FRENCH

L’Hexagone, Norwich

Husband and wife duo Thomas Aubrit and Gemma Aubrit-Layfield are behind the charming L’Hexagone in the Norwich Lanes, where they celebrate simple French cooking, using family recipes that Thomas grew up with – its steak et frites is always a winner. It’s so good it even managed to impress formidable food critic Jay Rayner, who said L’Hexagone was all about “simple things done very well” – high praise indeed. Bon appetit!

SPANISH

The Suffield Arms, Thorpe Market

We love swish gastropub The Suffield Arms here at Muddy. Expect sumptuous decor and edgy art (just like its sister pub The Gunton Arms, which is a five-min drive away), and Mediterranean sharing plates, including Spanish tapas classics like padron peppers, jamon croquetas and chorizo with rioja and honey (our fave). There’s also a huge al fresco space and even a rooftop terrace for cocktail-sipping to boot. What’s not to love? (Read the Muddy review here).

Bar Cerdita, Norwich

When we heard rumours that the gang at amazing Italian restaurant Benoli had plans for a tapas bar in the city, we knew it was one to watch. With a recently updated menu tempting us with likes of patatas bravas, padron peppers, croquetas and Jamón ibérico de bellota, as well as Spanish wines, cool cocktails and outdoor seating, Bar Cerdita is ideal for a date night spent dreaming up your next getaway.

Don Txoko, Norwich

Inspired by foodie paradise the Basque Country, Don Txoko’s menus weave the best of Norfolk and Spanish ingredients together. Think grilled aged steaks and whole fish, as well as tapas treats like chorizo with cider, honey and mint and plump prawns swimming in garlicky oil. Fancy a gastronomic deep dive into all things Basque? Go for the chef’s 10-course menu available Friday’s and Saturday’s.

JAPANESE

Shiki, Norwich

Since it started serving up authentic Japanese fare in 2004, city institution Shiki has become a locals’ fave and must-visit for foodie tourists. Alongside fantastically fresh sushi and sashimi (the sushi lovers platter is a fab way to try a mix), there’s also tonnes to pick from on its otsumami – shareable plates – menu, including chicken katsu and prawn tempura, as well as bento boxes if you’re after a bit of everything (or a more exciting lunch option than home-made sarnies).

Momiji, Harleston

Nip down the A140 and hop over to Harleston to find Momiji, a chilled out restaurant with a great garden and an authentic Japanese menu which is definitely worth the trip. Pick from the small plates to share and tuck in – everything is cooked to order and served as soon as it’s ready. Highlights include tempura with dipping broth, yaki soba stir-fry noodles and pan-fried gyozas. Keep an eye out for their sushi nights if that tickles your fancy.

Ciscoe’s Pan Asian and Sushi, Norwich

Sushi fanatics, roll up! As well as build-your-own ramen, Japanese barbecue, teppanyaki and bigger plates like sticky honey pork, Ciscoe’s sushi master Francisco creates bespoke platters (including veggie options) – no two are the same, so it’s perfect if you’ve got an occasion to celebrate. There’s also new monthly fine dining events and even sushi-making classes, if you fancy giving it a spin yourself.

ITALIAN

Eric’s Pizza, Thornham

At home in a huge stylish yurt in the grounds of the fab Drove Orchards in Thornham, Eric’s Pizza is all about hand-stretched Neapolitan pizza cooked in its woodfired oven and topped with everything from garlic butter and n’duja to spiced honey and lime. Order a few of its antipastis and sauces for crust-dipping on the side. Can’t get up to north Norfolk? You can also find the crew at Yalm Food Hall in Norwich, or its frozen pizzas in Jarrold.

Yard, Norwich

Super-cool pasta bar Yard was the brainchild of George Colley, who also co-founded the equally fab Brick Pizza in the city a few years back. Bang-smack in the centre of Norwich, it has a small menu of fresh pasta (including pappardelle with 12-hour beef shin ragu, its most popular), sides like sourdough with whipped garlic butter and cool cocktails. Grab a table inside or if it’s balmy, head out back to its mini garden (there’s also al fresco seats outside the Church of St John Maddermarket). You can also order Yard goodies and Brick Pizza from The Stanley pub on Magdalen Road Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm.

