Family Places to Eat in Norwich
Family Places to Eat in Norwich
by Katie Thompson
As a city packed with cafes, restaurants and market stalls all boasting mouthwatering menus, it comes as no surprise that Norwich has a brilliant selection of family places to eat!
Travel the world with an array of continental flavours. From you-can’t-go wrong authentic Italian pizza to tasty waffles drizzled in syrup, creamy gelato, and crispy fish and chips. Not to mention their first experience of zingy Asian dishes.
Pair that with a warm welcome, relaxed atmosphere and tasty plates specially made for small bellies, every member of the family is sure to enjoy themselves.
These are our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in Norwich!
Bowling House
Test your skills on the bowling alley before feasting on the food at Bowling House
Everyone loves a game or two of bowling, right? At Bowling House, you can enjoy a little family-friendly competition (pre-8pm) on their retro-inspired alleys (which are actually shorter than usual, perfect for little arms), bumpers, ramps and lighter balls available, before tucking in to their moreish menu (children’s deals from £14).
While parents feast on nachos, wings and more, little ones can get stuck into meatballs or a pint-sized Bowling House burger, followed by an ice cream sundae, brownie or waffle. Yum!
And we suggest looking out for special family offers, like Kids Eat Free, particularly during half terms!
The Waffle House
Customise your waffle with fresh fruit, chocolate sauce and more
At this Norwich institution, it really is all about waffles. The Waffle House is known for their fantastic selection of sweet and savoury combinations, from Cajun pulled pork to cherry Bakewell.
And their children’s menu is no different- you can customise your very own mini waffle with a choice of toppings! Choose two savouries from the likes of baked beans, bolognese or tuna mayo. For dessert, a sweet bowl awaits. Opt for vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream, finished with a flourish of sliced banana, chocolate sauce and more!
Yalm
With 8 kitchens at your fingertips, what dish will you choose?
Yalm is ideal for family-friendly dining when parents don’t want to compromise on a delicious meal either! With 8 kitchens to choose from, there are plenty of options for every age and taste, from infants to teenagers.
Settle into your seat and browse plates from Italy to Spain, Mexico to Thailand. Expect dedicated children’s dishes like Nxxds’ Kids’ Ramen (without the chilli) alongside reliable (and mouthwatering) plates of pasta from Eric’s or chilli con carne from Baha. It would be rude not to finish with a crepe from Christophe’s!
Grosvenor Fish Bar
Tuck in together to award-winning chips at Grosvenor Fish Bar
You can’t go wrong with fish and chips, especially award-winning fish and chips! Grosvenor Fish Bar boasts a fantastic menu, with sea bass, crab, squid and more alongside classics like haddock, goujons and whitebait.
When you’re visiting as a family, we recommend eating in in their cool downstairs space. Children can enjoy a meal of fish cake, sausage, chicken nuggets or cod bites with chips and a juice, or why not share a freshly fried cod with a side of chips and mushy peas? And a chip butty is never a bad idea.
Saporita
You can’t go wrong with a freshly made slice of Saporita’s pizza
From the original Margherita to an indulgent Formaggi and spicy Lucifero, Saporita’s fresh, handmade pizza is the epitome of authentic Italian street food. Even better, it’s all natural, so there’s no reason not to tuck into a second piece!
Saporita’s pizza slices are bigger than you expect, so one makes the perfect meal for children, while parents can mix and match- we recommend the MeBrusaElCul with nduja and buffalo mozzarella. Or together, you can all enjoy a whole pizza with the topping of your choice. Just remember to keep room for the dolce fiocchi– these Neapolitan small ‘snowflake’ pastries are as light as air!
Cafe Gelato
Treat yourself to a scoop (or two or three or four) at Cafe Gelato and you can thank us later
It’s safe to say you’re never too old for ice cream (and it’s never too cold for us either here at VisitNorwich)! Even more so when it’s Cafe Gelato’s authentic Italian flavours. Just one scoop is a real treat- creamy and handmade with local ingredients. Although there’s always the option to enjoy up to four!
For little ones, classics are taken to the next level with Madagascan vanilla, Norfolk strawberry, zingy lemon and dark chocolate sorbet. Or if you want to try something new (and that goes for the adults, too), we love a scoop of cheesecake, stracciatella, tiramisu or mango.
Slice + Dice
What could be better than an afternoon playing board games, accompanied by tasty food at Slice + Dice?
At Slice + Dice, you can really make an afternoon of it. With such a wonderful selection of games for all ages and abilities, you’ll soon while away a few hours! (Or you can come just for the food!)
If you’re in need of a little energy boost between games, Slice + Dice’s menu has plenty to munch on- it’s all 100% plant-based and super tasty, too. Share a plate of nuggets, house fries or nachos, or go for mains like pesto pasta and burritos. For dessert? We can’t decide between the chocolate cherry cookie dough or deep friend Oreos!
Labyrinth
Labyrinth was made with children and families in mind- that goes for their menu too!
Labyrinth is a venue with families in mind. During the week, it’s a popular play cafe; at weekends, a go-to for laser tag. The play cafe caters to youngsters under 5, with soft play, toys, a movie shed and more, while laser tag is brilliant for family time or birthdays.
The menu has a great selection, no matter how adventurous your children’s tastes are. From stone baked pizzas (in half 12” and 12” sizes) to panini, loaded fries and small meals like toasties, lunch boxes and even a baby snack tray.
Pho
From noodles to curries to rice, Pho offers flavourful Vietnamese dishes for everyone
Pho is popular for Asian flavours. Bringing a slice of Vietnam to the City of Stories, their menu boasts a great choice of noodle, curry and rice dishes, ranging from mild to spicy depending on your preference. Here, slurping is encouraged!
If you’re introducing your little ones to different cuisines, Pho’s children’s menu encompasses smaller versions of their popular classics. There’s mini pho, wok-fried or bun noodles, chicken ca-ri or pork meatballs and the choice of ice cream, fruit or a banana fritter for afters!
COSMO
Whether it’s Japanese or Italian, teppanyaki or tiramisu, COSMO has a myriad of worldwide dishes
Looking for variety? COSMO will take you around the world with their popular all-you-can-eat buffet. For families, there’s an abundance of choice, whether you prefer a hearty meal or ‘picky bits’.
From a Mediterranean-inspired deli to Italian pizza and pasta, Chinese pancakes and stir fries, and Indian curries. And if it’s a craving for Japanese, be sure to check out their exciting Teppanyaki grill! Then indulge in their dessert selection- try New York cheesecake before bite-sized cakes and the anticipation of the chocolate fountain.
Middletons
Middletons always welcomes families into their relaxed restaurant
Conveniently located in the city centre, Middletons is a relaxed restaurant that’s perfect for a family meal after the cinema or a day in Norwich. Look out for their special offers- including Kids Eat Free!
Middletons are known for their juicy grills, whether it’s gammon, chicken, ribs or steak, as well as their gravy-smothered roasts. And if you’re indulging in 3 courses, there’s garlic bread with mozzarella and calamari to start and sticky toffee, fondant and banoffee pie for pudding. There’s also a dedicated children’s menu which offers 3 courses for less than £10!
