Norwich aerial shot — @norwich_cathedral

It’s time to get under the skin of Norwich – a city with more stunning medieval architecture than you can shake a (really old) stick at, but with an ultra-progressive vibe.

Creative, friendly and fiercely independent, it’s a UNESCO City of Literature to boot. Spend just a little time here and it’s easy to see why Norwich is frequently voted as the best place to live in Norfolk by Muddy readers.

Whether you want to find a cool bar or the best indie shops, here’s the Muddy Insider Guide to the most unmissable bits of the city.

Eat out

The Norwich foodie scene is fantastic, whatever the state of your wallet. With many streets permanently pedestrianised, there’s lots of alfresco options for that European vibe.

In search of a cheap eat? Look no further than Norwich Market. The focal point of the city, there’s been a market here for over 900 years. Nowadays there are around 200 permanent stalls under its jaunty coloured roofs, with many offering fab on-the-go food options.

Grab an authentic empanada from Cocina Mia, a Philly-style pulled pork sub from The Bodega, bao buns from Bun Box, a tasty slice from Brick Pizza, or a wicked “brookie” (that’s a brownie crossed with a cookie) from andeatit.

Junkyard Market in Norwich’s historic Shoe Quarter also offers awesome street food from a rotating array of vendors, with a great atmosphere and regular DJs.

Fancy a spontaneous night out? There’s no booking required at Yalm indoor food court, hosting nine kitchens and three bars over two buzzy floors.

If you’re up for more of a splurge, Norwich has multiple Michelin-approved restaurants. Head to Farmyard for cool, laid-back “bistronomy”, Benedicts for top British cuisine or Roger Hickman’s for seriously fine dining.

Special mentions must go to inventive Italian Benoli and authentic French bistro L’Hexagone, along with Asian fusion at XO Kitchen and fire-cooked global dishes at Brix and Bones – all in receipt of flattering national press attention.

We’re happy to see the return of long-time dining favourites The Last and Tatlers, both modern and stylish places to dine out. We also love the Turkish-inspired food and cracking cocktails at Haggle, tasty tapas at Bar Cerdita and chic Japanese Shiki in Tombland. And just don’t even try to resist the stunning sweet treats at dessert-only restaurant Figbar.

Norwich is also one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the UK, offering everything from tasty small plates at The Tipsy Vegan to epic falafel wraps at Moorish and authentic 100pc veggie/vegan Indian dishes at Namaste Village. Vegan café Tofurei makes all its tofu from soya beans grown a few miles down the road. Soysage roll, anyone? Check out our list of best places for green eating here and, whilst you’re at it, here‘s our top spots for Japanese and sushi.

Stay

For historical bragging rights look no further than the Maids Head Hotel, the oldest hotel in the UK and dating back over 800 years. After all, if it was good enough for Queen Liz – the first one! Set in the evocatively named Tombland, its standout features include the Insta-friendly courtyard and suites with high vaulted ceilings, roll-top bath and cathedral views.

At The Assembly House, meanwhile, you can sleep in a massive Georgian mansion right in the city centre. With bright and funky interiors by design superstar Annabel Grey, it mixes period luxury with contemporary cool – we especially have our eye on The Pink One, with its pink four poster. Plus, the food here is ace – don’t miss their imaginative themed afternoon teas.

Walk

Central Norwich is petite enough that you can easily explore most of its big-ticket sites on foot in a day – although the real joy, perhaps, lies in just getting lost inside the city’s winding lanes.

We recommend starting off at ancient Fye Bridge, a major photo opp for weeping willow-fringed views down the River Wensum. Take the cobbled path down the colourful quayside and follow it along to the pretty and peaceful Cathedral Quarter, going past picturesque Cow Tower and Pull’s Ferry.

Make a stop for the stunning cathedral, then cross the road and nip up Elm Hill (above), a narrow, cobbled Tudor Street which has been used as a location for many a film and TV show. From there it’s just a five minute stroll to Norwich Castle (below), which is a great place to go for sweeping views across the city and a mooch around the gallery and museum collection. The much-anticipated reopening of the Norman Keep is set for this summer. It’s undergone a five-year £13m project to rebuild missing floors and introduce the British Museum’s first medieval gallery outside London, bringing treasures of international importance to Norwich.

Don’t miss the City of Stories Trail featuring nine large murals across Norwich and 12 smaller pieces within Norwich Market.

After a bit of country air? There are multiple traffic-free walking trails and cycle routes out of the city – including The Marriott’s Way, which can take you the 24.6 miles to Aylsham if you’re feeling strong!

Drink

Honestly, where do we even start?! It was once said that there was a pub for every day of the year – and Norwich is still absolutely packed with tempting joints for a bevvy. For killer cocktails, eclectic decor and a banging night out with a laid-back, mixed-age crowd we thoroughly recommend Norwich institution Gonzos Tea Room. Plus, they also do great food and have an awesome roof terrace.

With its ever-growing cocktail bar scene, there’s plenty of options to delight cocktail queens. Our top spots include Tipsyjar and its cool shake-it-yourself concoctions . Alternatively, The Playhouse Bar, with its famous, Insta-friendly ceiling (below), is a friendly hangout with live music, good vibes and a lovely riverside terrace.

