5 of the best foodie destinations to visit in Norfolk

1. Norwich Market

At the heart of the city is a bustling market with numerous street food vendors to choose from. 

From artisan loose-leaf teas at Birchley's to sweet treats from And Eat It, Norwich Market has something for everyone. 

Norwich Market is full of popular eateries (Image: Antony Kelly) Edd Watkinson launched The Bodega on Norwich Market in 2022 and his New York-style sandwiches became a quick hit with locals.

There were a couple of new additions to the market in 2024, including the Nigerian food stall Buka Street, which serves jollof rice, plantain and peppered chicken, as well as Papa Mobassa, where customers can enjoy a bowl of handmade chilli.

David Brain opened chilli stall Papa Mobassa in 2024 (Image: David Brain)

2. Aylsham

Aylsham is a small historic market town with several foodie options to choose from.

The marketplace, which is owned by the National Trust, hosts two weekly markets and a monthly farmer’s market that draws people in from across the county.

For those looking for a hot drink and a slice of cake or a freshly-baked pastry, there is a Biddy's Kitchens and a Bread Source in the town centre.

Stamp Pizza opened in Aylsham in 2023 (Image: Donna-Louise Bishop) Stamp Pizza opened in 2023 and serves wood-fired pizza out of a former post office. 

If a pub is on the cards, The Black Boys in the heart of Aylsham and The Buckinghamshire Arms, which is just a short drive away in Blicking, are popular haunts.

3. Norwich Lanes

Back to the city, which boasts Lanes full of independent restaurants, cafes and shops. 

St Benedicts Street is home to Benedicts, a bistro that features in the Michelin Guide and is owned by chef Richard Bainbridge.

Richard Bainbridge is the chef-owner of Benedicts in Norwich For those looking for something more casual, pasta restaurant Yard is a popular choice. Owners and Norwich locals George Colley, 35, and Natty Crothers, 35, have also just opened Tallow, a steak restaurant in the heart of the Lanes.

Coffee lovers will enjoy spending a morning at Strangers Coffee, in Pottergate, or The Bicycle Shop or Buffalo Coffee Brewers in St Benedicts Street.

4. Wells-next-the-Sea

The seaside town is best known for its fresh fish and is one of the best places for fish and chips in the region.

French's Fish and Chips Shop in Wells-next-the-Sea was named the nation's best in the 2024 (Image: Denise Bradley) French's Fish and Chip Shop was named the nation's best at the 2024 National Fish and Chip Awards and has been selling fish and chips for more than 100 years.

Plattens, just a few doors down, was named in the UK's top 10 best fish and chip restaurants in 2023 in the Fry Awards.

The Globe Inn is part of The Chestnut Hospitality Group and diners can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in this quantity seaside pub.

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Anyone looking for a picnic on the beach should head to Well's Deli to pick up all the locally produced and artisan food items they might need.

5. Coltishall

There are plenty of small villages in the Norfolk Broads that are worth a visit on a foodie tour of Norfolk.

However, Coltishall in the north of Norwich is full of hit pubs with Google ratings of 4.5 stars and more.

The Kings Head in Coltishall was taken over by new owners in 2023 (Image: King's Head) Pub group Colchester Inns owns The Rising Sun, which is on the banks of the River Bure and from where diners can enjoy watching boats travel down the Broads, and The Recruiting Sergeant in nearby Horstead.

The Kings Head and The Red Lion are also both highly-rated and serve a range of pub classics. 

Those looking for A Piece of Cake should head to the cafe with the same name in Church Street.