The best Norfolk restaurants

Thorpe Forest lies in beautiful woodland within the banks of the River Thet, where tranquility meets luxury. Enjoy forest adventures, riverside walks, and scenic views across the Norfolk and Suffolk borders. Once you’ve discovered the delights the area has to offer, you’ll want to visit time and time again, so it pays to know the best places to visit for a bite to eat. This is our guide to the best restaurants in Norfolk near our cabins at Thorpe Forest.

Our top five Norfolk restaurants

1.  For casual dining try Franklins Brasserie

If you’re looking for a casual dining experience with a little bit of everything, then Franklins Brasserie is the place to be. Set in a relaxed an ambient surrounding, the restaurant serve fantastic steak and fresh fish all locally sourced meaning you’re also helping communities thrive by supporting small businesses. From the butcher, baker, and fishmonger, Franklins Brasserie are proud to serve the finest produce. We recommend starting with the scallops flambéed in brandy followed by a free range steak for main. Delicious! Just a 15-minute drive from our cabins at Thorpe Forest, this restaurant is not to be missed.  

Sat Nav: IP24 1AA, Telephone: 01842 750372

2. For family feasts try The Bell Inn

For meals the whole family can enjoy, The Bell Inn is a great option thanks to the wide range of choices available from sandwiches and light bites to an à la carte menu and an extensive specials board. There’s also Coffee Corner where you can enjoy savoury bakes from sausage rolls to scotch eggs as well as lovely freshly baked cakes. Why not order a grazing platter and some nibbles that everyone can share whilst catching up over a few drinks in the bar area? The perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the cosy surroundings just a 20-minute drive from our Norfolk cabins.   

 Sat Nav: IP22 1BN, Telephone: 01379 898445

3. For dog friendly options try The White Horse Inn

 A beautiful 16th Century coaching inn, The White Horse Inn has recently been extended to include a restaurant called The Stable. Serving gastro style cuisine, there is a noticeable theme throughout with bridles, saddles, and bespoke ‘stable partitions’ for cosy dining. Using locally sourced ingredients all food is freshly prepared daily, we recommend opting for something off the grill! For dog-friendly Norfolk restaurants this little coaching inn is a must, with well-behaved pups allowed in both the bar and the restaurant area. Just a 25-minute drive from Thorpe Forest, this is a wonderful little restaurant for the whole family including the dog.

 Sat Nav: IP31 3DP, Telephone: 01359 258200

4. For fine dining try Benedicts

Nestled in the heart of Norwich, this cosy restaurant offers exceptional food coordinated by Chef Patron, Richard Bainbridge. Famous for his time on Great British Menu, Richard opened Benedicts in 2015. Their menu consists of five and eight course tasting menus, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Included in The Times Top 100 Restaurants in the UK, this restaurant is well worth the 45-minute drive from our cabins.

Sat Nav: NR2 4PE, Telephone: 01603 926080

5. For traditional fish and chips try Lucy's Fish and Chips

With so many Norfolk beach restaurants on offer you’ll be spoilt for choice, but nothing beats traditional fish and chips. Situated within Norwich Market, this award-winning chip shop has been voted as one of Norfolk's best fish and chip shops so why not give it a try? First opening in 1971, the shop pride themselves on using only the best potatoes freshly chipped, along with all your chippy favourites, including options for vegetarians and vegans. Whether you’re partial to battered cod and tartar sauce or just a chip butty, Lucy’s Fish and Chips has you covered!

Sat Nav: NR2 1ND, Telephone: 01603 622055

With so many Norfolk restaurants dotted around the area you’ll be spoilt for choice on your next UK staycation. Our pet-friendly at Thorpe Forest are situated within breath-taking woodland making them an ideal option, choose from Norfolk accommodation in the open woodland glade, or stay within the forest where your cabin blends within forest surroundings.