Norwich's Top Independent Café and Coffee Shops: A Curated Guide
If you're seeking a straightforward, curated guide to the finest independent cafes and coffee shops in Norwich, your search ends here – you're exactly where you need to be. Plunge directly into Norwich's vibrant coffee scene as we highlight the crème de la crème of caffeine havens. From artisanal brews to cosy spots perfect for unwinding with a book, we've meticulously selected the best coffee stops Norwich has to offer just for you. Ready to sip your way through the city's most cherished coffee locales? Let's get started.
Kofra Coffee Roasters
With four locations in Norwich neighbourhood hotspots, you’re never far away from your next Kofra caffeine fix. Head to its flagship store on Upper St. Giles to visit its large sit-in cafe and discover the wide range of low-intervention wines as well as a deli offering dry-aged beef, craft beer, and other high-quality products to complement its coffee. Find the other three Kofra cafe communities in NR2, NR3, and Trowse, all brewing seasonal high-grade speciality coffee daily and serving delicious treats freshly made by the in-house bakers. The friendly baristas are meticulously trained in the different tasting notes of the beans, so they can help you find your perfect cup of coffee.
@kofracoffee
📍 81 Upper St Giles St, Norwich NR2 1AB
📍 16 Onley St, Norwich NR2 2EB
📍 1 Bell Rd, Norwich NR3 4RA
Café Club
Flying the flag for good coffee, the Café Club is a coffee and sandwich bar with a focus on local, seasonal and ethically sourced produce. Open Monday to Friday, both its cafes are popular Norwich spots to meet for a morning coffee or lunch – handmade sandwiches, toasties, soups, salads and pastries are available to eat in or take away. Serving its own seasonal blend of coffee, you can also buy Café Club beans to take home with you. The plant-filled King Street corner cafe is conveniently situated on the main thoroughfare into town from the train station. The larger location on St Andrew's Hill is right in the heart of the car-free Norwich Lanes.
📍 41 King Street, Norwich, NR1 1PH
📍 1A St Andrew's Hill, Norwich, NR2 1AD
The Yard Coffee
A coffee shop with plenty of headroom, The Yard, part of Pivotal House, serves ethically sourced, direct-trade Brazilian coffee that is locally roasted in Norwich. Just off Red Lion Street, in a former wagon-and-horses’ yard, this glass-fronted, plant-filled oasis allows natural light to flood in even during the winter months. The baristas are delighted to serve you speciality coffee the way you like it. Whether you’re going for a black coffee because you know it brings out the profile or you want extra syrup and flavours – have it how you enjoy it here. The Yard offers dairy-free alternative milk at no extra cost.
📍 The Yard, 1A Pivotal House, Red Lion Street, Norwich, NR1 3TB
Two Magpies Bakery
Award-winning artisan bakery Two Magpies has three branches in Norfolk, one in Norwich and two in North Norfolk – Holt and Blakeney – producing hand-baked goods and Allpress coffee to take away or eat in. Stacks of sourdough loaves line the walls; the bakery counter is piled high with glistening hand-laminated pastries and savoury bakes, while the generous slices of cake in the fridge are hard to resist. Enjoy a brunch and lunch menu in the in-store cafes, available from 8am. The Holt outpost is also open Friday and Saturday evenings, serving a selection of wood-fired pizzas sliders and irresistible desserts from its upstairs restaurant.
📍 27 29 Timber Hill, Norwich NR1 3LA
Strangers
Award-winning artisan bakery Two Magpies has three branches in Norfolk, one in Norwich and two in North Norfolk – Holt and Blakeney – producing hand-baked goods and Allpress coffee to take away or eat in. Stacks of sourdough loaves line the walls; the bakery counter is piled high with glistening hand-laminated pastries and savoury bakes, while the generous slices of cake in the fridge are hard to resist. Enjoy a brunch and lunch menu in the in-store cafes, available from 8am. The Holt outpost is also open Friday and Saturday evenings, serving a selection of wood-fired pizzas sliders and irresistible desserts from its upstairs restaurant.
📍 21 Pottergate, Norwich NR2 1DS
📍 10 Dove St, Norwich NR2 1DE
📍 14 All Saints Grn, Norwich NR1 3NA
Connaught Kitchen
Connaught Kitchen opened in 2021 in a leafy, residential area of NR2 with the aim of ‘bringing something positive to the community, somewhere for people to meet and enjoy each other’s company’. Serving coffee from Horsham Coffee Roaster, homemade cakes, Bread Source pastries, as well as breakfast, light lunch and brunch, the venue has regular evening supper clubs on Saturdays and other occasional pop-ups by local food traders. Open Wednesday to Saturday 9am–4pm and Sundays 9am–2pm, this corner cafe bistro has quickly turned into a popular neighbourhood hangout.
📍 80 Connaught Rd, Norwich NR2 3BS
Fika
Fika Norwich embodies the Swedish tradition of cherished breaks spent with friends over coffee or tea. Touted as one of Norwich's tiniest yet most characterful coffee shops, it delivers big on flavour. With a select range of scrumptious pastries, like the coveted cardamom buns, and a community-centric ambience, Fika stands out. Its ethos? Create a welcoming niche where quality reigns. The curated menu offers delectable brews and insight for those keen on delving deeper into coffee culture. In this cosy haven, you can unwind, chat, and watch the world gracefully drift by.
📍 25 Wensum St, Norwich NR3 1LA
The Little Red Roaster
Established in 2002, The Little Red Roaster stands as a testament to Norwich's vibrant coffee scene. Founded by Darren Groom after his return from Australia, this beloved stall, located at Stall 53, Row B in the historic Norwich Market, has been serving ethically sourced speciality coffee for over two decades. Committed to quality and ethics, it has been a market mainstay, offering city-dwellers a taste of exceptional brews. Dive into a coffee journey crafted by a passion sparked Down Under, and experience The Little Red Roaster's enduring charm in the heart of Norwich.