
Britons Arms
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Quick info
About Britons Arms
Britons Arms is a restaurant in Norwich, set in an old historic building at 9 Elm Hill, a cobbled street. The building has a roof terrace, which closes in winter, and a garden next to the church garden. The main menu runs to around six mains, with fish, meat and veggie options, and a glass window lets diners see the chef working in the kitchen. Home made cakes and puddings sit alongside the meals, including a coffee and walnut cake. The drinks list covers an extensive range of teas and coffees, with teas served in a cast iron pot and hot chocolate topped with cream. The restaurant is open daily.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee and walnut cake, hot chocolate with cream, historic building and roof terrace.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee and walnut cake, hot chocolate with cream, historic building and roof terrace.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for coffee and cake in an old, quaint building, with the coffee and walnut cake called delicious by one diner and a little dry by another. Close behind are a hot chocolate with cream, described as rich and comforting, a mocha one reviewer rates among the best, and a chocolate-and-orange cake. Dinner earns its own praise, with the beef cheek, venison cooked nicely pink, moist fish and rack of lamb singled out, plus a salmon and horseradish quiche at lunch. Diners describe a relaxed, arty, cosy feel, a garden and roof terrace, and welcoming, patient staff, and several call the prices reasonable. One reviewer was far less happy, reporting an expensive coffee, no skimmed milk, a dirty milk jug, a sticky table, basic toilets outside and a table layout that made conversation difficult. Another reviewer, a writer, recalls staff offering to open the rooftop terrace even though it was closed for winter.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for coffee and cake in an old, quaint building, with the coffee and walnut cake called delicious by one diner and a little dry by another. Close behind are a hot chocolate with cream, described as rich and comforting, a mocha one reviewer rates among the best, and a chocolate-and-orange cake. Dinner earns its own praise, with the beef cheek, venison cooked nicely pink, moist fish and rack of lamb singled out, plus a salmon and horseradish quiche at lunch. Diners describe a relaxed, arty, cosy feel, a garden and roof terrace, and welcoming, patient staff, and several call the prices reasonable. One reviewer was far less happy, reporting an expensive coffee, no skimmed milk, a dirty milk jug, a sticky table, basic toilets outside and a table layout that made conversation difficult. Another reviewer, a writer, recalls staff offering to open the rooftop terrace even though it was closed for winter.
Featured reviews
- Allexa Nava
“Beautiful building and garden! Cute atmosphere 100% and prices are really nice. Would come again for a little lunch ❤️”
- Anne Clark
“Went for coffee...expensive. They don't have skimmed milk, milk jug dirty, table sticky. Toilets outside & very basic...no room for elderly or less mobile person to manage. No disabled toilet facility. No prices on cakes etc. Unable to converse with friends as layout of tables restrictive. No food hygiene rating visible”
- Carrie Wells
“A hidden gem. We sat on the roof terrace which was charming. Staff were welcoming, service was quick and food was tasty. I had the Salmon and horseradish quiche with pickles and salad. Coffee and walnut cake was also delicious. Thanks”
- Amy Lewis
“Beautiful old building full of character and amazing food. The owner/chef on the night was running the show single-handedly but we didn't feel that anything was lacking. The menu was interesting and included a great range of options. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious (hands-down the best beef cheek I've ever had). Portion sizes were really good (my partner and I have big appetites) and the prices were very reasonable. Also had Mr Winter's brewery bottled beer which is always a good thing. Definitely worth a visit when in Norwich.”
- Boakye D. Alpha
“A writer friend suggested we come here for a writing session and highly recommended their hot chocolate. Since I’m very much a hot-chocolate person, that was all the convincing I needed. I ordered a hot chocolate with cream when I arrived and genuinely loved it, rich, hot 🌚, comforting, and perfect for settling into a few hours of writing. Later, I tried the chocolate-and-orange cake (hope I remember correctly), and it was amazing. What really stood out for me was the atmosphere. The old building, the historic architecture, and the cosy feel make it an ideal place to sit quietly and work. If you’re there to write, you’re respected—no unnecessary interruptions, just a calm, welcoming space that lets you focus. Norwich is a UNESCO City of Literature so it really helps that there are places here that support writers and artists. The staff were equally lovely. Warm, smiling, patient, and happy to answer questions. When I asked if I could see the rooftop terrace, even though it was closed for winter, they kindly offered to open it for me. That small gesture said a lot. It’s the kind of place that feels made for writers, thinkers, and anyone who enjoys slowing down with good food, good drinks, and a bit of history around them. Eg, one person passed through for the soup of the day and to journal while they waited for the soup. It was nice to see! I am definitely going back!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Location
Restaurants near Britons Arms
- Tatlers4.8700.1 mi£40–70Wheelchair accessible
treacle tart, crème brûlée, ox cheek
- Brix and Bones4.73580.1 mi£40–100Reservations
steak cooked to perfection, in-house sommelier, innovative sides
- XO Kitchen4.74370.1 miWheelchair accessible
korean fried chicken, cocktails, bbq hispi cabbage
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Britons Arms | 4.6491 | — | — | coffee and walnut cake, hot chocolate with cream, historic building |
| TatlersWheelchair accessible | 4.870 | 0.1 mi | £40–70 | treacle tart, crème brûlée, ox cheek |
| Brix and BonesReservations | 4.7358 | 0.1 mi | £40–100 | steak cooked to perfection, in-house sommelier, innovative sides |
| XO KitchenWheelchair accessible | 4.7437 | 0.1 mi | — | korean fried chicken, cocktails, bbq hispi cabbage |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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