The best places to eat in Wells-next-the-Sea and North Norfolk
July 29, 2024 | Foodie bites | 20 minute read
No one wants to cook all the time when they’re on holiday (although in our caravan holiday homes and lodges, it’s easy to do so!). If you prefer heading out to eat during your stay, or are looking for somewhere new to try, take a look at the suggestions below. The Pinewoods team have shared their favourite cafés and restaurants in Wells-next-the-Sea or the surrounding North Norfolk towns and villages.
Tilly’s favourite place to eat near Wells is Fat Cow
One of my favourite places to eat is Fat Cow, just on the outskirts of Fakenham. They have the most beautiful set up in a field, making you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere (in a good way!). The burgers are incredible, with the beef being North Norfolk locally sourced it is lovely to know you are supporting local businesses. It’s the perfect place for a summer sunset meal with family or friends, somewhere I have spent many evenings after the beach on spontaneous trips!
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Moff’s favourite pizza restaurant in Wells-next-the-Sea
The best place to eat near Pinewoods? Talk about spoilt for choice! Obviously there’s The Victoria at Holkham, which is always special, but I’m going to go with the new kid on the block, Flour. It’s the new pizza restaurant down on the harbour in Wells that used to be K’s Burger Bar. I always go for the “Fire Starter” which is tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni, red pepper, nduja and olives with chilli, plus extra chilli, and chilli oil! OOF! Tastefully decorated and staffed by a young, friendly and attentive team, this place is a most welcome addition to the Wells culinary landscape. Bravissimo!
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Becky’s recommendations for pies or a roast dinner near Wells
The best place to eat for me would be the Three Horseshoes in Warham. I love it! I’m a big fan of a pie and they do amazing pies. If it was Sunday though, and I wanted a cheeky Sunday roast, I’d go to The Carpenters at Wighton.
Picture from warhamhorseshoes.co.uk
Ashley recommends Bang in Wells and French’s
We usually go to Bang in Wells or go to French’s fish and chip shop because they do gluten free fish and chips.
Di’s favourite places to eat
For various different reasons, I absolutely love Wells Crab House for all the seafood, obviously. For a Sunday roast, I really enjoy going over to the Stiffkey Red Lion. They do an absolutely cracking roast on a Sunday, and I also love to go to The Victoria at Holkham. Michael the Head Chef over there is absolutely marvellous!
The Victoria
Pauline’s favourite pub in Wells-next-the-Sea
We go to The Bowling Green as a family. It’s great – an old English style pub with proper food!
Image from bowling-green-inn.co.uk
Emma’s top choice is a picnic
Wells and the surrounding area is so beautiful, I absolutely love venturing outdoors with a picnic and my favourite place to fill my basket is Howell’s Deli in Staithe Street. They cater well for vegetarians (perfect for me) as well as meat eaters (perfect for my other half)! I’ll have spanakopita or an amazing pasty, and can’t resist a couple of chunks of cheese and a bowl of garlic stuffed olives. They sell local Whin Hill apple juice and cider too, which is the perfect accompaniment.
Niobe’s favourites for breakfast and dinner
I’m a big fan of The Globe on the Buttlands – a lovely pub and restaurant, with a lovely green beside it to while away some time in the sunshine too! The Globe’s mezze platters are great for sharing between friends… as a veggie, the hummus and falafel board is always my go-to. I love sitting outside in the courtyard in summer with a pizza (which are available at weekends, weather dependent!). Their cocktails are always a good edition to the evening too – it’s a passionfruit martini for me!
I also like to start the day on holiday with a coffee and a pastry. Two Magpies, on the quay, is a great choice as there’s such a range. I love their cheese and marmite swirls, and I can rarely resist the cookies, either!
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Clem’s choice for food in North Norfolk
One of my favourite places to grab lunch in North Norfolk is Cookies Crab Shack at Salthouse. They serve delicious, fresh, locally caught sea food and it’s a perfect place to visit if you’re exploring the Norfolk coast as it’s about a 20 minute drive or a hour cycle from Wells-next-the-Sea. There are fantastic takeaway options too if you fancy wandering down to eat on the beach, which is something that my family and I love to do on a sunny afternoon. The staff are super friendly, the menu is very reasonably priced and the food is fantastic. Definitely worth a visit if you’re a seafood lover.
Lucy’s top Norfolk foodie spots
What a tricky question as there are so many fabulous places to eat in north Norfolk. Am I allowed to suggest three? Well, I’m going to anyway!
I have enjoyed many celebrations with friends and family at The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe. Not only is the coastal setting looking out to Scolt Head Island breathtaking, but the dishes created by their talented chef Fran are absolutely delicious. Combining the very best local, seasonal ingredients (they even have their own mussel beds), I always have difficulty deciding what to pick!
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I also meeting up with friends at either Eric’s Fish & Chips or Eric’s Pizza at Thornham. The brainchild of Eric Snaith, who is also owner and chef of Titchwell Manor, the relaxed and ‘oh so cool’ atmosphere is the perfect treat after a refreshing beach walk. And that’s not to mention the myriad of interesting independent shops, Drove Orchards Farm Shop and Thornham Deli. From plants to gelato, salami to Danish clothing, there’s something for everyone.
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My third choice has to be our very own The Victoria at Holkham. Head chef Michael and his passionate team, celebrate produce from the estate, local farmers, and producers to create an elegant and exciting menu. Their smaller lunchtime tapas dishes are perfect for sharing, and the excellent wine list is carefully curated by Lord Leicester himself. Pass the corkscrew…
Small plates at lunchtime at The Victoria
