Author: Hannah Jade

The lady behind The Dinner Bell! I'm that person who doesn't let you leave their flat without eating something, and will probably press a parcel of cookies or cake into your hands as you head to the door. I’m a sub-editor by day, avid book-reader by night, and octopus fan always. I've returned to Norfolk after eight years away, but little bits of my heart still belong to London, where I lived for almost fives years, and Sheffield, where I went to uni and finally lost my bumpkin accent.

In Season: November

There are many things about Britain that are completely mad – morris dancing, Crufts, teachers’ work loads – but one of the weirdest has to be the fact that 400 years on, we still celebrate the failure of a plot to blow up Parliament.

The celebration of Bonfire Night was brought about by the Observance of 5th November Act 1605, which called for annual public thanksgiving. Although the act was repealed in the late 1850s, we still love a big ol’ fire and watching explosions timed to a playlist that seems to always include something by Queen (sadly, it’s rarely Fat Bottomed Girls).

It’s one of my favourite nights of the year. Continue reading →

Jive Kitchen, Exchange St

Authentic Mexican food in the centre of Norwich: unexpected, but so, so good. Jive Kitchen, which sits at the top of one of the most stunning staircases we’ve seen, is situated opposite Jarrold on Exchange Street and serves burritos, tacos and the like with such strong dedication to Mexico’s food that the menu even has a key to translate some elements of the dishes. Churros and a wide range of tequilas have also found their home in the restaurant, which offers some great people-watching spots as well. With lunchtime take-out options and deals on throughout the week, there’s really no excuse not to take yourself on a little food holiday.
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Aroma, Upper King St

Tucked into a little listed building on King St, Aroma could be easy to miss, but you’d be a fool to walk past. Before you even get to the food and drink, you’ll be greeted by some of the friendliest cafe staff in the city, and then by an extensive array of food and drinks to choose from. Keeping it a local affair, Aroma uses coffee from Smokey Barn, which is based further down King St. And when the sun goes down – or, you know, any time before that, we’re not judging – the cafe/bar offers a range of cocktails, some evergreen, like the the espresso martini, and some seasonal, such as the Fireball chai.
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Norfolk Restaurant Week 2017

Local restaurants and bargains? Well, consider our interest piqued. For the first time, North Norfolk Restaurant Week has expanded to cover the county (and drop the North from the name!) and oh boy are we excited.

Although the participating restaurants are scattered across the county, there’s a good selection in Norwich, many for lunch as well as dinner. On offer between October 30 and November 10, the premise is simple, with set menus of up to three courses costing no more than £20. So where can we find such treats?
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Frank’s Bar, Bedford St

There’s a good reason Frank’s is a bit of a Norwich institution: it’s got all the cosiness of your best mate’s house, along with good and drinks galore. Yep, even for your pickiest friend, as the good folks at Frank’s offer vegan, veggie, and gluten-free goodies and are happy to modify a range of their dishes to accommodate dietary requirements. You can even settle down to a movie on a Sunday night.

In fact, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as the holy trinity of coffee, cakes, and cocktails, Frank’s is only a bunkbed away from being somewhere you may well like to move into.

If you like Frank’s, you’ll also love sister restaurant North. Click here to find out more.
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The Birdcage, Pottergate

What do you get when you mix cocktails, music, and art? A great night out at The Birdcage, that’s what.

Nestled in the Norwich Lanes, The Birdcage exhibits all the eccentricity you’d hope for in an art deco pub in a city bursting with creativity. Alongside the drinks, the pub puts on art shows, open mic nights, and life drawing classes (called BUMS), as well as offering Friday “fizz and chips” in partnership with neighbours and buddies the Grosvenor fish bar.
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Cafe Gelato, Opie St

Norwich is no stranger to ice cream: Lakenham Creamery has been churning the sweet stuff for almost 100 years, and has won more than 120 awards in that time. Meanwhile, in the city centre, the traditional Ronaldo Ices barrow is a familiar site to everyone here. Continue reading →

St Andrews Brew House, St Andrews St

Beer so local it’s brewed on site, British tapas, and vegetarian food options galore? Count us in.

This corner of Norwich has certainly improved since the days the site hosted Delaneys. The stretch from Grapes Hill all the way down to Elm Hill is fast becoming a foodie mecca, playing host to quirky cafes and the infamous Benedicts restaurant. Just up the road from the gin-distilling Ten Bells, and next to the home of Norwich’s beer festival, St Andrews Brew House, with more than 30 different types of ale, lager, and craft beer on offer, certainly fits in here. Continue reading →