by Katie Thompson
We’re the first to shout about Norwich’s food and drink scene– including amazing afternoon teas for when you’ve got a bit more room! When it comes to fantastic independent coffee or a mouthwatering slice (or slab, in some cases!) of cake, our fine city has so many great spots to choose from.
From slices of sponge with the perfect buttercream ratio to freshly baked flaky pastries and handmade traybakes piled high with toppings. Whether you’re a latte-lover, espresso enthusiast or cappuccino connoisseur, for elevenses or a mid-afternoon treat, it’ll be hard to say no.
So, if you’re a visitor who wants to sample Norwich’s best bakes or a local looking for a new favourite, keep reading for our top choices for the best coffee and cake in Norwich!
Logan’s isn’t just a great spot for sandwiches, but sweet treats too!
Not only is Logan’s one of the best sandwich shops in the city, it’s also a great place to stop for your mid-morning coffee and cake.
From frothy cappuccinos dusted with chocolate to a shot of espresso and even homemade hot chocolate, this is a popular spot for a warming drink, especially when it means there’s a sweet treat alongside. If you’re visiting Logan’s, keep an eye out for their themed specials- from a green and yellow Canaries cake to mini egg cookies, it’s ideal for trying something different!
Looking for a taste of Paris in Norwich? Try the pastries at Jarrolds’ Cafe Benji
As Norwich’s flagship independent department store, you can rest assured Jarrolds will have a fantastic selection of coffee and cake, no matter your preference.
From families to friends to solo travellers, The Pantry on floor 3 offers a comfortable and stylish interior, where you can tuck into homemade scones filled with fruit with your morning coffee. We suggest getting there when it opens (9.30am) to guarantee the best seat in the house looking out across Norwich Market!
On the lower ground floor (in Jarrolds’ incredible food hall), The Coffee Bar is made for any coffee connoisseur, where barista-style coffees, speciality teas and limited-edition drinks are the order of the day.
And if you’re looking for a something different, then you can enjoy Parisian-inspired patisserie in Cafe Benji on floor 1. Think buttery pastries and baked goods from the boulangerie, which wouldn’t look out of place on a Parisian terrasse.
Old meets now at Norwich Cathedral’s Refectory Cafe
Ask any Norwich native and chances are they’re a fan of Bread Source’s expertly laminated pastries and richly blended coffee. And when situated in the light and airy Refectory Cafe at Norwich Cathedral, you can’t go wrong! Fun fact: you’ll be eating on the same site as the original monks’ dining room!
This artisanal bakery takes pride in each product, including their own sustainable electric-roasted beans. Their huge (and we really mean huge) cinnamon buns are always a top pick, closely followed by their raspberry and pistachio swirls. (We know this is about coffee and cake, but if you’re a lover of savoury, make sure to try their sausage rolls!)
Macarons & More in the Royal Arcade crafts both tasty patisserie and eye-catching window displays
As well as being a beautiful architectural gem, Norwich’s Art Nouveau Royal Arcade is home to a wonderful selection of independents. That goes for cake and coffee spots, too.
Since 1999, Marmalades cafe has been serving the city with home baked muffins, pastries and more- a tasty accompaniment to your flat white while you admire your surroundings.
Meanwhile, Macarons & More specialises in, you might’ve guessed, macarons! And with flavours from milk chocolate and passionfruit to lemon and lavender, they truly are delicious. With a warming coffee in hand, their patisserie won’t last long!
Yalm’s Skippers bar is a cosy and stylish mid-morning snack spot
Yalm Foodhall is a popular foodie spot thanks to its multicultural kitchens. But did you know it’s also a great spot for your mid-morning pick-me-up?
Opening at 10am every day, your eye is drawn to the display at Skippers Bar opposite the entrance. Think freshly baked pastries- the pistachio croissant is popular- and fantastic (and slightly alternative) cakes by award-winning Norwich patisserie Figbar. A freshly brewed coffee (or a refreshing iced latte if the weather is warm) and a moist slice of saffron cake sounds like just the ticket!
The Sainsbury Centre’s Modern Life Cafe has lovely views and delicious food
When you want to mix your coffee with your love for culture, check out the Modern Life Cafe at the Sainsbury Centre.
With brilliant floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out onto the art museum’s Sculpture Park, this cafe is a buzzing, yet relaxed, spot that’s known for its enticing treats (and tasty lunches). With a strong emphasis on local and seasonal produce from East Anglia, we suggest a freshly brewed coffee and a gooey brownie (a VisitNorwich go-to).
At the other end of the museum is The Terrace, which has inside and outside seating looking across UEA’s gloriously green campus. This speciality coffee outlet is specifically designed with coffee fans in mind. They serve blends from award-winning roasters Square Mile and showcase a changing line-up of worldwide single origin filter coffee.
The Garden Cafe is a peaceful escape that also serves delicious coffee and cake
As one of the city’s hidden gems, The Cathedral of St John the Baptist’s Garden Cafe is a lovely place to enjoy your coffee and cake. This is particularly true in spring and summer, when the freshly cut lawn and well-manicured borders are bright with colour and buzzing with wildlife.
In the warm shade beneath your parasol (or in the light interior, part of the cathedral’s Narthex), escape from our bustling medieval streets for a second with a steaming coffee (or cooling iced latte) and sponge perfectly piped with velvety buttercream. Alongside homemade traybakes and scones, make sure to try their weekly specials, such as chocolate and cherry or apple crumble cake!
Coffee from The Little Red Roaster is ethically sourced and freshly roasted
If you’re out and about in the City of Stories, whether you’re shopping, working, or exploring, you might not have time to sit down. That’s where Norwich Market comes in.
As home to brilliant local food and drink stalls, you can make your afternoon snack your own. Mix and match sweet treats from the likes of The Chocolate Bar Baker (best for chocolate traybakes) or And Eat It (for cookie-based goods) with fresh roasts from ethically sourced The Little Red Roaster.
There are so many spots for coffee and cake in Norwich- including outside in the sun!
And while we can’t mention everywhere (as much as we might like to!), there’s always plenty of special mentions.
Cafe Royal at Norwich Theatre Royal opens nice and early for a coffee and freshly made scone, while John Lewis Norwich’s Benugo Cafe on Level 1 has a tempting selection of traditional choices. (Nearby Warings has an outside area on Westlegate, great for summer mornings where you can people watch as you sip on your drink in the sun.)
In the Lanes, there’s many a charming cafe to choose from. Bare Food Deli offers locally made treats, including raspberry crumble slices (yum!), while Biddy’s delights are served with a flourish of whipped cream and strawberries. At Cafe 33, homemade cakes are great for vegans, veggies, and meat-eaters alike and Cherry Leaf is a go-to for gluten free flavours, as well as sustainably sourced coffee that tastes as good as its credentials! If you need to takeaway, head to Cupcake & Co or The Cuppie Hut (which also caters to your pooch!).
Elsewhere, Cloud Cafe offers a syrupy selection of Greek delicacies like baklava, and Ber St Kitchen is a VisitNorwich favourite for Norwich’s own Strangers Coffee (who have 3 of their own spots across the city) and heavenly cake (go for the chocolate!).
In Norfolk, try The English Distillery’s Grain Kitchen
And if you’re venturing into Norfolk, there’s the Goat Shed for moreish bakes like millionaire shortbreads, to nibble on with your coffee as you watch the goats going about their day in the paddock outside.
Or heading down the A11, The English Distillery’s Grain Kitchen uses a local blend of freshly ground espresso. This rich roast is the ideal complement to their baked goods- which you can walk off with a stroll along the river next to the distillery!
