The best Norfolk restaurants

With a long stretch of coastline that’s renowned for its wonderful seafood and rural countryside farms growing an array of seasonal fruit and vegetables, Norfolk has become a top destination for foodies in recent years. You can stock up on produce at local markets, farm shops and delicatessens, head to a specialist food festival or venture out to a Norfolk restaurant to get a tasty meal cooked for you. 

If you fancy eating out during your next Norfolk getaway, you’ll find everything from seaside shacks selling fresh Cromer crab to quaint country pubs and some excellent fine dining restaurants. 

Below you'll find some of the best Norfolk restaurants to try, and if you're looking for a cosy place to stay while you're in the area, why not browse our collection of Norfolk cottages?

The Recruiting Sergeant, Norfolk Broads

With a lovely location in the Norfolk Broads close to Wroxham Barns and the Bure Valley Railway, The Recruiting Sergeant makes the perfect place to stop for a meal after a scenic riverside walk. It’s a traditional Norfolk pub with food that’s on the fancy side with lots of local meat and seafood featured on the menu in a variety of different cuisines.

Liquor and Loaded, Kings Lynn

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, Liquor and Loaded specialises in American-style BBQ food with heaven and hell seating sections, strong cocktails and a lively atmosphere. Food portions here are large with heaped meat platters and belly-busting burgers so it’s one to try once you’ve worked up an appetite.

Morston Hall, Blakeney

A sumptuous seven-course tasting menu that changes daily is the speciality of this 17th-century country house restaurant near Blakeney. Afternoon tea can also be enjoyed in a sun lounge that overlooks Morston Hall’s gorgeous gardens, and a four-course lunch is served in the restaurant each Sunday. 

The White Horse, Brancaster

This award-winning Norfolk restaurant has an idyllic location looking out to sea from the coastal marshlands at Brancaster Staithe. Guests can choose to eat in either the more formal restaurant or dine in a dog-friendly bar and terrace. The White Horse specialises in serving local seafood including oysters and lobster and also has its own in-house smokehouse.   

Socius, Burnham Market

This light and bright open-plan restaurant serves a selection of small sharing plates for a sociable tapas-style dining experience with family or friends. The menu at Socius changes daily to reflect the seasonal produce available and special cocktails are available to complement the dishes.

Wells Crab House, Wells-next-the-Sea

This small, family-run restaurant has just twelve tables available and prides itself on an intimate and informal dining experience. Seafood including Cromer crabs, lobsters, mussels and oysters are supplied fresh from the sea by local fishermen to Wells Crab House and the delicious fare can also be taken away to enjoy at home.  

The Ferry Inn, Stokesby

The Ferry Inn is a traditional 19^th-century English country pub with log beams and roaring log fires that’s located alongside the winding River Bure in the Norfolk Broads. The menu is full of traditional home-cooked pub classics. The Stokesby Village Shop is also located at The Ferry Inn pub and you can buy wonderful handmade chocolates from here.

Benedicts, Norwich

This Norwich bistro-style restaurant is run by leading Norfolk chef Richard Bainbridge who has previously won The Great British Menu and worked for Michel Roux. Set five-course and eight-course tasting menus are available at Benedicts which highlight a range of local Norfolk produce with optional wine flights to accompany the food.

The Neptune, Hunstanton

One of the finest Norfolk restaurants around, The Neptune has held a Michelin star since 2009. The 18th-century coaching inn is located close to the famously striped cliffs in Old Hunstanton with great views over the beautiful Norfolk coastline. Diners can choose between tasting and a la carte menus which make use of the region’s best seasonal ingredients.   

The Mulberry, Thetford

Located on the edge of Thetford Forest, The Mulberry serves a range of Mediterranean-style food in an elegant and intimate setting. The service at this restaurant is excellent and the main dining room leads onto a lovely conservatory that looks out onto a walled garden with a mulberry tree.

Marmalade’s Bistro, Sheringham

A cosy 30-seat bistro restaurant in the seaside town of Sheringham, Marmalade’s is run by a husband and wife team and serves a selection of classic British dishes with some local Norfolk seafood on the menu as well. Ingredients are sourced from local Norfolk suppliers for the regularly changed seasonal dishes.

Bure River Cottage Restaurant

The Bure River Cottage Restaurant in the Norfolk Broads specialises in serving locally caught fish and seafood so you’ll find no meat on the menu and is located in the pretty village of Horning close to the banks of the River Bure. Availability depends on the catch of the day and it’s all served in a light and bright modern dining room that has views out over the river.

The Old Bank, Snettisham

The Old Bank is a 20-seat bistro restaurant, located in the peaceful coastal village of Snettisham near Heacham and Hunstanton. Guests can choose to dine on either shorter or longer set menus that use local Norfolk produce in the cosy and romantic dining room.

Meadowsweet, Holt

Located in a Grade II-listed house in the charming Georgian market town of Holt, Meadowsweet serves just one tasting menu in their small and intimate restaurant. Many of the ingredients featured on the menu are sourced in Holt before being transformed into expertly crafted, delicate dishes by owner Greg Anderson who was previously head chef at Morston Hall.

Plan your Norfolk getaway

If you fancy visiting Norfolk, you’ll find historic houses, beautiful beaches and gorgeous country walks to whet your appetite for a meal at one of these excellent eateries. 

Whether you prefer to stay in a charming seaside town or a picturesque rural village, you’ll find lots of lovely cottages dotted throughout Norfolk where you can rest your head after days of exploring. 

Browse our full range of Norfolk cottages to find your perfect base.