From authentic Italian pizza and Belgian waffles covered in an array of toppings, to delicious vegetarian dishes and refreshing, artisanal gelato, nearly every corner of the world has made its way and found a home in Norwich, bringing with them a taste of their culture and wonderful creations.
And with these vast and utterly delicious cuisines available right here in the City of Stories, there’s not many places better to visit for different tastes of the world. And best of all, they’re family-friendly too, with tasty meals for all ages accompanied by a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Norwich is the place for good food. Read on for our top picks for family-friendly places to eat.
But first, a true local classic, and a real taste of home for some – The Waffle House. It’s been serving up delicious dishes since 1978! So, for families visiting Norwich, you cannot miss out on a visit to this city-wide favourite. It’s even a regular haunt for Hollywood star, Hugh Jackman, when he makes a visit to Norwich.
Choose between sweet and savoury waffle house classics, from bang-bang chicken to rich dark Belgian chocolate mousse (which has been on the menu for years!). Or start your day right with their breakfast menu, featuring full English breakfasts and sweeter options like blueberry, maple, and pecan waffles. There’s no wrong choice, and they’re all so tasty. Plus, there’s a separate children’s menu (7yrs and under – waffles £3.95, sweet bowl £2.85, drink £1.50) with a list of toppings to create their own masterpiece, and plenty of alternatives for those with dietary requirements!
The Waffle House is a perfect destination in Norwich for a good family meal!
For flavourful, authentic Italian food, look no further than Saporita in the Norwich Lanes. This quaint restaurant offers light meals, including their locally renowned pizza, paninis, focaccia, and much more. Everything tastes so fresh, which is down to their totally natural, handmade cooking process. The family will love it. After all, everyone likes pizza.
As a small, family-run business, Saporita have pulled out all the stops to bring an Italian restaurant atmosphere to Norwich. You have to experience it for yourself. Walk through the door and feel transported to Italy, from the décor and music to the unbelievably good food. You’ll find yourself going back again and again.
Saporita serve deliciously authentic Italian in this quaint restaurant!
Who doesn’t love a good fish and chips for lunch or dinner? An institution of Norwich and one of the city’s finest chippy’s, Grosvenor Fish Bar (prices for £2.50 – chip butty – eat in; mushy peas £1.60) is the place to head. It’s got all the classics you’d expect to find, as well as an entire wall filled with unique dishes, most of which we’re almost certain you’ll have never tried anywhere else! It’s one of the best places to eat as a family with its quick and friendly service, and plentiful portions, perfect for sharing.
There’s also an underground seating area, which looks incredible, and is perfect for the family to rest their feet while enjoying a piping hot, fresh meal. You’d be mad to miss out on a trip to Grosvenor.
Grosvenor Fish Bar has been serving up delicious fish and chips for 100 years!
If you and the family can’t all settle on one place, who says you have to? You’re far from limited to just one cuisine at Yalm. In this indoor food hall, based in the Royal Arcade, you can find award-winning chefs in a huge range of creative kitchens, all representing different regions of the world. They’re all open kitchens too, creating a lively atmosphere!
There’s no need to book or wait to be seated, simply find yourself a table, scan the QR code, and choose from Italian, North African, Japanese, New York-inspired sandwiches, Steakhouse dishes, and delicious desserts. So, everyone can order exactly what they want, when they want it. Perfect.
When you visit Norwich, you’re never far from something creative and unique, like The Assembly House. Inside this gorgeous Georgian gem, designed in 1754, you can settle down under elegant chandeliers and towering paintings while you tuck into their famous, themed afternoon teas or even opt for breakfast with a twist from their ‘beforenoon tea’.
Historically, afternoon teas have had themes like the Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and many more. And each time, it’s incredible. Tuck into dainty finger sandwiches, savoury treats like Parmesan and Pistachio Biscuits, Assembly House scones, then the best bit – the cakes. Expect macarons, cupcakes, trifle, gateau opera, and other tasty additions centred around its theme. It’s an unbelievable experience for the family, with tea costing £29.50 per adult, and £18 per child under-12.
Or opt for the breakfast edition of these award-winning afternoon teas! They’re a wonderful start to the day. Tuck into a smaller version of The Assembly House’s hot breakfasts, plus three-tiers of breakfast treats served in the fashion of afternoon tea.
