by Katie Thompson
We all love to try something new, right? It’s the excitement of the unknown. And here in Norwich, there are so many unique experiences to try– especially if you’re a foodie!
The City of Stories is home to a plethora of fantastic restaurants, cafes and eateries- not to mention delicious local produce. So, whether you want to discover how award-winning whisky is made, have a go at making your own cheese, or sample the UK’s only sausage roll tour, take a look at our favourites below!
Pub & Paddle is one of Norwich’s favourite warmer weather past times
One of Norwich’s most popular pastimes is Pub & Paddle (April – October). Canoe, kayak or row along the River Wensum, getting a unique perspective from the city’s waterways, with a stop or two at a choice of lovely riverside pubs!
Row past Quayside and Cow Tower, or head towards the Eastern Electricity Building, which has Sir Thomas More’s Utopia painted on it. There are 4 routes to follow (from £14pp). Importantly, all of them have been given ample time for the much-anticipated pub lunch and pints! (Or pizza, if Pub & Paddle & Pizza takes your fancy).
Enjoy tasty food and drink tasting on a Cheryl Cade tour!
Cheryl Cade is known for her wonderful food and drinks tours across Norwich. As a beer sommelier and Academy of Cheese member, Cheryl will tell you all there is to know about our most loved drinks and snacks (with plenty of samples, of course).
Where to start? Discover 5 venues and sample carefully chosen combinations with the Beer & Cheese Tour (£49pp). Or there’s the Gin Tour (£52pp), which immerses you in Norwich’s history and its gins- there are five local tipples to try! And how about the UK’s only Sausage Roll Tour (probably) (£29pp)? Sign us up!
There’s a saying that Norwich has enough pubs for every day of the year!
You may have heard an old saying that says Norwich has a pub for every day of the year. Well, it turns out that wasn’t just true, but it was an underestimation as of 1884!
Join The Shoebox Experiences’ Tavern Trail Tour to see some of these gorgeous pubs while learning about Norwich’s rich history (£16.50pp). And if you want a few more drinks to enjoy, how about the Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour (£45pp)? That’s an extra hour of tales and four drinks to enjoy along the way!
What will you discover about Norwich’s historic pubs?
A walking tour dedicated to Norwich’s most historic pubs? Yes, please! Norwich Pub Tours is perfect for history and pub lovers alike- sip a pint and soak it all in.
On this fascinating tour, you’ll stop in the city’s most characterful inns, such as the city’s oldest- the Adam and Eve. And since there are so many, it’s not the same stops each time. Grab a drink and take a seat as you hear some of the city’s most unforgettable tales- from brutal murders and plague-ridden alleys to witch trials, rebellions and more!
Discover the newest craft beers from the UK and worldwide at Sir Toby’s
On Norwich Market, you’ll find Sir Toby’s Beers, a craft beer bottle shop and bar offering the newest beers (over 100!) from across the UK and around the world, as well as local East Anglian real ales.
The stock is always changing, so you’ll have to keep coming back! Sit at the bar and people watch with a pint at any time of year. If you want to try local gins, ciders, and wines, you’re in luck, but we suggest a pint of their much-loved cherry beer for something different.
After starting life in a Grade 2 listed phone box- which claimed to be the ‘UK’s smallest off-licence’, you’ll find Beer Hatch in a vibrant and well-stocked shop in Tombland.
Here, it’s all about local- from craft beers to real ales and ciders from producers across East Anglia, including Norfolk favourites Ampersand, Duration and All Day Brewing. And at thanks to their buzzing events, you can meet like-minded beer lovers, share bottles, enjoy live music and even stay for a nostalgic VHS screening every now and then!
A refreshing local beer at Redwell Brewery is perfect after a long walk or cycle ride
A refreshing local beer sounds like the perfect reward for an invigorating walk or cycle around Whitlingham broad. Enter Redwell Brewery– run by a small, passionate team, they showcase locally farmed Norfolk malt brewed in small batches on site.
You can taste their full range (all gluten free and certified vegan) in their beer garden or working taproom! Pair it with a slice of stone-baked pizza from their resident pizzeria, The Redwell Vault, or, on Sundays, mouthwatering street food (including giant yorkie roasts) from the region’s favourite vendors.
Norwich Market’s multi-coloured rooftops are a staple in the City of Stories
Norwich Market’s multi-coloured rooftops are a staple in the City of Stories. And beneath them, rows of independent food stalls abuzz with worldwide cuisine and enticing aromas. This is an ancient market (over 900 years old) made for modern munching.
Here, New York-style sarnies meet Spanish albondigas and bao buns steam seconds from their swirly cinnamon cousins. And you can wash it all down with a cup of tea, craft beer or a warm cocktail! So, if you’re a love of spicy, sweet, or savoury, look no further.
Bowling House is a cocktail bar, karaoke venue, restaurant, oh, and a retro ten-pin bowling alley!
Bowling House is a cocktail bar, karaoke venue, restaurant, oh, and a retro ten-pin bowling alley! So, as you might’ve guessed, it’s a great one-stop shop for a fantastic night out with friends. Not least in part thanks to their tasty dishes and sharing menu (that you might not want to share after all!).
With a list that includes southern friend chicken, loaded Lanes nachos, slow cooked BBQ ribs and mac’n’cheese- followed by waffles, a banoffee jar or fruit sundae- you’ll leave full of great food and great memories.
Grosvenor Fish Bar has been a Norwich establishment for 100 years!
When a fish and chip shop has been a Norwich favourite for 100 years, they must be doing something good, right? At Grosvenor Fish Bar, you can taste delicious traditional fish and chips- think crispy batter and fluffy potatoes- alongside an intriguing selection of other seafood.
Try sea bass with spicy mango salsa, tuna steak and wasabi mayo, a homemade clam burger, and even squid rings with aioli- all with chips, of course! (Keep an eye out for their special Christmas dinner, too.) Pair with a glass of fizz for an extra special treat.
The Goat Shed offers an all-things cheese-making experience!
For any cheese lover, we suggest an immersive cheese-making experience at the Goat Shed (£95pp).
You’ll learn the fascinating science behind this process, tour their state-of-the-art dairy, and get hands on to craft your very own goat’s cheese. Plus, there’s a delicious cheeseboard lunch in the Goat Shed Kitchen, featuring a selection of the deli’s finest! (We love their Fielding Cottage cheese.) Then, take home your own creation and certificate- what a ‘grate’ idea!
Distillery tours at the English Distillery are a great gift for any whisky lover!
As the first English whisky distillery in 100 years, you can bet on a tour at The English Distillery (£25 – £125pp)! With a choice of 5 tours to choose from- including a create your own whisky experience, you’ll learn some interesting history (as well as have a drink or two)!
Each one offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the working distillery, a guided tasting, and a voucher to spend in the shop. And if you create your own blend, you’ll even be able to bottle, label and take it home!
