North Norfolk Gluten Free Guide (Cromer, Holt, Wells Next the Sea, Norwich)
With travel restrictions still in place following lockdown, it seems that we’re all flocking to the UK’s seaside towns for a break from the homes we’ve spent the past 5 months in.
Norfolk is the perfect seaside break. It has beautiful seaside towns just a short drive from bustling Norwich, and most importantly there are tons of amazing places to eat gluten free. When I was growing up we went to Cromer every year, so I’ve been over 20 times! The shops and restaurants are always changing with new things popping up each year, but there’s always plenty of shops to mooch in and delicious things to eat.
Whether you’re looking for fish and chips, ice cream by the sea or a nice meal out, hopefully there’s something in this guide for you. I’ve covered Cromer, Holt, Wells Next the Sea and Norwich - but let me know if there’s any spots I’m missing.
Cromer
No 1 Fish and Chips
For arguably the best fish and chips EVER, you’ll want to head to No 1 in Cromer. Almost everything can be made gluten free, and if you’re veggie like me you can opt for a battered pea fritter or battered brie(!). The GF options are prepared and fried separately and served on a different colour plate.
No 1 don’t take bookings, so if you’re going in high season be prepared for a long queue. There are two restaurants - upstairs and downstairs - and a takeaway, all of which have separate queues. The views from the upstairs restaurant make it worth the wait!
No1 also has an ice cream shop with tons of gluten free options - only one of the flavours contained gluten when we visited.
The Bucket List
The Bucket List serve buckets of chips with all sorts of toppings. The chips are gluten free, as are all of the toppings with the exception of the BBQ sauce so the risk of cross contamination is very low.
The Bucket List has a branch in the town centre, but they also have a van near to the Cliff Top Cafe which is worth hiking to for a beautiful seaside cliff top walk. If you happen to be in Norfolk this August bank holiday weekend - head to Holkham Hall Street Food Festival on bank holiday Monday where you’ll find a Bucket List stall.
Alby Craft & Gardens
Alby Craft & Gardens is a quaint spot with barns where you can shop for locally made crafts and gifts. On a nice day you can also explore their large gardens. The cafe has lots of gluten free savoury options, and even had a gluten free white chocolate and raspberry cake when I went! I did notice that the GF cake was next to the gluten containing options so be sure to flag if you’re coeliac.
Buttercup Tea Rooms
Buttercup is a lovely little tea room with a variety of gluten free (and veggie/vegan) options available. If you get caught in the rain exploring Cromer it’s a great spot to stop for a cream tea.
Hatters Tea Shop
Hatters is another lovely tea room which offers gluten free sandwiches and gluten free afternoon tea. Ir’s also in the centre of Cromer so a great spot to stop off after a mooch in the shops.
Windows Ice Cream/Cromer Ices
Windows and Cromer Ices are right round the corner from each other and serve exactly the same thing. Their whippy ice cream is gluten free provided you get it in a tub and comes in all sorts of flavour options including raspberry, bubblegum, mint, chocolate and more! You can even get a combo with some or all of the flavours (pictured below - cone not gluten free).
Holt
Bakers & Larners of Holt
Bakers & Larners is a shop rather than a restaurant, but you’ll definitely want to visit their food hall to pick up some bits from their AMAZING free from section. I always find something new - in the past I’ve found wide noodles, ice cream cones, tons of pasta and wafer rolls!
Byfords
I absolutely love Byfords and always make sure to stop by the deli and restaurant. You’ll want to book as it’s a very popular spot to eat in Holt. They have loads of gluten free options including the likes of sticky toffee pudding for dessert! Their gluten free menu is actually termed a “low gluten” menu since they say they can’t guarantee no cross contamination. Be sure to check with them if you’re coeliac but my personal view is that they’re very careful and are just covering their backs.
The Dun Cow (Salthouse)
The Dun Cow is actually in Salthouse, just by the coast. They have a great gluten free menu, and their beer battered haddock and chips is gluten free as standard! This is a lovely spot for a really nice meal out at a lovely pub.
Wells Next the Sea
French’s Fish and Chips
French’s is right on the sea front - you can’t miss it. They offer gluten free fish and chips which is separately fried to ensure no cross contamination. It’s the perfect spot to grab some chips to enjoy sitting by the harbour or while you’re taking a break from crabbing!
Plattens Fish and Chips
Plattens is right next door to French’s, so the choice is yours! Their gluten free fish and chips is also separately prepared and fried to ensure it’s safe.
Norwich
No 33 Cafe
No 33 is a lovely cafe in Norwich with a huge variety of gluten free options. If you search for gluten free options in Norwich you’re sure to come across No 33! There is usually a long queue if you don’t beat the lunch time rush, but be assured that their gluten free menu is worth the wait.
Harriet’s Tea Rooms
If the queue for No 33 is too long, you’ll find Harriet’s Tea Rooms just around the corner. This self proclaimed “quintessentially English” tea room has loads of gluten free options including various cakes, sandwiches and gluten free afternoon tea.
Giggling Squid
Giggling Squid is a Thai chain restaurant with an incredible gluten free menu and amazing awareness of cross contamination. We love the vegetable red Thai curry and James enjoyed the prawn Pad Thai too!
Cosy Club
Another chain with fantastic gluten free options, Cosy Club is a safe bet for a delicious gluten free meal. I can definitely recommend their veggie burger!
Namaste
Namaste is an Indian restaurant with an entirely vegetarian menu, most of which is also gluten free. We didn’t manage to stop by but it comes highly recommended by a gluten free friend who studied in Norwich.
River Green Cafe
River Green is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, and its entire menu is either gluten free or can be made gluten free! This includes a fennel and mushroom wellington with gluten free pastry - how delicious does that sound!
Other GF options in Norwich
You’ll also find a number of chains in Norwich that cater exceptionally well for gluten free and are a safe bet for a safe, delicious meal. These include:
Zizzi
Prezzo
Bill’s
Nando’s
Cote Brasserie
Enjoy North Norfolk - and be sure to let me know of any other gluten free spots, or if any of these have closed!