Can’t find room for it all? That’s no issue, The Assembly House can provide boxes so you can take home your goodies to enjoy again later. Beforenoon Tea is available from 9am – 11am daily, and costs £27.95 per person (children can share a tea or order from the regular breakfast menu, there is no child priced Beforenoon Tea). Book your Afternoon Tea or Beforenoon Tea on The Assembly House website!
The Assembly House’s Peter Pan afternoon tea is truly magical and a must-try!
Where better to take your family for a meal than the very place they treat you like family themselves? That’s the philosophy at Namaste Village, and trust us, it translates into their food. In this beautiful restaurant, you’ll find only vegetarian and vegan dishes, which carry complex, deep flavours. Plus, regardless of if you like to pour on the spice or keep it clear of your food, you can choose just how hot you like it here!
Take your pick from their vast menu, or go for something different and ask for their recommendations. No matter what you get, we’re sure you’ll love every bite. And for the meat eaters, you won’t miss it, trust us.
Namaste Village serve up the finest vegetarian Indian dishes for a healthy, delicious meal.
Giggling Squid is a great choice for a family meal. In fact, this Thai restaurant is built around the country’s mealtime tradition of sharing and enjoying food together. That means you can choose from their Thai tapas menu and order several small plates. Then, get to tasting more new and unique flavours than you would with just one dish! It’s the perfect way to discover something new.
Or if you’re set on having something of your own, you can choose between delicious dishes like their curries, noodles and stir fries, salads, and signature dishes such as soft shell pranee prawns, thai melting beef, drunken ribs, and much more!
The Giggling Squid is the place to go for a night of sharing, laughing, and enjoying good food.
If you’re looking to dine somewhere as comfortable as it is luxurious, Cosy Club is the place to be, especially for some fantastic options for the little ones. Prominently placed on the summit of London Street, you’ll find the gorgeous Cosy Club inside the renovated site of the former National Provincial Bank.
It’s open every day of the week and serves every meal from breakfast through to dinner from 9am – 10pm, so you can visit at any time that suits you best to find a huge range of delicious dishes. Plus, the value is fantastic across the board on the children’s menu, with breakfast available from £5.95 including a drink, and lunch/dinner from £7.25, also coming with a drink.
The stunning glass domed ceiling at Cosy Club makes for quite a view
Buttery soft, guilt-free, and a happy environment that’ll see you walking out more than satisfied – that’s the story of Cluck’d. Right at the bottom of Westlegate, you can’t miss this vibrant grilled chicken restaurant serving smiles, as well as their delicious range of chicken dishes.
Simply choose your style of chicken, with grilled chicken, burgers, and wraps available, pick your flavour and spice level, then enjoy. It’s easy, it’s quick, and it’s oh-so-good. For the kids, there’s even ‘Cluck’d Juniors’, which comes with a main, side, and a Fruit Shoot for just £5, which is value you’ll struggle to find anywhere else (especially when it’s so fresh and tasty!).
Have food your way at Cluck’d, do you dare go for their spiciest heat level?
Last, but definitely not least, you absolutely must make a visit to Café Gelato. It’s fantastic at anytime of year, but even better on those warmer days. In this Italian café, you can enjoy authentic, artisan gelato. For those who have never had gelato before, it’s similar to ice cream, but fluffier, tastier, and traditionally Italian.
Everything to come out of Café Gelato is exclusively made from fresh ingredients, like local milk, Norfolk strawberries, Sicilian pistachio, and the finest chocolate. Plus, there’s no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives! It’s the most refreshing cold treat you’ll ever have.
Here, you can find a different assortment of gelatos and vegan/dairy-free sorbets to choose from on a daily basis, from indulgent flavours like Nutella, to fresh flavours like peach! Stick to one flavour or go wild and mix and match across your number of scoops. No matter what, you’ll love it, and you might never go back to ice cream again!
What flavours will you choose at Café Gelato?
There you have it, some of the finest family-friendly restaurants around the City of Stories! Of course, there is tonnes more to discover here in Norwich – and it’s not just food (though, for more recommendations, be sure to check out our ‘Eat & Drink’ page). If you need help planning out your Easter this half-term, we’ve got some fantastic recommendations, check out our ‘Family Things to Do in Norwich this Easter’ blog here!
