The Bicycle Shop

A Norwich favourite. Lots of seating, a focus on local produce, great food, fast service and a comfy, homely feel. Was on my list for my return trip to Norwich.

Salon de thé et restaurant dans Norwich où j’ai pris une pause gourmande avec un expresso et une tartine au fromage (Welsh rarebit) avec sa piccadilly sauce un peu déçue le pain était un peu sec et froid. Une adresse que je garde pour goûter d ‘autres plats si je repasse par la car l’accueil et la décoration du lieu était très sympa.

This kooky café/​restaurant is an upstairs downstairs type place with mismatched furniture and crockery. It is quite small and any a group bigger than 5 would make it quite squishy.
It’s more of an intimate, cosy place to catch up with friends and enjoy a variety of tapas options or nip in for a quiet lunch and take advantage of the seasonal menu and fresh bakes.
Unfortunately there are no menus, just black boards located around of brekafast, mains and dessert, which is slightly confusing and overly complex.
Good location and props for the seasonal, healthy menu, it was just a bit too cluttered for my taste.
Will try again on my next visit to the UK.

Very cool place. Friendly service. Best Bacon Butty I’ve ever had. Simple fresh and all homemade.

I popped in for a cuppa to kill time and it was hot and quickly served by a friendly chap.
The crockery was mismatched (which is slightly passé now.) and the tea pot spout was chipped (which was scruffy rather than ‘shabby chic’ I feel).
The menu looked interesting with several veggie options. They do have live music nights in a separate room
However, the whole place looks (and feels) a bit grubby (including the upstairs toilet).
I couldn’t see a Food and Hygiene Certificate on display.
So may go again but feel they could do better
PS I did return July 2013 and again the table was sticky and crumby (but not wiped when the tea was delivered). Also I was over half way through my tea and the cake had still not arrived so I had to remind the ‘girl’ who finally tried to overcharge me as she thought I’d had coffee… (Oh yes and the ginger cake had a great flavour but seemed uncooked in the middle but apparently was meant to be like that)

I have given this place a few chances. The first time (early evening) was good. The crêpe was decent and filling (although I got a large one when I had specifically asked for a small) and the wine was lovely. I have been to the Handlebar downstairs for drinks and that is really fairly good. Just for drinks.
My subsequent visits to eat in this place have been very disappointing. The food on both occasions was stale and overpriced. The mixed board had what resembled vacuum packed pieces of salami and stale crackers and at £8.25 (I think) was hugely overpriced and the ale was off. It was explained to us that ale is meant to be like that as it is not a lager (really?) before the other member of staff agreed to change it for us. The service was very slow and the staff looked a bit strung out. When the bill was finally presented to us, we had been charged for many drinks/​food that we did not have and this took a while to sort out. Ho hum. I won’t bother any more.
Altogether a bit of a shame as this place has potential, if only they’d sort out the food and service. Quite important really.
Frank’s Bar (not too far away) is a much better option for food and the service there is also superior. And no, I don’t work there or know anyone who does. Just if you’re looking for that style of bar/​café, then I would recommend Frank’s over this place any day.

Friendly, quirky and fun. Wraps were delicious at lunchtime. Excellent place to shelter from a storm!

A quick review, for what was my first quick visit. Two words; Cheese Board! I’m always bemoaned the slow death of the cheese board, especially in pubs, and yes, I know, this is a symptom of my slow demise into the abyss. But the cheese board rocks my boat and I’m no longer ashamed to admit it.
The Bicycle shop, on an evening, offers cheese and meat boards, to complement their small but good wine list. I loved the attention to detail, we got 5 different kinds of cheese, along with apple slices, pickle and pickled onions, as well as biscuits. It was easily enough as a light meal for two, or at least it soaked up the bottle of wine we had with it.
The atmosphere is French terrace café, with candle light and flowers, along with a bohemian collection of wooden furniture. Service is friendly and fun, relaxed and efficient.
I’ll definately be going back, it was a nice place to relax with a glass of wine and watch the people go by on St. Benedicts Street. The food was simple but nice, well worth a visit. I really want to try out the lunchtime crepes too, they sound amazing…

Norwich has plenty of café’s bars and restaurants, but pound for pound, Kitchen is the best of them. How so? Firstly, locally sourced food, organic where possible. Lovely range of coffees and cakes if you need somewhere to stop on a lengthy Saturday shopping trip.
Secondly, the food menu is a great balance of traditional and contemporary.
Thirdly, because the food is cooked extremely well. Flavours that are every bit as good as most of the higher end restaurants in the city.
And fourthly, because of the price. It’s half as much as you’d expect to pay for food like this and it remains the only restaurant I’ve eaten at where I’ve come away thinking that I’d be willing to pay more for it. Top marks