The problem with listing the best pubs in Norwich is that there are far too many good ones to choose from. Even here, where we’ve picked out some of our favourites in the city, alongside some of the most celebrated drinking dens in the country, we feel like we could have waxed lyrical about Norwich’s watering holes for much, much longer. Nevertheless, if you are looking for somewhere to go for a pint, you won’t go far wrong with any of the Norwich pubs you’re about to read about.
Pubs in Norwich
The Fat Cat Pub
The Plasterers Arms
The Murderers
Come and stay at one of our hotels in Norwich and you’ll find yourself in the midst of pub royalty. The Fat Cat Pub on West End Street prides itself on being a ‘traditional ale emporium’. Twice it’s been named the CAMRA National Pub of the Year, as well as the Good Pub Guide Beer Pub of the Year a record-breaking eight times. It opened its doors over 25 years ago and ever since has been greeting thirsty visitors with an ever-changing range of over 30 real ales either on pump or on gravity, including some of their very own from their multi-award winning Fat Cat Brewery. You can sample these more extensively at the Fat Cat Brewery Tap on Lawson Road, or The Fat Cat & Canary, which is less than a fifteen-minute stumble from Carrow Road.
The Plasterers Arms doesn’t have the same kind of credentials as the Fat Cat crew but that doesn't stop it from being one of our absolute favourite pubs in Norwich. As far as beers go, it’s got one of the best selections in the city, with three or four local options and several others that have been sourced from some of the most exciting breweries in the business. These include the likes of Five Points, Canopy, Clouded Minds, Magic Rock, Northern Monk and Wild Weather Ales. But that’s not all, people of all (legal-drinking) ages make the pilgrimage to The Plasterers Arms for their pizzas that daringly push the boundaries of what to find on top. For example, the New York Deli has a butter base, sauerkraut, pastrami, gherkins, Emmental, mozzarella and Marie Rose sauce. Delicious!
As it’s less than a five-minute walk from The Plasterers Arms, the King’s Head on Magdalen Street is the perfect place for your next pint. The King’s Head prides itself on being a keg-free zone. It’s a cornucopia of cask ales housed in one of the most-traditional drinking dens in East Anglia. It even has bar billiards! Marvel at the exterior before making your way inside for a warm welcome and a wonderful pint.
Go west! It’s where you’ll find the next stop on our tour of the top pubs in Norwich. The Alexandra Tavern takes pride of place in the Golden Triangle as one of its best-loved pubs, particularly for ale-lovers. Lovingly abbreviated to The Alex, the tavern has long been affiliated with some of the best breweries in the country and now it mainly stocks a selection of fine ales from Norwich’s own Chalk Hill Brewery. We highly recommend calling in for a drink, and allow yourself to be tempted by the food. It’s high-quality, homemade pub grub with daily specials and our favourite combination of big portions and low costs. Plus, you’ll get to meet the resident pub cat, Tommy.
Our last pub is The Gardeners Arms, one of the oldest family-run public houses in Norfolk and the scene of a gruesome tale that inspired its moniker: Murderers Pub. If you want to find out more, ask behind the bar when you order from their fine selection of real ales and lagers. As you’re so spoilt for choice, if you attempted to try everything, there’s a fair chance you’ll struggle to make even the half mile walk back to our Norwich Nelson City Centre hotel. The good news is they offer ‘beer tapas’ boards, so you sample three ales at a time in ⅓ pint glasses.