Stubby’s, Sheringham

Nab a table at coastal pizzeria Stubby’s on a hot summer evening and we promise you’ll feel like you’ve nipped abroad on vacay. The team at this family-run spot cook their pizzas in a 450-degree oven which is fuelled by local, responsibly-sourced wood. There’s the classics, as well as more unusual flavour combos – who knew black pudding on pizza would be so good? Don’t miss the sides, either – the chicken wings are well worth an order.

Benoli, Norwich

Since Benoli opened in 2019, chef Oliver Boon (a former MasterChef: The Professionals finalist) has earned the city Italian both a fab reputation and a spot in the prestigious Michelin guide. Open seven days a week, home-made fresh pasta and the finest produce are the name of the game here – plenty of its dishes only use two or four ingredients to let the flavours shine. The 24-month croquettes are not to be missed!

INDIAN

Dhaba at Fifteen, Norwich

Right at home in the city’s trendy Magdalen Street, Dhaba at Fifteen is all about Indian street food and giving rustic food-cart fare a refined restaurant makeover. There’s everything from grilled saffron prawns and Sri Lankan whitebait fish fry to Chettinad beef curry and loads of veggie mains and sides, including its saag paneer and mushroom garlic bhaji.

Namaste, Norwich

Now in its 11th year, Namaste has well and truly carved out its niche for vegetarian and vegan Indian cooking, with a fab range of curries, sides and snacks, as well as its dosas, which it’s become known for (the masala dosa is a savoury rice-lentil crèpe is stuffed with onion and curry leaf-spiced potato mash). Find them at their Revado Hotel on Stracey Road, just a quick stroll from the train station.

Tamarind, Blofield

Housed in a converted pub in the pretty village of Blofield, Tamarind is an upmarket affair – while it does a great takeaway, we reckon you’ll want to book a table for the full experience. Its menu blends Indian and Bangladeshi flavours and there’s tonnes to pick from, including a sizzling tandoori section which sees the likes of lamb, monkfish and prawns marinated in spices and cooked in the tandoor (clay pot) oven. Delish.

THAI

The House, Norwich

A stone’s throw from the city’s main bus station, The House is a family venture where it’s all about authentic Thai cooking, drawn from the chef’s 20 years working in five-star hotels and restaurants across Thailand. Choose one of its set menus – inspired by different parts of the country – or create your own feast from its à la carte menus (we’d recommend making a beeline for the house specials).

Bann Thai, Cromer

Cromer gem Bann Thai is run by Kim and Belle Steggles, who moved to England in 2001 from Nakhonsawan, in the north of Thailand. While it’s a Muddy fave, it’s also a hit with critics – it’s won a Good Food Award for the last five years. Expect fiery Thai salads, curries and noodle dishes, as well as plenty of choice for veggies. Whether you’re a spice fiend or nervy about heat, the team will cook your order to your liking!

Crawfish Inn, Thursford

At home in the pretty village of Thursford, a quick hop north from Fakenham, the Crawfish Inn is big on celebrating authentic Thai ingredients, using everything from Thai basil and lime to Pandan leaf in its cooking. Book in the main restaurant if you’re making an evening of it, or head into the bar for a more casual bite on the go. A portion of the duck with Thai chilli paste, please!

GREEK AND TURKISH

Haggle, Norwich

Haggle credit valentine-studio.co.uk — Photo: valentine-studio.co.uk

Gorgeous Haggle is all vine leaf garlands, swish chandeliers and mosaic-style murals inside, while its open kitchen means you can watch the busy chefs whip up your dinner from the comfort of your table. Food-wise, there’s something for everyone, from meat cooked over coals for the carnivores to mezzes plates to share (including plenty of veggie and gluten-free options) and a stonking cocktail menu.

