Norwich is home to many a tea room and coffee house doing exciting things with hot drinks. We have gathered 15 of the best places to go for a coffee in the ‘fine city’
1. Biddy’s Tea Room, 15 Lower Goat Ln
It doesn’t get much more quaint and British than Biddy’s Tea Room in the Norwich Lanes. Think Mad Hatter’s tea party meets your Grandma’s house: dark wooden furniture, mismatched chairs, eclectic knick knacks scattered around, huge slices of homemade cakes and lashings of tea served in pretty china.
What to order: afternoon teas come with chunky scones packed with fruit, thick cut sandwiches, a big slab of your choice of cake – which are made daily by the Biddy’s team – and a pot of tea.
__________
More Norwich foodie content:
__________
2. Kofra, 4 Unthank Rd
Is this the “best coffee in Norwich”? It’s certainly up there which is testament to the effort and attention to detail that goes into the coffee at Kofra at the top of Unthank Road. Squeeze in to this tiny café in the sleepy cathedral surroundings for a cup of great coffee and maybe something sweet too.
What to order: whether it’s a strong iced coffee or a latte you want for a buzz, you’re ensured a great cup of coffee. You can buy colourful bags of the coffee used including a single origin espresso or filter blend.
3. No33, 33 Exchange St
One of our favourite places for brunch in the city, No33 is an established spot to head for coffee and cake too. Tucked away on Exchange Street, No33 boasts an ever changing menu of great food and tasty cakes.
What to order: check the counter for the latest homemade cakes and you might find a Victoria sponge with mascarpone and fresh fruit or a chocolate and banana cake or some double chocolate brownies.
4. Strangers Coffee, 21 Pottergate
Strangers Coffee House is located in a prime spot in the Lanes. Whether you’re taking out to explore the winding back streets or sitting in the minimal yet stylishly decorated shop, you can ensure ethically sourced coffee with a strong attention to detail. All the coffee is roasted around the corner at 10 Dove Street, in the Strangers’ own roastery.
What to order: during the summer, order an iced coffee or even an espresso and tonic and warm up with a steaming latte or strong Americano.
5. The Little Red Roaster, three locations
With three locations spread around the city, those looking for the smooth taste of The Little Red Roaster’s coffees will be in luck. Whether you’re near Grove Road, St Andrews Hill or Norwich Market, you can have a takeaway latte and a pastry at your desk during the week or while reading the paper on a weekend morning.
What to order: whether it’s a flat white, a long black, or a “mofo deluxe hot chocolate”, all tastes are covered at The Little Red Roaster. You can also choose between soy or oat milk if you’re off the dairy!
6. Artel, 25 Wensum St
Specialising in “espresso based hand brewed filter coffees”, you can be sure of a great cup when you visit Artel on Wensum Street. Grab a magazine and take a seat in the small store to enjoy your artisanal hot drink.
What to order: alongside a hot cup of coffee, there will be an ever changing rotation of rustic pastries and sweet treats to complement your java.
7. Louis’ Deli & Café, 81 Upper St Giles St
On Upper St Giles Street, running up to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, is Louis’ Deli & Café, one of our favourite spots to grab baked goods in the county. There’s also lots of cakes, pastries, tarts, breakfast muffins and all manner of treats to go alongside a tea or coffee.
What to order: from croissants to nibble over the paper to decadent brownies and slices of cake, grab a seat in Louis’ to put the world to rights with coffee in hand. On the way out, get some supplies from the delicatessen to last you the rest of the weekend.
8. Café Bar Marzano, The Forum
An ossified social hub for many in the centre of the city is Café Bar Marzano, part of The Forum on Millennium Plain. Whether you’re taking a book out at the library to settle down for a quiet coffee or catching up with friends, this café is always buzzing with activity. Keep an eye out on social media for live music and literary events that happen throughout the year.
What to order: there’s always a good selection of cakes, scones and cookies to go with a tasty coffee or speciality tea. Milkshakes also come in a variety of flavours – yum!
9. Fig Bar, 23 St John Maddermarket
Owned and run by a husband and wife team, Fig Bar on St John Maddermarket is in a relatively tucked-away spot but is positively alive with sweet-toothed diners. With a focus entirely on pastries, cakes, sweets and desserts that change with seasonal availability of ingredients, executive chef Jaime brings his expertise in pastry to Norwich.
What to order: plated desserts are served from midday and include the “Copperhouse Strawberries” with Norfolk strawberries, G&T jelly, elderflower Chantilly, honeycomb, lemon and basil ice cream; or sweet treats that change constantly can be enjoyed with a tea or coffee – or something alcoholic!
10. Urban Jungle, Ringland Lane, Costessey
How does going for a coffee in the jungle sound? Well now you can at Urban Jungle in Costessey, the plant nursery with enough exotic plants, cacti and flowers to while a whole afternoon away. The onsite coffee shop, Café Jungle, is housed in a tropical greenhouse positively bursting with plants.
What to order: book an afternoon tea ahead of your visit and enjoy tea or a cafetiere of coffee, freshly made cakes, scones, sandwiches and savoury bites while sitting aside the tropical fish pond.
11. Storm in a Teacup, 2 Elm Hill
In a quiet spot on Elm Hill is Storm in a Teacup that serves good coffee and unpretentious cakes (with flavours including salted caramel, coconut and lime and orange) and savouries to accompany.
What to order: order a scrambled tofu on a slice of crusty sourdough with mushroom and roasted cherry tomatoes; crushed avocado with a fried egg on sourdough; or a full blown fry up.
12. Bread Source, 93 Upper St Giles St
Supplying breakfast heads with freshly made crusty bread and augmented pastries, Bread Source on Upper St Giles Sreet also serves coffees and teas in their white washed, minimally designed shop.
What to order: be tempted inside with the jewels in the window in the form of freshly made tarts and pastries and stay for a long chat over some artisanal coffees – and don’t forget to Instagram afterwards!
13. Timberhill Bakery, 27-29 Timber Hill
The relaxed Timberhill Bakery is perfect to duck into as a welcome break from the rush of the city. With Scandinavian-inspired design and large windows to watch the world go by, this is a great spot for breakfast, lunch or just a coffee and cake.
What to order: open-faced sandwiches called “tartines” are French lunch time snacks consisting of freshly made bread topped with avocado, or for the sweetly inclined, there are cream cheese, berries and pecans on a chia and flax slice.
14. The Tea House, 5 Wrights Court, Elm Hill
For a truly traditional British tea room experience, head to The Tea House in Wrights Court on Elm Hill – if you can find it! In the summer, the little Tudor courtyard, populated with hanging baskets and white French-style furniture, is a tranquil place to enjoy a cream tea.
What to order: for a celebratory afternoon tea, The Tea Shop is ideal. Expect fresh scones topped with cream and jam, chunky sandwiches and slices of cake all washed down with a pot of tea.
15. Ancestors Coffee, 27 Magdalen St
Flying the vegan flag as a 100% plant based spot in the city, Ancestors Coffee on Magdalen Street serves healthy, fresh food and cowless coffees to herbivores around the county.
What to order: flooding social media at the moment are Ancestors’ beetroot lattes, bright pink in colour and reportedly delicious too! Paired with a Buddha bowl or fruit heavy smoothie bowl, they will keep you plant powered all day.
__________
