The Full Guide
I’m not saying I’m the Afternoon Tea queen of Norwich but I have been to a lot of Afternoon teas. My mum first introduced me to the experience when I was working as a chef in London in the 90’s and she would come up to stay, I then introduced my then boyfriend now husband.
We went to the Ritz, Browns Hotel, Claridge’s, Fortnum and Mason and since with my daughter to the Savoy, The Dorchester, The Shard and more recently to The Langham to name a few.
And
When it comes to Norwich I think I have enjoyed 98% off them.
Being an X chef and X pastry chef after studying at Westminster College, I know a few things about the world of pastry. A few years ago I did a pop up afternoon tea in my garden for 65 and to rely on the best freshness I had to make and cook 3 types of scones on the morning along with a cake, luckily Id made the mini pots of tiramisu and an orange yogurt cake the day before and soaked the cake in an orange stock syrup over night to gain the best flavours. And of course the sarnies had to be made as close to serving as possible and left on trays with a damp t towel to know they wouldn’t have dried out edges on serving. Plus I only served loose tea from a local supplier along with the jam.
With incredibly high standards myself I expect only the best if I am paying for it.
The Norwich Afternoon Tea Guide
The Assembly Rooms
Theatre Street, NR2 1RQ
Tel – 01603 626402
Serving 12 – 3.30pm 7 days a week
£28.50 pp
Plus big party’s / special occasions / Hen & baby shower options
Served in a grand Georgian Ball room with chandeliers the phantom of the opera would be envious off with good service.
Theme’s vary through the year.
Gluten free and vegan options.
Pre booking advised, some drop in’s accepted.
Everything made fresh on site by 13 afternoon tea chefs often serving over 100 a day.
Loose tea by the Tea Junction, Tiptree jam and 2 / 3 savoury pastry’s included. Always a good choice.
The Last Wine Bar
70 – 76 St George Street, Colgate, NR31AB
Tel ; 01603 626626
Thursday – Saturday 12 – 4pm
£35 pp
Served in their Bistro with a good range of local loose teas, everything made in house by an in house pastry chef.
Great service with the Ritz razzle. White table cloths and street views.
I had this recently with some friends and thoughily enjoyed it.
Only one plain scone while I prefer fruit but it was delicious and one savoury pastry along with 3 fresh finger sarnies inc smoked salmon and my favourite cream cheese and cucumber. All very classic with 3 fancy pastry’s on the cake tier. They even make their own bread.
Maids Head Hotel
20 Tombland
01603 209955
Mon to Thur 12-4
Fri sun 2 – 4
£26pp
Served in either the wine Press restaurant or the lounge areas. This Hotel is possibly the oldest in England, with parking and possible use of the Chauffeur driven Bentley if you fancied a treat experience, plus of course they have rooms.
With an in house pastry chef this is also a fresh experience all but they use Tea bags.
Biddys
15 Lower Goat Lane
12 – 4pm Tuesday to Saturday
Book on line www.biddystearoom.com
£19.95
A quaint tea rooms down the lanes with probably the biggest selection of tea. You can bespoke your afternoon tea to include the cakes you fancy.
Booking essential.
Jarrolds
Café Benjis – 1st Floor 1 – 11 London Street
Daily 2 – 4pm 7 days a week
£26 pp
An afternoon tea with a slight French twist with open sandwiches, their famous gigantic scones and fresh in house pastry’s.
I recommend the seats at the back over-looking the back elevation if there is 1 – 3 of you.
Book ahead only
While you are at it – visit their food hall in their basement, its jam packed with local Norfolk goodies including their own label produce. Plus they have 2 coffee bars in this family owned department store and a wine bar, cocktail bar.
The Courtyard Café
Elm Hill, tucked into Wrights Court.
01603 331531
£23.95
48 hour notice
This is the pinkest, prettiest little café in town. They offer a savoury and sweet scone and a couple of mini pastries along with all the usuals. Plus you’ll find a touch of Norfolk in their sarnies.
You can also book a mini afternoon tea as part of my FEAST of NORWICH, pay as you go, self-guided food tour in Norwich for £10 pp
My Norfolk Trys so far –
Norfolk Mead is one of my favourite places for all sorts including a Sunday Roast, plus they have a spa so if you fancy a day of it book in a special spa package with an afternoon tea included.
Mondays to Saturday 1 – 4pm and Sundays at 4pm
£24 pp
Coltishall, Norfok
Green Pastures
Mill Road, Bergh Apton, Norfolk NR151BQ
(( before Loddon on the road from Norwich to Beccles ))
01508 480734
£23 pp
Open 7 days a week – larger bookings also catered for.
Another good choice for summer as they have an al fresco area, where dogs can be accompanied on a lead. The chefs tick all the boxes, the sweetest extra pastries I’ve ever had and an ever changing menu – the kitchen team use up seasonal and Norfolk produce from their farm shop to create goodies for the day.
An impressive fresh food offering in a large barn garden centre restaurant.
Alternative Afternoon tea experiences
Emporium Norwich – – Coffee & chocolate shop
The Chocolate experience
Hellesdon Barns, Hall Road
Wednesday to Saturday 2 – 3.30pm
£ 25.90
I have to admit this was my idea and Marcela has delivered it perfectly, commissioning a local craft co to make her bespoke serving boards and adding a taste of around 10 chocolate goodies from her shop including her Mums (Roma’s) chocolate cake, a hot chocolate and a selection of chocolate bark. Plus of course her other company Grana Cheese Rolls, a Brazilian gluten free cheese bread which of course she makes a chocolate version. And her speciality is her chocolate Brigadeiros – a Brazilian truffle also included.
Valantine’s and Mothers day choccie EXPERIENCE coming in 2025 – plus a takeaway / possible delivery option.
Sweet Tree Patisserie
Bottomless Cake Experience
St Johns Close, off Hall Road
Lakenham
01603 610676
Fridays and Saturdays 1.30 – 7.30pm
£17.50 pp
Ok this is also my idea, don’t ask me why most of my ideas include food and eating.
Madga the boss is a Polish lady who makes all the cakes out the back, often having over 20 to choose from.
So you have 1.5 hours including a tea or coffee or cold drink and as many cake portions as you can eat in that time, with no waste. Magda starts a couple off with a selection of 5 (your choice of course) cake slices then you can keep asking once they’ve all been demolished. I recommend including a slice of triple chocolate fudge cake, but cookie pies and cheesecakes are all included.