Out of Office with Evvia Gonzales
Freelance designer, support worker and founder of Loupy Studio, Evvia Gonzales @loupystudio is a pub/cafe regular in Norwich. Here Evvia recommends her favourite spots to crochet, get caffeinated and enjoy a pint or three – perfect for anything from a long day of solo work to collective meet-ups.
The Playhouse Bar
Comfiest place to work in town during the day. Always a huge variety of people about – everything from uni students for the £1 tea to people getting ready for a huge night out.Super friendly staff and frequently rotating guest beers keep me there for at least three long afternoons a week.
Yard
In addition to very well-priced food, this newly opened Italian has tables in a suntrap of a churchyard opposite. I’ll often find myself there for a couple of hours in the early afternoon, people watching and crocheting. Try the local sourdough with confit garlic or the bucatini cacio e pepe. Amazing cocktails too.
The Plasterers Arms
A hidden gem in NR3. Unbelievably good food (and ridiculously cheap!) and lots of chatty locals. I love to crochet in a corner and work my way through half pints and a plate of loaded fries. Have always managed to meet a good dog as well.
Artel
My post-night-shift ritual involves heading straight here for an impeccable breakfast bun and a cortado. They stock pastries from Frå.kost, if you fancy something sweeter (and vegan). It’s very easy to stick around until lunchtime, especially if you nab the comfy booth upstairs or if the resident pup Milo is about.
Soyakaze
I love swinging by here for an off-peak saké and sushi. It’s super relaxed when not busy, and I find that the bench at the window is ideal for a working lunch. The pickled mackerel nigiri is an all-star.
The Plantation Gardens
There’s nothing better than grabbing a bench here if you’re blessed with a dry day. The gardens are nestled in a mini man-made valley, so you get plenty of protection from breezes on the crisper spring or autumn mornings. It’s on my way into the city, so I love chilling here for a few hours with my crochet and fruit from grocery store Albaraka Halal.
Bread Source
A Norwich classic! Always very hard to decide between the Bridewell or Upper St Giles window seats. Such an incredible pastry selection –it’s tempting to rock up every morning to sample a new one. Both locations are very work friendly.
The Garnet
I find that the best lunch strategy in town is to grab a meal from Norwich Market and take it over to The Garnet to grab a pint and a shady picnic table. Empanadas from Cocina Mia, stalls 152–53, or the miso aubergine from Bun Box, stall 72, are the winners for me. There’s always plenty of room in the afternoon, so I tend to stick around until my nine-to-five friends are free to join.
Two Magpies Bakery
Impeccable croissants and cooked breakfasts! I’ll often swing by for a snack and an hour of crochet before work. Loads of little corners perfect for installing yourself for a long morning.
