Restaurants in Norwich: things to know before you go

Norwich is a fun, easy-going city with a food scene to match. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the great restaurants in Norwich near you with our handy guide.

Which are the top-rated restaurants in Norwich?

Norwich’s restaurant scene covers everything from modern British fine dining to top-notch Indian restaurants, so you won’t find yourself short on choices. Here are three of the best restaurants in Norwich that are well-known and well-loved by Norwich locals and food critics.

• Gali Fine Dining is a luxury Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant that blends traditional curries with modern fusion cuisine.
• Bourgee Restaurant serves a surf and turf double hitter, specialising in steak and lobster. A lot of the dishes are things you might find on a pub menu – but they’re elevated to mouthwatering new heights.
• Roger Hickman’s is another great choice for modern British food served perfectly. The vibe is elegant without making a show of it and the food is imaginative with no detail left unattended.

What’s the best restaurant in Norwich to get lunch?

Thanks in no small part to the large student population, Norwich is bursting with great lunch options. Here are three favourites:

• Namaste India is one of Norwich’s greatest vegetarian restaurants and one of the most prestigious places to grab a curry. At this fabulous little family-run indie, a significant chunk of the menu is gluten-free. You’ll find veggie classics complemented by more unusual dishes like fenugreek leaf and banana bhajis.
• Benedict’s is a Michelin-starred boutique restaurant, so you don’t call in here for a quick bite – you come when you want to be thoroughly wowed. It offers modern British fine dining served in a relaxed environment. Book a table here and you’ll soon see why it’s one of the top restaurants in Norwich city centre – visited by locals and out-of-towners alike.
• Wild Thyme, which is just around the corner from the market, is another highly regarded vegetarian restaurant in Norwich. They serve imaginative takes on classic dishes, like the Sweet Potato and Kimchee Hash with Spinach, Fried Free Range Egg and Tomato and Sriracha Coulis. Plus, if the dish you want isn’t vegan already there’s a good chance the chefs can make you a vegan version.

What food is produced in Norfolk?

Norfolk is a county of proud farmers and amazing food producers. Here are some of the fine foods the area is most notable for creating:

• Greens. Broccoli, cabbage, peas - you name it, Norfolk farmers grow them all. That’s why when you dine at the vegetarian restaurants in Norwich, your food will taste every bit as fresh as it is.
• Fish. The Norfolk coast covers over 450km of coastal and agricultural land. With plenty of fishermen catching trout, cod and haddock, you won’t struggle to find world-class fish and chips in Norwich.
• Ice cream. Deliciously creamy ice cream is guaranteed at Norwich’s best cafés, many of which partner up with the best-quality dairy farms and creameries across Norfolk.

What traditional Norwich dishes are available at its restaurants?

Norwich and Norfolk produce a number of famous foods to sample, with many (but not all) of them coming from the sea. Here are some of the treats you’re sure to find in at the riverside restaurants in Norwich:

• Cromer crabs
• Stiffkey cockles
• Marsh Samphire
• Mussels and oysters
• Mrs Temple’s cheeses