a must-visit for the city’s street food
They say you eat with your eyes and that’s certainly true here. But we could also say you also eat with your nose. A trip to Norwich Market is an aromatic sensation of worldwide cuisines, from authentic Mexican tacos to zingy bao buns, freshly cooked noodles and everything in between.
If we had to choose, they’d all be our favourites, but our top picks include Bodega, for incredible New York-style stacked sandwiches (don’t leave without tasting the Parmageddon) and Bun Box for traditional Japanese-inspired fare. If you’re in the mood for a warming meal, opt for Papa Mombassa’s chillies or Indian Feast’s vegetarian curry, or for traditional fish and chips, you can’t go wrong with Lucy’s.
Make an afternoon or evening of it with a cherry beer at Sir Toby’s Beers. This continental beer shop and bar is the ideal people-watching spot to take in the buzz of Norwich Market while pairing your food with a refreshing pint.
Or why not take a bottle of wine home from specialists Substrata? This team of brothers only stock wine they’ve tasted and loved, so a recommendation from them is guaranteed to be good- and you’ll be supporting local vineyards!
There are plenty of options for a sweet treat
It’s safe to say anyone with a sweet tooth will be satisfied exploring Norwich Market. The real question is ‘where to try first?’.
In the summer, make your way to Apricity for a Mr Whippy or Lakenham Creamery (a Norwich Market staple since the 1930s) for a scoop of raspberry ripple. And you can’t go wrong with brownie stacks, cookies, cheesecake and milkshakes at Chocolate Bar Baker!
For something new, try a bubble waffle at Hi Thai or a mango mochi at Double Trees Baking. Or if you’re in need of a sugar rush, Churros for the People fry fresh churros, sprinkled in sugar and drizzled in chocolate sauce, right before your eyes!
There’s nothing better than fresh fruit and veg from a local supplier
Here in Norfolk, we’re proud of our county’s produce and the best way to sample it for yourself is to head to Norwich Market! (It’s even a go-to for Chef Patron Richard Bainbridge of local fine-dining restaurant Benedicts.)
Start with the essentials at CJ’s Fruit and Veg or Mike, Debs and Sons for fresh fruit and vegetables- be ready for a burst of flavour! Then make your way to Paul’s Family Butchers for homemade burgers and sausages (perfect for barbecue weather) and City Fish for fresh and smoked fish, including Cromer crab.
And to bring it all together? Make a stop at Herbs and Spices and The Orient Express to give your dish a kick, with a stop at The Cheeseman for an after-dinner treat.
Norwich Market is a haven for vintage lovers
Norwich Market is a great destination for any fashion lover after affordable, sustainable and unique pieces- this is where you’ll find some of the city’s most popular vintage.
Head straight to the back of the market where you’ll encounter Taxi and Lovering & Co. Taxi Vintage is one of our top picks thanks to their fabulous array of mens- and womenswear from the ‘40s to the ‘90s. If you’re in need of a denim jacket or dungarees, you’re in the right place. Next door, Lovering & Co. boasts a hand-picked selection of vintage and retro clothing and accessories, including labels like Levis, Lacoste, and Barbour.
You’ll smell and see the beautiful blooms at Cary’s Flowers
There’s nothing like making a space your own. So, during your visit to Norwich Market, make a beeline for Cary’s Flowers. As the market’s longest-running stall, this family-run florist’s beautiful blooms will bring joy to any interior, whether you’re after a bunch of tulips or a bouquet centrepiece.
And if a succulent is more your thing, pay a visit to Planted, whose array of indoor plants, pots and books will entice any plant parent.
Bring a little tranquillity into your home with incense from Sixth Scents or a Norfolk-made candle from For the Love of Norfolk, whose fragrances take inspiration from our county’s coastline.
For repairs, souvenirs and more, Norwich Market is the place to go
Once you’ve treated yourself to everything Norwich Market has to offer, take note of the many stalls here to help you with the practicalities.
If you prefer repairing over buying new, head to Shoes and Keys if you need shoes fixed, resoled or a new pair of laces and The Watch Repair Shop for new batteries and straps. Elsewhere, PDP Fashions and Alterations can tailor your clothing (or curtains!) to your needs.
And to remember your trip to Norwich Market, treat yourself to a souvenir from Harvey’s Cards & Souvenirs– you can’t go wrong with a tea towel or a postcard!
