It’s the most wonderful time of the year so savour every moment and gather your friends and family for a Christmas Day lunch in one of these top Norfolk restaurants

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1. The Assembly House, Norwich

Be greeted with champagne and “dainty” canapés upon arrival at The Assembly House in Norwich for your Christmas Day celebrations. With plenty of festive fare to enjoy in the resplendent Georgian house, this is a perfect place to treasure your Christmas Day.

After a soup amuse bouche, why not start with smoked salmon, with salmon mousse, pickled cucumber and a Bloody Mary dressing, followed by a traditional Norfolk turkey with chestnut and thyme stuffing and all the trimmings and finished off with a decadent Christmas pudding topped with boozy cognac custard? Soak in the luxurious atmosphere while relaxing with a coffee and candy cane macarons and baby mince pies after your feast.

£89.95 per person, £59.95 for under 12s

2. The Pigs, Edgefield

With a passion for great customer service and high quality food served in the cosy rooms, the delightful country pub The Pigs in Edgefield is offering a Christmas Day meal that’s sure to hit the spot.

Starting with an appetite whetting braised venison and mushroom terrine with pickled carrot and toast, you can choose traditional turkey or slow cooked pork belly both with all the festive trimmings for the sumptuous main course (veggie options also available). For dessert, choose between Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or a tempting orange, cranberry and cinnamon bread and butter pudding with nut meg ice cream. Then all that’s left is to head back home to enjoy some Christmas television with no washing up.

£70 per person, £35 for “piglets’” (children’s) menu

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3. The Rose and Crown, Snettisham

The Rose and Crown is a quintessential country pub in the picturesque North Norfolk village of Snettisham. Sourcing ingredients locally, and changing its menu to take advantage of seasonal Norfolk produce, all served in the old inn with its exposed beams, dark wooden furniture and roaring fire in the winter, makes this a beautiful festive spot to indulge in a Christmas Day lunch.

The special five course Christmas Day menu consists of a cauliflower and roast garlic soup, gin-cured sea trout with apple and fennel for a middle course, before the main roast turkey with mouth-watering trimmings, and Christmas pudding with brandy vanilla custard, all washed down with a coffee and petit fours.

£70 per person, £27 for under 12s

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4. The Norfolk Mead Hotel, Coltishall

The stunning red brick exterior of The Norfolk Mead Hotel in Coltishall will be a welcoming sight on Christmas Day afternoon for guests arriving for a delicious feast kicked off with canapés on arrival.

There is lots to choose from for each course with starters of roasted tomato, basil and pepper soup with manchego fritters or confit duck leg and ham hock terrine with crispy quail’s egg, celeriac, smoked duck breast and rocket. For main, there will of course be a roasted turkey with trimmings for the traditionalists or maybe choose the Norfolk lavender cheese tortellini, wild mushroom, salsify, chestnut and roasted onion broth for vegetarians. There are lots of tantalising desserts too all rounded off with a cheeseboard, tea or coffee and homemade baby mince pies. Phew!

£110 per adult, £80 per child

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5. The Ship Hotel, Brancaster

Prepare yourself for a Christmas feast at the cosy and stylishly decorated Ship Hotel in Brancaster. There will be champagne and canapés to sip and nibble before sitting down for your festive feast. With inventive dishes such as starters of wild mushroom, bacon and truffle oil soup or parmesan, tomato and basil arancini, this is a rollicking feast to keep festive spirits high.

Aside from yuletide favourite turkey with trimmings, there are mains of fillet of sea bass or sirloin steak with expertly chosen flavours to accompany. Vegetarians can enjoy a twice baked blue cheese soufflé with roasted pepper, courgettes, beetroot and sautéed potatoes with basil pesto. Festive puddings include the classic Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and coffee and mini mince pies to finish.

£89.95 per person

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6. The Pheasant Hotel, Kelling

Tucked away in the stunning Norfolk countryside in Kelling near Holt is The Pheasant Hotel, the grand, contemporary ‘country home’ that exudes luxury. Shrug the stress of cooking off and head to the restaurant at the hotel to enjoy a Christmas Day lunch. The Pheasant is a perfect base for those exploring the breathtaking North Norfolk coast with a post-lunch walk.

Start with game terrine with fennel marmalade and brioche before a plate piled high with turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing and festive trimmings or a mushroom and Binham blue tart tatin with tarragon gnocchi and Manchego cheese for veggies. Finish with brandy cream-topped Christmas pudding then coffee and chocolates.

£85 per person

7. The King William IV, Sedgeford

Enveloped by pretty Norfolk countryside displaying its winter hues is The King William IV Country Inn & Restaurant in Sedgeford. At 180 years old, this inn has been updated with modern facilities while still retaining its historical charm. Enjoy a glass of Champagne to kick off your Christmas Day celebrations.

Sit down to a camembert fondue in a crusty bread roll with olives and sunblushed tomatoes to start with a choice of classic roast turkey and trimmings, beef wellington and more for main, and a Christmas pudding with brandy sauce for dessert (among other tempting options). Chased down with a mince pie and coffee this is sheer Christmas bliss.

£75 per person, £30 for under 12s

8. The Cliff Hotel, Gorleston

On the seafront in Gorleston proudly stands the Cliff Hotel, built in 1898 it now mixes contemporary design with touches of classic sophistication. There are two Christmas Day lunch options available served: a five course lunch or a three course carvery. Both will leave you feeling stuffed and cheerful!

The five course lunch consists of starter, main of traditional turkey with trimmings, sirloin beef, pan fried seabass or spinach polenta with lentil Bolognese for vegetarians and of course a festive dessert followed by cheese board and petit fours with coffee. The carvery will be comprised of starter, a hearty carvery main of festive turkey, topside beef, pan fried salmon, or vegetarian option and a choice of delicious desserts to finish.

Five course lunch: £59.95 per person £25 under 12s, free for under threes; carvery: £39.95 per person £20 under 12s, free for under threes

Christmas is coming #kingsarmscoachinginn #swaffham #christmaslights

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9. King’s Arms Coaching Inn, Swaffham

Specially decorated with yuletide charm, The King’s Arms Coaching Inn in Swaffham will be a pub fit for Saint Nick this year.

Enjoy a Christmas feast in this home away from home that’s a perfect, relaxed setting to while away your Christmas Day afternoon lunch with loved ones.

Menu coming soon

10. Life Boat Inn, Thornham

The Life Boat Inn in Thornham is a cosy coastal inn that is tucked away near the atmospheric marshes that could be straight out of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. Enjoy the tranquillity of this pub as you sit down for your Christmas Day lunch.

There is a vibrant menu with several choices per course. Why not try a starter of goat’s cheese and confit garlic potato cake with red onion and cranberries and toasted chesnut salad with a main of thyme butter roasted turkey with all the festive trimmings or a sage and onion rosti and vegetables for the vegetarians. Finish off with traditional Christmas pudding, brandy butter parfait and honey-roasted plums or a cheese board before petit fours with coffee.

£79.95 per person, £40 per child

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