For something a bit different, sleek self-service wine bar The Wallow is rather fun, or head to Sir Toby’s Beers in Norwich Market which packs a ginormous beer menu into a teeny spot. St Benedict’s Street, Unthank Road and NR3 are all good locations for a pub crawl/wine wander.

If you’re hunting for a morning coffee the choice is – potentially – even more endless. Various branches of funky Kofra are dotted throughout the city, or head to Strangers for cool monochrome decor and a brew worthy of the choosiest coffee snob.

In the mood for a quintessentially English afternoon tea? Just a smidge outside Norwich, the parasol-dotted terrace of The Orangery Tea Room at Ketteringham Hall serves up lake and countryside views alongside its darn delicious sweet and savoury afternoon teas, with heated marquee from October.

Shop

Norwich is chock-a-block with cool indie stores. Have a wander around groovy Norwich Lanes, a mostly-pedestrianised warren of one-of-a-kind shops. Try Imelda’s for unique and often quirky footwear, Muddy Awards 2023 Best Women’s Fashion Store Scarlet for wardrobe must-haves, and Atwin Store for hip local makers, with sustenance provided by St Giles Pantry‘s artisan deli goodies.

With its mesmerising Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, the Royal Arcade is a destination in its own right. It’s a massive plus that it’s also a thriving shopping thoroughfare. The lots of lovely indie shops to visit here include Lady B Love‘s retro boutique, Sonkai who design and make all of their exquisite jewellery, Izola‘s travel-inspired fragrance and natural skincare, and Basil + Pip for classy floral creations.

You don’t want to miss Jarrolds, either. The independent department store manages to mix heritage clout (over 250 years in business experience and seven generations of family ownership) with on-the-nose trendiness – no easy task! We especially love the curated Store Folk section, showcasing eclectic artisan makers from across the region.

Explore

Fancy taking a tourist-friendly tour? It’s time to hit the water! Check out Norfolk Paddle Boards for some SUP exploring, or Pub and Paddle for a canoe voyage ending in a well-deserved beverage.

Norwich has its very own Diagon Alley – a network of secret passageways and abandoned houses under the city streets. Check out The Shoebox Experiences to book your tour – deliciously spooky stuff!

For an open-air hidden gem, make your way to The Plantation Garden. This secluded, exotic garden – peppered with gothic architecture – was created inside an abandoned chalk quarry in Victorian times.

Kids

Bring your little ones to specialist kids bookshop Bookbugs and Dragon Tales (to namedrop another Muddy Awards 2023 winner!), where they can catch a guided craft activity or a bounce and rhyme session. You’re in the City of Stories, after all! Or head to Norwich Puppet Theatre for a unique performance in a converted medieval church.

Older kids will love Slice + Dice board game café, where you can play a huge variety of games while munching on yummy plant-based food (and get those all-important cocktails for any accompanying grown-ups). There’s also cool climbing café Rock Punk, inspired by Japanese ‘hole in the wall’ style tiny gyms.

Culture

Norwich is an absolute haven for culture vultures. As England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, it’s home to the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall (above), which opens its medieval doors for regular wordy events.

The city is also home to six fab independent theatres, showcasing a mixture of local shows and national touring productions – Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich Puppet Theatre, The Playhouse, The Garage, Sewell Barn and Maddermarket Theatre.

Art lovers should head a little bit west out of the city for the Sainsbury Centre, which houses an eclectic permanent collection as well as regular exhibitions by the likes of Grayson Perry and Picasso. We particularly love the dramatic sculpture garden, which offers amazing views over the UEA‘s brutalist campus and the broad.

Catch a gig at The UEA’s LCR, The Waterfront, Epic Studios or Norwich Arts Centre, a seriously cool contemporary arts venue in a 14th century flint church. Or take in an arty flick or blockbuster at Cinema City, housed in a Grade I listed medieval hall with a kitchen, bar and pretty courtyard for a post-movie gin and gossip.

Hipsters

Feeling hip? (Er, always!) Take a stroll out of the city down trendy St Benedict’s Street, hitting up hipster haven The Plough for a pint and clocking the many cool eateries – from the long established The Bicycle Shop to the newer Bombai, which is all about tapas-style Indian street food. Carry on to Bowling House, a retro-fabulous venue for bowling, cocktails and karaoke.

Alternatively head to NR3 in the North of the city, where cool businesses dominate. Browse for mid-century home beauties at Norfolk Retro on St Augustine’s Street, where you’ll also find NR Closet for vintage clobber, and Ninety Three Store selling indie fashion and homeware brands from around Europe. Don’t leave without calling in at The Hashery with its 1970s-themed decor and dishes.

Over on Magdalen Street, search out micropub The Malt and Mardle, a teeny tiny space (one room, in fact) where you can sup cask ales and have a mardle (that’s Norfolk for relaxed convo, but you knew that). Diner Damoneys is causing a stir with its world-food dishes (it’s also open for cocktails on certain evenings). Venus Vinyl at the top end of Magdalen Street is the ultimate hipster combo – records, craft beer and bespoke furniture.

Want more from Norfolk? Check out our Insider Guide to Norfolk.

The Muddy insider guide to Norwich

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