Mem’s Kitchen, King’s Lynn

Small but mighty Mediterranean spot Mem’s Kitchen is so popular that its husband and wife duo have just opened the doors to their second, bigger outpost in Lynn, with space for al fresco eating. The menu is a lip-smacking smorgasbord of Greek, Turkish and Italian fare, including everything from chargrilled skewers to veggie moussaka, filo parcels and seafood pasta.

The Mediterranean, Norwich

It might look pretty unassuming, but if you’re like us and love proper kebabs (no, not that kind) then you need to get yourself to The Mediterranean on Magdalen Road to load up on authentic pide (Turkish pizzas), juicy grilled chops and whole fish, mezze and specialties like yogurtlu kebabs, which are grilled over coals and topped with tomato sauce and drizzled with a special burnt butter.

AMERICAN

Liquor & Loaded, King’s Lynn

Meat and cocktail gurus Liquor & Loaded are the local’s choice in Lynn, attracting a steady stream of five-star reviews. Its vast menu has everything from burgers and savoury waffles to loaded fries, but it’s the meat trays – all served with fries, pickles, corn on the cob and gravy – that it’s best known for. Though it’s a meat-heavy menu, veggies aren’t left out, with plenty of burgers, nachos and pizzas to pick from.

The Smokehouse, Ormesby St Margaret

Southern-style American diner The Smokehouse smokes its rib racks and dry-rubbed brisket in-house, using signature spice blends to pack in the flavour. It’s a whopping menu brimming with piled-high burgers (including the ominously-named Triple Bypass, which has five patties, pulled pork, chicken and brisket), loaded hot dogs, some seriously tempting appetisers and steaks. There’s live music at weekends, as well as a kids play area, making it a great one for the whole brood.

MEXICAN

Jive Kitchen, Norwich

We can’t resist a trip to Jive Kitchen, which is tucked away right in the action in Norwich, with high up views over the market. Think flavour-packed tacos (if the menu says spicy, believe it!) and huge burritos, as well as fab cocktails and a lengthy tequila list. Pop in for a drink and some snacks at the bar, or work up an appetite for a proper Mexican feast.

Guac & Mole, Sheringham

Laidback street food shack Guac & Mole is right at home on the beach in lovely Sheringham, where it feeds the crowds over the weekend. Build your own burritos and nachos or get your mouth around the mighty Guac burger – there’s a Mini Mole menu for littl’uns who also want to get in on the action.

Blue Joanna, Norwich

The name of the game at Golden Triangle institution Blue Joanna is Asian-style, Mexican-inspired street food and cool cocktails. Its menu is full of Korean blue tacos and small plates like barbecue chicken wings, wasabi-battered prawns and blue corn nachos with queso. Better still, everything is gluten and dairy-free. Swing by to listen to live music and gaze enviously at its impressive vinyl record collection.

KOREAN

The Kimchi, Norwich

At The Kimchi, talented head chef Bong-Ha serves up the Korean dishes he loves the most – the result is a fantastic menu of crispy fried chicken, glazed in sweet and spicy sauces (homemade chilli with pineapple mayo for us, please), bul-gogi (sizzling beef) and rice dish bibim-bap, as well as Korean street food faves like toppoki, rice cakes, and kimchi-jeon, kimchi pancakes.

JAMAICAN

Coral Bay, Gorleston (and Norwich)

For a taste of the Caribbean, make a beeline for Coral Bay in Gorleston, where the gang prepares traditional Jamaican cuisine, inspired by its chef’s upbringing. There’s curried goat, jerk chicken, chicken curry and freshly-baked patties – as well as a bottomless brunch option on Fridays and Saturdays. Can’t make the trip? You can still get your fill at the Coral Bay stall on Norwich Market.

If all our tapas talk has got you in the mood for more, check out the Muddy guide to the best local sharing plates spots, and to see our rundown of fab places to eat out with the kids, head this way.

Gold medal gastronomy! Eat around the world in Norfolk

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