Wildebeest Arms

3^rd time. I always stop when I am in the Norwich area and they never disappoint. Brie onion tart was perfect light dinner. Another night was perfectly cooked salmon. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Definitely worth finding in Stoke Holy Cross.

A recent Monday lunchtime in snowy conditions was still busy, a testimony to the pull of this great gastropub. Three of us lunched for £50. Gressingham duck was perfectly cooked and melted in the mouth. Roast chicken breast sounds boring but was done to perfection, with nice salty skin, and interesting accompaniment of caramelised beetroot and roast celeriac. Dessert of Tunisian orange cake and ginger ice cream was superb. Great Illy coffee too. For this sort of dining, you can’t do better. The menu du jour is £14.95 (two courses), £18.50 (three course).

I was a regular diner at the Wildebeest a few years ago when I lived in Norfolk and was lucky enough to revisit on a recent trip: Sunday lunchtime menu, £16.95 for 2 courses and £19.95 for 3.
Party of four, 2 bottles of a good un-​oaked Chardonnay, light starters of pork belly with celeriac and deep-​fried brie with beetroot, both served on slate (!), butternut squash and pumpkin soup (thankfully NOT on slate!) and chicken liver pâté.
What the heck, look at their website for examples of mains and desserts.

Suffice to say this is beautifully presented, excellent food — I don’t think you can find a better meal in or around Norwich, and I’ve eaten in most.
I’m so pleased the place has actually improved since I used to rave about it a few years ago!